Good morning, Topeka.

On Wednesday, Topeka Rescue Mission handed out about 400 backpacks filled with school supplies to local families as they prepare for the new school year + the drive aims to ease financial pressure from rising living costs.

The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center will break ground on the Security Benefit Children’s Zoo and a play zone on Monday, Aug.

10 (11:30 a.m.) to give families a hands-on animal experience, featuring alpacas, silky chickens, miniature donkeys, horses and kunekune pigs, with an opening set for early summer.

Washburn men’s basketball coach Brett Ballard was seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday night in Topeka and was taken to Stormont Vail Hospital (his condition remains unclear), with the basketball community sending messages of support as the university urged privacy.

Spore.Bio, a global biotechnology firm from France, will lease flexible lab suites + shared equipment at Link Innovation Labs in Topeka.

The decision marks a key milestone that underscores the city's growing role in regional research and innovation.

Jackson Heights USD 335 is facing mounting fuel costs that force the district to allocate over $100,000 for diesel for buses that average 7 mpg.

Superintendent Jim Howard said the district hopes prices do not rise further as the new school budget is finalized.

Kansas kids ages (9 to 18) got hands-on experience in a coding workshop that used Roblox Studio to design programs solving local problems under expert supervision during the Congressional App Challenge.

Topeka Public Schools hosted its annual convocation at Washburn University’s Lee Arena on Wednesday to energize teachers and staff for the new school year — classes will resume Aug.

11 and 12.

Topeka Public Schools will reopen classes Aug.

11 and 12 as district leaders (including Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson) update on new social media rules following a state law; the district already adapted from last year's cell phone ban.

Shawnee County denied Compass Datacenters' permit on Tuesday, Aug.

4 because its application for the land southwest of Topeka near Burlingame Rd between 77th and 85th St was incomplete; the company may resubmit a complete proposal by Aug. 28.

Compass Datacenters submitted an incomplete CUP application for its Wakarusa project and is working with Shawnee County staff to add the needed details; the company will refile by noon on Aug.

28.

Governor Laura Kelly joined Kansas Department of Administration leaders to recognize summer state interns on Wednesday at the statehouse and other agency buildings, noting that many interns secure full-time state jobs through the program.