Daily
Topeka
Friday, January 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 23rd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Be Filled of South Topeka is hosting Night of Hearts, a fundraising event featuring a catered dinner, drinks and comedy show on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. at Rosewood Event Center, 3216 SW 29th St; tickets are $100 for singles + $250 for couples and $450 for double dates. WIBW
- ➤ Officials announced warming centers are opening today to help homeless residents as extreme cold is forecast Friday afternoon through Sunday morning in Topeka. The Rescue Mission Children's Palace and Street Dog Coalition centers will run 24 hours (volunteer and donation opportunities are available). WIBW
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Link innovation lab will host a ribbon-cutting on Feb. 9 at the old AT&T building on SE 6th & Monroe, where local entrepreneurs can use flexible workspaces and book the Pitch Room for ideas — a new hub for growth. WIBW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ EquiFest of Kansas kicks off today at Stormont Vail Events Center and runs through Sunday with more than 120 vendors, equine demonstrations and evening arena shows. The three-day event is ideal for horse owners and enthusiasts, featuring competitive events and expert speakers. WIBW
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ AAA reported that on Thursday morning gas prices were slightly higher nationwide with the national average for unleaded at $2.85 a gallon, one cent above last week. In Topeka, unleaded gas cost $2.45—a three-cent increase—while diesel also saw a small rise. WIBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Topeka outreach teams and volunteers will count individuals experiencing homelessness on Wednesday, Jan. 28. The event, led by Astra Mental Health and Recovery’s HOPE Program, will guide funding decisions and ask community members to call the special hotline (785-368-3711) if they see someone in need. WIBW
- ➤ Gage Park's carousel will close this summer as Shawnee County Parks and Recreation begins expanding its building to allow the ride to potentially operate year-round. The design project, awarded to HTK Architects with construction by KBS Constructors, aims to upgrade the carousel for the next 50 to 60 years. WIBW
- ➤ Topeka Fire Department responded to an outdoor blaze near the south end of the Topeka Boulevard Bridge early Thursday at 7:45 a.m. near the Kansas River, with crews reporting a large column of smoke and additional details awaited. WIBW
- ➤ A Kansas City Chiefs attorney told lawmakers on Wednesday that the STAR bonds for the planned $3 billion stadium & $300 million training facility will pay off 10 to 15 years early, boosting state revenue and creating jobs as public-private funding plans take shape. Kansas Reflector
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ New federal guidelines now urge Topeka residents to focus on whole, minimally processed foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins while cutting back on processed foods and added sugar. Local dietitian Amber Groeling said the plan also raises questions on how to best handle saturated fats. WIBW
- ➤ Jerry Valdez, a Holton blood recipient shot in a hunting accident in 2012, credits blood donations for saving his life and now donates regularly. At 68, he expects to reach his goal of 24 gallons in about four years amid a nationwide shortage. WIBW
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Washburn men’s basketball beat Northwest Missouri State 94-44 on Wednesday night to improve their record to 19-0. The Ichabods will host Missouri Western on Saturday at 3 p.m. WIBW
- ➤ Washburn basketball moved its doubleheader against Missouri Western to today because of forecasted weather, with the women starting at 4 p.m. and the men at 6 p.m. The games will air on MIAA Network and KTPK 106.9. WIBW
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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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Topeka LEGO Brick Convention
10 AM - 5 PM — Stormont Vail Events Center — Tickets start at $39 — Experience a weekend filled with creativity and fun at the Brick Convention.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
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