Good morning, Springfield.

Central Illinois is bracing for dangerously cold temperatures today as wind chills in the negative teens pose frostbite risks; Springfield public schools are closed and some events may be rescheduled — residents are urged to dress warmly and take extra safety precautions.

A coalition of small businesses & nonprofits is urging lawmakers to pass a bill this spring that would require loan transparency to help business owners facing high interest rates.

Legislators will return to Springfield on Feb. 17 to consider the proposal.

The Illinois Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the state permit for Grain Belt Express, a wind-powered transmission line designed to deliver renewable energy across the region.

The ruling clears a key step for GBX (the developer) as it continues its privately financed project.

The Citizens Club hosted a forum for the Sangamon County Mental Health Commission on Friday morning, where chair Mike Murphy explained plans to form a county-wide 708 Mental Health Board funded by a 0.5 percent sales tax increase.

The proposal will appear on the March primary ballot.

Springfield declared a snow emergency starting today at 7 a.m. and ending 12 p.m. Monday.

Residents must move vehicles from designated routes — Savoy and Mt. Zion declared similar measures as 4 to 12 inches of snow is expected.

Salvation Army and 360 Life Centers will serve as warming centers this week as dangerously cold weather with single-digit highs and subzero lows affects Central Illinois; in Springfield, the center at 1600 Clear Lake Ave. is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Wednesday (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

HSHS St. John’s Hospital named surgical technologist Doug Thurman as its 2025 Colleague of the Year after he won the July Colleague of the Month honor.

His peers selected him from a roster of honorees * underscoring his dedication to patient care.

Illinois Springfield men's basketball rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat Drury 87-72 at the O'Reilly Family Event Center with a 54-37 second-half run.

The Prairie Stars will face No. 9 Missouri S&T today at 3:00 p.m. in Rolla, Mo.

Friday's City tournament (at the Bank of Springfield Center) saw Springfield High win both boys' and girls' contests, setting up a chance to claim both titles on Saturday.

The boys beat Sacred Heart-Griffin 72-56, and the games built momentum for tomorrow's matchups.

UIS Athletics has hired Colin Wood as the first head coach of its new women’s flag football program— he will begin in early February.

A welcome reception is planned on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 1:00 p.m. in TRAC to introduce him to the campus community.

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.

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.

PMP Exam Preparation Course

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Illinois State Fairground — Contact for pricing — Enhance your project management skills through a comprehensive 4-day workshop with certification guarantee.

Bath Bombs and Body Scrub Workshop

3:00-4:30 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Create a thoughtful Valentine gift with handmade bath bombs and coffee body scrub in a fun, messy setting.

Super Bowl LX Celebration

5-10 p.m. — 5th Street GEM — In person — Enjoy an evening of football, snacks, and good vibes at the Super Bowl LX Party.

Foster Parent Information Session

6-7:30 p.m. — Monical's Pizza — Free entry — Discover how you can make a difference in a child's life by exploring foster parenting in a supportive environment.

Snow Tulips Paint Night with Ashley Blake

2-4 p.m. — Harvest Market — No cost mentioned — Enjoy a relaxed afternoon painting a winter scene of snow-covered tulips with guided instruction.

Stay & Play

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free — Enjoy engaging activities and themed stations for toddlers and children every Thursday morning in February.