Springfield
Sunrise
Friday, January 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 2nd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Breeonna Roberts presented 'Springfield Wrapped' to the City Council this week and reported that 13 downtown locally-owned businesses closed alongside over 20 citywide amid a population decline (she also noted strong civic engagement and discussions on using cannabis tax investments to support minority-owned businesses). WYMG
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Obed & Isaac’s The Cidery launches weekly live music every Wednesday and trivia every Tuesday in January. The taproom opens at 5:00 p.m. to offer locals a warm indoor space with local tunes, food, and craft cider. The Sangamon Reporter
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce will launch a workforce development plan that offers resume workshops, job shadowing, and career sessions at local high schools+ the effort is backed by a $797,693 grant approved last month by Sangamon County. The Sangamon Reporter
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Kidzeum in downtown Springfield received a grant from the National Science Foundation to help design a new STEAM center for hands on learning and problem-solving skills (the project aims to be a model for community based education). Executive director Leah Wilson said the funding shows national confidence in the museum's approach. WMAY
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Resident Breeonna Roberts delivered 'Springfield Wrapped' to city council in a recap of the past year's trends in local business closures + population decline amid discussions on cannabis tax revenue supporting neighborhood grants. She lauded strong civic engagement that may lead to positive change. WYMG
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Researchers at UIS and SIU launched an ongoing study on cancer spread prevention that uses fluorescent microscopy with red + green markers to track cell interactions. The project will give UIS students practical experience while they test potential approaches to tumor control. The Sangamon Reporter
- ➤ Springfield residents are joining Dry January to boost their physical and mental health after a season of holiday indulgence. Health experts advise removing alcohol from homes and social venues (and stocking non-alcoholic drinks) to help meet the month-long challenge. WYMG
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The UIS men's basketball team beat William Woods 108-67 on New Year's Eve at TRAC, marking its 33rd 100-point game with a 52-point effort from the bench + the team now stands 8-4 and will play a home doubleheader at 6:00 p.m. today against Indianapolis. University of Illinois Springfield
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Kindergarten Open House at Our Savior's Lutheran School
6-7 p.m. — Our Savior's Lutheran School — Free entry — Discover how your child will thrive in a faith-centered educational community.
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Kids Perler Bead Fun!
3-4 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free event — Create your own fuse bead design or follow a template at this fun craft program for children and tweens.
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Arctic Lego Build & Play
2-3 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Create adorable arctic animals or imaginative creatures with Lego kits in a fun-filled afternoon.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.
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Reveal the authorAbout Springfield Sunrise
Welcome to the Springfield Sunrise, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Springfield, Illinois community. If you like the Springfield Sunrise, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Springfield.
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