Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What Kansas law really says about filming ICE and Topeka police
And on the Topeka Patch calendar - School Play
What's up Topeka! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What Kansas law really says about filming ICE and Topeka police
- Why a Topeka CBD shop is taking Kansas law enforcers to court
- How a Topeka wish turned into Christmas at the Chiefs game
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Topeka? Post it to Topeka photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Find out what's happening in Topekafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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Find out what's happening in Topekafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 52 and low of 24 degrees.
- Wednesday: Increasing cloudiness, temps: high: 54, low: 42.
- Thursday: Winds becoming strong; cooler, with a high of 49 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
1. Is it legal in Kansas to record ICE agents on your phone? (cjonline.com) — If you’re in Topeka, you generally can record law enforcement and ICE agents in public, as long as you don’t interfere with their work. The article explains Kansas laws on obstruction and interference, using a Topeka teenager’s viral police encounters and municipal court convictions as real-world examples. 
2. New lawsuit filed against Kobach and Mattivi over Kansas THC raids (ksnt.com) — A Topeka CBD shop owner is part of a new lawsuit challenging Kansas raids that seized THC products and cash from 18 dispensaries statewide, forcing some to close. The suit targets Attorney General Kris Kobach and KBI Director Tony Mattivi, arguing some confiscated items were legal hemp products and seeking their return, while state officials insist they were enforcing Kansas law.
3. Dream Factory sends Silver Lake student to Chiefs game on Christmas (wibw.com) — A Silver Lake student with serious medical challenges just learned in Topeka that the Dream Factory will send him to a Kansas City Chiefs game on Christmas Day. Surrounded by friends and family, he’s looking forward to cheering on his favorite player, Patrick Mahomes, and enjoying a rare, joy-filled holiday experience.
4. State leaders say it's time to make change at annual Hanukkah ceremony (wibw.com) — State leaders and community members gathered at the Kansas Capitol in Topeka for Chabad of Kansas’ annual Hanukkah lighting, focusing on “The Power of Light Overcoming Darkness.” Governor Laura Kelly and Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel urged action and unity in response to recent hate-driven tragedies, emphasizing community, resilience, and the need for leaders to turn words into concrete change.
5. Salute our Heroes: Capt. Candice Breshears keeps Kansas roads and families safe (wibw.com) — A Kansas Highway Patrol captain based in Topeka is being honored for nearly two decades of work keeping Kansas families safer on the roads. Capt. Candice Breshears credits a seatbelt with saving her life and now partners with Safe Kids Kansas to teach car seat and seatbelt safety, earning the group’s Dr. Dennis Cooley Award of Excellence for her impact.
📸 Around Topeka
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Topeka
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- School Play
Marjorie French Middle School Topeka, KS 66614
7:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
📣 Topeka Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- HS BB at SFT vs Prairie View
Santa Fe Trail High School , 15701 S California Rd , Carbondale
4:30 pm - Winter Orchestra Concert @ SMS
Northern Hills Elementary Topeka, KS 66617
7:00 pm - HS Band/Vocal Concert 7pm
Jefferson West High School , 619 Condray St , Meriden - Spelling Bee 3rd-6th grades
North Fairview Topeka, KS 66617
1:30 pm - HS Choir Concert
Santa Fe Trail High School , 15701 S California Rd , Carbondale
7:00 pm - HSBKB G/B FR/JV/V @ Nemaha Central 4:30pm
Jefferson West USD 340 , 214 N 11th St , Seneca - HS Scholars Bowl JV/V @ Holton 4pm
Holton High School , 901 New York Ave , Holton - JH Girls League Wrestling @ Osawatomie
Carbondale Attendance Center Carbondale, KS 66414
4:00 pm - HS JV/V Scholars Bowl at Holton
Holton High School , 901 New York Ave , Holton
4:00 pm - HS JV Girls WR at Olathe West
Olathe West High School , 2200 W Santa Fe St , Olathe
4:30 pm - HS Boys JV WR Tournament at Council Grove
Council Grove Junior Senior High School , 129 Hockaday St , Council Grove
3:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hello, this kitty is super friendly.
Looks clean, and doesn’t seem to be skin and bones. So I assume this may be someone’s baby. This is in the Hi-Crest neighborhood. For the moment, has… (Nextdoor Old Town) - I have 3 beautiful Male kittens born 09/25/2025.
2 gray and white and one black with a tux and white whiskers. Would be a great Christmas gift for someone. I really need them to go to a good home… (Nextdoor Bishop Park)
- Capstone Logistics posted a job opening for Warehouse Sanitation Associate in Topeka. Apply here.
- Walgreens posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist in Topeka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Topeka here.
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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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