Daily
Topeka
Wednesday, November 26th, 2025
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 26th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Three organizations have partnered to thank Topeka first responders by offering free coffee and a homemade cookie at five Dialogue Coffee House locations during the first week of December—this initiative was announced at the Mayor and City Manager’s conference. WIBW
- ➤ A fire damaged the clothing section at Breadbasket Food Pantry on November 12, but food supplies were not affected so the pantry continued serving local families. Volunteers repaired the door and adjusted the layout—helping a turkey giveaway on November 24 support those in need. The Topeka Capital-Journal
- ➤ The Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade board canceled the December 6 event after an Equine Herpesvirus outbreak was reported following a rodeo in Waco — Texas. The virus spreads quickly among horses but does not put people at risk. WIBW
- ➤ Stormont Vail Health turned on its holiday lights Tuesday evening—marking the start of its Warm and Thankful Community Celebration and donating gifts to Ronald McDonald House to support families during hospital stays. WIBW
- ➤ Topeka woman Rachel Holthaus, known as the HopeDealer, was injured on Oct. 25 in a head-on collision with a drunk driver during heavy rain, leaving her with fractured ribs and internal bleeding while her 2007 Mazda—known as the Hope Mobile 2.0—was totaled. Despite her injuries, she is organizing the 3rd annual Fill the TopCity HopeDealer’s Christmas Train at 419 SW 29th street on Dec. 7 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. to continue her work helping neighbors. WIBW
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ On Nov. 21 in Manhattan, the Kansas Livestock Association approved 77 new resolutions for 2026 that set rules for dairy checkoffs, land care, and help for livestock disasters—rules that will guide farmers next year—focusing on better market payments and USDA support. KSNT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Urbanist Ariel, a New York influencer with over 2 million followers, visited Topeka this past weekend as part of his 'Ariel in America' series. He toured spots like the Topeka Zoo, Gage Park, and the Kansas Statehouse in coordination with Visit Topeka — and he praised the city for its rich history and welcoming people. KSNT
- ➤ Constitution Hall and the Friends of the Free State Capitol were honored on Nov 25 by Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area—winning the Judy Billings Most Valuable Project Award for their 25-year restoration, which included a $3.75 million BASE grant from 2022. The historic building, built in 1855 to house the Topeka Constitutional Convention, now stands as a tribute to Kansas’s rich heritage. KSNT
- ➤ The 48th Annual Festival of Trees presented by SLI has started in Topeka at the Fairlawn Plaza Shopping Center—over 63 decorated trees are on display and visitors can bid on them or shop a silent auction with over 150 items. Funds support SLI services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the event runs until Dec. 6 with daily hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Thanksgiving. KSNT
- ➤ The Topeka and Shawnee Co. Public Library will host indoor holiday events for all ages this December, featuring daily musical performances (11 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Dec. 2 to 20), a refreshed children’s area, and arts and crafts kits for making holiday gifts. The library will be closed on Nov. 27 and Dec. 24, 25, and 31, and its popular Inked exhibit will close on Nov. 30. WIBW
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Gas prices remained steady as Thanksgiving nears—AAA data showed the national average for unleaded fuel held at about $3.05 per gallon while in Topeka, prices ranged from $2.79 to $3.37 and diesel rose modestly to between $3.29 and $3.80 per gallon. WIBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Shawnee Co. Parks and Recreation will host the Great Overland Station Craft Show — at Great Overland Station on 701 N. Kansas Ave — from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 29. The department will also hold the Children’s Shopping Spree for kids ages 5 to 16 — at Garfield Community Center on 1600 NE Quincy — from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, December 6. WIBW
- ➤ City leaders are optimistic about finalizing the Hotel Topeka sale this year as City Manager Robert Perez said the deal is 90% complete, and Endeavor Hotel Group's CEO Roy Arnold expects a sales agreement in a few weeks — the arrangement includes a $1 million cash payment and an $11.2 million balance over 20 years. WIBW
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Stormont Vail Health announced it will adjust its clinic hours for Thanksgiving and Black Friday. On November 27th, Cotton O’Neil clinics, Topeka Express Care centers, Retail Pharmacy and the Flint Hills clinic in Junction City will be closed while on November 28th only Topeka Express Care clinics, the Infusion Center and Retail Pharmacy will open with shortened hours + patients sending MyChart messages may get delayed responses but emergency departments will remain open. KSNT
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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!
-
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!
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Holiday Fling Topeka
9:00-10:30 a.m. — Stormont Vail Events Center — Entry fee may apply — Experience a festive holiday extravaganza with shopping, gourmet tastings, and family-friendly fun.
-
The Snowman Concert
Evening — Washburn University — Ticket info not provided — Experience holiday magic with a symphony and Kansas Youth Chorale performance of beloved seasonal favorites.
-
Kansas Ballet Presents The Nutcracker Featuring The Topeka Symphony
7-8:30 p.m. — Topeka Performing Arts Center — Tickets available now — Experience the enchanting holiday classic with over 150 dancers and live music from the Topeka Symphony.
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
The creative adult is the child who survived.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
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.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Topeka and across Kansas. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Topeka
A free Topeka community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailytopeka.com/sitemap