Good morning, Topeka.

More than 100 moms gathered at Kansas Statehouse yesterday for a Moms Demand Action advocacy event; Gov. Laura Kelly & local officials addressed the group to highlight gun violence issues.

Today, SENT, Inc. and partners launched a Community Health Worker Workforce Development Program at the Topeka Correctional Facility that gives inmates hands-on training to earn KDHE certification, access case management, and connect with community health services, helping build pathways to long-term stability.

County commissioners adopted a master plan for trails and greenways on Thursday, Feb.

5 after design firm WSP USA gathered community input, and the plan expands routes into Rossville and Silver Lake while linking to state trails.

Today, the new Link Innovation Lab (at 220 SE 6th St) in downtown Topeka welcomes guests with a first-floor lab display, conference room, and Sparrow Coffee Co. cafe, while available office spaces and labs are being offered for rent as the space grows.

The Garden Conference with Topeka Common Ground will run from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb.

28 at the Washburn Tech Conference Center where gardeners learn techniques (from starting seedlings to preserving harvests) and hear a featured talk by Seeds From Italy from Lawrence.

On Wednesday, a House committee recommended a budget plan that freezes tuition, reduces operating grants by 2.5% at KU, KSU, and Wichita State, cuts need-based student aid by $2.3 million, and adds $5.5 million for Blueprint for Literacy (withholding $12 million unless DEI content is removed).

The Unheard Conference by Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka runs 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 12 and 13 at the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning & Careers, where teens and families can learn life and career skills with free entry for students and $25 for adults.

The Kansas Industrial and Educational Institute of Topeka launched the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program on Feb.

5, 2026 at the National Accord Center (3231 SE 6th Ave). The 12-week course offers high schoolers and adults hands-on lessons in sustainable farming until April 30.

Kansas lawmakers today are considering HB 2489 to require high school opioid abuse education and stock Narcan in schools to help prevent overdoses.

Amber Saale-Burger—who lost four family members to fentanyl—says the bill could reduce adolescent overdose deaths.

Today, Alzheimer’s Association advocates attended a training session at the Kansas Health Institute and met with lawmakers to push for proposals that require dementia training for guardians and set memory care standards.

The group showed their support (purple sashes) as they briefed legislators.

Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka upgraded its virtual nursing system to add translation services and group virtual visits so that nurses can help with admissions and care tasks.

The new system connects doctors, family and bedside teams through secure video links (with a chime alerting patients) to extend care.

A recent survey found that couples favor Chick-fil-A for a budget-friendly Valentine's Day meal on Feb.

14 in Topeka, with 67% choosing fast food over upscale dining amid rising costs (MarketBeat); similar chains like Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, Popeyes, and Taco Bell rank as popular alternatives.

The Marshall Tucker Band Concert

7-9 PM — Prairie Band Casino & Resort — Enjoy a night of classic southern rock hits from a legendary band.

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.

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.

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.