The Rock River Times - Rockford's Independent Newspaper

By John Pye Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Within an hour of her third-round loss at the Australian Open, defending champion Naomi Osaka had consigned it to the past. It's part of her new resolution for 2022. No…

By Matthew Lee and Jamey Keaten Associated Press GENEVA (AP) — The United States and Russia sought to lower the temperature in a heated standoff over Ukraine, even as they reported no breakthroughs in high-stakes talks on Friday aimed…

By Lynn Elber Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Louie Anderson, whose four-decade career as a comedian and actor included his unlikely, Emmy-winning performance as mom to twin adult sons in the TV series “Baskets,” died Friday. He…

By Hillel Italie Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Meat Loaf, the heavyweight rock superstar loved by millions for his “Bat Out of Hell” album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” “Two Out…

ARIES You’ll accomplish a heroic feat! You may be a great help to someone in need who’ll be forever grateful to you for taking the time to listen to them. TAURUS You’ll spend a lot of time at home with your family. Your children,…

By Barry Wilner Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Five players, including dynamic pass catchers Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams, are unanimous choices for The Associated Press 2021 NFL All-Pro Team. Joining the Rams' Kupp and the…

By John Raby, Fatima Hussein and Josh Boak Associated Press CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — For the first time in half a year, families on Friday are going without a monthly deposit from the child tax credit — a program that was intended to be…

By Aamer Madhani, Nomaan Merchant and Vladimir Isachenkov Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence officials have determined a Russian effort is underway to create a pretext for its troops to further invade Ukraine, and…

ARIES Pampering yourself would do you a world of good. At work, you’ll be offered a promotion. However, you’ll be under a lot of stress, which may lead to fatigue and confusion. TAURUS A lot is going on in your life, and people may…

By Mark Sherman and Jessica Gresko Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court began hearing arguments Friday on major Biden administration work rules to bump up the nation's vaccination rate against COVID-19 at a time of…

By Christopher Rugaber Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's unemployment rate fell in December to a healthy 3.9% — a pandemic low — even as employers added a modest 199,000 jobs, evidence that they are struggling to fill…

By Russ Bynum Associated Press BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Three white men face sentencing by a judge Friday roughly six weeks after being convicted of murder for chasing a running Ahmaud Arbery in pickup trucks, cutting off the unarmed…

By Hillel Italie Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Sidney Poitier, the groundbreaking actor and enduring inspiration who transformed how Black people were portrayed on screen and became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for…