Good morning, Topeka.

YMCA of Topeka and Greater Wichita YMCA announced a plan to join forces, forming a six county network to serve one in three residents and fund facility improvements with local donations.

The partnership will expand services, including group exercise, youth programs, and childcare services.

Topeka Model Railroaders Club will hold its 5th annual benefit show today and Oct.

4 at Helping Hands Humane Society’s training center, donating half the admission price for ages 13 and older. Visitors can explore model train displays (and meet adoptable pets) during the event.

Whitson Elementary held a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration Thursday night at its school.

Families played loteria and donated candy, books, and toys, celebrating local heritage.

Deriva Energy is proposing a 270-megawatt battery project near the former Tecumseh Energy Center Coal Plant to improve grid reliability plus the company plans to seek a permit early next year, start construction in 2029, and have the facility operating by late 2030.

The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center launches the exhibit Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen featuring Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight at 9 a.m. today (included with regular admission), where kids can build paper airplanes and enjoy interactive STEM lessons as the display runs until Jan. 3.

On Friday, Oct. 2, Greenbush staff guided low-vision students outside the Capitol as they learned skills like crossing intersections and boarding buses to prepare for National White Cane Day on Oct.

15.

The Kansas Governor’s Office reported that September tax collections reached $1.08 billion, $56.5 million above estimates.

Corporate income taxes beat projections by 28.6%, largely offsetting a minor decline in individual income collections.

The Shawnee County Health Department held its Annual Community Conversation today where local leaders discussed better care access and youth violence prevention.

It will hold a Community Health Needs Assessment next March to invite residents to share their health priorities.