Good morning, Topeka.

Residents at Topeka Correctional Facility helped pack backpacks with essentials such as pajamas, hygiene kits, & blankets for children entering foster care through Comfort Cases & local agencies.

The effort provides hope and dignity to kids in need.

Boys and Girls Club of Topeka joined FHLBank Topeka staff & teens to load school supplies on a bus & received a $2,500 donation to help kids prepare for fall school.

The club is still accepting volunteer pick-up & drop-off reservations.

Big Boy No. 4014, the largest operating steam locomotive, will arrive at Great Overland Station today at 12:15 p.m. for a watch party starting at 10 a.m. (tickets cost $3 for adults and $1 for kids) before it tours Kansas through Monday.

The Topeka Zoo will host Steins and Vines on Saturday, July 25 with family activities during zoo hours, including live music, keeper chats, and animal enrichment, and an adult celebration (5:30 p.m. dinner, drinks, giraffe feeding) will follow to raise funds for primate conservation.

Pastor Parker’s Gospel Explosion will feature seven gospel ensembles performing at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at Living Water House of Refuge (515 SW 37th St.) as a free musical celebration open to everyone.

Junction City High School teacher Aaron Yoder was named the Kansas Association for Career and Technical Education Young Teacher of the Year on Monday, July 20 during the K-ACTE Career Tech Summit in Overland Park (he is in his sixth to tenth year of teaching).

On Wednesday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported 289 cyclosporiasis cases—a jump of 234 from the previous week with 58 in Shawnee County.

Federal and state agencies are investigating the outbreaks and advise those with gastrointestinal symptoms to seek medical care.

Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce sold at Walmart after officials linked it to a possible cyclosporiasis outbreak.

The FDA later found the initial positive test was false and shoppers are advised to discard the affected items.

Jorge's Cantina in Topeka is washing its lettuce and giving diners the option to skip it amid a cyclospora outbreak.

The restaurant, open for four years, uses fresh inventory daily and stays transparent with its patrons.

Kansas announced a contract extension for coach Jennifer McFalls, giving her a three-year deal plus a fourth-year option that keeps her until the 2030 season.

She led the team to a record 36-21 finish and their first NCAA Tournament berth in 11 years in 2026.

Former KU star Jalen Wilson signed a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

He spent three seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 7.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists, and the Hawks finished a 46-36 season.

JHX Hoops pulled off an 84-80 come-from-behind win over Purple Reign on Wednesday at Lee Arena in Topeka.

The win forces a winner-take-all game Friday at 6:00 p.m. CT at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.

Willow Rose's Country for the Pets

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Northside Social — Cost info not provided — Enjoy a night of live music with Ryan Manuel, a passionate singer-songwriter from Lawrence, Kansas.

Full Band Performance at Evergy Plaza

7-11 p.m. — Evergy Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy a lively full band set from MNB, who play over 100 shows a year.