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Wake up to the pulse of your community with “A.M. Extra,” a fresh half-hour livestream hitting your screen every weekday at 8 AM—stream it on wibw.com or Roku. Hosted by the dynamic duo Jared Broyles and Reina Flores, this isn’t just another news update—it’s your daily dose of local trends, community buzz, and everything happening in Topeka and beyond. Perfect for a quick, smart start to your day....

Crash Closes Carlson Road Near Willard | Topeka News

Topeka woke up to chaos after overnight storms left thousands without power and traffic lights flashing red—fire crews raced to battle transformer fires and trees ignited by downed lines, as Evergy reported over 7,000 customers still in the dark at dawn, a stark reminder to brace for weather’s sudden disruptions. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dn...

A new government-backed savings plan for kids, called Trump Accounts, is now live—offering $1,000 to children born between 2025 and 2028. Parents can set it up in minutes, manage the funds until age 18, and later convert it into a traditional IRA. Over 500K kids already got their seed money, and big donors are stepping in to help more kids get started. It’s designed to build lifelong financial hab...

Elisha Burton, 29, faces a chilling first-degree murder charge for allegedly killing his father’s fiancée, 68-year-old Dianna Bloom, in October 2022 — but for the fourth time, a judge has ruled him mentally incompetent to stand trial. Sentenced to evaluation at Larned State Security Hospital, Burton’s case has seen repeated delays: initial dismissal in December 2024, recharging in May 2025, and ar...

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is suing Kansas in federal court to stop lottery sales within their ancestral territory, claiming a 1846 treaty still legally protects a 900-square-mile reservation that’s never been officially dissolved. Citing the landmark McGirt v. Oklahoma Supreme Court decision, they argue Congress alone can alter tribal boundaries—and that Kansas’ current operations violate...

A Texas woman is suing Jackson County and officials for $5.5 million after alleging an illegal traffic stop, false DUI arrest, and a shocking incident where a deputy allegedly brushed against her breast while she was handcuffed. Tests later proved she had no alcohol or drugs, charges were dropped, and a judge ruled the stop violated her constitutional rights. Representing herself, Michele White se...

Topeka’s mayor is cautiously open to data centers—but only if they meet strict community-first conditions. He’s pushing back against blanket opposition, demanding proof that projects will benefit residents, not just corporate profits. With inquiries pouring in from unnamed companies eyeing Shawnee County’s industrial parks, Duncan insists no tax breaks, no hidden power costs passed to homeowners,...

Kansas ranks 36th in national stress for 2026, a slight dip from 34th last year, but still ahead of all four neighboring states. The WalletHub study analyzed 40 factors across work, money, family, and health, revealing Kansans feel most pressure from jobs and finances—not home life. While Louisiana tops the stress list, South Dakota is the least stressed. Kansas’s neighbors? Nebraska (33rd), Misso...

A major storm slammed into Northeast Kansas, plunging thousands into darkness—especially in Shawnee County, where over 12,000 homes lost power. Riley County saw more than 3,000 outages, while Wabaunsee and Pottawatomie counties were also hit hard. With power essential for everything from refrigeration to communication, the blackout caused widespread disruption. Crews are racing to restore service,...

Topeka’s mayor is setting strict new rules for data centers—full tax payments, no rate hikes, capped water use, and zero residential zones—while KBI seeks public help in a child exploitation case tied to a cyber-tip. Kansas Lottery winners can claim prizes over $599, a Topeka church is fostering babies born to incarcerated moms, and Fiesta Topeka is coming July 14th. Listen in comfort: Get a disco...

Don’t miss your chance to vote — registration deadline is July 14th, and if you’re unaffiliated, you’ve got a unique opportunity: you can join a party on election day to vote in their primary — or stick with your current status and vote on the Supreme Court justice question open to all. And don’t wait on mail-in ballots — they won’t count after election day. Act now. Listen in comfort: Get a disco...

A hay barn fire in Shawnee County erupted in full force Wednesday afternoon, forcing firefighters into a dangerous, heat-soaked battle — but all animals escaped unharmed. One firefighter suffered a minor injury, but crews stayed strong with support from Douglas County, Topeka, and even the Air Refueling Wing. The cause? Still under investigation. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow:...

