Springfield
Sunrise
Friday, February 13th, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 13th of February.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ A new local event called You Gotta Eat — Spudtacular was announced on Feb. 12 to showcase potato dishes from local vendors. The celebration will take place in Springfield and promises creative culinary treats for community food lovers. 25 News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Eight Sangamon County educators were recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education early this morning for their dedication in schools, including four from Springfield School District 186; a banquet to honor the winners is set for Apr. 18. The State Journal-Register
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Illinois public health departments lost $100M in federal funding on Feb. 12 due to politically driven cuts, officials said—six programs, including HIV prevention and chronic disease surveys, were affected. The State Journal-Register
- ➤ A new law prohibiting swipe fees on tips cleared a major court hurdle Tuesday, giving Illinois businesses until July 1 to finish compliance measures. Implementation has already been delayed by a year to allow time for the legal dispute to settle + businesses prepare. WMAY
- ➤ On Wednesday evening, three GOP Senate candidates debated their plans in Springfield. Don Tracy, Jeannie Evans and Casey Chlebek had low poll support but stressed a chance to flip a long-held seat (with Tracy self-funding his campaign) ahead of the March 17 primary. WYMG
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention month as studies show one in three teens may face abusive relationships. Ron Homann of Sojourn Shelter and Services advises parents to watch for warning signs - like checking phones and mood changes - and offers free presentations and confidential support to families. WYMG
- ➤ OSF Healthcare named Dr. Saima Husain as its advanced heart failure transplant cardiologist in Springfield on Feb. 12 (the institute confirmed the appointment). 25 News
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Whisslee, a charming 2-year-old black and white pet, is ready for adoption at the Animal Protective League at 1001 Taintor Road (open daily from noon to 5 p.m.). WNNS
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Illinois Springfield softball will host the UIS Springfield Clinic Classic on Thursday and Friday at the Springfield Clinic Dome at Scheels Sports Park, 3751 Imagineer Drive. The 10-game homestand features collegiate matchups with free admission for UIS students + free parking. University of Illinois Springfield
- ➤ UIS Athletics highlights Taryn Christy as one of 15 standout student-athletes celebrating 15 years of NCAA Division II membership. A trailblazer in cross country and track from 2018 to 2022, the Geneva native broke barriers by earning championships and All-American honors, setting records that defined Prairie Stars' legacy. University of Illinois Springfield
-
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.
-
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.
-
Illinois Product Expo 2026
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Orr Building — $10 for wine tasting — Explore local flavors and indulge in wine from 14 Illinois wineries.
-
Toddler Time at Lincoln Library
10:30-11:00 a.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Move, learn, and play with stories, songs, and activities tailored for toddlers and their caregivers.
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
Reading is faster than listening. Doing is faster than watching.
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.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Springfield and across Illinois. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Springfield Sunrise
A free Springfield community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://springfieldsunrise.com/sitemap