Good morning, Topeka.

The Topeka Zoo welcomed two orphaned black bear cubs on Aug.

6—Taz, a 7-month-old male from Wisconsin, and Kiona, an 18-month-old female from Montana—now receiving round-the-clock care as staff monitor their progress before joining the bear yard in Hills Black Bear Woods. Updates will be shared with the community as the cubs grow.

Sole Reason, a nonprofit in Topeka, expanded its operations to Manhattan to help kids in need by providing shoes and reached out to a nearby community.

Last Friday, the organization held a launch event with the Boys & Girls Club where it gave out 100 pairs of shoes—adding to nearly 9,500 pairs provided since 2016.

A local church is hosting Back 2 School Sunday on Aug.

10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Antioch Topeka, 1100 SE Washington, where kids can get free school supplies + haircuts and enjoy games, a magic show + food trucks to prepare for the new school year.

On Tuesday at approximately 5:02 p.m., an 18-year-old from Ottawa rear-ended a car driven by a 17-year-old on I-35 — just south of Santa Fe northbound — injuring three Topeka teens who later received treatment at Overland Park Regional Hospital.

Stumpy’s Smoked Cheese had cash stolen over the weekend—money used for bills and employee pay—and will host a food truck event on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its parking lot on 1802 N Topeka Blvd.

An 18-year-old Topeka man was arrested following the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Destiny Voss on the 3200 block of SW Randolph on July 6, 2025 at 11:30 p.m.; he was booked for first degree murder + distributing certain depressants at Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections.

Governor Laura Kelly asked FEMA to declare a major presidential disaster to help counties hit by severe storms and flooding from June 3rd to 7th because public infrastructure was damaged and utilities needed rebuilding+ the Kansas Division of Emergency Management requested a joint Public Assistance Program to assess the damage.

The City of Topeka said a major road project will begin Monday, Aug.

18 on Southwest Fairlawn Road from Southwest 28th Street to Southwest 22nd Place—crews will improve the street, waterline, stormwater, and sewer systems and widen the road at key intersections. The road will be closed from 25th Terrace to 22nd Place with a detour on Gage Boulevard while work continues until October 2026.

Get Down in T-Town

4-9 p.m. — Evergy Plaza — Free entry — Experience a vibrant evening of live music, dance, and local flavors in Topeka.

KCECA Varsity Football Game

7-9 p.m. — Cornerstone Family Schools Inc — Free entry — Cheer on the Cornerstone Family as they host Kansas City East Christian Academy in a thrilling home conference football game.

TRAPT Live in Topeka

7-8 p.m. — Jessie's Bar Outdoor Stage — General Admission $20 ($25 at the door) — Rock out with TRAPT as they perform hits from their new album!

Holy Smokin' Jamboree 2025

8 a.m. - 10 p.m. — 2014 NW 46th St, Topeka, KS — $2 wristband for kid games — Enjoy BBQ, live music, and family-friendly activities at this annual jamboree.