Springfield
Sunrise
Saturday, December 27th, 2025
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 27th of December.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Legends Entertainment near the new Scheels Sports Park will host five eateries—Taco Gringo, Sapori Pizzeria, Wellthy Juice Company, The Vanilla Bean and Sliders—while construction is delayed by heavy snow and frigid temperatures; developers expect to regain lost time. WYMG
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Downtown Springfield will host the 39th annual First Night Springfield on Wednesday, Dec. 31, featuring art, music, free ice skating at Union Square Park, live performances at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Hoogland Center for the Arts, and an 8 p.m. fireworks display — marking Route 66’s 100th anniversary. The Sangamon Reporter
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Illinois schools will implement new laws in 2026 that let seventh and eighth graders earn high school credit if they pass final exams — the State Board will also set nine AI guidelines by July 1 and require substitute teacher training on building-specific safety drills. ABC 20
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Health experts urge residents to get flu vaccines and stay home if symptoms appear as influenza activity is expected to rise following holiday travel in Central Illinois. Officials advise households with children + older adults to take these steps to protect daily routines. WYMG
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Jett Karrick led PORTA to a 64-19 win over Illini Central with 20 points, including 15 in the first half, at the Williamsville Holiday Tournament opener. The Bluejays will meet their quarterfinal opponent today at 4:30 p.m. while the Cougars compete at 10:30 a.m. WNNS
- ➤ Williamsville Bullets won a 64-36 game against Illini Bluffs in the holiday tournament opening round, with Garrett Timm (14), Griffin Watkins (12) and Brody Neuhoff (10) leading the scoring. The Bullets will face Prairie Central or Cissna Park in a quarterfinal at 7:30 p.m. today. WNNS
- ➤ After a tied first half on Friday, Pawnee won 47-35 over New Berlin with Ryder Smith (17 points) and Jace Jankousky (16 points); the Indians will face top-seeded Routt today at 10:30 a.m. in the quarterfinal. WNNS
- ➤ Normal U-High defeated Bishop McNamara 42-30 yesterday — they managed only one field goal in the third quarter before pulling ahead in the fourth — and the Pioneers will play Paris tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. at Normal Community. WNNS
- ➤ Local high school teams played in holiday basketball tournaments on Friday, Dec. 26. The game roundup highlighted wins such as Jacksonville Routt’s rout over Edinburg, along with key scoring performances at several local venues. The State Journal-Register
- ➤ North Mac beat Lutheran High 45-32 to advance into the winner’s bracket of the Waverly Holiday Tournament on Friday + the team now prepares for its next match. WNNS
- ➤ Avery Neathery scored 27 points plus Andrew Hobrock added 17 to help Triopia win 56-51 over South County on Dec. 26; the Trojans face Athens in the quarterfinal today. WNNS
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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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Kindergarten Open House at Our Savior's Lutheran School
6-7 p.m. — Our Savior's Lutheran School — Free entry — Discover how your child will thrive in a faith-centered educational community.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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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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