Daily
Topeka
Wednesday, November 5th, 2025
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 5th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Jefferson's Restaurant offers free kids meals for children at its S.W. Wanamaker Road location while SNAP benefits are withheld due to the federal shutdown—dine-in guests 12 and under get one meal per day with no purchase required—with the offer ending on November 7. WIBW
- ➤ Organizers of the Community Thanksgiving Dinner reported receiving 300-400 meal requests since Nov. 1—far exceeding their normal pace and driven by increased need from recent SNAP cutbacks. They are working hard to ensure no one dines alone at the sit-down event from noon to 2 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Exhibition Hall in Topeka. KSNT
- ➤ Harvesters Community Food Network and Town and Country Christian Church will distribute 30,000—40,000 pounds of fresh food free to local families at a drive-thru event set for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6 near the Kansas Neurological Institute—drivers will follow posted signs after turning south on Southwest Randolph Avenue from the intersection with Southwest 21st Street. The groups are responding to a growing need amid the ongoing government shutdown. KSNT
- ➤ Topeka’s 12th annual Sunflower Salute Veterans Parade will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, with a march honoring veterans and special pre-parade activities including a stage ceremony and TEAM KC flyover. Registration opens at 9 a.m. at the Judicial Center Parking Lot + the event will continue with the Kansas Courage Celebration where veterans are served lunch and food donations are collected. WIBW
- ➤ Security Benefit provided the final funding needed to start building Topeka’s first permanent public ice rink, and a ceremony will be held at Evergy Plaza on Tuesday, Nov. 11 to mark the gift. The Downtown Topeka Foundation will own, build, and operate the rink set to open in November 2026—offering winter skating and a space for year-round community events. WIBW
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Panda Express opened its second location on Tuesday morning at 801 N.W. 25th St in North Topeka—its first store with a drive-thru lane. The restaurant created nearly 40 new jobs, donated $1,000 to the Topeka Rescue Mission, and features American Chinese design with red lanterns and a moon gate while serving dishes like original orange chicken and crispy sesame shrimp and beef. WIBW
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Businesses across Kansas are rounding prices because the U.S. Mint stopped making pennies earlier this year, leaving shops to adjust their prices. Banks in Topeka and other communities are waiting for federal guidance after the government shutdown—customers are now encouraged to bring exact change. WIBW
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Washburn Rural High School held its annual ceremony on Tuesday to honor Kansas veterans — the band, choir, and Air Force JROTC joined in a program featuring color presentations and a 'Missing Man Table' memorial. JROTC students will continue to honor veterans in ceremonies around the state and county next week. WIBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Kansas labor report that includes job numbers and unemployment data was postponed after the shutdown on Oct 1 halted the Bureau of Labor Statistics operations, leaving incomplete data for September as noted by Kansas Action for Children — with the next update scheduled for Nov 21. KSNT
- ➤ Gov. Kelly said Kansas tax collections in October reached $695 million, with individual income and sales taxes exceeding projections while corporate tax revenue came in 60% below target—House Speaker Hawkins credited GOP budget adjustments for boosting state receipts by over $100 million in the first three months of the fiscal year. Kansas Reflector
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Federal officials announced on Nov. 4 that Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. recalled Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars after tests found undeclared wheat that poses an allergy risk, and the bars were shipped to Kroger and Giant Eagle stores in multiple states — no injuries have been reported. KSNT
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Washburn University received a major gift from Kris and Jake Klima to improve its tennis program and launch a new community-focused academy as part of a $10 million Athletics Corridor Master Plan—bringing upgrades like new championship courts and improved spectator seating, with construction planning underway and timelines to be announced. The improvements aim to benefit both student-athletes and local tennis enthusiasts. KSNT
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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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Adult Skate Night at Sk8away
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Sk8away Inc. — $8 with rentals or $6 with personal skates — Enjoy a fun night of skating for adults aged 18 and over.
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Catholic Community Zoo Lights
Come for Mass at Hayden HS, Enjoy Hot Chocolate after Mass, then head to The Topeka Zoo to enjoy the annual Zoo Lights event! Everyone is welcome!
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Catholic Community Zoo Lights
Come for Mass at Hayden HS, Enjoy Hot Chocolate after Mass, then head to The Topeka Zoo to enjoy the annual Zoo Lights event! Everyone is welcome!
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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