Good morning, Topeka.

Residents displaced by the fire at Geary Estates Apartments are receiving help from community organizations.

The Geary County Food Pantry opened on Sunday and is working with Fort Riley and local partners to offer food, clothing, and other essentials to affected families.

The 2026 Peace Gala to support the Topeka Center for Peace & Justice is set for Friday, Oct.

9 at the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden at the Topeka Zoo. A social hour starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and a program at 6:30 p.m., and tickets cost $100.

On Monday evening, Boswell Square Park in College Hill hosted a ribbon cutting for its upgraded playground featuring swings, a jungle gym and slides.

The $250,000 update followed a years-long delay to complete a property transfer.

Ballet Folklorico de Topeka will mark its 50th anniversary with a Gala & Performance Saturday, Sept.

26 from 1 to 3 at White Concert Hall at Washburn University, featuring Mariachi Habanero and Chicago's Sones de Mexico at the free event.

Diesel prices hit record highs as Kansas averaged $6.23 per gallon on Monday, Sept.

21, and nationwide averages reached $6.51; trucking companies reported fuel expenses of about $1,200 a day + farmers faced higher costs for operating their equipment.

SHRM Topeka will host a career fair from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.

23 at the Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library, where attendees can get resume help, practice interview skills & pick up free professional attire.

Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month on Monday when students learned to prepare pico de gallo salsa using fresh produce from the school garden + connected classroom lessons with cultural traditions.

Kansas gubernatorial candidate Ty Masterson will skip two televised debates (Sept.

24 by Gray Media and Oct. 1 by Nexstar) after joining a debate on Sept. 12 at the Kansas State Fair, while opponent Cindy Holscher says voters deserve to hear all candidate views.

Brewster Place held a parade Monday for World Alzheimer’s Day — local schools and organizations joined to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and support research for those affected.

Washburn has installed a Narcan vending machine in the Student Health Center at Morgan Hall to offer free naloxone and help reverse opioid overdoses.

The machine, provided by the AG’s Office and Emily’s Hope, gives students and staff a private way to access this tool (privacy encouraged by campus officials).

On Monday, Sept. 21 the Stormont Vail Foundation hosted its 25th anniversary BIG HEARTS Golf Tournament at the Topeka Country Club and raised over $275,000 for new breast imaging technology (improving screening and treatment at Stormont Vail’s Breast Imaging Center).

Kansas health officials confirmed two measles cases linked to domestic travel, the first since a 2025 outbreak, on the KDHE Dashboard updated on Wednesday.

Seven counties now record less than 75% of kindergarteners vaccinated + officials stress the need for increased immunization.

Avery Johnson achieved a historic milestone in K-State’s 31-20 win (on Saturday) over Tulane when he became the first quarterback to pass for over 200 yards and rush for more than 150 yards.

He now leads the Wildcats and will face Cincinnati next Saturday.

Washburn junior linebacker J.C.

Heim earned the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week on Saturday after recording 12 tackles+ a key interception and forced fumble to secure a 14-10 win over Central Oklahoma. Washburn returns this weekend to play Nebraska-Kearney.