![\"Illinois-2507\"](\"http:\/\/us.weatheramerica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Illinois-2507.jpg\")
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ROCKTON, Illinois<\/strong> \u2014 For anyone who’s tuned in to a weather update in Rockford<\/strong> over the past two decades, the name Mark Henderson<\/strong> likely rings a bell. As the chief meteorologist at WIFR TV<\/strong> for more than 22 years<\/strong>, Henderson became a trusted voice in the region. But in May 2025<\/strong>, his tenure ended unexpectedly, marking a sharp turn in his professional path.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rather than stepping away from the spotlight, Henderson<\/strong> quickly embraced a fresh chapter<\/strong>. From the comfort of his home in Rockton<\/strong>, he launched Mark Henderson\u2019s Weather Hub<\/strong>, now broadcasting on Facebook<\/strong> and YouTube<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adjusting to the shift from studio to home wasn\u2019t without its quirks. \u201cI think my kids are getting sick of me already,\u201d he said with a laugh. But despite the new environment, Henderson<\/strong> says the essence of weather reporting<\/strong> remains largely unchanged.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI still have access to most of the same radar data<\/strong> and forecasting models<\/strong> I used before,\u201d he explained. \u201cMy seven-day outlook<\/strong> has a slightly different look now, and the radar maps<\/strong> I share aren\u2019t quite what they used to be, but I\u2019m working to keep the presentation as familiar<\/strong> and reliable<\/strong> as what people saw on TV.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And it\u2019s working. The Weather Hub\u2019s Facebook page<\/strong> has already surpassed 21,000 followers<\/strong>, with numbers growing daily. Henderson admits he\u2019s been \u201cblown away<\/strong>\u201d by the response. \u201cThe community has been unbelievably kind<\/strong>,\u201d he said. \u201cBeing let go from WIFR<\/strong> was a total shock. I never saw it coming. But the passion I have for meteorology<\/strong> never faded.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The new venture lets him deliver hyperlocal weather updates<\/strong> the way he wants to, maintaining the same level of accuracy<\/strong> and engagement<\/strong> his viewers came to count on. \u201cThis has never been about me,\u201d Henderson emphasized. \u201cIt\u2019s about the people at home who just want to know if they need a coat, an umbrella, or sunscreen.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His mission is simple: keep viewers informed<\/strong> and entertained<\/strong>, rain or shine. And yes\u2014he\u2019s all ears. \u201cIf there\u2019s something people want to see, I\u2019m listening,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ROCKTON, Illinois \u2014 For anyone who’s tuned in to a weather update in Rockford over the past two decades, the name Mark Henderson likely rings a bell. As the chief meteorologist at WIFR TV for more than 22 years, Henderson became a trusted voice in the region. But in May 2025, his tenure ended unexpectedly, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6417,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6416","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n