Springfield
Sunrise
Friday, January 30th, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 30th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Betty Boop is a calm, 5-year-old black cat now available for adoption at the Animal Protective League (1001 Taintor Road in Springfield). The shelter is open daily from noon to 5 p.m. WNNS
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Muni hosts an actor workshop tomorrow (Jan. 31) at 10 a.m. at the Hoogland Center for the Arts where prospective performers can learn show guidelines and ask questions; participants could join one of five summer shows. WYMG
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ New Zumper data shows apartment rents in Springfield reached a median of $1,049 in December — a 5% rise from last year’s $995, while one-bedroom prices held steady at $800. Two-bedroom listings remained near November’s $1,000 rate. The State Journal-Register
- ➤ Gas prices in the Midwest climbed for the second week to an average of $2.69 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, up from $2.65 last week. The rise leaves the region about 5.6% below the national average, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The State Journal-Register
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Yoselin Gonzalez was named UIS Employee of the Year at a reception on Jan. 29 at the UIS Student Union. She was honored for her remarkable dedication to keeping the campus safe and welcoming since starting in Oct. 2022. University of Illinois Springfield
- ➤ The Illinois Farm Bureau hosted its three-day Everything Local conference at the BOS Center, where Leah Lawson from the Organic Farming Research Foundation explained organic farming and Parkland College professor Charlie Mitsdarfer discussed farm and off-farm skills. The event is concluding today in Springfield. WYMG
- ➤ Horace Mann-Springfield School District is accepting nominations for Educator and Administrator of the Year and Rising Stars awards. The Rising Stars category (for teachers with no more than four years’ experience) must be nominated online by Feb. 27. WMAY
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The UIS College of Business and Management offers free tax preparation services from Feb. 1 to March 31 at its campus for qualifying residents earning $67,000 or less or meeting other eligibility criteria. Appointments are required (bring required documents like W-2 forms and photo ID) and can be scheduled by email or phone. The State Journal-Register
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UIS built a competitive men’s basketball program under local hero Kevin Gamble, who led the team to its first conference title and national tournament. Former players (including the 2005-06 title team) will be honored at a campus doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 31. University of Illinois Springfield
- ➤ The Mt Pulaski Hilltoppers improved to 22-0 after a 58-12 win over Sangmaon Valley/Tri-City on Thursday night; they will hit the road to St Teresa on Tuesday. WNNS
- ➤ UIS junior Kayla Rice broke two Prairie Stars records Thursday evening by becoming the all-time leader in steals and three pointers made. She recorded five steals and 18 points in a 67-48 win and UIS will play UMSL Saturday at home. WNNS
- ➤ UIS Athletics in Springfield is celebrating 15 years of NCAA Division II membership by featuring standout athlete Lauren Ladowski, who earned Female Athlete of the Year honors + set scoring and free-throw records during the historic 2021-22 season as part of a series honoring Prairie Stars accomplishments. University of Illinois Springfield
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stained Glass Hearts Crafting
3-4 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Create beautiful stained glass hearts and other shapes in this fun craft program for children.
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
To find yourself, think for yourself.
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Reveal the authorAbout Springfield Sunrise
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