Today in History: April 12, Yuri Gagarin becomes first human in space
In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Ga., at age 63. He was succeeded by Vice President Harry S. Truman.
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In 1954, Bill Haley and His Comets recorded 'Rock Around the Clock,' a song often cited as bringing rock 'n' roll music into the mainstream when it was popularized in the film 'The Blackboard Jungle' the following year.
In 1955, the polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk was declared safe and effective, following nearly a year of field trials undertaken by about 1.8 million American child volunteers dubbed 'polio pioneers.'
In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space, orbiting the earth once before landing safely via parachute after a planned ejection from his space capsule.
In 1963, civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and jailed in Birmingham, Ala., charged with contempt of court and parading without a permit. (During his time behind bars, King wrote his 'Letter from Birmingham Jail.')
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In 1981, the NASA Space Shuttle program began as Space Shuttle Columbia, the world's first reusable spacecraft, lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center.
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Summer fun at no cost: Eight free things to do in Montgomery
Does the idea of a fun day out and about sound great, right up until it hits your wallet? Worry not. The Montgomery Advertiser is offering eight free or cheap fun things for adults to do in the Montgomery area this summer. Where: 1 Museum Drive Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, located in Blount Cultural Park, is absolutely free to get in and view a variety of masterpieces — though they'll gladly accept a donation. The museum's permanent collection includes 19th- and 20th-century American paintings and sculptures, Southern regional art, Old Master prints and decorative arts. The museum offers tours, has a cafe, and frequently hosts live performances. Summer months ahead include several workshops and camps. Online: Contact: 334-625-4333 More: Summer festivals & fun in Montgomery that you've got to experience While you're at MMFA, there's a gorgeous spot to enjoy a picnic lunch outdoor in the John and Joyce Caddell Sculpture Garden. Blount Cultural Park, including the area around nearby Alabama Shakespeare Festival, is also bursting with scenic picnic opportunities. There are many more beautiful locations across the city as well where it's free to set up and enjoy a meal. You can see a big list of park areas online at Montgomery is just packed with outdoor art displays, many of which reflect the people and history of the city. One must-see is the Civil Rights Memorial, a granite fountain with the names of people who were killed during the Civil Rights Movement. It's in downtown Montgomery at 400 Washington Ave. There are at least 24 murals to be seen downtown, midtown, and on the west side. A map to them is available at There are statues across the city, including life size versions of Hank Williams, Rosa Parks, and many more. If nature's your thing, Montgomery has. lot to offer on walking trails. There are at least 22 trails available to walkers in Montgomery's public parks. You can find them online at Another amazing venue for this is Montgomery Whitewater. It's free to visit, and has multi-use trails set up for walking, running, and mountain biking. On the not-free side, if you want, you can book whitewater rafting adventures there or take to the trees in the ropes and zipline course. See more online at More: Summer pool hours: Splash pads and swimming spots in the Montgomery area Country legend Hank Williams was a young man on Montgomery's streets. He died at age 29 on New Year's Day 1953 in the back seat of his 1952 Cadillac while headed from Tennessee to a scheduled concert in Canton, Ohio. His all-too-short life created a legacy of country western music. The city will celebrate what would have been Hank's 102nd birthday this summer with a music celebration on Sept. 13, 3 p.m. at the Davis Theatre, 251 Montgomery St. Tickets are on sale through the Hank Williams Museum — $35 for general admission, and $45 for VIP. Hank Williams Museum, 118 Commerce St.: This museum is dedicated to all things Hank, and along