Good day Topeka! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Renae H.!
Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. How much Shawnee County's 5 school superintendents are paid (kansascity.com) — If you live in Topeka or Shawnee County, your school leaders' paychecks are sizable: Topeka USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson can earn nearly $280,000 next school year, slightly more than Auburn-Washburn's Kathleen Collier. The story breaks down salaries, bonuses, and stipends for all five Shawnee County superintendents so residents can see how each district compensates its top administrator.
2. One Dead After Overnight Shooting in East Topeka; Police Investigating (thisistopeka.com) — Police are investigating a homicide after a person was found dead early Sunday in East Topeka near the 2300 block of SE 23rd Street. Detectives have not yet released the victim's name or any suspect information, and they're asking anyone with tips to contact Topeka Police or Shawnee County Crime Stoppers as the case develops.
3. Businesses share concerns over Topeka Boulevard closure (wibw.com) — Topeka drivers and business owners along SW Topeka Boulevard face a 14‑month utility and road upgrade starting September 2026, with traffic reduced to one lane each way. City officials say the disruptive work will replace aging water, sewer, and storm systems plus key traffic signals, aiming to extend the boulevard's life 15 years and underground lines for decades.
4. Salute Our Heroes: Topeka teacher brings ocean science lessons back from NOAA program (wibw.com) — A Topeka USD 501 teacher just returned from 12 days at sea with NOAA's Teacher at Sea program and is now weaving hands-on ocean science into lessons for English learners at Jardine Middle School. Her experience studying thousands of scallops and working alongside scientists is helping local students build background knowledge, confidence, and curiosity, and she'll soon share insights with educators statewide.
5. How to take a public health approach to violence in Topeka (kansascity.com) — Community groups in Topeka are treating gun violence like a public health crisis, focusing on hotspots such as Central Park and east and southeast Topeka. Through the Capital Peace Project, YWCA staff and partners host neighborhood pop‑ups, share food and resources, and use data-driven "violence interrupters" to rebuild trust, address poverty, and interrupt cycles of shootings citywide.
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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: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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