Good morning, Springfield.

Today, WYMG (Springfield's local station) hosts a Rock-a-Thon from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to launch its annual Christmas Wish campaign, where donations help grant 12 holiday wishes.

Today, the Illinois Product Holiday Market moved indoors to Union Station because of near-freezing temperatures and will run through Dec.

7 featuring Illinois-made products, live music + Santa visits, and family workshops at 500 E. Madison St. across from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.

Springfield held its downtown Christmas tree lighting on Wednesday night.

Ace Sign Company added new lighting as Santa Claus & Abraham Lincoln made appearances, and Tourism Director Scott Dahl mentioned upcoming 2026 events including the Route 66 Centennial and the Scheels Sports Park opening.

Country music artist Ella Langley will perform at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on Aug.

21, 2026, with tickets going on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Springfield, where fair organizers expect her show to be a highlight.

Springfield fire officials said that no firefighters were hurt Wednesday night when an AI error combined a medical emergency with a police incident (the error mixed two events), which confused the community.

They urged residents to check verified sources for accurate updates.

A public forum took place Wednesday night on the $500 million proposed Sangamon County data center.

Officials said the project will create 500 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs while generating $100 million in tax revenue over 20 years — some locals voiced concerns about electricity costs.

Springfield Clinic announced it is now in network with United Healthcare’s Individual Marketplace plan to help over 10,000 residents as open enrollment ends Dec.

15. The change comes as Health Alliance will cease operations at the end of 2025 and Aetna will exit on Jan. 1, 2026.

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has set new vaccine guidelines that require insurers to cover state-recommended shots, but cost details will not be known until the 2027 budget review; families should check coverage with their providers.

Realtor.com data shows that September home sales in Sangamon County had a median price of $195,500 — a 2.3% drop from August — with 308 recorded sales totaling $74.5 million.

Single-family home prices fell 2% while condominiums dropped 24% from August.

Calvary Saints held on for a 63-62 win over Athens yesterday after Antoine Hunter's go-ahead three (with 6:44 left), and they will play Williamsville at the Capital City Showcase on Saturday while Athens hosts North Mac today.

After winning Monday against William Jewell and playing Thursday’s Youth Sports Day game with free admission for youth athletes, UIS’s women’s basketball team now prepares to face Maryville at the TRAC on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The team leads NCAA Division II in three-point percentage.

UIS men's basketball team won its opening home game with a 61-60 victory over William Jewell on Monday and will play McKendree (7:30 p.m. Thursday for Hy-Vee Youth Sports Day) and Maryville (3:00 p.m. Saturday for Blue Out) at the TRAC.

UIS Athletics will add women's flag football as its 18th varsity sport and begin recruiting in fall 2026 for a spring 2027 debut at Scheels Sports Park — making it the second NCAA Division II program in Illinois to sponsor the sport.

The State Journal-Register invites local readers to vote for the top girls swimmer/diver after the 2025 season while the poll remains open until noon on Thursday, Dec.

11.

Frostbite Festival

9 a.m. — AMF Springfield Lanes — Check event page for registration costs — Participate in the 62nd annual Frostbite Festival with 2 mile and 10 mile races.

Holiday Cheer Paint Night with Ashley Blake

6:30-8:30 p.m. — The Library - Pizza and Sports Bar — Free entry — Unleash your inner artist and get festive with a fun paint night experience.

Dual Piano Christmas

7 p.m. — Hoogland Center For The Arts — Ticketed event — Experience an evening of holiday favorites and comedic improvisation on dual pianos.

Town Snowman Paint Night With Ashley Blake

1-3 p.m. — Harvest Market — Supplies included — Unleash your creativity while painting a winter wonderland masterpiece inspired by Snowman Town.

New Year’s Eve Celebration with Lick Creek

7-8:30 p.m. — Boondocks — Ticket required — Celebrate New Year’s Eve with live country rock music from Lick Creek in Springfield.