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In a moving “last bell ceremony,” the Topeka Fire Department honored the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11, using three bell rings to symbolize the end of their duty—and their eternal sacrifice. Firefighters Ty Forshee and Shawn Frank shared how the tragedy reshaped their lives, sparking a wave of new recruits inspired to serve. Despite the unimaginable loss, over 18,000 lives were saved that day,...

Parents in Olathe are mobilizing this weekend at the Old Settlers Celebration to fiercely oppose the district’s plan to shutter six schools—five elementary and one middle—citing declining enrollment. With over 100 volunteers already rallying across neighborhoods, families are uniting not to disrupt, but to demand transparency, clear communication, and a fair timeline for closures. They’re pushing...

Remembering 911 Through Student Ceremony | Topeka News

Jackson County’s new Arson Focused Deterrence Initiative is making waves as prosecutors charge Kevone J. Allen with arson and burglary after a fire at Olive Park Village — a complex plagued by over thirty fires. This cross-agency effort, backed by data showing arson hotspots in Kansas City’s East Patrol zone, aims to protect neighborhoods and send a clear message: setting fires — even in empty bui...

Two 75-year-old men, Larry Smutney and Warren Eteeyan, were fatally shot on North Kansas Avenue on September 10th. A 21-year-old suspect, Kristen Knight Wahquahboshkuk of Mayetta, Kansas, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder in the first degree. The investigation continues as the community mourns the loss of two lives in a violent incident that has shaken the area. Listen in comfort:...

Topeka West High School honored the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a moving ceremony featuring its choir and a tribute to fallen student Kyle Thomas, who died in Iraq in 2003. JROTC Lt. Col. Peyton Williams emphasized the importance of educating today’s students—many born after 9/11—about the day’s impact, urging the community to preserve its memory and legacy through storytelling and remembrance,...

When U.S. airspace shut down on 9/11, 7,000 strangers landed in Gander, Newfoundland—a town of just 5,000—only to be welcomed with open arms and hearts. Cast member Tina Maddigan Mayer, who was in NYC that day living her dream on Broadway, now brings that raw, emotional contrast to life onstage. She recalls making sandwiches for first responders in Manhattan while her hometown embraced the strande...

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Fort Riley held a solemn ceremony to honor the victims and the brave service members and first responders who answered the call. With wreath-laying, a three-volley salute, “Taps,” and “Amazing Grace,” the event underscored the enduring cost of that day. Colonel Joseph Orr urged attendees not to let remembrance fade, warning that each year’s smaller ceremonies risk...

A Kansas driver flipped his car after hitting a giant pothole—big enough to fit both his feet in—and sued the city. Lower courts dismissed his case using the public-duty doctrine, but the Kansas Supreme Court just unanimously overturned that, ruling cities can be held liable for dangerous road conditions. The court emphasized Kansas’s long-standing legal principle that governments owe a duty to ke...

Six Kansas cities honor 9/11 with powerful, personal artifacts from the World Trade Center—steel beams, granite tiles, and more—each memorial uniquely woven into local history. From Dodge City’s towering steel beam alongside Pentagon limestone to Olathe’s last-distributed tower piece, these sites educate, remember, and unite communities across the state in tribute to nearly 3,000 lives lost. Liste...

Troy Alan Martin’s lawsuit against the city of Topeka over a pothole that caused his crash just got a major win — the Kansas Supreme Court unanimously overturned a lower court ruling, saying cities do have a duty to keep streets safe. The high court didn’t rule on whether Martin was right or wrong, but clarified that if a city knew (or should’ve known) about a dangerous condition and had time to f...

Senator Roger Marshall warns that social media has become a dangerous amplifier of anger and division, turning everyday moments into viral controversies and fueling the nation’s political rift. He recalls his son’s 2017 dab photo op—and now sees how much more volatile and unfiltered online discourse has become. Marshall compares social media’s algorithm-driven outrage to cable news’ increasingly h...

