Daily
Topeka
Friday, September 19th, 2025
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 19th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas will host the Celebrity Waiter Soiree—an event with dinner, a signature drink, an auction and live entertainment at Townsite Ballroom in downtown Topeka from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 4—where community VIPs will compete to raise tips for the charity. WIBW
- ➤ Topeka Rescue Mission leaders say that having a team of kind and dedicated people is needed to help those facing homelessness. CEO LaManda Cunningham and HR director Kim Turley explained that recruiting staff—vital for meeting challenges and aiding vulnerable people—is key to the success of their programs. WIBW
- ➤ West Ridge Mall will host live bands and local restaurants every Thursday through November 20 as part of its West Ridge LIVE series, drawing local interest. The mall will hold a special kickoff at 5:30 p.m. on September 25 + a grand reopening for its relocated Grow & Go Playground to offer families a safe play area. KSNT
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Nappy’s Place suffered a fire on Sept. 18 that burned its west wall and destroyed about 15 guitars — owner Steven Huske rescued his two shop cats and began a fire sale while the Topeka Fire Department reported an accidental electrical fire. WIBW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Sunrise Theatre Company is presenting a unique version of Hamlet—Roulette at Topeka Collegiate with a 7 p.m. show today and additional performances on Sept. 20, 26, and 27 at 7 p.m. and on Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. while audiences choose roles minutes before each show and tickets cost $15. WIBW
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ CEO Kaleb Little (head of the Kansas Soybean Association) warned that Kansas soybean farmers risk bankruptcy this year if China, their top buyer, does not resume purchasing, as farmers begin harvesting roughly 4 million acres (the season's crop) amid volatile global trade conditions. KSNT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Over 600 fourth-grade students attended the 25th annual Topeka Water Festival at Garfield Park and Community Center on Thursday, Sept. 18 to learn about water science and conservation. The event featured interactive stations on groundwater, stormwater systems, and water main repairs — and it aims to grow next year to serve about 1,000 students. WIBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Kansas Board of Regents—led by chairman Blake Benson—proposed cutting state aid by $4.6 million and requested $5.5 million for Blueprint for Literacy plus $15 million for energy research at KU, K-State and WSU in its $1.1 billion budget plan. The proposal, to be submitted by Oct. 1, includes additional funding for student support programs and aims to share state tax costs with the universities. Kansas Reflector
- ➤ Kansas Public Radio is hiring a new Statehouse Bureau Chief to cover state government news from the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka—reporting on the legislative session, elections, and other key matters. Applicants must meet daily deadlines and submit an aircheck as part of the process, with review to begin on October 13 and a start expected around November 10. Kansas Public Radio
- ➤ Changes to highway ramps at US-24 and K-4 will begin today if weather permits, officials said Thursday as the eastbound US-24 on-ramp reopens while the exit to northbound K-4 stays closed until late December. Motorists are advised to follow detour signs along N.W. Topeka Boulevard and N.E. 46th Street—this change is part of the US-24 reconstruction project—while crews complete the work. WIBW
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Stormont Vail Health will begin its flu shot clinics next week for current patients in Topeka, Manhattan, and Junction City as temperatures drop and virus season ramps up – the clinics offer drive-thru and walk-in options on various dates, including Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Oct. 18, Oct. 23, and Oct. 30. Eligible patients who have had a flu shot previously can use the scheduled times to boost their immune defense. WIBW
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Topeka High hosted Wichita Southeast at Hummer Park Thursday night as the Golden Buffaloes shut out the Trojans — the win made Topeka High fall to 2-1 this season. WIBW
- ➤ Steve Bushnell returned as the Seaman High School Vikings head baseball coach today—he led the team to 9 state championships from 1999 to 2020 and served as an administrator for 33 years. He said his goal is to develop skill and build strong work habits through the sport rather than chasing titles. WIBW
-
Tap That Topeka Beer Festival
5:30-11:30 p.m. — The Celtic Fox — Tickets starting at $50 — Experience over 400 craft beers, delicious food trucks, and live music in downtown Topeka.
-
Highland Park vs. Sumner Academy Girls Varsity Volleyball Match
6:30-7:30 p.m. — Highland Park High School — Check local listings — Come cheer for the Highland Park and Sumner Academy volleyball teams in a thrilling conference match.
-
Highland Park vs. East Football Game
7-9 p.m. — Highland Park High School — Admission Fee Required — Cheer on the Highland Park varsity football team as they take on East from Wichita in this exciting non-conference matchup.
-
Yachtley Crew Concert
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Topeka Performing Arts Center — Last-minute concert tickets available — Experience the Yachtley Crew live in Topeka for an entertaining evening.
-
Liverpool Legends Concert
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Topeka Performing Arts Center — Public on sale starts August 15 at 10AM — Experience internationally acclaimed Liverpool Legends honoring the music of The Beatles.
-
5th Annual Oktoberfest
3-8 p.m. — Prince of Peace Lutheran Church — Free entry — Enjoy family fun with food, shopping, and activities at this community Oktoberfest.
-
2025 Combat Air Museum Car Show
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Combat Air Museum — $20/vehicle — Experience a unique car show on historic tarmac with classic cars, awards, food trucks, and family fun.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The secret to getting ahead is getting started.
~ Mark Twain
About Daily Topeka
Welcome to the Daily Topeka, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Topeka, Kansas community. If you like the Daily Topeka, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Topeka.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Topeka and across Kansas. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Topeka
A free Topeka community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailytopeka.com/sitemap