Good morning, Topeka.

Sunny weather drew locals to Lake Shawnee Campground on Friday for RV camping in anticipation of Memorial Day (May 25) when families honor service and share memories.

This long-standing custom brings community members together.

B&B Theatres will soon launch its Summer Kids Series with morning showings at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in Topeka-area theaters, offering discounted tickets at $5 or $3 for Backstage Pass members.

Xena, a five-year-old pit bull mix, serves as the honorary guest at the Warm Paws, Warm Hearts Art Auction benefiting Helping Hands Humane Society.

Bidding starts today online and ends May 30 with art on display at the shelter’s Hill’s Room (SW 21st, Belle) to support animal care.

Ride for Veterans, led by James Greer, will begin Saturday, June 6 at 8 a.m. from Leonardville Nursing Home; it includes a lunch stop at Towers’ Historic Harley Davidson in Topeka + the ride aims to build personal connections with veterans.

Topeka’s Target is undergoing remodeling as a new Starbucks and an expanded drive-up area are added; work takes place at night to keep store hours unchanged.

The Heartland Classic Peruvian Horse Show is underway today at Stormont Vail Events Center in Domer Arena, featuring a timed obstacle course open to all horse breeds.

Additional demonstrations & show classes will continue through tomorrow.

To mark the 72nd anniversary of Brown v.

Board, a symbolic march and memorial walk will start at 10 a.m. today from SW 14th and Western before I, Too, Have a Voice runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Brown V. Board National Historic Park (1515 SE Monroe St).

Two sculptures made from ocean debris were unveiled today at the Topeka Zoo as the final pieces of the Washed Ashore exhibit.

Five more projects will be shown at local sites until Sept. 13, & the display shows how community choices can help reduce plastic waste.

Topeka Public Schools is addressing concerns after Superintendent Tiffany Anderson’s graduation remarks raised issues among Highland Park families; district spokesperson Aarion Gray said the comments were meant to promote respectful behavior + graduation ceremonies will remain at Stormont Vail next year.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library will launch its Summer Reading Challenge on Saturday, May 30 with a party at the library and continue offering reading prizes and fun daily events, including an interactive dinosaur exhibit, through August 16.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids said the National Weather Service did not launch the usual 7 a.m. weather balloons on 25 out of the past 30 days, reducing real-time data for storm forecasting.

The congresswoman urged NWS to provide greater transparency about the shortfall before severe weather hits.

Federal lawmakers, including Kansas reps Sharice Davids & Tracey Mann, introduced a bipartisan bill this week in the U.S. House that would offer rural hospitals interest-free 10-year loans to build or renovate facilities.

The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act aims to keep critical care accessible in counties under 20,000 residents.

Stormont Vail Health held its Excellence in EMS Award Celebration on Friday, May 22 in honor of EMS workers during National EMS Week.

EMS professionals enjoyed a day of fun, games, treats and visits with therapy dogs, while guest of honor Alex Bergstrom was recognized for his life-saving care.

Doggie Date Night

6-8 p.m. — Evergy Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy a fun evening bonding with your pup in the heart of Topeka.

Signal Ridge Music Evening

6-10 p.m. — Compass Point: Home of Dirty Girl Adventures — Free entry — Enjoy a night of Appalachian Folk-grass tunes with Redd & The Paper Flowers.

Green Shoebox Band: St. Marys Community Event

6-10 p.m. — St. Marys Riverside Park — Free entry — Enjoy a night of music with the Green Shoebox Band in a vibrant community setting.

Kelsey Miles Live Performance

12:30 – 4:30 PM — Mulvane Art Fair, Topeka, KS — Free entry — Connect through music and storytelling with Kelsey Miles.

Yoga Nidra Session

12:15-1:15 p.m. — Florence Crittenton - Integrative Health — Free entry — Experience deep relaxation through guided meditation rooted in ancient yogic traditions.

Evergy Fight Night 3

5-10 p.m. — Evergy Plaza — Free entry — Experience high-energy boxing under the stars while supporting Special Olympics Kansas.

Country Line Dance Lessons with Kristy

6:30 – 7:15 p.m. — Happy Basset Brewing Co — Free entry — Dive into a fun night of easy-to-follow country and line dance lessons perfect for all skill levels.

Country Dance Night with Pinhole

8-11 p.m. — Happy Basset Brewing Co — $5 Cover — Experience a night of hard-hitting honky tonk sounds and prairie vibes with Pinhole.