Daily
Topeka
Friday, April 24th, 2026
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 24th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Josh Alters, a long-time athlete and advocate at Special Olympics Kansas, was nominated at a regional congress to represent the U.S. at the 2027 Global Athlete Congress in Chile & he is among 10 finalists who will learn if selected in the coming weeks. WIBW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Cabaret begins today at Helen Hocker Theater in Gage Park near the Topeka Zoo and runs until May 9 with 7 p.m. shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, May 3. WIBW
- ➤ A music festival featuring top student musicians will take place tomorrow, April 25, at Washburn Rural High School (5900 S.W. 61st St.) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will showcase over 1,000 performances from top high schools across Kansas. WIBW
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill that would require high school students to pass a citizenship test and learn about communist, fascist + socialist regimes. Legislators passed the measure earlier, but it cannot be overridden now as the session adjourned. Kansas Reflector
- ➤ USD 437 held its annual spring breakfast yesterday (at the Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation) where new superintendent Dr. Katie Collier expressed excitement about leading the close-knit district while Dr. Scott McWilliams gave his final state update before retiring. WIBW
- ➤ Build My Future Topeka, led by the Topeka Area Building Association (CEO Katy Nelson), helped students explore skilled trades at an interactive event that encouraged hands on learning and showcased the potential for fun and lucrative careers. WIBW
- ➤ Kansas ag leaders are partnering with K-State and other groups to address rural vet shortages by launching training programs that prepare veterinary students for mixed animal practices in Kansas + early results indicate improved retention in rural areas. Kansas Reflector
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Kansas Department of Labor is sending letters to 8,526 people for unemployment overpayments since Jan. 1, 2019 (including COVID-19 claims). Nearly half owe over $5,000 and may face liens or wage garnishments if they do not respond. Kansas Reflector
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Elizabeth Evans from the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence and Rachell Freeman from SOS stressed that survivors need immediate crisis care and ongoing support. Local services provide medical care, safety planning & advocacy through statewide hotlines and websites. WIBW
- ➤ The Older Adult Resource Fair takes place tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Resources Council Stout CARE Center on SW College Ave in Topeka to address rising injuries among seniors 65 to 75 with Car Fit Checks, safe driving classes, and home safety information. WIBW
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ At the KSHSAA Spring Meeting on Thursday, officials approved a moratorium on practices during select days and will include flag football as an official activity next school year (a proposal backed by the Kansas City Chiefs). WIBW
-
Damien Gunn Band Live at Kickstart Saloon
7-11 p.m. — Kickstart Saloon — Ticket Info Not Provided — Enjoy an evening of live music with Damien Gunn Band in a vibrant local venue.
-
Live Music with Big Rick Soul Band
6-10 p.m. — Compass Point: Home of Dirty Girl Adventures — Free entry — Celebrate the courtyard grand opening with great music, dancing, and fun.
-
Steps for Stegman 5K
1:30-5 p.m. — Jardine Elementary — Support a worthy cause — Participate in a 5K walk/run to honor Dr. Bridget Stegman and raise funds for ALS research.
-
Auditions for Shrek The Musical
6-9 p.m. — Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy — Free entry — Showcase your talent in this exciting audition for the beloved fairy tale musical.
-
Through The Darkness Tour
7-11 p.m. — 6th & Polk Music & Event Space — Tickets available — Experience raw emotions and new music as Hollow Like Her debuts tracks from their upcoming EP.
-
Hairball Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Stormont Vail Events Center — Last-minute tickets available — Experience a unique tribute to rock music with Hairball.
-
HME Fabrication Facility Tour
12-1 p.m. — HME, Inc. — Free entry — Explore the structural steel and miscellaneous metals fabrication facility and learn about the Haas Group's specialized companies.
-
The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight
8:00-9:30 p.m. — Topeka Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience an epic concert breathing dark energy into legendary Rock & Metal.
-
Evans United Carnival 2026
May 21-31 — Stormont Vail Events Center — $18.30 General Admission, $10.05 Child (3-11) — A vibrant carnival featuring parking lot exhibitions and festivals for family fun.
-
Party with The BASH
8-11 p.m. — Thunderbirds Grille — Cost info not provided — Dance the night away with live music at Thunderbirds Grille.
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
Vision without execution is hallucination.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Topeka
Welcome to the Daily Topeka, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Topeka, Kansas community. If you like the Daily Topeka, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Topeka.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Topeka and across Kansas. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Topeka
A free Topeka community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailytopeka.com/sitemap