Springfield
Sunrise
Thursday, December 11th, 2025
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 11th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Animal Protective League will host its Tree of Lights ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 1001 Trainor Road with a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.+ a poetry reading inviting residents to share memories, while donations will benefit care for sick, injured or abused animals. WYMG
- ➤ United Way of Central Illinois has chosen four key priorities—youth opportunities, community resiliency, a healthy community, and financial security—after gathering local feedback from surveys and meetings. The group will launch its Disaster Recovery Coalition tomorrow at the University of Illinois Extension office on Airport Drive from 4 to 6 p.m. WYMG
- ➤ Scheels Sports Park hosts a free soft opening this weekend in its new dome—featuring the Midwest Archery competition and local vendors. The event runs from Friday, Dec. 12 to Sunday, Dec. 14. WYMG
- ➤ HSHS St. John's Children’s Hospital is hosting a free Christmas gift shop for pediatric patients today, letting parents choose gifts while volunteers wrap them; local businessman Michael McGraw (and his family) sponsored the event, and donations of toys and gift cards are accepted until Dec. 17. The State Journal-Register
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois Department of Employment Security reported unemployment remained at 4.4% in September as nonfarm payrolls showed little change. Officials noted sector shifts and data delays (from a federal shutdown) while planning ongoing investments to support local workers. WYMG
- ➤ The average regular gasoline price in Springfield is $2.95 today, down about 1.5 cents from Wednesday and nearly eight cents from last week according to Triple-A — the drop is 17 cents lower than a month ago and three cents lower than a year ago. WMAY
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Illinois officials state that most drivers can rest at highway areas for up to three hours while truck drivers may park overnight to meet federal limits. Camping or erecting tents is not allowed under state rules. The State Journal-Register
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Edible cookie dough sold in local stores is under recall amid FDA salmonella warnings as Hudson River Foods pulls 12-ounce packages with a best-by date of July 4 sold in Springfield & 14 other states, a process that started Nov. 20. The State Journal-Register
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UIS Athletics is celebrating 15 years of NCAA Division II membership & is honoring its record-setting 2018 baseball team that earned its first NCAA Regional berth and a national ranking. The university will feature one team and one player each week as part of the celebration. University of Illinois Springfield
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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.
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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.
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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.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Man is condemned to be free.
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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.
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