with a lot of memorabilia and imagery, it even has his blue Cadillac. You do have to get tickets to get in here: $15 for ages 18 and up, $5 for ages 15-17, $3 for ages 5-14, and ages 4 and younger are free. But Montgomery is full of places you can visit to see where and how Hank lived — and most are free to go look at. How many places can you visit in a day? Hank Williams statue, 216 Commerce St.: The 6-foot-2 bronze statue of Hank Williams stands at the intersection with Tallapoosa Street in front of the tunnel to Riverfront Park. Empire Theater, 234 Montgomery St.: This is where a young Hank won a singing contest in 1937. The Empire is gone, and the Rosa Park Library and Museum sits where the theater once stood. Jefferson Davis Hotel, WSFA radio, 344 Montgomery St.: When Hank was just a "singing kid" of around 13, he landed a gig singing live on WSFA radio (With the South's Finest Airport). It's a job he and his Drifting Cowboys would have there for several years, Sidney Lanier High School, 1756 S. Court St.: This school, which closed down in 2024, is where 16-year-old Hank dropped out of school in October 1939 after a brief enrollment, opting to focus on his blossoming music career with the Drifting Cowboys. Chris' Hot Dogs, 138 Dexter Ave.: This famous downtown hotdog and burger restaurant — which opened in 1917 and still operates today — is where Williams was known to frequent on late nights after gigs to sober up in a back booth. Elite Café, 121 Montgomery St.: This is where Hank sang publicly for the last time on Dec. 28, 1952, while attending an American Federation of Musicians holiday party. Municipal auditorium, 103 N. Perry St.: Where the City Council meets now is where thousands paid their final respects Sunday, Jan. 4, 1953, to Hank. They were inside and outside what was then called Municipal Auditorium. Hank Williams Memorial & Gravesite, 1304 Upper Wetumpka Road in Oakwood Cemetery Annex: Hank's gravesite is a must-see for visiting Hank Fans. It's also the gravesite of Hank's first wife, Audrey − the mother of Hank Williams Jr. Take a tour of the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Ave. It's a working museum of state history and politics, with offices for the governor and executive branch officers. Areas open to the public include the House of Representatives, Senate Chamber, Old Supreme Court Chamber and Library, and the Rotunda. When: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Free Just across Adams Avenue at the Department of Archives and History you can dig into the state's past at the Museum of Alabama. When: The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Admission for self-guided tours is free. There's music playing nightly at spots across Montgomery. One of the most active places is The Exchange at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa, 201 Tallapoosa St. They have music going 7 days a week, and most nights feature two music acts on their outdoor stage. There are many bars, restaurants and other venues that host live music — though some may have a door charge. You can find them at Another amazing source for live music that's absolutely free is Montgomery Whitewater, 1100 Maxwell Boulevard, which frequently hosts live music concerts. See what music is ahead this summer online at One of the jewels of Montgomery is the stretch of the Alabama River at Riverfront Park, 355 Commerce St. The area includes Riverwalk Amphitheater, and hosts concerts and other events throughout the year. It's also home to the Harriott II Riverboat. It's a great place to visit toward the evening to watch a stunning sunset reflected on the water. Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: See our picks for eight free things to do in Montgomery this summer
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‘Democracy Forward' Compilation Features Tracks From Michael Stipe, Wilco, Brandi Carlile, John Prine and Tyler Childers
