Springfield
Sunrise
Saturday, April 11th, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 11th of April.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ After a winter hiatus, Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield reopens today with over 96 animal species, including penguins, a black bear, and spider monkeys. The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with admission at $7.50 for adults and $5.50 for seniors and children (2 and under free). The Sangamon Reporter
- ➤ Stacker compiled a list of popular girl names from the 1990s using Social Security data for Illinois — rankings reveal notable declines in names like Jessica and Courtney when comparing the 90s to today. Capitol City Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Springfield Urban League took 34 high schoolers on an HBCU tour this spring across Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia, where six students (including one awarded a $10,000 scholarship) were accepted on the spot as connections were made for future college plans. The League is planning another tour next year. WAND-TV
- ➤ UIS senior visual arts students will debut their immersive exhibition 'Up to Eleven' on campus from April 20 to May 7. A free reception (5:30-7:30 p.m. on April 23) will celebrate this graduation milestone. The State Journal-Register
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois State Board of Education asked lawmakers for $10.9 billion to support public schools next fiscal year, marking the 10th year of the Evidence-Based Funding formula approved in 2017. Lawmakers will vote on a final budget package by the end of May. WMAY
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Father McGivney beat Pleasant Plains 11-9 in a five-inning game on Friday night at the Plains Baseball Showcase, scoring 5 in the fourth and 4 in the fifth. Father McGivney will play Columbia at noon in Plains today. WNNS
- ➤ On Friday, Sacred Heart-Griffin beat Routt Catholic 6-1 as Cyclone Will Coady pitched a complete game that allowed one hit (a two-out single in the sixth) with Ty Springer and Drew Ward each adding runs; Routt will play Greenfield on Monday while SHG hosts Collinsville tomorrow. WMAY
- ➤ Glenwood head coach Vondel Edgar discussed his team’s 7 to 4 loss to top-ranked Marist in the Foot + Ankle Center of Illinois Game of the Week on Apr. 10. WMAY
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You have to go through the slow to find the fast.
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Reveal the authorAbout Springfield Sunrise
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