This is currently working. But what I'm wondering is why this isn't affecting the CSS of every .container within a .filteritem. It's only finding the very first one on the page whereas I want to to change everything .container within a .filteritem.
$(document).ready(function () {
    $('#select').on('change', function () {
        if (this.value == 'alltopics') {
            $('.filteritem').fadeIn(500);
        } else {
            var elems = $('.filteritem[data-aa_eventtopic="' + this.value + '"]');
            $('.filteritem').not(elems).closest('.filteritem').fadeOut(500);
            elems.closest('.filteritem').fadeIn(500);
            //HERE
            $('.filteritem').each(function () {
                setTimeout(function () {
                    $('.container').filter(':visible').first().css({
                        borderTop: 'none',
                        paddingTop: '0px'});
                }, 501);
            });
        }
    });
});
				
                        
I guess you just have to get rid of that .first() call