The 20-track Democracy Forward double album will feature songs from R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, Wilco, Tyler Childers, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and many more on a compilation focused on democracy, resilience and courage. The collection is a partnership between literary magazine The Bitter Southerner and national legal organization Democracy Forward. 'The work of Democracy Forward ensures that people and communities – that all of us – are heard and that our rights are protected,' said Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward in a statement about the collection that will be release on vinyl the week of July 3; pre-sales begin today here. More from Billboard Cardi B Blasts Donald Trump's 'Dictatorship Vibe' Over ICE Raids & National Guard Deployment Cloonee Postpones L.A. Shows Amid ICE Raids: 'I Will Not Throw a Party Whilst the Latino People Who Have Supported Me in This City Are Hurting' Leon Thomas' 'Mutt' Snatches Third Radio Crown of 2025 'At a time when so many communities across the nation are hurting and being targeted, music, art, and expression helps to bring people together in community, which creates the conditions for courage,' read the statement. 'We are incredibly grateful to the artists who have dedicated their music to support the American people's rights and our democracy during this consequential time. Each of us has a role to play in strengthening our democracy, and every voice matters.' Proceeds from the album will benefit Democracy Forward's work, which includes free representation for people and communities in defense of their constitutional rights. Since the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, Democracy Forward said in the statement that it has been focused on 'some of the most significant issues affecting people, families, and communities to confront anti-democratic extremism head-on. From stopping the federal funding freeze, to blocking the decimation of the Department of Education, to protecting religious liberty, to safeguarding due process, to stopping DOGE and Musk from taking Americans' sensitive and personal data, and more – Democracy Forward has won court orders for people and is just getting started.' The album will open with Stipe's new original spoken word piece 'Invocation.' The singer and activist said in a statement, 'We believe in the importance of our democracy and also our ability to save it. The world is depending on us. This fight is not over. The day is not done.' Since Democracy Forward's formation in 2016, the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit has taken the Trump administration to court more than 100 times and worked with dozens of prominent groups to combat some of the administration's actions by partnering with organizations including: Abortion Fund of Ohio, National Immigrant Justice Center, National Parks Conservation Association, Alliance For Justice, National Resources Defense Council, New York Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The album announcement comes as Trump is attempting to muscle through his so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill,' a proposed tax and spending package that aims to permanently extend the president's big tax cuts for the nation's wealthiest individuals, as well as make deep cuts to social programs including Medicaid and food aid and roll back a wide variety of environmental regulations and green energy initiatives in an effort to focus on climate-warming fossil fuels. It also coincided with Trump's provocative deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Monday (June 9) — without the consent of Gov. Gavin Newsom — in order to quell demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the city. Check out the track list for Democracy Forward below. Michael Stipe – 'Invocation' (new) Sierra Ferrell –'American Dreaming' Wilco – 'Cruel Country' Tyler Childers – 'Long Violent History' Brandi Carlile – 'Speak Your Mind' Hurray for the Riff Raff – 'Colossus of Roads' Brittany Howard – 'Another Day Tunde Abebimpe – 'People' Kevin Morby and Waxahatchee – 'Farewell Transmission' Fruit Bats – 'A Lingering Love' Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – 'Something More Than Free' (Live from the ACL Live) She Returns From War – 'Ruthless' John Prine – 'Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven' (Live at Fifth Peg Chicago) S.G. Goodman – 'Satellite' Allison Russell (featuring Brandi Carlile) – 'You're Not Alone' Langhorne Slim – 'Life is Confusing' Blue Mountain – 'Jimmy Carter' Danielle Ponder – 'So Long' Jim James – 'Here in Spirit' Michael Stipe and Big Red Machine – 'No Time For Love Like Now' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
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Did you know these 30 famous people have ties to Rockford, Illinois?