The biggest U.S. cyclospora outbreak in history—linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce and tied to Taco Bell—is officially over, with over 11,000 people across 20 states falling ill. The source traced to a Taylor Farms facility in Mexico led to a swift recall and menu changes. While the immediate crisis is behind us, the FDA’s investigation continues to uncover how far-reaching this contamination...

Eleven rural Kansas hospitals are set to receive nearly $25 million in new federal funding through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program, a key initiative championed by Senator Jerry Moran to stabilize and strengthen vital community health centers. This national investment ensures these essential facilities—like AdventHealth Ottawa and Coffeyville Regional Medical Center—can continue deli...

This weekend, Topeka firefighters are hitting the streets with boots out for a powerful cause—Fill the Boot for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. From September 11th to 13th, they’ll be stationed at key intersections across town, inviting you to donate whatever you can to support families battling neuromuscular diseases. Every dollar goes directly to MDA research and care, turning your quick sto...

Construction at the intersection of Southwest Thirty-seventh Street and Topeka Boulevard is disrupting two key Topeka Metro bus routes—Route Five (Indiana Line) and Route Seven (Washburn Line)—causing potential detours, delays, or stop changes. Stay updated via the Topeka Metro website or My Transit Ride app to avoid surprises and keep your commute running smoothly. Listen in comfort: Get a discou...

A dramatic chase near Netawaka ends in tragedy as a 44-year-old Wichita man, Alden Ray Stein, crashes his 2001 Grand Marquis into Prairie Lake after fleeing deputies — only to die by suicide moments later. 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...

Topeka Fire Department commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a solemn ceremony at their headquarters, honoring fallen heroes and those who served in New York. Members marched to a memorial site, where bagpipes echoed, bells tolled, and heartfelt remarks were delivered. Twelve local firefighters received metal crosses for their service, while Division Chief Jason Nellis shared poignant pho...

Overland Park’s 9/11 Memorial isn’t just a place to remember—it’s a living classroom. Families, volunteers, and leaders gathered to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, but the real mission? Teaching today’s youth what true courage looks like. From firefighters to everyday heroes who ran toward danger, the story is one of sacrifice and resilience. Featuring a steel beam from Ground Zero, survivor’s...

A devastating house fire in Franklin County, Kansas, claimed one life and left a man and an infant with burns as emergency crews battled flames near U.S. Highway 59. Authorities, including the ATF, are investigating—though no cause or suspicion has been confirmed—and have withheld victim names pending further details. First responders were lauded for their bravery, with the State Fire Marshal arri...

Shawnee County is bringing in a fresh pair of engineering eyes to vet data center proposals — hiring CFS, the only firm to bid after being barred from working with existing clients, ensuring an unbiased review. After pausing new applications in August, they’re now fast-tracking Compass Datacenters’ resubmitted application, with CFS set to audit site plans and serve as a watchdog if permits are gra...

A double homicide rocked Topeka’s vibrant NOTO Arts and Entertainment District, leaving the community heartbroken—but defiant. Two men were shot on North Kansas Avenue; one died at the scene, the other later in the hospital. NOTO swiftly released a heartfelt statement honoring victims and first responders, reaffirming its mission as a welcoming, safe haven for all. Police have identified a person...

Twenty-five years after 9/11, communities across the nation are gathering to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost and celebrate the unsung heroes who stepped into chaos to save others. In Independence, Missouri, a solemn ceremony at the Truman Library blended music, salutes, and heartfelt reflections, turning remembrance into a promise: never to forget. The mayor urged education as the next step, ens...

Troy Alan Martin is suing the City of Topeka after hitting a pothole, getting thrown from his car, and sustaining injuries — a case previously dismissed by lower courts relying on the “public-duty doctrine.” But the Kansas Supreme Court just overturned that, ruling cities have a duty to maintain safe roads once they’re open to the public. The court also said jury trials, not judges, should decide...

Halloween’s getting a tech twist as “Deflock Halloween” goes viral — folks are planning to smash Flock license plate cameras under the guise of spooky chaos. While some see it as rebellion against invasive surveillance, others warn it backfires: privacy advocates say destruction distracts from legal wins and data transparency efforts. The real fight? Slow but steady through courtrooms and public r...