Daily
Topeka
Friday, October 31st, 2025
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 31st of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ At a celebration dinner Thursday night, the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice marked 40 years of service by honoring changemakers and reviewing its work helping about 2,000 local residents get food, housing, and health support—efforts that promise continued restoration in the community. WIBW
- ➤ A local family honored the late golfer Brad 'B.J.' Foster on Thursday by giving a $5500 check to the Capper Foundation to support its 'I Got This' golf camp (for people with intellectual disabilities), following a memorial tournament at Cyprus Ridge Golf Course (which now has a bench in his memory). WIBW
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A new Panda Express is opening today at 801 NW 25th St — Topeka’s second location and first with a drive-thru. The restaurant will hold a grand opening on November 4th that includes a food bank drive, support for the children’s miracle network and free t-shirts for the first 88 guests at the ribbon cutting. KSNT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The sixth annual Zoo Lights event at Topeka’s Gage Park will feature a global holiday celebration—showing traditions from America, China, Japan, and more—and run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 31, starting with a garland cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Nov. 21. WIBW
- ➤ Several sites in northeast Kansas have long sparked ghost stories. In Topeka, the old hospital cemetery, Constitution Hall, and the Great Overland Station show eerie sounds and moving objects — similar signs are reported at haunted spots in Manhattan and Fort Riley. KSNT
- ➤ The City of Topeka released the third episode of its History of Topeka docuseries that looks at the city's oldest cemeteries and the people buried there. Created with help from local groups (the Public Library, Kansas Historical Society, and Historic Topeka Cemetery), the episode honors early residents who helped build the city. KSNT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Westbound I-70 is closed starting at 10 p.m. today for work on the Polk—Quincy Viaduct Project that will finish by midnight Sunday—drivers must follow detours leading to I-470 or K-4. KSNT
- ➤ A study by Kansas academics found that journalists felt shock and caution after the Aug. 11 raid on the Marion County Record, which raised fears about free speech and prompted staff cuts and legal challenges. Researchers noted that these changes have limited deep local investigations — a shift that may weaken government oversight. Kansas Reflector
- ➤ Civil engineer Wes Marshall said at the Walk Bike Roll Kansas summit that government transportation agencies relied on flawed data and assumptions, leading to unsafe roads and rising traffic fatalities — he urged officials to gather better crash data and change design standards to protect pedestrians and cyclists. Kansas Reflector
- ➤ Westbound I-70 will be closed through downtown today for pavement patching on the Polk-Quincy Viaduct starting at 10 p.m. and will remain closed until work is complete or until 11:59 p.m. Sunday—motorists must follow detour signs via S.E. 10th Avenue—S.W. Topeka Boulevard—S.W. 6th Avenue—S.W. MacVicar Avenue to access the freeway. WIBW
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Cherie Sage from Safe Kids Kansas said Halloween is the top night for child pedestrian injuries and urged drivers to slow down while kids focus on trick-or-treating. She recommended using reflective costumes, flashlights, and safe walking practices—tips that may help keep children safe—so families can have a secure evening. WIBW
- ➤ Nemaha Central senior Danny Childress, a two-year starting lineman, was diagnosed with brain cancer in September after playing in the first two games of the season and had brain surgery on October 2 in Memphis. He returned to school eight days later to join his team—who along with neighboring schools, have shown strong support—as he continues treatment and fights the disease. WIBW
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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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SLEAZYWORLD GO Live in Topeka
9 p.m. — The Woodshed Event Center — $25-$120 — Experience SLEAZYWORLD GO's exciting live performance on 'THE RED TOUR' with all ages welcome.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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