Advertisement
Community reaching out to ex-cons
Some people in Topeka want to make the city safer by helping ex-cons. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains what helped one ex-offender succeed, and how a new program is trying to ensure safety in the neighborhoods.
Construction begins on wind turbine at Topeka school
Construction has begun on the first wind turbine in Topeka city limits.
Thousands of Kansans waiting for health insurance
More than 25,000 Kansans are waiting for insurance coverage from Kansas Health Policy Authority. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains what this means for one family who has been waiting since December, and why there is a backlog of cases.
Kansas National Guard returns home
More than 60 soldiers return home after a year long deployment.
Newborn baby body found
Junction City Police need help in finding the mother of a newborn child found dead.
Watt Saver program saves customers money
Westar kicked off a new program to save customers money, while saving Westar energy usage during peak times.
New graffiti fighting feature
Topeka's Code Enforcement unit is using new technology to tackle the graffiti problem. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains what new feature they have started using, and how it will benefit the entire community.
Keep America Beautiful gets a $5000 grant
Keep America Beautiful Topeka/Shawnee County will receive a $5000 check next week.
Crime is decreasing in Topeka
Crime is down double digits in Topeka ever since citizens got involved trying to make Topeka the safest capital city. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains how far the crime rate has dropped, and how a football analogy is pushing the goal forward.
Westar prepares for severe weather
Severe weather season is just around the corner and we're working to keep you prepared. We also wanted to know how Westar is working to prepare for bad weather. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew tells us what Westar does before the storm, and why they sometimes don't restore power as fast as you'd like.
Two men recognized as Champions of Character
Two people were honored for being a champion of character.
Let's Help in need of clothing donations
At a time when people need help the most resources are running low. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains what needs aren't being met at Let's Help, and how you can lend a hand and get a tax break at the same time.
Westar gearing up for a new program
Westar is gearing up and encouraging its employees to take part in a new energy-saving program.
City of Topeka gets national recognition
The city of Topeka is recognized for its work with Energy Star efficient homes.
Topekans get a lesson about gangs and graffiti
Topekans got a lesson about gangs Thursday evening. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains why some turned out for this lesson, and how a joint effort with the police department is tackling this problem.
Mail crimes are on the rise
In less than 4 seconds, you could fall victim to a crime and it could cost you thousands of dollars. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains what crime is on the rise, and how criminals are targeting their victims.
Hundreds come out for free pancakes
Hundreds of people enjoyed free pancakes for National Pancake Day.
Girl cuts her hair for first time
A little girl is learning life lessons at the age of 7. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains how Gabriel Donaldson learned about cancer in order to give back to those suffering from the disease.
Two Topeka stores closing down
Two more Topeka businesses will close their doors. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains why some think the video rental business is in trouble, and why another rental store is thinking about opening a third location.
Officers on alert about kids abusing medicine
Some Topeka students are using a new way to get high and it's not through illegal drugs. 49 News Reporter Jessica Drew spoke with an SRO to find out just how young some of the students are, and how pharmacists are trying to control the abuse.
Kansas schools team up to build eco friendly home
Schools are joining together to lead the charge on a new green home and classroom in the Flint Hills. 49 News Reporter Jessica Drew explains who is teaming and what this means for students statewide.
Washburn Tech culinary students reach out to victims of Haiti
Students in the culinary department at Washburn Tech made Haitian food to sell in their cafeteria, and teamed up with the American Red Cross to have a donation table set up.
Clowning around at the Toy Store
Arab Shrine Clowns were clowning around Saturday at the Toy Store.
'Prom Closet' gives cheaper alternatives for dress shopping
Mom's were at it again collecting prom dresses and suits.
Highland Park High School holds regional drill team competition
Thousands of cadets poured into the capital city Saturday.
Westar helping customers save on energy bills
Westar is giving away hundreds of dollars of labor and materials on something that could save you 20 percent on your energy bill. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains the new program, and why Westar is doing this for their customers.
