KTKA

The Greensburg tornado made history, wiping out 95 percent of the town and killing eleven people. As they start a new beginning, the students there won't need textbooks to help them remember the May 4 twister. They survived the tragedy, and lived a part of that history. Today a milestone for the tornado-ravaged town: the school year began. Parents, students and teachers are happy for this new beginning. Before classes, there was a brief assembly outside to say thanks and welcome everyone back. "Being at 10:30 p.m. on 5/5, I drive up this main street here it was all construction and chaos, and today you see life and hope and opportunity," said Rep. Dennis McKinney, a Greensburg resident. 49 News had a crew in Greensburg this week and will have a report tonight on how students are adjusting as the town rebuilds.

A fiery crash outside of Kansas City brought interstate traffic to a standstill today. An 18-wheeler lost control and plunged down an embankment on Interstate 435. Witnesses pulled the driver from the cab. He is reported to be in the hospital with life-threatening burns. The interstate is shut down in both directions as clean up begins.

A Topeka family is homeless after fire destroyed their house near Downtown Topeka. Crews were called out to 1428 Southwest Tyler this morning. The family was able to get out, but their dog died in the fire. The fire department hasn't released information on the cause of this fire. But, a homeowner says it started when an air conditioning unit caught a sofa on fire.

Tonight a restaurant will hold a benefit for two employees who died in a canoe accident. 25-year-old Josh Bryant and 30 year-old Rich Heyroth were on a late night canoe trip down the Kansas River when their canoe capsized and the currents proved too strong to get to safety. Both men worked at Timberline Steakhouse. Profits, including tips, earned between 3 and 10 p.m. will go to a memorial fund. And Timberline will match that amount.

The Washburn University president braved the heat this afternoon, all in an effort to help his students feel welcome. Today was move-in day for hundreds of students at Washburn University. And President Jerry Farley helped carry students stuff into their new digs and expressed his best wishes for the school year. He says he's been doing this for 10 years.

In weather, a break in the sultry weather is on the way. Today's temperatures in Topeka reached 101. A cold front in Nebraska will bring some cooler air to the area. Thursday's high will drop back to 94. There could be a few thunderstorms behind that cold front. Learn more about storm chances and get the regional temperatures on 49's weather page.