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — While Rockford, Illinois will likely be forever known for its time as one of the largest manufacturing hubs in the United, States, the city has produced an exceptional array of individuals who have left significant marks on history, culture, sports, entertainment, literature, journalism, and more. From pioneering scholars to celebrated athletes, artists, authors, and journalists, the city's legacy spans diverse fields. Here is a list 30 notable people who were either born and raised in Rockford or have significant ties to the city. Profession: Archaeologist, Egyptologist, historianNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1865, Breasted was the first American to earn a Ph.D. in Egyptology from Yale in 1894. He founded the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute in 1919 with John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s support and coined the term 'Fertile Crescent.' His work on Egyptian tombs, including aiding Howard Carter's 1922–23 Tutankhamun excavation, popularized archaeology. Breasted's work is also believed to have partly inspired the movie character, Indiana Jones. He died in 1935 in New York and is buried in Rockford's Greenwood Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Fashion designer, DJ, entrepreneurNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1980, Abloh became a global fashion icon as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear and the founder of Off-White. The first Black designer to lead a major fashion house, he collaborated with Nike and exhibited at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. Abloh died in 2021 from cancer. He was Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Boylan Catholic High School. Profession: Filmmaker, cinematographerNotable Achievements: Liu moved to Rockford at age 5 after immigrating from China. He went on to direct 2018's 'Minding the Gap,' a documentary he filmed in Rockford. The Oscar-nominated film, exploring skateboarding, abuse, and resilience, earned a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. Liu has also worked on projects like 'All These Sons' (2021).Rockford Connection: Raised in Rockford from age 5, attended Rockford schools and Rock Valley College. Profession: BoxerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1904, Mandell, known as the 'Rockford Flash,' won the World Lightweight Boxing Championship in 1926 at age 22, defeating Rocky Kansas at Chicago's Comiskey Park. With 28 knockouts in 168 rights, Mandell was inducted into the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame in 1962. He also ran a gym in Rockford. He died in 1967 at the age of Connection: Born and raised in Rockford and trained locally. Profession: ActorNotable Achievements: Born in Los Angeles in 1946 but raised in Rockford, Saint James earned Emmy nominations for 'McMillan & Wife' (1971–76) and 'Kate & Allie' (1984–89). She won an Emmy for 'The Name of the Game' (1969) and starred in films like 'Love at First Bite' (1979). A three-time Golden Globe nominee, she later became a Connection: Raised in Rockford and attended Rockford schools. Profession: ActorNotable Achievements: Born in Chicago in 1959, Quinn lived in Rockford while his father taught English literature at Rock Valley College. Quinn is known for his roles in 'Desperately Seeking Susan' (1985), 'Benny & Joon' (1993), and 'Legends of the Fall' (1994), he also starred in 'Elementary' and 'Law & Order: SVU.'Rockford Connection: Lived in Rockford and attended Rockford Public Schools. Profession: Actor, voice actor, singerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1961, Benson is best known as the voice of Ariel in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' (1989) and its sequels. She voiced Barbie in 'Toy Story 2″ and Toy Story 3' and earned Tony and Helen Hayes nominations for Broadway's 'Crazy for You.' Her other work includes 'Thumbelina' (1994) and 'Enchanted' (2007).Rockford Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Boylan Central Catholic High School. Profession: Professional basketball playerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1994, VanVleet won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and became an All-Star in 2022. An undrafted player out of Wichita State, VanVleet graduated from Auburn High School, where he was a four-year star for the Knights. He now plays for the Houston Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Auburn High School. Profession: Singer, actorNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1979, Williams joined Destiny's Child in 2000, contributing to hits like 'Survivor.' A graduate of Auburn High School's Creative and Performing Arts program, she released the gospel album 'Heart to Yours' (2002) and the pop album 'Unexpected' (2008). She also starred in Broadway's 'Aida.'Rockford Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, attended Auburn High School. Profession: Actor, singerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1960, Mazzie was a Tony-nominated Broadway star for 'Passion'(1994), 'Ragtime' (1998), and 'Kiss Me, Kate' (1999). Known for her powerful soprano voice, she appeared in 'Next to Normal' and 'Bullets Over Broadway.' She died in Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Actor, director, producerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1962, Mantello won Tony Awards for directing 'Take Me Out' (2003) and 'Assassins' (2004). He earned a Tony nomination for acting in Angels in America (1993) and directed Broadway hits like 'Wicked.'Rockford Connection: