Good morning, Topeka.

Volunteers finished preparing Wednesday for Topeka Community Thanksgiving Dinner and are set to serve up to 3,000 guests today at the Stormont-Vail Event Center Exhibition Hall.

The event will feature 750 lbs of turkey and popular sides and will be supported by around 200 local volunteers.

Community leaders and neighbors gathered at the corner of 37th and Adams after three people were fatally shot over the weekend, including a 16-year-old boy.

Organized by the Community Inspired Violence Intervention Coalition and Capital Peace Project Street Team, local advocates urged residents to step up support for families and youth programs — hoping to prevent further loss.

WIBW-TV in Topeka announced the WIBW Santa contest is open today at midnight and will run until December 18, with winners drawn during 13 NEWS at 6.

Participants may find secret Santas, register their names and emails, and follow contest rules statewide—employees are not eligible.

Least of These Ministries is hosting Shop Small for a Big Christmas event at 1701 SW Collins from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov.

29—more than 30 vendors will offer gifts and holiday decorations while proceeds help provide gifts and dinner for local families.

On Wednesday morning, Capitol Federal employees delivered 45 Thanksgiving meals to Topeka families in their 25th annual tradition — they also helped nearly 200 families statewide receive a meal.

Celebrations of Winter will run from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov.

29 at 935 N. Kansas Ave. in the NOTO Arts — Entertainment District. The event will offer candlelight shopping, Santa visits, the lighting of Redbud Park, horse-drawn carriage rides, and free cookies — cocoa.

Zoo Lights at the Topeka Zoo offers a $2 discount on admission from 6 to 9 p.m. today on Thanksgiving and hosts Wild Wednesday with child tickets at $9 — the zoo will also hold Cookies with Claus on December 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring crafts, storytime and other fun activities.

Tariffs have raised costs on key ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner, with Collin Tuthill saying rising import duties and shipping costs have hurt food banks, schools, and hospitals — Kansas farmers are receiving only a small share of profits while facing higher production expenses. Industry experts and local growers say long-term policy shifts are needed to help ease the burden on consumers and small farms.

Omni Circle Group will hold free digital workshops at 1301 SW Topeka Blvd to help residents learn computer skills using a grant from the KS Dept. of Commerce—sessions are set for Dec.

10 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 11 a.m.

Kansas officials are planning a $10 million program to use AI and security cameras to spot guns in schools as part of a state safety effort.

Three companies have submitted bids, and the system must be installed by December—operational by February.

Shawnee County Public Works said the SW Auburn Road roundabout partially opened at close of business on November 26 to let eastbound and westbound traffic move on SW 29th Street and allow south travel from Auburn Road — Auburn Road remains closed as crews work to add a center turn lane and T-intersection for a new middle school complex scheduled for completion by June 12, 2026.

When donating blood at Community Blood Center locations, you will receive a free Chiefs shirt and be entered to win game tickets—this comes as the center reports only a four-day blood supply and fewer young donors, with the promotion running until November 30.

A new page on a federal website updated last week gives wrong vaccine facts that do not match many studies showing vaccines do not cause autism, and Kansas autism researchers worry this false data may lead parents to hesitate vaccinating their children.

Experts say the misleading claims can hurt research funding and public health—calls for proven science are growing.

Kansas beat Syracuse 71-60 Tuesday at the Players Era tournament as Tre White recorded 15 points and a double-double with 10 rebounds and Flory Bidunga added 13 points and 14 rebounds — the win improved the Jayhawks' record to 5–2.

No. 2 Washburn beat Friends University 105-51 on Tuesday night and improved to 7-0 while forcing 30 turnovers and winning 52 rebounds.

Dillon Claussen scored 19 points and Jack Bachelor added 16 points and six assists — Washburn will host Ottawa at Lee Arena Saturday at 2 p.m.

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.

Ballet Midwest Presents: The Nutcracker

1-2:30 p.m. — Topeka Performing Arts Center — Tickets available at the box office — Experience the magic of Kansas Ballet's holiday classic with stunning choreography and live music.