Daily
Topeka
Thursday, October 9th, 2025
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 9th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Cora, the Topeka Zoo’s 67-year-old Asian elephant, was humanely euthanized after a rapid health decline and passed peacefully on Wednesday morning, surrounded by her dedicated caregivers. She was loved for her long life and film role in Smokey and the Bandit II—she joined the zoo in 2016 to serve as an ambassador for her species. WIBW
- ➤ Menards stores in Kansas are hosting a food drive that accepts nonperishable items at drop sites until Oct. 31—shoppers can leave donations like cereal and soup near exit doors to aid local pantries. The Topeka Capital-Journal
- ➤ Residents can support Topeka Community Cat Fix by entering a pet photo—each entry costs a $10 donation—and voting with $1 per vote through 10 p.m. Oct 29 to help fund the nonprofit. WIBW
- ➤ Topeka Zoo will host Boo at the Zoo on Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with treats included at regular admission and over 30 vendors; membership entries will also offer a chance to win a gift package (the Beary Scary Treat raffle runs until Oct. 31). WIBW
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Topeka High School celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday evening with its drumline energizing the crowd—booths offered details on Latin American cultures. The event showcased the diversity of student backgrounds and encouraged learning about global traditions. WIBW
- ➤ A teacher from Seaman Middle School in Topeka was chosen for the Silent Heroes research program to work with historians and research the life of a Kansas native service member. Jeffrey Schuh will meet monthly with experts until March to create a profile of Private First Class William D. McGonigle, who died in 1968 during the Vietnam War and is honored on national memorials. KSNT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Kansas Department of Administration is hosting a job fair today to fill over 480 open jobs across state agencies—nearly half of the openings are in Shawnee County. Job-seekers can learn easy application steps and meet representatives from 16 state agencies. WIBW
- ➤ Kansas Turnpike Authority opened a new Love’s Truck Care center at the Topeka Service Area earlier in October — the center has three maintenance bays that offer tire replacement and oil changes for commercial drivers. The partnership also expands Love’s emergency roadside assistance in the local region. KSNT
- ➤ In District 9, incumbent Michelle Hoferer faces challenges from Chris Deister and Nic Trammel as Topeka voters prepare to elect a new mayor and city council in November. Hoferer, who was appointed three years ago and visited Eye on Northeast Kansas on Oct 8, said streets and infrastructure are her top priorities + Deister visited on Oct 1 and Trammel is set to appear on Oct 14. WIBW
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Stormont Vail Health of Topeka earned a Level II Trauma Center designation from KDHE yesterday following its successful ACS review—this confirms its commitment to expert trauma care for more than 3,000 patients annually and the verification is valid through April 14th. WIBW
- ➤ Stormont Vail Health is honoring physician assistants during Physician Assistant Week from October 6 to 12—showing how they help with doctor shortages—and highlighting a Kansas State University partnership that offers a 27-month master program with hands-on training in Manhattan. WIBW
- ➤ The Kansas State Child Death Review Board released its 2025 report today showing 361 Kansas children died before age 18 in 2023, with more than half as infants and many cases tied to sleep-related deaths, abuse, suicide and drug overdoses from fentanyl and marijuana. State officials including the Attorney General’s Office and KBI conducted raids on vape shops and dispensaries selling illegal marijuana products—steps meant to protect vulnerable children. WIBW
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Bingo Loco at Topeka Social
5:30-9:30 p.m. — Topeka Social — $33 — Experience a night of laughter, dance, and bingo fun with exciting prizes.
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Atomic Cowboyz Pop Up Concert
5-7 p.m. — Evergy Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy a vibrant outdoor concert featuring the Atomic Cowboyz along with food from local vendors.
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Object Oriented Analysis and Design Using UML Training
All day — Orion Education & Training - Topeka — $2250 — Enhance your software development skills with this comprehensive UML training class.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If you do what is easy, your life will be hard. If you do what is hard, your life will be easy.
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