Daily
Topeka
Saturday, May 24th, 2025
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 24th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On Friday, many Topeka residents lined up to see the new Dinosaurs Alive exhibit at the Topeka Zoo, where 15 life-size dinosaur animatronics were on display and kids participated in a dinosaur egg hunt for prizes+ the exhibit is free through Labor Day and is designed to promote hands-on learning. KSNT
- ➤ Topeka has many planned events this Memorial Day weekend. Today, Evergy Plaza holds Fight Night with a live fight after a May 23 weigh-in while a kayaking ride begins at 10 a.m. from Eudora and a 9-ball tournament runs Friday and today; other events include a market at The WoodShed on May 25, zoo shows with Navajo fancy dancers at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on May 25, a Peruvian Horse Show starting today, memorial ceremonies at Historic Topeka Cemetery, a Combat Air Museum event on May 26 & an Evans United Carnival running until June 1. KSNT
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ The Kansas Supreme Court upheld James D. Boatwright’s conviction for the 2020 killing of D’Angelo Payne—declaring no trial errors and confirming his life sentence with a 50-year minimum term. WIBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Shawnee County will close two Mission Township roads for cross culvert replacements; SW Indian Hills Rd will be closed Tuesday, May 27 and SW Fairlawn Rd will close Wednesday, May 28 — drivers are urged to plan alternate routes while work is underway. WIBW
- ➤ Governor Laura Kelly announced on May 23 that more than $2.3 million in grants will help strengthen services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, and stalking across Kansas. The funding from federal VAWA and SASP programs will support local efforts to improve law enforcement training and victim services — including crisis intervention and legal aid. WIBW
- ➤ On May 22, a federal judge dismissed Leavenworth’s case to block CoreCivic from reopening its prison as an immigration detention center because the court ruled the city lacked jurisdiction—city officials plan to meet next week to decide whether to appeal while CoreCivic has paused accepting detainees until June 1. Kansas Reflector
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ WIBW-TV’s mental health initiative Hear me. See me. earned a Regional Murrow Award and a Heartland Emmy nomination for community service—its win now moves it into a national competition with winners to be announced on July 19. WIBW
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Washburn Men’s Tennis will compete in today’s National Championship for the first time in program history after defeating No. 7 UT Tyler 4-0 Friday at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Florida. The 23-3 Ichabods will face the winner of Valdosta State and Lubbock Christian at 12 p.m. CST. WIBW
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Envista Eats & Beats
6-9 p.m. — Evergy Plaza — Free entry — Experience vibrant live music and local flavors every Thursday evening in downtown Topeka.
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2025 GermanFest Brat Trot
8-9 a.m. — Santa Fe Park — $30 — Celebrate German culture while fundraising for local schools with a fun 5K Brat Trot run.
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Aldersgate Village On-Site Tour
9 AM - 7 PM — Aldersgate Village Life Plan Community — Free entry — Explore a faith-based retirement community focused on quality living and care.
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Concert for a Child Featuring Logan Mize
6-10 p.m. — Evergy Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy a heartwarming night of country tunes at this community concert for a great cause.
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Eats & Beats Featuring Dead Bettys
Thursday evenings — Evergy Plaza — Enjoy local food trucks and live music — Experience an unforgettable summer of music in Downtown Topeka.
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Undercover: An 80's Experience
6-9 p.m. — Compass Point: Home of Dirty Girl Adventures — $8 cover, kids under 12 are free — Enjoy an energetic night of singing and dancing to your favorite 80's hits with local talent.
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Topeka Renaissance Festival
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. — The Woodshed Event Center — $14+ per day — Experience jousting, games, and entertainment at this exciting festival of medieval fun.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Most people will choose unhappiness over uncertainty.
~ Tim Ferriss
About Daily Topeka
Daily Topeka is a community newsletter sharing current events in Topeka, Kansas. Our mission is to make local news more accessible, highlight extraordinary people across the Topeka community, and support local organizations. If you like Daily Topeka, you can support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Topeka.
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