Good morning, Topeka.

Touch a Truck returns to West Ridge Mall on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at the lower parking lot, where kids can view trucks and equipment from local businesses and try a VIP dunk tank raising funds for Boys and Girls Club summer programs (supporting homeless members).

Shawnee Co. Parks + Rec plans two summer events: Doggie Date Night on Saturday, May 30 at Evergy Plaza offers a splash pad and dog activities, and Garden Grooves brings live music to Ted Ensley Gardens on Tuesdays from June 9 to July 28.

Innovators from around the world gathered in Topeka to pitch animal health ideas to Plug and Play and Go Topeka, aiming to launch ventures and build industry connections.

The expo, offering a golden ticket plus a year’s access to Link Innovation Labs, has supported emerging animal care solutions for over four years.

The public library is launching a summer reading dinosaur exhibit on Saturday, where kids can enjoy hands-on activities + interactive displays and learn dino facts for free during regular hours through Aug.

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Kansas Appleseed reported that since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed last July, over 21,900 Kansans (including about 10,300 children) lost SNAP benefits, a drop that has increased pressure on local schools and food banks.

Topeka police are working with KDOT as I-70 closes soon for the Polk-Quincy Viaduct project — they will monitor local traffic from detours along I-470 and city streets while downtown businesses worry about fewer visitors.

County commissioners approved Safe Slide Restoration’s bid for $89,277 to restore slides at Midwest Health Aquatic Center.

The work will start after this season and finish in fall before next summer — slides remain operational this season.

Stormont Vail in Topeka offered sun safety tips after a Kaiser Permanente study found emergency room visits increase by up to 25% in summer, with over 40% of visits involving children — prompting advice to use sunscreen, wear hats, and supervise outdoor play.

Sigma Gamma Rho sorority will host a Swim 1922 water safety event at the Topeka YMCA (3635 SW Chelsea Dr.) on Sunday, June 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. The free event will teach kids basic water safety skills so participants may later register for swim lessons (call 785-271-7979).

Washburn University cheer and dance teams will join FIFA Fan Festival in Kansas City this summer; they will support fans and raise funds for their season on match days plus gain real-world experience on June 16, 20, 25, 27, July 3, and 11.

Topeka native Nija Canady pitched 4 scoreless innings (a shutout) for Texas Tech in the WCWS on Thursday morning, leading to an 8-0 win over Mississippi State.

Texas Tech will face the winner of the Texas and Tennessee game on Saturday.

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.

Howard Mahan Band & The Old No. 5's Live Music

6-10 p.m. — Compass Point: Home of Dirty Girl Adventures — Ticket info available — Enjoy a night of blues rock with the electrifying Howard Mahan Band and The Old No. 5's.