Daily
Topeka
Tuesday, October 28th, 2025
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 28th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Volunteers are preparing for Topeka’s 58th annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner from noon to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at Stormont Vail Events Center’s Exhibition Hall — organizers aim to raise $15,000, collect food donations like canned yams and green beans, and need volunteers for meal delivery and other tasks. WIBW
- ➤ Local food banks are preparing for increased demand as SNAP benefits are on hold for November, which may leave 188,000 Kansans without support. Harvesters and Doorstep are working with community partners to help families in need — officials said they remain unsure of the full impact. WIBW
- ➤ At Felker Park on October 26, runners and families gathered for the Topeka Pumpkin Run and Trunk-or-Treat hosted by Topeka South Rotary — an event that raised funds to help eliminate polio. Participants enjoyed themed costumes that added festive spirit to the community. WIBW
- ➤ Several Trunk or Treat events took place in Topeka over the weekend despite a quarter inch of rain reducing turnout—organizers noted one event's vehicle count dropped from about 55 to 35. Forecasts show clear skies with highs in the 50s, so remaining Halloween celebrations will proceed as planned. KSNT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Beverly Bernardi Post, owner of the Halloween and Theatrical Shop, has run her store for 20 years and now offers about 14,000 costumes—appealing to Topeka residents who rent or buy unique outfits for parties and events year-round. WIBW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ In College Hill, the Schmidts have arranged over 300 carved pumpkins that show pop culture icons—like Snoopy and the Grinch—to bring fun to the neighborhood during Halloween. They work carefully on each carving to keep locals of all ages excited and coming back for a festive display. WIBW
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Farmers in New Jersey, North Carolina and rural Kansas reported a labor shortage that left blueberries unpicked, crops drying and cattle operations understaffed — they said rising costs and fewer worker protections in the federal H-2A program forced cutbacks in hiring and production. Kansas Reflector
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Shawnee County will close part of Southwest Jordan Road (between Southwest 97th and 93rd Streets) at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10 for a bridge replacement project over a tributary of the Wakarusa River. The new bridge will be ready for traffic by Friday, March 13 next year while drivers use local roads to bypass the closure. KSNT
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness is offering mental health support to veterans by providing counseling resources in Lyon, Chase, Morris, Wabaunsee, Osage, Coffey, and Greenwood counties — they are partnering with American Legion Post 17 to set up a forum for women veterans. WIBW
- ➤ Teresa Fisher, director of the Shawnee County Health Department, said funding for the WIC program remains steady during the federal shutdown— the program is funded for October while officials work to secure funds for November. WIBW
- ➤ State health officials completed the cleanup after a nonhazardous food-grade spill last Friday that affected Deer Creek near 10th Street—Southeast Deer Creek Parkway. KDHE reported the spill was contained to its initial area and has lifted the stream advisory so people and pets may safely access the water. KSNT
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West Ridge LIVE
7:30-9:30 p.m. — West Ridge Mall — Various tickets available — Experience an exciting event with special seating options and a family-friendly atmosphere.
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Help Stock the Ronald McDonald House Pantry
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Seabrook Apple Market — Donations welcome — Support local families in need by replenishing vital pantry supplies.
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2025 Kansas Environmental Education Conference
4-4:30 p.m. — Sunflower Nonprofit Center — Registration fees apply — Explore critical environmental education themes and network with community leaders.
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Gallery Talk: Bobby Von Martin
6-7:30 p.m. — Mulvane Art Museum — Free entry — Explore the impact of Choctaw artist Bobby Von Martin's heritage and art in his enlightening gallery talk.
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Cirque Mechanics - Tilt
7-8:30 p.m. — Topeka Performing Arts Center — Check for pricing — Experience a high-flying circus spectacle that combines acrobatics with mechanical marvels.
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Rich The Kid Live Concert
9 PM – 12 AM — The Woodshed Event Center — Tickets required — Experience Rich The Kid's electrifying performance in Topeka!
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Chocolate Nutcracker Midwest
3-4:30 p.m. — Topeka Performing Arts Center — Adults start at $20, Children start at $10 — Experience an urban twist on the classic ballet featuring diverse dance styles.
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Cheer Power Topeka Showdown 2025
1 a.m. — Topeka Elite Cheer — Bids available for top competitions — Cheerleading competition featuring bids for prestigious events.
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28th Annual Winter Wonderland
November 26 to December 31 — Lake Shawnee Campground — Admission Fee Required — Experience a festive drive-thru holiday light display perfect for the entire family.
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Community Thanksgiving Dinner
12-2 p.m. — Stormont Vail Events Center — Free entry — Enjoy a warm meal with the community during this festive Thanksgiving gathering.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Topeka
Welcome to the Daily Topeka, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Topeka, Kansas community. If you like the Daily Topeka, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Topeka.
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