🌱 Patch AM: What the new St. Francis–BCBS deal means for Topeka patients

Hi Topeka! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What the new St. Francis–BCBS deal means for Topeka patients
• How much will Helping Hands charge you to adopt a pet?
• Won a big Kansas Lottery prize? Here’s where in Topeka to go

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Keith H.!

Today's riddle: How many sheep does it take to make a sweater? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 66 and low of 49 degrees.
• Sunday: A few morning showers; windy, temps: high: 57, low: 17. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Sunny, breezy and much colder, with a high of 28 and low of 18 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Headlines for Friday, December 26, 2025 (kansaspublicradio.org) — Topeka patients covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas can breathe easier, as the insurer and the University of Kansas Health System–St. Francis campus reached a new contract keeping St. Francis in-network for 2026. The statewide news roundup also highlights major development projects, holiday events, and casino winnings, but the St. Francis deal most directly impacts local healthcare access in Topeka.
   

2. Pocket pets can make perfect partners for families (wibw.com) — Families in Topeka looking for a new pet can meet small “pocket pets” like guinea pigs now available for adoption at Helping Hands Humane Society on SW 21st and Belle. The shelter’s Bark in the New Year promotion lets most adopters name their price, starting at $0, and staff urge families to research care needs before bringing home a smaller animal companion.
   

3. Kansas Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 26, 2025 (cjonline.com) — Kansas Lottery players can now check the Dec. 26 Mega Millions, Pick 3, 2 By 2 and Lucky for Life winning numbers, and larger prizes can be claimed at the Kansas Lottery headquarters in downtown Topeka. The office at 128 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, handles claims of any size on weekdays, with mail-in options also available.
   

4. Topeka Scarecrows fall to Monroe Moccasins, 4-2, in return home (ksnt.com) — Topeka hockey fans saw the Scarecrows drop a 4–2 home game to the Monroe Moccasins, who stretched their win streak to eight. Despite scoring twice on the power play, Topeka couldn’t complete a comeback but gets a rematch at 7:05 p.m. Sunday.
   

5. Finding Home on the Range: Topeka entrepreneur sets sights on southeast Kansas for concrete printed homes (parsonssun.com) — A Topeka-area entrepreneur is testing 3D-printed concrete homes in Topeka before expanding to build faster, storm-resistant, energy-efficient houses across southeast Kansas. He argues housing is a basic need, notes Topeka’s own shortage that pushes workers to nearby communities, and hopes to partner with local governments and employers on reasonably priced homes starting around $125,000.
   

📸 Around Topeka

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!

🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 27

• Water Wonder Days: Water in All Forms presented by...
  Kansas Children's Discovery Center · Topeka , KS , Rossville
  10:00 am
• Liverpool Legends
  Topeka Performing Arts Center , 214 SE 8th Ave , Topeka
  7:30 pm

Sunday December 28

• No School: Winter Break
  Carbondale Attendance Center Carbondale, KS 66414

Tuesday December 30

• Flint Hills Stockyards by Rezac Livestock
  Rezac Livestock Commission Company , 27425 Drew St , St Marys
  10:30 am
• Bid Openings
  City Commission Room, City Hall , 6 E. 6th Street , Lawrence
  3:35 pm

Wednesday December 31

• 1 Million Cups Lawrence
  KU Innovation Park , 2029 Becker Dr , Lawrence
  9:00 am
• Hatha Yoga — Cindy Novelo
  Bluestem Yoga , 3727 W 6th St Suite E , Lawrence
  10:00 am
• Toast at Ten: A Wildly Elegant New Year’s Eve at the Topeka Zoo
  Topeka Zoo , 635 SW Gage Blvd , Topeka
  6:00 pm
• PRCA NYE Xtreme Bulls
  Stormont Vail Events Center , 1 Expocentre Dr , Topeka
  7:30 pm

Friday January 2

• HS BB @ Riverside
  Oskaloosa Public Schools USD 341 Oskaloosa, KS 66066
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Topeka PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• my kitten went missing about 4 days ago around NW 46th street and menoken.
  She’s about 10/11 weeks old, she’s a grey tabby and has a little chubby belly. If anyone has seen a kitten that looks like her please let me know, i… (Nextdoor North Topeka)
• Merry Christmas Topeka!!!!!!!!!!!!
  I hope you have great day!!!!!!! I hope the spirit of Christmas has touched you all!!!!! (Nextdoor Indian Hills)

• Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager 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 have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook