Springfield
Sunrise
Saturday, January 3rd, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 3rd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Theodore Barker was born at 12:41 a.m. Jan. 1 at HSHS St. John's Hospital and is Springfield's first newborn of 2026. The baby measured 20 inches and weighed 8 lbs 6 oz; his family celebrated a healthy start to the New Year (a welcome milestone for the Barkers). WYMG
- ➤ Theodore Barker was born at 12:41 a.m. on New Year's Day at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield — he weighed 8 lb 6 oz and measured 20 inches, making him the first newborn of 2026 and a joyful milestone for the Barker family. WYMG
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Cats' Pyjamas Cat Cafe is transitioning to a nonprofit after an Adams Street fire in 2024 — a move to secure sustainability through grants, donations, and volunteer help at its East Adams Street location. More details on shared leadership and community participation will be released soon. WAND-TV
- ➤ Cats' Pyjamas Cat Cafe in Springfield is shutting down after a fire damaged Adams Street in 2024 and will transition to a nonprofit organization (to seek grants and volunteer support) to continue its community mission. More details on the new structure will be shared soon. WAND-TV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Throughout 2025, Springfield and several central Illinois communities enforced massage parlor ordinances (including fines and shutdowns) after complaints and code violations, though one business, Q2 Asian Massage, remains open after adjusting its operations. ABC 20
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The recent state report shows that 91% of pregnancy-related deaths in 2021-22 were preventable, with black mothers dying more than twice as often as white mothers amid common causes like substance use and hemorrhage; in August, Gov. Pritzker signed a bill requiring anti-bias training for obstetric care providers. WYMG
- ➤ Theodore Barker became the first baby born in Springfield in 2026 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital. He was born at 12:41 a.m. on Jan. 1 to Amy Dhabalt-Barker and Matt Barker and weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces, measuring 20 inches. WMAY
- ➤ Hospital Sisters Health System has named Divya Matai as its new CFO for the Central Illinois hospitals and physician network and she will begin her role tomorrow, overseeing financial planning at facilities including Springfield. The State Journal-Register
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Springfield High's basketball team won a tight 49—46 game over Taylorville on Friday with three players scoring in double figures. The team will host Pleasant Plains on Tuesday while Taylorville travels to Effingham next Friday. WNNS
- ➤ In GLVC play on Friday night, the Prairie Stars beat UIndy 91–74 at TRAC by connecting on 15 three-pointers while keeping an unbeaten conference record—coach Matt Brock praised the team’s strong energy on defense and offense. WNNS
- ➤ Glenwood head coach Alyssa Riley said the Titans earned a 45-41 win over Morton on Friday night, with the close game boosting team spirit for upcoming matchups. WNNS
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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.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
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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