Industrial revenue bonds are booming—doubling in number and ballooning in value over 14 years, costing states a projected $1.1 billion in lost property taxes. While touted as economic engines to lure business, critics question their real impact, especially on schools, and point to wildly inaccurate cost-benefit analyses—sometimes off by over 6,000%. Worse, some counties haven’t even submitted requ...

Trump’s deadline to sign a major bipartisan housing bill is ticking down—unless he acts, it becomes law Saturday midnight. The 21st Century Road to Housing Act aims to boost supply, modernize regulations, and help low-income renters and rural homeowners. Despite Trump calling it “a big yawn” and demanding Senate passage of his election security bill first, experts say his pocket veto won’t work si...

Kansas launches the Trump Account, a bold new program giving every U.S. kid under 18 a financial head start—with babies born 2025–2028 getting $1,000 to seed their future. Families, friends, and employers can add up to $5,000 yearly, and kids can contribute once they earn their own money. Invested in the stock market, these funds grow over time thanks to compounding—offering a powerful tool for ru...

Emporia’s community is rallying against a proposed data center, with Emporia Neighbors United collecting nearly 1,400 signatures—far exceeding the 804 needed—to demand a public vote or shutdown. After ending a targeted boycott that focused on local businesses and city officials supportive of the project, the group is now pushing for accountability as the city grapples with economic shifts followin...

Independence City Council just paused new data center approvals for six months, citing outdated zoning laws that don’t account for today’s massive tech hubs — even as a major Nebius project already rumbles near homes. Residents say the halt is too little, too late, already suffering noise and traffic. The city now plans to reclassify large data centers over 2.5 megawatts, requiring special permits...

Switzerland’s soccer team is rewriting history, storming into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years—and they’re playing Argentina right here in Kansas City. For the local Swiss community, this isn’t just a match; it’s a generational moment, echoing decades of immigrant pride. Fans, some whose families fled Switzerland in the ’80s, are buzzing with hope as they rally behind the...

SENT Topeka, a vital food pantry serving 600 families weekly, is slashing hours to just one day a week after federal funding for its senior employment program was paused—leaving staff short-handed and customers in crisis. The furloughs hit seniors who rely on these jobs for dignity and purpose, while the pantry now risks leaving 300 families without critical aid. With no clear timeline for funding...

In Kansas City, Kansas, a local coffee shop owner turned safe haven for anxious neighbors as immigration enforcement surged, sparking fear and shuttering local businesses. Café Provecho became a refuge—not just for coffee, but for community and safety. Immigration lawyers link the uptick to a new state law empowering local police to detain and protect themselves from lawsuits, while also citing en...

Dinosaurs, explosions, and wonder collide at the Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library’s final Blockbuster Wednesday science show — where families roar with excitement, hands-on experiments meet prehistoric history, and curiosity gets a major boost. Don’t miss the last chance to geek out with Mad Science Wednesdays until July’s end, plus the dinosaur exhibit running through August 17th — perfect fo...

Lawrence, Kansas, a quiet Midwestern town, stunned the world by landing the Algerian national soccer team for the World Cup—thanks to a grassroots effort fueled by cultural curiosity and community grit. Two local women, Amal El Haimaur and Aya Fayed, quietly built bridges by introducing Algerian culture, translating signs and the national anthem, teaching Arabic, and even creating guides for immig...

A shocking case in Topeka, Kansas: 25-year-old Koby Hoar has been charged with nine counts of promoting child sexual exploitation and one count of possessing child pornography, allegedly spanning seven months. The investigation began after a cyber-tip led KBI agents to his home in April 2026, resulting in his arrest and formal charges in July. With a $1 million bond, Hoar faces serious felony char...

Topeka Zoo’s new Tiger Trails and Den Academy exhibit, set to open later this month, is a game-changer—featuring tigers, a rare King Vulture, and a STEM-focused learning hub designed to spark curiosity across all ages. Officially named the Mark and Bette Morris exhibit in honor of their generous support, this upgrade gives big cats more space to roam while transforming the zoo into an interactive...