Good morning, Topeka.

Elmo will visit the Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct.

10 to offer story time, a safari drum performance, a build-your-own elephanty stuffy activity, and a special sneak peek screening before his Great Elephant Adventure airs on KTWU.

The Beacon hosted a ribbon cutting Tuesday for its new rooftop space at 9th and Topeka Boulevard.

Owner Sasha Klaurens said the venue is ready for events like weddings and corporate gatherings and will soon add features (new lighting and furniture) to enhance the space.

Johnathan Sublet of SENT Topeka and Fellowship Hi-Crest recounted his journey from childhood poverty to chemical engineering on the Hear me.

See me. podcast, revealing how overwhelming failure nearly led him to a crisis and underscoring the value of asking for help (mental health support).

Maj. Timothy Phelps explained the design and operating plans for a new mental health unit at Shawnee County Corrections—he highlighted key points to improve inmate care and facility safety.

The Belvue Township Fire Department received a $10K grant from State Farm to buy new protective equipment including turnout coats & safety vests for firefighters.

The grant is part of the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program to improve responder safety.

City Council approved $913K for Sunflower Sports Association’s phase two Project NextGen using transient tax revenue—workers will begin field improvements tomorrow, including conversion to artificial turf and ADA pathways.

The council also approved $26M for SW Huntoon Street upgrades from Gage to Harrison set to start in 2027.

Accord Hospice will host Caregiver Day of Renewal for support on Friday, Sept.

11 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is free + registration is requested.

Local construction crews are shifting their schedules and carrying extra water (and ice) to beat the extreme heat this week.

Crew leaders said the new routines help keep workers safe in triple-digit temperatures as they adjust to early morning work in Shawnee County.

Drivers receive a dollar when all occupants are buckled as part of the Bucks for Buckles campaign that began Monday, Aug.

31 and continues until Sept. 13 in 44 Kansas cities. Safe Kids Kansas, State Farm and KDOT hope to boost safety during busy travel days (seatbelts cut injury risk).

The 35th annual Race Against Breast Cancer 5K Run/Walk kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct.

3 at Lake Shawnee Reynolds Lodge and will raise funds for free and low-cost mammograms across 18 northeast counties+ early registration is $35 until Sept. 5, then $45.

Washburn juniors Emma Siron and Shannon Frakes earned MIAA weekly honors after helping the Ichabods secure a 4+0 start last weekend; the team will return on Thursday, Sept.

3 at the Sioux Falls Classic against Black Hills State.

The Kansas Jayhawks will kick off the football season Friday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium with Isaiah Marshall starting as quarterback against LIU.

Coach Lance Leipold said the team is ready after intense offseason preparation+ the game will air on ESPNU.