Panasonic is investing billions of dollars in a state-of-the-art electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto, Kansas. But the company is slowing down full production in response to the Trump administration’s clean energy policies and slumping Tesla sales.
State Government
Posted inLocal Government
Frank White pitches new plan to keep the Chiefs at Arrowhead
His sales tax proposal would give one pot of money to the Chiefs, another pot to Jackson County for courthouse improvements and a third pot to University Health to fill health funding gaps left by Trump administration cuts.
Posted inState Government
‘Another kick in the butt’: Kehoe cuts funding for KC-area programs, projects
The governor’s cuts included money for tutoring programs, road infrastructure improvements, workforce development, food assistance and arts organizations.
Posted inState Government
The Royals draw far more fans than the Chiefs. Does that mean a baseball stadium is better for Kansas and Missouri?
Even the poorest-drawing baseball teams can attract more than 1 million fans in a year. There is no football stadium big enough to sell that many regular-season tickets. Should Kansas and Missouri prioritize the Royals?
Posted inState Government
Republicans redouble push to change Kansas Supreme Court selection process
Republicans still support changing the process even after watching the most recent Supreme Court nominating process. Democrats say the process is working.
Posted inState Government
Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill would kick Kansans off food assistance
The federal proposal wants to shift the cost of the SNAP program to states. Kansas doesn’t have the money to offset losses.
Posted inState Government
Turmoil over Trump’s tariffs, fate of tax credits shadows De Soto’s Panasonic $4B battery plant
Experts say the Panasonic plant could delay hiring while it waits out economic uncertainty. The company can still collect hundreds of millions of dollars from Kansas even if it does.
Posted inEducation
Kansas sees 12,000-student increase in special education over the past decade
Local districts are offering additional pay or partnering with universities to attract and retain staff. But it’s hard to find qualified teachers.
Posted inState Government
Missouri’s special session has come to an end. Here’s what lawmakers passed.
Despite tensions and division, the legislature passed all three of the governor’s initial priorities within two weeks.
Posted inState Government
Will Kansas Republicans’ push to ban candy and soda purchases with SNAP actually help people eat healthier?
Republicans say the change means more money will be spent on nutritious food. Not everyone agrees.