Daily
Topeka
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 18th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Local organizers are asking for volunteers, food, and cash donations to support nearly 60 years of the Community Thanksgiving Dinner so no one in Topeka spends the holiday alone. The meal will be served from noon to 2 p.m. at Stormont Vail Event Center — organizers need about $15,000 to meet their goal. WIBW
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ West Ridge Mall in Topeka announced that it will have special holiday hours with Thanksgiving and Christmas Day closed, Black Friday opening at 8 a.m., and adjusted times for Christmas Eve and New Year’s events + the mall will return to its regular schedule on December 26 at its location on SW Wanamaker Road. KSNT
- ➤ A new gas station and convenience store opened in central Topeka on November 17 at 3021 SW 10th Ave. Construction took about a year and a half—now the site offers fuel, snacks, and drinks daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. KSNT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Gregory Debonaire Laster, a James Brown tribute artist, will headline a show at Cosmos Court in downtown Topeka on November 22 at 7:30 p.m. & the performance at 909 S. Kansas Avenue will revive the classic energy of the 'Godfather of Soul'. WIBW
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ AAA projects that 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home during Thanksgiving from November 25 to December 1—many more than last year as fewer flight restrictions boost air travel. The agency advised travelers to prepare their vehicles and plan for heavy traffic on return days. WIBW
- ➤ Gas prices held steady on Monday before the Thanksgiving travel rush—national unleaded averaged $3.07 per gallon while Kansas prices fell to $2.71. Diesel fuel moved up slightly, with national prices at $3.76 a gallon and Kansas prices at $3.54. WIBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A column adapted from remarks at the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame induction said that today’s news must drop old rules and speak up for truth in a time when facts often seem wrong. The column urged local journalists to question what official sources say and to stand up against corporate influence—helping protect our right to know. Kansas Reflector
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Laura Kelly declared today as National Injury Prevention Day to promote safety practices. Injury Free Day will be held on Nov. 23 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Library from 10 a.m. to noon — where partners will offer a children’s safety fair and story time. WIBW
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Data from Zumper shows that apartment rents in Topeka reached a median of $950 in October—a 14% rise from last year's $835 yet 5% lower than last month's $995, with changes seen across all apartment sizes. The Topeka Capital-Journal
- ➤ Construction crews have begun work at 38th and Gage and developers say Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church will move to the area along with planned new residential and commercial projects — a change that has sparked more interest in local development. The project will prepare the site for future improvements as work continues. WIBW
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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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Tip-a-Cop at Red Robin Topeka
4-8 p.m. — Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews — Donations appreciated — Enjoy a meal with local law enforcement while supporting Special Olympics Kansas athletes.
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10th Annual Wing Fling
2-3:30 p.m. — Stormont Vail Events Center — Ticket prices not available yet — Enjoy a fun-filled festival featuring Topeka's only chicken wing competition with great food, drinks, and live music.
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Python for Scientists Training/Class
Dec 8-12 — Heston's Gladiator Academy — $2250 — Enhance your Python skills with expert-led classes designed for scientific applications.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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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