Good morning, Topeka.

KDOC and Kansas Children's Discovery Center held a meeting on Sept.

30 to show how the Play Free program has connected nearly 4,000 Kansas families over eight years + several states now plan to launch similar initiatives in 2027.

Chef Gordon Ramsay will film FOX's Kitchen Nightmares + Bradley’s Corner Cafe in North Topeka Friday, Oct.

2. The cafe, known for its homestyle breakfasts and pies, proudly showcases its place in the evolving NOTO Arts + Entertainment District.

Deriva Energy held its third open house on Sept.

30 for a proposed 20-acre battery energy storage system in Tecumseh (the 270-MW project is planned to stabilize the grid and will operate by 2030).

Washburn University and Washburn Tech reported a 2.3% enrollment increase this fall, marking growth for the fourth year.

The change came after the CEP program shifted to Washburn Tech (recording a 16.1% rise there while the university saw a 1.3% drop) to boost affordability.

Officials announced Wednesday morning that enrollment in higher education fell by 0.8% overall as state universities gained 673 students while community and technical colleges lost 1,246 and 827 students respectively and stressed that keeping college affordable and accessible remains a priority.

For the third consecutive year, the University of Kansas reported its highest overall enrollment on Sept.

30, reaching 31,464 students with strong freshman numbers and record retention. The school credits its growth to robust recruiting + academic support + expanded online opportunities.

Kansas Board of Regents data show that fall enrollment across 32 higher-ed institutions fell 0.8% as state universities grew 0.7% while community and technical colleges dropped 1.9% and 6.8% respectively (new high school college credit rules may affect future enrollment).

Washburn University women’s basketball team held a youth clinic at the Boys & Girls Club on 27th Street on Wednesday to work with local young athletes + strengthen community ties ahead of their revamped season in November.

Former KU quarterback Jalon Daniels will start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday (Oct.

4) against the Green Bay Packers; he becomes the first Jayhawk to start an NFL game in nearly 40 years and will use lessons learned in Lawrence.