Good morning, Topeka.

Topeka groups, including Compassion Strategies + the Topeka Rescue Mission, honored 35 unsheltered individuals who died over recent years under the MAP program, now known as Moving Ahead Partnership, which offers meals + showers along with other critical services two days a week.

Topeka business leaders were named the 2027 Business Hall of Fame Laureates by Junior Achievement of Kansas on Sept.

15; honorees will be celebrated at the 25th Annual Celebration in April in Topeka.

The 22nd annual Slash and Bash Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival will kick off with a free drive-in movie on Friday, Sept.

18 at 7:30 p.m. behind Cosmos Court and continue with screenings, a costume contest and film meet-and-greets on Saturday, Sept. 19 for $5 admission.

A Topeka-based choir was selected for an international music festival next July and will tour Montana as it seeks support for its $75,000 effort.

The group began its season at Great Overland Station on Aug. 1.

Greater Topeka Partnership will host the Economic Outlook Conference at Washburn University (7:30 to 10:30 a.m.) on Thursday, Oct.

8. Dr. Paul Byrne and other speakers will share survey findings about business confidence and trends, including the impact of artificial intelligence.

On Tuesday, 4-H members in Topeka gained retail skills at Casey’s on N.

Kansas Ave as part of the 4-H Career Experience program that gives rural youth work experience. Now in its third year with Casey’s, the program has raised nearly half a million dollars nationwide.

Olathe Public Schools has recommended closing Black Bob Elementary this school year due to declining enrollment and budget pressures, with a final vote planned for October; parents worry about program changes and unclear student placements + the shift of dual-language immersion classes to Arbor Creek.

Court records show a settlement was reached during mediation on Sept.

3 — a claim disputed by a district spokesman who said no settlement occurred; the case closed administratively on Sept. 10 with a stipulation dismissal due by Oct. 9.

Five Kansas legislators participated in a cattle showmanship competition at the Kansas State Fair on Sept.

12 where they learned basic cattle handling from local 4-H youth; Rep. Brooklynne Mosley took first place and earned a traveling trophy (demonstrating her new practical skills) while lawmakers gained insight into beef industry challenges.

A free mobile clinic offered Topeka residents blood-pressure checks, screenings, and health education on Tuesday at the Washburn Mobile Health Van parked across from the El-Shaddai Temple, with care provided by nursing students under faculty supervision.

The Washburn women’s golf team won its first outright tournament title Tuesday at the Missouri Southern Fall Invite with a combined score of 12-over par and finished 16-strokes ahead of Arkansas Tech.

The team will play next Monday at the Newman Invite at Terradyne Country Club.

K-State will host Tulane Saturday morning at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, with the Wildcats (currently 2-0) facing their final non-conference test before Big 12 play as coach Collin Klein praises Tulane’s physical challenge.

The game will mark a key step for K-State in keeping its unbeaten record.

KU men’s basketball will play in two ESPN Big Monday games this season, traveling to Houston on Feb.

1 at 8 p.m. CT and hosting Iowa State on Mar. 1 at 8 p.m. CT.