Good morning, Springfield! In today’s edition: First baby of 2026, Stranger Things trivia night, rail relocation final phase, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Joyful start to parenthood: Springfield’s first baby of 2026 arrived at 12:41 a.m. Thursday at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. Meet Theodore Barker, the Barker family’s first child — read the full story.

City thoroughfares get refreshed: IDOT has completed five major resurfacing projects in Springfield costing over $25 million, improving safety and reliability on key routes as part of Rebuild Illinois’ broader highway and bridge upgrades — get all the details.

Beware urgent payment scams: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias warned about phishing texts that demand traffic or toll payments and threaten suspension. The SOS sends only appointment reminders — see what to watch for.

Major infrastructure changes ahead: Springfield’s rail relocation project enters its final phase this month, with work on a new underpass at Carpenter and Tenth. Plans also cover using part of North Grand as an access road for the stadium and rerouting the 19th Street tracks to the north. See what’s planned and where.

Where to rally this week: With 10 indoor and 5 outdoor courts, Premier Pickleball Center makes it easy to reserve a court, drop into open play, or book a lesson. No weather worries, just reliable games and a friendly scene when you’ve got an hour to spare.

Quick home glow-up: Whether you’re swapping pillows or upgrading that dim lamp, Kennedy Sue Gift & Home stocks furniture, lighting, rugs, florals, and the finishing touches. They also offer a gift registry and design guidance…ideal when you want a second opinion.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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❓ Stranger Things Trivia Night! @ Engrained Brewing Company | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:30 PM – Nothing beats flexing your 80s nostalgia over Hawkins lore at Engrained. Stranger Things trivia is free to play, there are themed cocktails, seating is first come and disappears faster than a Demogorgon sighting, and costumes are encouraged, so dust off the Hellfire tee.

✉ Envelope Party @ Northenders VFW Post 10302 | Wednesday (1/14) at 5:00 PM – Ready to back a neighbor and catch up at the Northenders VFW? It’s an old-school envelope party with food on the house, a cash bar, and familiar faces, so you can chat with your host, support the cause, and call it a productive night.

🦁 Lions Social Night @ Casey’s Pub | Wednesday (1/14) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats catching up with the Noon Lions over a low-key social night, the kind where you actually hear yourself think. Expect familiar faces, easy conversation, and a little good-natured community plotting, because in Springfield we mingle, we laugh, we quietly get things done.

⛸ Rochester Elementary Skate Night @ Skateland South | Thursday (1/15) at 5:30 PM – Remember when you could skate backward without fearing tomorrow’s knees? Roll in for Rochester Elementary’s fundraiser, where admission is $6, rentals are $5, and half your ticket helps the school. Arcade lights, snack bar dinner, and enough nostalgia to count as cardio.

🏀 Rockhurst Hawks at Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars Men’s Basketball @ The Recreation & Athletic Center | Thursday (1/15) at 7:30 PM – UIS hosts Rockhurst at The Recreation and Athletic Center for proper GLVC men’s hoops. Expect crisp ball movement, a little ref heckling, and quality bleacher banter, then you’re home in time to pretend you only had one beer.

🏍 ABATE of Illinois State Seminar and Banquet @ Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center | Friday (1/16) at 3:00 PM – ABATE’s State Seminar and Banquet is rolling into Northfield Inn with the F.A.M.I.L.Y. theme, tradition, and hospitality room mischief to keep it interesting. Expect speakers, classes, a banquet, awards, and auctions benefiting FEDPAC and ABATEPAC. Swap ideas, support riders’ rights, and enjoy Twin Cam tunes.

🐟 Birds of a Feather (Phish Tribute) @ Butternut Hut | Friday (1/16) at 8:00 PM – Phish vibes are taking over the new Butternut Hut with three hours of extra funky jams, no camping required. Free to get in, so put the savings toward a round, and expect local heavy hitters from The Station, Deep Hollow, and Sunshine Daydream.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Springfield report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 42°F – Low: 23°F – Precip: 59%

Rain likely before 8am, then rain and snow likely between 8am and noon, then a slight chance of rain showers between 3pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. West northwest wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of snow showers before 9pm, then a slight chance of rain showers between 9pm and 10pm, then a slight chance of snow showers between 10pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. West northwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 35°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 35. West northwest wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Most popular house this week

A stately two story rich with original hardwood floors and detailed woodwork. A full width front porch leads to a foyer and bright living and dining rooms. The gas fireplace pairs a marble surround with an antique oak mantel. An Amish crafted kitchen offers newer cabinets and counters, plus appliances. Main level laundry, half bath, and an upstairs primary suite with two walk in closets. Two more bedrooms and a remodeled bath complete the floor.

Landscaping lends a garden vibe with over ten ornamental tree varieties, plus hostas and flowering shrubs. Replacement windows boost sunlight. West side setting one block from Washington Park.

Take a peek inside →