Greetings Topeka! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Oktoberfest and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. City of Topeka to close SE 29th St. at Butcher Creek (wibw.com) — Drivers in Topeka should prepare for SE 29th Street to close at Butcher Creek starting Tuesday, Oct. 6, for about six months as part of a major improvement project. The work includes culvert, pavement, water, and sewer upgrades, with through traffic detoured via Kansas Avenue, 21st or 37th, and Adams to reconnect with 29th.
2. University of Kansas Health System to Take Full Ownership of Topeka's St. Francis Campus as Ardent Steps Back (medicaldaily.com) — A major ownership change is coming for Topeka's St. Francis Campus, as The University of Kansas Health System moves to take full control from Ardent Health by the end of 2026. Officials promise no disruptions, but Topeka patients could eventually see changes in billing, insurance networks, and specialty offerings, so those with ongoing treatment are urged to double‑check coverage and keep records handy.
3. Why a new $22M emergency operations center was a necessity for Kansas (kansas.com) — Topeka now hosts Kansas' new $22 million State Emergency Operations Center at SW 27th and Topeka Boulevard, giving responders a larger, hardened hub for managing disasters. State leaders say the modern facility nearly doubles workspace, improves training capacity, and is built to withstand severe weather, positioning Topeka as the nerve center for coordinating responses across all 105 counties.
4. KPZ Week 5 Game of the Week preview (wibw.com) — High school football fans in Topeka can catch Emporia visiting Washburn Rural on Friday night in the KPZ Green Pest Solutions Game of the Week. The Spartans, looking to rebound from two straight losses, are focused on ball control, limiting turnovers, and establishing the run, with coverage starting during 13 NEWS at 6.
5. Kansas Mom Gives Birth to Twins Months After Severe Dog Attack – WENG 98.1FM, 107.5 FM & 1530 AM (wengradio.com) — A Topeka mom, Audrey Austin, has delivered twin girls at 38 weeks just months after a severe dog attack left her facing multiple reconstructive surgeries and unable to work. While the babies remain in the NICU and she continues healing, her family has launched a GoFundMe to help with mounting medical bills, highlighting both her resilience and the importance of community support.
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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: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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