Topeka News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

In a fiery legal showdown in Kansas, Attorney General Kris Kobach refuses to defend a state tuition law he claims violates federal statutes, while Governor Laura Kelly steps in to argue the law doesn’t conflict with federal law — sparking a battle over who has the authority to represent Kansas in court. Kobach cites a 2005 precedent to block Kelly’s intervention, calling her move an overreach, whi...

A towering Kansas sugarberry tree, the state champion since 2016 and standing 66 feet tall with a 14-foot-7-inch trunk, was felled by high winds in Gage Park on July 9. This iconic tree, once a silent guardian beside its fallen predecessor, now lies in pieces — hollow and split, too unsafe to remain standing. Its loss stirs nostalgia for its shade and beauty, while the hunt begins for a new state...

A deadly head-on crash on Highway 169 claims one life and leaves another critically injured as a Kia Soul collides with a pickup truck during a dangerous passing maneuver. Both drivers and the passenger were buckled up, but the impact sent shockwaves through the community. Authorities are piecing together the moments before impact, urging witnesses to come forward — even small details could be vit...

Topeka’s Police Athletic League is reviving its mission to connect officers with kids through sports, while a local swim club battles vandalism and safety concerns. Meanwhile, a feisty kitten named Clickety Clack is ready for adoption amid a shelter overflow, and a nonprofit is expanding support for women escaping abuse with counseling, legal aid, and housing. And for lottery fans, the July 10th K...

Briarwood Swim Club in Topeka is under siege—vandalism and trespassing hit once a week, tossing gear into the pool and even using tires for swim events. The club’s board is forced to divert funds from maintenance to security cameras and alarms, straining their budget. Police can’t do much without more info, leaving members anxious about after-hours safety—and chemical hazards if someone jumps in u...

Kansas City’s World Cup Fan Fest is closing with a bang—tomorrow’s quarterfinal between Argentina and Switzerland caps off 18 days of global soccer fever. From Sheryl Crow’s star-studded finale to fans like Genevieve and Lucy Mae bonding over music, the heart of the event has always been community. Locals like Mark Duthie, who’s brought new friends daily, and Jaelyn Kiliba, celebrating her mom’s b...

Two brothers, Dujontez and Demari Owens, have both been convicted of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 45-year-old Ricky Washington near 12th and Huntoon — a tragic case that now moves forward with both men facing serious consequences after jury verdicts in consecutive trials. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: adver...

Topeka’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund is finally making moves, approving three major projects totaling over $1 million to transform vacant properties into stable, community-owned housing. The biggest investment—$365,000—will convert a derelict apartment complex in Old Town into a cooperative, empowering residents with ownership and decision-making power in a historically underserved neighborhood....

Governor Laura Kelly is throwing her full support behind Ethan Corson in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, backing his stance on Medicaid expansion, abortion rights, and defiance of Trump — calling him the candidate with the strength and backbone to lead Kansas. But her endorsement is sparking backlash from rivals Cindy Holscher and Curt Skoog, who accuse Corson of being too moderate and quest...

Fiesta Topeka is back for its 93rd year, igniting downtown with authentic Mexican music, mouthwatering food, and electrifying dance — a century-old tradition that’s become the heartbeat of community. For 50 years, Ediberto Gonzalez has led Ballet Folklórico de Topeka, born in 1976 to preserve cultural heritage, even performing for the Pope in 1993. More than a parade, it’s a mission to keep tradit...

IHRA cancels all remaining 2026 Nitro Drag Racing Series events, including the highly anticipated Outlaw Nitro Series in Topeka, citing inability to meet safety and quality standards — but promises a strategic reset to return stronger. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news...

A Kansas couple, Michael and Tiffany Krueger, face six counts of aggravated child endangerment after allegedly leaving their six kids—ranging from 7 months to 13 years old—in a sweltering car during a 100-degree heatwave. The children were reportedly left unattended for 20-30 minutes inside a vehicle where temperatures can skyrocket to deadly levels in minutes. A child’s body heats up 3-5 times fa...