Born in Rockford. Profession: PoliticianNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1922, Anderson served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois (1961–81) and ran as an independent in the 1980 presidential election, earning 6.6% of the vote. Known for his progressive Republican views, he's a significant figure in Rockford's political history. Anderson died in Connection: Lifelong resident of Rockford. Profession: Astronaut, engineerNotable Achievements: Born in South Bend, Indiana, in 1956, Voss grew up in Rockford and flew on five NASA Space Shuttle missions, logging over 18 million miles in space. She contributed to International Space Station experiments and earned degrees from Purdue and MIT. She died in Connection: Raised in Rockford during childhood. Profession: Rock bandNotable Achievements: Formed in Rockford in 1974, Cheap Trick achieved global fame with hits like 'Surrender,' 'I Want You to Want Me,' and 'Dream Police.' The band's original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. They've sold over 20 million records and remain a Rockford cultural Connection: Formed in Rockford. All members of the band except Robin Zander were born in the Forest City. Zander was born in Beloit and raised in Loves Park. Profession: Politician, educatorNotable Achievements: Born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1939, Martin taught in Rockford Public Schools and served on the Winnebago County Board. As a U.S. Representative (1981–91) and U.S. Secretary of Labor under George H.W. Bush, she was the first woman in a congressional leadership role as vice chairwoman of the House Republican Connection: Taught school and served in local government in Rockford. Profession: ActorNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1974, Busker starred as a child actor in the 1987 film 'Big Shots' alongside Darius McCrary. At 13, he traveled to cities like New York and New Orleans to promote the movie, earning attention for his natural, unpolished charm. He had no prior acting experience beyond a school play before landing the role after an audition in Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Actress, modelNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1962, Ginger Lynn became a prominent actress in the 1980s adult film industry, later transitioning to mainstream roles in 'Young Guns II' (1990) and 'Metallica: The Videos' (1989).Rockford Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Graduated from Rockford West High School. Profession: Actor, musicianNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1968, Wallem is best known for playing Thor Lundgren in 'Nurse Jackie' (2009–15). A stage actor and cabaret performer, he's also part of the punk rock parody band Ambulance LTD. He graduated from Guilford High Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Sports executiveNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1951, Sund served as general manager for NBA teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks. He contributed to the Mavericks' early success and was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2004. He died in Connection: Born in Rockford. Profession: Comedian, actressNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1974, Leggero is a stand-up comedian and actress known for roles in 'Another Period' (2015–18) and 'Chelsea Lately.' Her other work includes her comedy special 'Live at Bimbo's' (2015), and voice work in 'Ugly Americans.'Rockford Connection: Born in Rockford. Leggero graduated from Rockford East High School. Profession: Professional kickboxerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1962, Hefton, known as 'Bad Brad,' was a Professional Karate Association (PKA) World Super Heavyweight kickboxing champion and named ESPN's Face of Kickboxing in the 1980s. He won titles in multiple organizations (PKA, PKC, ISKA, BKC) and was inducted into the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2014 alongside trainer and fellow Rockford native John Monczak. A memorable fight saw Hefton battle Vitali Klitschko in 1993 with a broken arm for eight rounds. He also appeared the film 'Blackbelt' (1992).Rockford Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: AuthorNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1965, Roby is a New York Times bestselling author of 28 books, including the 'Reverend Curtis Black' series, starting with 'Casting the First Stone' (2000). Blending faith and drama, Her novels have sold over 3 million copies, earning her multiple awards, including the 2013 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work. She was honored at Rockford's 2017 African-American History Month Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Auburn High School. Profession: Pastor, authorNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1957, Ortberg is a prominent evangelical pastor and author of bestselling books like 'The Life You've Always Wanted' (1997) and 'Soul Keeping' (2014). He served as senior pastor of Menlo Church in California and wa on staff at Willow Creek Community Church near Connection: Born in Rockford, attended Rockford schools. Profession: SportscasterNotable Achievements: Born in Wausau, Wisconsin, in 1980, Briscoe (née Manske) grew up in Roscoe. An ESPN anchor since 2008, she co-hosts 'SportsCenter' and covers NASCAR, earning recognition for her engaging style. She competed in the 1998 Miss Illinois Teen USA pageant representing Roscoe. Briscoe started working as a reporter at WREX in the late 1990s while she attended Northern Illinois Connection: Raised in Roscoe, attended