Daily
Topeka
Thursday, October 30th, 2025
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 30th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Greg and Linda Laird have hosted a community Halloween event in Potwin Neighborhood for 21 years—serving meals and letting over 2,000 trick-or-treaters enjoy pumpkin carving. This year they aim to carve 225 pumpkins before Halloween. KSNT
- ➤ The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will visit several Topeka locations—starting today for events that include costume contests, trick-or-treats and pet photoshoots. The mobile will be at venues such as the Wheel Barrel, Aspire Gymnastics Club, Scarecrows Trick-or-Treat, Holiday Extravaganza, Central Park Community Center and Helping Hands Humane Society until Nov. 2—following its last visit in June 2024. KSNT
- ➤ Families needing extra holiday help applied for the United Way Christmas Bureau at the Johnston Community Center — additional in-person application dates are scheduled for November 3, November 6 and November 9. WIBW
- ➤ The Sunrise Optimist Club will hold its annual Made from the Heart Holiday Craft Fair Saturday, Nov 1, at the Sunrise Optimist Event Center where two dozen vendors will offer unique holiday gifts + admission is free with refreshments available at a concession stand. WIBW
- ➤ The City of Topeka is hosting its annual Trunk or Treat and Community Block Party today from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Evergy Plaza downtown—families will collect treats and visit booths where first responders share information. WIBW
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ At Topeka’s Mars Wrigley candy factory, dubbed the Halloween Headquarters, the company makes millions of fun-sized candies including Twix, Snickers, and M&M’s for trick-or-treaters. Site Director Brian Pardo said production begins in March—ensuring the community gets enough treats for the holiday. WIBW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Former Kansas Poet Laureate Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg will read from her new memoir and answer questions at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library on Nov. 12 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.—her memoir covers her 2019 eye cancer diagnosis and a plan to save her family's fifth-generation farm. KSNT
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Fort Hays State University’s 2025 Kansas Speaks Survey released Oct. 27 showed that 27% of Kansans rated the state economy very good or excellent while 46.6% worried it could harm their family welfare—35.9% believed Kansas was on the wrong track. The survey also found that only 17.5% considered the national economy good and over 80% supported raising the state’s minimum wage, with strong backing for family-focused policies like affordable childcare. KSNT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Crews are completing a 16,000 square foot, $11.6 million expansion at Kansas Children’s Discovery Center that doubles the museum’s size — adding three new galleries including one with the world’s tallest climbable sunflower and a 3,000 square foot traveling exhibits space debuting with a tribute to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The center will hold a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 7 at Gage Park, where adults tour free while families pay regular admission. WIBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Kansas 'Cold Weather Rule' will take effect on Saturday, Nov. 1 to stop utility companies from disconnecting service when temperatures are expected to fall below 35° within 48 hours—customers with past due bills must contact their provider to set up a 12‑month payment plan under the Kansas Corporation Commission’s mandate. KSNT
- ➤ Local leaders, nonprofits, and faith groups met Oct. 29 in Topeka to plan ways to help families if SNAP benefits end on Nov. 1. Working mother Stacy Underwood—whose family is among 15,404 in Shawnee County at risk—warned that losing benefits will make it hard for families to get enough food and stressed the need for shared community resources. WIBW
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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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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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