Shawnee County’s summer roadwork is in full swing, with crews tackling major projects while minimizing disruptions—SE Berryton Road at 69th Street is getting new storm sewers and culverts, aiming to finish before school starts; SW Indian Hills Road faced a rain-induced culvert failure and a water line leak, but work resumes next week; NW 46th Street is moving steadily without full closures, expect...

Meet Clickety Clack, a feisty tortoiseshell kitten with a jaw injury who’s now thriving thanks to Helping Hands Humane Society—and she even made a cameo on local news for National Kitten Day! The shelter’s been swamped lately, with over 40 kittens arriving in one day, but the good news? Most post-holiday dogs are back home. Clickety’s story is a heartwarming reminder of how community support and s...

Argentina faces Switzerland in a high-stakes quarterfinal clash, where paper predictions say all is lost — but don’t count out the underdogs. With Messi on fire, Lautaro Martinez and Alvarez ready to pounce, and Argentina on an 11-game unbeaten run, the defending champs look unstoppable. Yet Switzerland, who’ve never even reached the semifinals since 1954, are fueled by confidence after a dramatic...

Argentina faces Switzerland in a high-stakes quarterfinal clash, where paper predictions say all is lost — but don’t count out the underdogs. With Messi on fire, Lautaro Martinez and Alvarez ready to pounce, and Argentina on an 11-game unbeaten run, the defending champs look unstoppable. Yet Switzerland, who’ve never even reached the semifinals since 1954, are fueled by confidence after a dramatic...

Kansas City’s World Cup buzz meets eco-heroics as Filta Environmental turns stadium grease into fuel—processing 1,000 gallons per game, converting waste oil into biodiesel, slashing landfill waste and carbon emissions, and saving 30,000 pounds of oil and 150,000 pounds of waste over two years—all while keeping the city cleaner and greener during its historic summer. Listen in comfort: Get a discou...

A building collapse at a Missouri campground triggered a chaotic, life-or-death rescue as floodwaters swept 10 to 17 people into danger. Amid torrential rains—some areas saw 5 to 9 inches in hours—rescue teams battled raging currents, even capsizing boats, but pulled responders back safely. Over 90 people were saved in Reynolds County alone, while three were rescued and one remains missing in Craw...

Overland Park cops are hunting a dark SUV linked to a shocking Independence Day arson—someone deliberately used a massive firework to torch a home just before 1:40 AM on July 4th near 159th and Quivira Road. Authorities are treating this as aggravated arson, not just vandalism, and are urging anyone with info to contact Detective Rison at 913-244-8743. If you saw the vehicle or know anything, your...

A proposed data center in Emporia hit a legal snag when a community petition to stop it—gathered by Emporia Neighbors United—was deemed invalid due to improper documentation. With over 1,400 signatures, the effort showed strong local opposition, but the county clerk found the paperwork lacked clear witness details and dates, making verification impossible. Undeterred, the group is already revampin...

Kansas is seeing a spike in cyclosporiasis cases—22 confirmed so far, mostly in June—with victims aged 20 to 74. This isn’t just a local issue: CDC reports a nationwide rise in this foodborne parasite illness, caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, which can linger for weeks. Fresh produce like bagged salads, raspberries, and herbs are under investigation as potential sources. Across the U.S., 145 cas...

Emporia’s Driver’s License office is cutting hours next week—now open only Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM—due to staffing changes, but the Kansas Department of Revenue is hiring to restore normal hours. In the meantime, use the iKan app to handle many services online and skip the trip altogether. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn....

Quenemo, Kansas, can breathe easy — the boil water advisory is officially over after tests confirmed clean water following a busted water line that caused a pressure drop and raised contamination concerns. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public report...

Prairie Village is finally breaking ground on a new City Hall after years of debate — with a $50 million price tag that includes $27 million in municipal bonds and $23 million in future interest payments. Residents worried about an extra $115 a year for 30 years, but Mayor Eric Mikkelson says the November election proved public support, as candidates backing the project won big. The new building i...

Parents of the child accused of killing their two younger siblings in Ellsworth County now face felony charges themselves—four counts of endangering a child—for allegedly leaving a loaded, unsecured shotgun accessible to their older child, who used it in the tragic shootings. The five-year-old girl died at the scene, and the eight-year-old boy died days later in the hospital. Charges include two l...