Daily
Topeka
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 21st of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Harvesters food distribution will start around 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Stormont Vail Events Center parking lot — near S.W. 19th and Topeka Boulevard. Sponsored by Topeka Turnaround Inc. and Topeka Bible Church, the free event will provide food until 11 a.m. WIBW
- ➤ TARC’s Winter Wonderland at Lake Shawnee Campground drew 8,788 cars and raised over $236,000 for services supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (it is the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser). WIBW
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Capitol Federal Insurance, formerly Capitol Agency, unveiled its new look during its 75th anniversary celebration Tuesday afternoon in Topeka (promising no change in service quality as it aligns more closely with bank resources). The agency maintains its commitment with offices in Wichita, Kansas City and Overland Park. WIBW
- ➤ The Greater Topeka Partnership is set to open The Link, a 17,000 sqft hub for entrepreneurial collaboration and creativity. The new facility in the former AT&T building at SE 6th and Monroe will open on Feb. 9 after renovations began in June 2025. WIBW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Band Perry returns from break to offer a unique mix of classic country and Johnny Costello’s style at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 at Prairie Band Casino and Resort north of Topeka + tickets are available online. WIBW
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Kansas Board of Regents approved a new system for faculty workload and post-tenure reviews at six state public universities today to balance teaching, research, and service. Under the policy, annual evaluations may lead to remediation or dismissal (most faculty are expected to perform well). Kansas Reflector
- ➤ Eighth grader Hailey Burke recounted her struggle with dyslexia on Tuesday at Literacy Day at the Capitol to inspire peers as the Senate Education Committee discussed the Blueprint for Literacy. She hopes her story helps students in rural communities overcome challenges. WIBW
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Shawnee Co. Parks and Recreation Department will stock Lake Shawnee with trout on Friday, Jan. 30 at 1 p.m. (the lake will be closed to fishing from Jan. 30 until Feb. 26, with fishing resuming on Saturday, Feb. 7). WIBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program are being accepted from Jan. 20 until 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 to help households pay winter heating bills. Applicants must meet income guidelines (at or below 150% of the federal poverty level) and present required documents for online or in-person submission. WIBW
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Starting Jan. 22, the Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library will offer free Geri-Fit classes for older adults at West Ridge Mall Book Nook (second level near the food court) from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. These sessions focus on building strength for independence. WIBW
- ➤ Washburn University students learned LSVT training on Tuesday in Topeka — a method that teaches people with Parkinson’s to speak louder and move better for daily tasks. WIBW
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The 10th annual Capital City Carnage Demolition Derby will run on March 6 and 7 at Stormont Vail Events Center near S.W. 19th Street + Topeka Boulevard, starting Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Jan. 23. WIBW
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The Band Perry Concert
7-10 p.m. — Prairie Band Casino & Resort — Cost info not provided — Enjoy a night with the GRAMMY-winning trio known for their genre-defying sound.
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Friday Night Comedy Showcase
8-9:30 p.m. — Cosmos Court Comedy Club — Ticketed event — Enjoy an evening of laughs with top comedians from the Midwest and beyond.
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CNA Refresher Course in Topeka
Feb 3-9 — Homestead Assisted Living & Memory Care — Course fee required — Complete essential CNA training with both online and hands-on clinical components.
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The Marshall Tucker Band Concert
7-9 PM — Prairie Band Casino & Resort — Enjoy a night of classic southern rock hits from a legendary band.
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CNA Refresher Course
Feb 17 - Feb 23 — Homestead Assisted Living & Memory Care of Topeka — Course fee applies — Complete your nursing assistant refresher course with a mix of online and in-person clinical training.
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Evening with Cleveland Blue
6-10 p.m. — Compass Point: Home of Dirty Girl Adventures — $10 cover — Experience soulful blues with the legendary Cleveland Blue and a local opener.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Topeka
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