Hononegah High School in Rockton. Profession: ActressNotable Achievements: Born in DeKalb, Illinois, in 1922, Hale grew up in Rockford and graduated from Rockford High School. Best known for playing Della Street in 'Perry Mason,' (1957–66), she won an Emmy in 1959 and earned two Golden Globe nominations. She also appeared in films like 'The Window' (1949) and 'Airport' (1970). Hale died in Connection: Raised in Rockford, graduated from Rockford High School. Profession: Professional football playerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1994, Lowry played defensive end for the Green Bay Packers from (2016-22), appearing in 96 games and recording 147 tackles. A standout at Boylan Catholic High School and Northwestern University, he won back-to-back state championships with Boylan. He currently plays for the Pittsburgh Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Boylan Catholic High School. Profession: Professional football playerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1998, Robinson, a running back, set the NFL record in 2020 for most scrimmage yards by an undrafted rookie with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A star at Rockford Lutheran High School and Illinois State University, he set Illinois high school records for rushing yards and touchdowns. He has also played for the New York Jets and Green Bay Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Rockford Lutheran High School. Profession: Composer, pianistNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 2001, Bear is a child prodigy pianist and composer who performed at Carnegie Hall at age 6. She received the 2008 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and composed for Disney's 'Winnie the Pooh' (2011). Her albums, like 'Diversity' (2013), blend jazz and classical music. Bearand Abigail Barlow co-wrote and released an album inspired by the Netflix series 'Bridgerton', titled 'The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical,' which won the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: NASCAR Crew Chief Notable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1971, Knaus guided Jimmie Johnson to seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, including five consecutive titles (2006–10). With 81 career wins as a crew chief, he's considered one of NASCAR's greatest minds. He serves as vice president of competition for Hendrick Motorsports and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Journalist, Fox News correspondentNotable Achievements: Born in Palatine, Illinois, in 1991, McAdams worked as a lead reporter and weekend anchor at WTVO/WQRF-TV in Rockford from January 2014 to 2015, covering sports and local news. A Fox News correspondent based in New York City since October 2021, she has reported several major news events like the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, the 2022 Ottawa trucker protests, and the 2024 UnitedHealthcare CEO assassination manhunt. She previously worked at WLS-TV in Chicago and WXIN in Indianapolis, earning the 2012 Illinois Student Silver Dome Award for Best Connection: Worked as a reporter and anchor at WTVO/WQRF-TV in Rockford from 2014 to 2015. Profession: Journalist, foreign policy expertNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1970, Nauert served as U.S. State Department Spokesperson (2017–19) and Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (2018–19). A former Fox News anchor, she was nominated as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in 2018 but withdrew. She joined the Hudson Institute as a senior fellow in 2019, focusing on U.S. foreign policy. Nauert holds an M.A. in Journalism from Columbia Connection: Born in Rockford, graduated from Keith Country Day School. Profession: Basketball coach, former playerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1955, Kent was a Parade Magazine All-American and IHSA All-State basketball player at Rockford West High School. He played college basketball at Oregon and coached at Oregon (1997–2010) and Washington State (2014–19), earning Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors five times. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Rockford West High School. Profession: Professional football player, coach Notable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1977, Polk was a linebacker for the San Diego Chargers (2001–06) and Dallas Cowboys (2007–08). He was drafted in the fourth round out of Nebraska. He won a national championship with Nebraska in 1997 and later coached at Grossmont College and with NFL teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears. Polk is currently the assistant special teams coach for the Cowboys, his second stint as a coach with the Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, attended Guilford High School. Profession: Professional Football PlayerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1953, Latin played as a running back for the St. Louis Cardinals (1975–78) and briefly for the Los Angeles Rams (1978). A standout at Northern Illinois University, he rushed for 1,609 yards in his NFL career and was named to NIU's All-Century Team in 1999. Latin died on Feb. 19, Connection: Born in Arkansas and raised in Rockford. Latin graduated from Rockford East High School. Profession: JournalistNotable Achievements: Bair worked as a news anchor and TV reporter in Rockford, contributing to local news coverage. Rockford Connection: Worked at WREX-TV in Rockford from 1993 to 1994. Who did we miss? Let us know and we will add them to the list! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
