🌱 Patch AM: Will your St. Francis medical bills change next year? Here’s the answer.

Hi there, Topeka! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Will your St. Francis medical bills change next year? Here’s the answer.
• Why Topeka birders still await answers on this rare gull’s death
• Won big? Here’s how Topekans can cash Kansas Lottery tickets.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Fog in the morning and breezy, with a high of 60 and low of 43 degrees.
• Friday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 66, low: 41.
• Saturday: Some sun, with a high of 68 and low of 37 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. St. Francis will remain in-network for BCBSKS members (ksnt.com) — If you rely on the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis in Topeka, your hospital will stay in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas through 2026, avoiding sudden cost hikes or provider changes. The renewed agreement, finalized just before a Jan. 1 deadline, keeps local care accessible for BCBSKS members across the city.
   

2. 1 potential cause ruled out for death of rare bird found in Kansas (cjonline.com) — A rare Ross’s gull that drew Topeka Audubon Society birders to southwest Kansas didn’t die of starvation, state wildlife officials now say. The bird, only the 11th ever reported in the lower 48, had healthy fat reserves, and its preserved remains are being held for future disease testing at the Kansas Natural History Museum in Lawrence.
   

3. Kansas Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 24, 2025 (cjonline.com) — If you bought a Kansas Lottery ticket, you can now check the Dec. 24 Powerball, Pick 3 and other game results, and claim any prize in person at the Topeka headquarters on Kansas Avenue. The article lists all winning numbers and explains how and where to redeem tickets by mail or at authorized retailers statewide.
   

4. Kansas Department of Commerce announces rural development grant recipients (wibw.com) — From Topeka, state officials have announced more than $337,000 in SEED grants to boost quality-of-life projects in small Kansas towns, leveraging nearly $1.1 million with local matches. While funds target communities under 5,000 residents, Topeka readers may see indirect benefits as rural neighbors strengthen childcare, food access, libraries, and community spaces.
   

5. As more states pass proof of citizenship laws, report points to Kansas as cautionary tale • Kansas Reflector (kansasreflector.com) — From a Topeka dateline, a new report dissects Kansas’ now-defunct proof-of-citizenship voting law, warning Congress and other states about its high costs and voter disenfranchisement. Using Kansas and Arizona data, researchers say the law blocked tens of thousands of registrations, cost hundreds of thousands in implementation and nearly $2 million in legal fees, while finding almost no noncitizen voting.
   

📸 Around Topeka

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📣 Topeka Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 26

• No School: Winter Break
  Carbondale Attendance Center Carbondale, KS 66414
• Page Turners
  Holiday Thornton Place , 2901 SW Armstrong Ave , Topeka
  1:30 pm
• Topeka Scarecrows vs. Monroe Moccasins
  Stormont Vail Events Center , 1 Expocentre Dr , Topeka
  7:05 pm
• Friday Night Funnies
  Cosmos Court , 909 S Kansas Ave , Topeka
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Liverpool Legends
  Topeka Performing Arts Center , 214 SE 8th Ave , Topeka
  7:30 pm

Wednesday December 31

• 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

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! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• New scam out there !!!
  I received a phone call yesterday around 1pm they informed me they were "the sheriff's department" and wanted to know if they could speak to a May… (Nextdoor Cherry Creek)
• I am needing some advice on using the Uber app.
  I have read up on it some but would like some input on getting started. The pros and cons and things that I need to be aware of. I am having a lot of… (Nextdoor Sunset Fairlawn)

• Dillons Food Stores posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Topeka. Apply here.
• Taco Bell posted a job opening for Team Member 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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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