Good morning, Springfield.

The Illinois Symphony will perform Beethoven’s Eroica, Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances and a cinematic violin concerto on Nov.

7 at First United Methodist Church in Springfield and on Nov. 8 in Normal. Music Director Taichi Fukumura will lead the series—tickets start at $10—and the concert promises a bold musical journey.

Central Illinois leads the nation in processing pumpkins—towns like Morton serve as key hubs for autumn harvests and festivals—while local farms and processing plants turn fresh pumpkins into fillings for holiday desserts.

Hands-on pumpkin picking experiences let residents enjoy autumn traditions and support the local economy.

Illinois gamblers spent $33.6 billion at video gaming terminals in 2024, generating over $3 billion in profits and nearly $1 billion in state taxes while local governments received $152 million.

In Springfield, $596.4 million was played on 833 machines with a $52.1 million loss — a key figure among the top 10 cities for gambling activity.

The UIS women’s cross country team had its best finish at the GLVC Championships on Saturday, with Madelyn Miller-Ross winning the individual title in 21:35 and the team scoring 97 points.

They now prepare for the NCAA DII Midwest Regional Championships on Nov. 8—marking a historic milestone for the Prairie Stars.

The Illinois Springfield men's cross country team finished second at the GLVC Championships on Saturday, led by senior Brock Loftus who posted the fifth-fastest 8K time by finishing eighth in 24:30—extending the team's eight-year streak of top-three finishes as they now prepare for the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championships on Nov. 8.

The UIS men’s golf team finished 7th in round one of the Kentucky Wesleyan Invitational at The Pearl Club by scoring 301—Daniel Edwards led with an even-par 72 that tied him for sixth overall.

The team is four strokes behind top teams Maryville and Kentucky Wesleyan and will try to close the gap in Sunday's final round at 8:00 a.m.—they aim to improve their standing.

IHSA Football playoff seedings and matchups have been posted — local high schools will soon begin the postseason, with Springfield set to face Providence in the 5A South round.

Coaches and players are preparing for a run at the state championship.

Senior middle blocker Ainsley Johnson recorded over 1,100 kills during her career at Calvary Academy.

The Division II commit is recognized as a top hitter who will join her new team in the upcoming college season.

Local readers were invited to vote for the State Journal-Register's athlete of the week among 7 area nominees—votes will be accepted every 12 hours by noon on Friday—and the contest will be closely monitored for results.

The UIS volleyball team beat Drury in a reverse sweep in a five-set match on Saturday afternoon, winning 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-11—showing their resilience throughout the game.

The team will have a bye next Friday and then host Quincy on Saturday afternoon while fans are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.

Flight Instructor Refresher Course

10:00 AM – 7:30 PM — Northfield Inn Suites and Conference Center — $65 — Enhance your aviation skills with this comprehensive refresher course for flight instructors.

Ansar Shrine Circus

7-8:30 p.m. — Bank of Springfield Center — Tickets required — Prepare to be amazed by death-defying acrobats, amazing animal performances, and hilarious clowns.

Springfield Marathon, Harvest Wind Half Marathon & 10K

8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. — Danenberger Family Vineyards — Check website for registration — Experience a thrilling day of running with a Boston Marathon qualifying course amidst beautiful vineyards.

Firefighters' Lake Club Trivia Night

7-10 p.m. — Firefighters Lake Club — $10 entry — Challenge your knowledge with general trivia and compete for cash prizes.

Live Music at BuzzBomb with Ryne Thorson

8-9 p.m. — Buzz Bomb Brewing Co — Cost info not provided — Enjoy live music performances while savoring craft brews.