Topeka City Pulse

Public Safety Updates

• 🔥 Child sex crime charges: Shawnee County DA filed nine counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of...

• 20-year-old man struck by northbound 2014 Chevrolet on NW Carlson Road just after 10 p.m. Wednesday while working on a tractor trailer
• Shawnee...

The Topeka Zoo is finalizing its Tiger Trails and Den Academy exhibit, spotlighting local pride and wildlife conservation.

• Two new tiger habitats...

Statewide, violent crime rose 9.5% in 2025 even as total crime fell 5.4%, driven by a 6.8% property crime drop that more than offset the...

Westbound lane in the 5800 block of SW 17th Street closes Thursday for waterline repairs.

• Reopening: Expected by end of workday Thursday
• Detour: Use SW Fairlawn Road to westbound SW 21st Street to northbound SW Wanamaker Road

Shawnee County District Attorney's office filed nine counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possessing child pornography against Kobe Hoare, who was arrested by KBI agents and remains held on a $1 million bond.

A vehicle crashed through a west Topeka building on July 6, exiting out the back after police responded to the 700 block of SW Fairlawn Road around 1:47 p.m. No injuries were reported despite the unusual incident.

• 571 new families sought food assistance in June, compared to just 74 the prior year
• TRM also helped 563 returning families amid service...

Emergency crews handled a two-vehicle collision at S.E. 61st Street and Croco Road around 10:42 a.m. Thursday with no serious injuries reported. Shawnee County sheriff’s units managed traffic control efficiently at the scene.

The Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library is fueling summer STEM excitement with its free weekly Mad Science shows, where dinosaurs take center stage...

City Council Actions

• 🔥 Data Center Debate: Residents packed Topeka City Council chambers demanding a halt to data center proposals during a...

The Topeka City Council voted Tuesday to allocate over $500,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for projects by SENT INC and Highland Park...

Fiesta Topeka kicks off next week with five days of community celebration.

• Dates: July 14-18 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 201 NE Chandler
  -...

City leaders are cautiously preparing for potential data centers with zoning updates and education sessions, while residents demand an immediate...

Rapid police response halted a man's attempt to ignite a gas pump in North Topeka, leading to the arrest of Ricky Anderson Breeden, 67, on aggravated...

Marquel Russell delivered a record-breaking performance at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, winning gold in the 100m, 200m, and long...

Topeka begins a five-year partnership with Hydromax to inspect 5,600 hydrants and 16,600 valves for improved reliability.

• Proactive assessment...

A KDOT maintenance truck caught fire on westbound I-70 just east of Auburn Road around 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, drawing a swift response from Shawnee County deputies and state troopers that disrupted traffic but left the driver uninjured.

A Topeka man was arrested in Missouri after a high-speed I-70 chase, showing strong cross-state cooperation on child safety. Jonathan Myles, 36, faces charges including child endangerment after his unrestrained 2-year-old was found in the vehicle.

Shawnee County paused its Southwest Indian Hills Road culvert replacement after discovering a leaking 18-inch Topeka water line on July 6. The county...