Students get a lesson on how to impress future employers
Students at Washburn got a lesson on how to prepare for a career fair.
Washburn University Professor competing against Hollywood celebrities
A Washburn professor and two other Topeka groups are taking on Hollywood actress Demi Moore. They're all in a contest for different amounts of money, and the winner gets money for charity. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains how the Topeka groups would help our community, and what you can do to help them win.
A program for students could save taxpayers millions
Safe Streets is working to help kids improve their lives. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains how spending 3 dollars per student now will help save millions or even trillions in the future.
St. Francis gives money to make neighborhoods safer
St. Francis Health Center gave Safe Streets more than $9,000 to help make Topeka neigbhoorhoods safer.
State employee charged with sex crimes against children
49 News has confirmed that a 24-year employee of the state is charged with at least 30 counts of sex crimes, many involving sexual exploitation of a child.
Safe Streets recognize two people as outstanding citizens
Two people were recognized for their service with children in the community.
Topeka restaurant closing after 32 years
El Gringo is closing its doors after being in business for 32 years.
Community groups aiming to get money from Pepsi grant
Keep America Beautiful is working to help community groups and organizations receive money for a Pepsi Grant.
Topeka neighborhood to undergo renovations
One Topeka neighborhood is about to undergo renovations. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains where the Ward Meade neighborhood is focusing city money, and how some neighbors could even get their homes rehabbed.
Neighbors happy after a tree is removed from a house
Neighbors are breathing a sigh of relief after months of looking at a tree on a house.
City looking to improve neighborhoods
The city has more than 1 point 5 million dollars to spend on fixing up foreclosed homes, but they are having a hard time spending the money. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains what's stopping the Housing and Neighborhood Development team from buying up homes.
Onaga police looking for one missing teen
The Onaga Police Department needs your help finding one endangered teen.
Kansas Air National Guard helping Haiti
Members of the Kansas Air National Guard will send supplies and people to Guantananmo Bay, Cuba to help with the crisis in Haiti.
Helping Hands Humane Society asks for an exercise yard for dogs
There's some controversy at the new Helping Hands Humane Society building at 21st and Belle. Homeowners worry their new "neighbors" will make too much noise. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains what Helping Hands is asking the planning commission for and what some neighbors have to say about it.
Cuts to Kansas Department of Correction could jeopardize safety
State budget cuts are hurting one department the community relies on for safety. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains how the recent round of budget cuts could jeopardize public safety, and how cuts to mental health facilities are leaving the Department of Corrections to pick up the slack.
Kansas Department of Corrections Re-entry program crucial
Every day prisoners are being released from Kansas Department of Corrections into the community, and one program helps to make these parolees successful. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains why this program is so important, and how a high case load can hinder offenders changing.
Manhattan man arrested for sex crimes against a child
Manhattan man arrest Friday for sex crimes against a child.
Clay Center man killed in roll over accident
Kansas Highway Patrol said a Clay Center man was killed after being ejected from his vehicle.
Community speaking out about police investigation
The community is speaking out after the Topeka Police Department's internal investigation in an off-duty police officer shooting is revealed.
Washburn students plan a trip to Haiti
One of the worst disasters in the world is touching lives here in Northeast Kansas. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew explains what group has a trip planned to Haiti and how the earthquake has affected a Topeka native
Topeka Code Enforcement progess looking up
The city of Topeka is looking up. 49 News Community Reporter Jessica Drew was the only reporter to get information on how the Topeka Code Enforcement is showing significant progress in neighborhoods over the past year.
Inman Police Chief charged with sex crimes against children
Attorney General Steve Six said the Inman police chief is charged with sex crimes against children.
Boil water advisory for City of Overbrook
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Overbrook.
Older Newer
Snowy weather making travel dangerous March 19, 2010
Two days after rally, republican lawmakers present budget with more education cuts March 19, 2010
County says road complaints are up in Auburn Twp. March 19, 2010
Riley Co. launches new Web site March 19, 2010
49 Movie Review - Repo Men March 19, 2010
