Topeka
News Feed
Events
Local Businesses
Classifieds
Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Topeka leaders are pressing Compass Datacenters for answers now

Make time for 1st Day of Pre-K on the Topeka Patch calendar

Monday August 17th Patch AM (keith H.)

Good morning Topeka! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Topeka leaders are pressing Compass Datacenters for answers now
  • How much have Topeka apartment rents really risen since last summer?
  • North Topeka neighbors describe the terrifying storm that tore off roofs

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Keith H.!

Today's riddle: What do you call a snowman that is having a temper tantrum? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Topeka Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Topeka Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Topeka.

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Mostly sunny and humid, with a high of 84 and low of 65 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Strong t-storms, mainly later, temps: high: 92, low: 71. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 85 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Topeka leaders wary of Compass Datacenters ties to AI surveillance (kansascity.com) — Topeka and Shawnee County officials are weighing a proposed Compass Datacenters project while fielding concerns about the company's past work on Israeli military surveillance. City leaders, including the mayor and several council members, emphasize transparency and a new moratorium as residents question whether any local data center could be used for surveillance in Topeka.
   

• Topeka apartments \u200bfor rent saw slight price increases since last July (cjonline.com) — If you're renting in Topeka, expect slightly higher apartment listing prices than last July, with the overall median now around $900. One-bedrooms have dipped a bit year-over-year, while two-bedrooms ticked up, yet Topeka rents still sit well below both Kansas statewide and national medians, offering comparatively more affordable options for local renters.
   

• North Topeka residents lose roofs after Friday night storm (wibw.com) — North Topeka residents are cleaning up after a powerful Friday night storm ripped roofs off homes and left major damage upstairs where families sleep. Neighbors describe freight-train winds, scattered insulation and debris, and uncertainty over whether it was officially a tornado, but say the label doesn't matter when they're left without a roof.
   

📸 Around Topeka

Subscribe

📸 The Historic Jayhawk Theatre in downtown Topeka is celebrating its 100th birthday, Sunday August 16, 2026. —keith H.

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Topeka

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Wednesday August 19
  • 1st Day of Pre-K
    Mceachron Elem Topeka, KS 66614
  • Friday August 21
  • First Late Start Friday
    Mceachron Elem Topeka, KS 66614
  • Tuesday August 25
  • IH Parent Information Night EC-2nd
    Indian Hills Elementary Topeka, KS 66614
    4:30 pm
  • Parent Information Night 3rd-5th
    Indian Hills Elementary Topeka, KS 66614
    5:00 pm
  • Parent Information Night
    Farley Elementary Topeka, KS 66614
    5:30 pm

🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday August 19
  • Future Farmers of America Meeting
    Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
    7:55 am
  • Friday August 21
  • 7-12th Grade Portraits
    Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
    8:00 am
  • Saturday August 22
  • Watermelon Scrimmage
    Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
    8:00 am
  • Shakin The City →
    The Woodshed Event Center, 1901 N Kansas Ave, Topeka
    11:00 am
  • Tuesday August 25
  • Silver Lake Education Foundation Night at QDOBA
    Silver Lake USD 372 QDOBA Mexican Eats
    4:00 pm
  • Parent Night →
    Northern Hills Elementary Topeka, KS 66617
    6:00 pm
  • Wednesday August 26
  • No Preschool
    Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake Grade School, 200 Rice Rd, Silver Lake, KS 66539

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • LOST DOG: MISSING chihuahua, male, name: Nacho.
    Approx. 7lbs, brown in color. Nacho escaped from his new house & is nowhere to be found. Please keep an eye out for this little brown chihuahua… (Nextdoor Ward Meade)
  • Finaly no more new Bradford pear trees...
    about time https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/kansas-to-quarantine-invasive-callery-pear-trees-beginning-in-2027/ar-AA2a8ynU?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531… (Nextdoor Pepper Tree Park)
  • Hy-Vee posted a job opening for Meat Clerk in Topeka. Apply here.
  • Oracle posted a job opening for Data Center Construction QA/QC Manager in Topeka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Topeka here.

🗞 Nearby News

Lawrence

Eudora

  • Eudora declares 'Ethan Folks Day' to honor Special Olympics gold medalist (kctv5.com)

Ok Topeka! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A meltdown ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Topeka Patch

Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.

©2026 Patch Media. All Rights Reserved

Do Not Sell My Personal Information