Good morning, Topeka.

Local fall farms in Topeka plan a busy weekend as families enjoy pumpkin patches despite recent light rain.

Shively Farms expects roughly 1,000 visitors Saturday since its sloped land prevents water pooling - Little Munchkins Pumpkin Patch reported similar weather-friendly conditions.

The Topeka Zoo is hosting Boo at the Zoo on Oct.

24 and Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with regular admission fees (free for Friends of the Zoo) while 30 local groups hand out candy and visitors are encouraged to wear costumes and enjoy two bounce houses.

Topeka’s Arab Shrine presented a record $5,000 check from its June golf tournament to support Shriners Children’s Hospital at the Kansas Shrine Bowl Committee’s $200K goal, reported Wednesday.

The group will deliver the full donation in November — marking a milestone for local children’s care.

Local author Alex Grecian will host an author talk from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Nov.

1 at the Topeka and Shawnee Co. Public Library, and Friends of TSCPL will hold a quarterly book and media sale from Oct. 16 to 18 featuring a public sale and a members-only night.

The Kansas Board of Regents amended its policy requiring state university officials to notify board leadership before advanced discussions with private equity firms over athletic partnerships.

The rule also mandates that all related contracts be approved by the board before implementation.

Washburn University hosted a Healthcare Career Fair (with over 45 organizations in attendance from local hospitals and community health centers) at its Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center on Wednesday to help students network and find internships.

Washburn Tech will hold a similar fair on Thursday and Friday at the McPherson campus.

The Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame will induct four new members Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Cyrus Hotel downtown & honor athletes and coaches with achievements from high school, college and professional sports.

Seating is limited.

Emporia State soccer forward Ella Favot earned her second MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week honor after scoring and assisting in weekend games against Newman and Washburn.

She now holds 20 points — her team will host Missouri Southern tomorrow.

KU will travel to Manhattan on Saturday at 11 a.m. to face K-State in the Sunflower Showdown as the Jayhawks, fresh off a 41-24 loss to Utah, hope to secure their first Big 12 win at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on FS1.

Washburn football kept its momentum with three one-score wins this season under coach Zach Watkins (in his second year), boosting confidence after a string of close losses last year.

The team will play at Central Missouri on Saturday and holds a 4-1-1 record so far.

Topeka Scarecrows will open their season tomorrow at Landon Arena against the Indiana Sentinels with new head coach Ahmed Mahfouz bringing championship experience and forward Egor Filippov to offer a scoring boost + build a more physical team identity.