Even at $200,000 Per Job, Kansas Paid Below Going Rate for Panasonic Factory Deal
UNDATED (KNS) - Even at roughly $200,000 per job, analysts say the tax breaks and other incentives Kansas put on the table to bring Panasonic’s battery-making plant to De Soto fall short of the giveaways other states have made in recent years. Still, the Kansas News Service reports that the tax dollars devoted to bringing the $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant to Johnson County bust any records in Kansas for tempting a business to the state. And few details have been made public about the $829 million incentive plan that was negotiated behind closed doors. The factory will be the largest economic development plan in Kansas history. The company is promising 4,000 jobs subsidized at the rate of $200,000 per worker. ( Read more.)
(-Related-)
Kansas Lands $4 Billion Panasonic Factory That Will Make Batteries for Tesla
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS/KPR) — A subsidiary of Japanese industrial giant Panasonic Corporation will build a $4 billion plant in De Soto, in western Johnson County, to make batteries for Tesla electric vehicles. The Kansas News Service reports that Kansas beat out Oklahoma for the Panasonic Holdings plant, which plans to supply batteries to a large electric vehicle plant in Texas. Panasonic is a partner with electric vehicle maker Tesla. That could mean some 4,000 jobs at the battery-making facility and more jobs for businesses supplying what officials described as the largest electric vehicle battery plant in the world. Officials promised a payroll that will eventually cover some 4,000 jobs and predicted that thousands of other jobs in the region will spring from the factory in De Soto. State subsidies topping $829 million for the project are tied to employment levels. The deal comes after Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat running for reelection, enlisted the help of the Republicans who control the Legislature to promise up to $1.3 billion in tax breaks and other incentives to land the massive economic development project. Once completed, it's expected to be the world's largest electric battery plant. ( Read more.)
(-Related-)
De Soto School District Welcomes New Panasonic Battery Plant
DE SOTO, Kan. (KCUR) - The De Soto School District is hoping the arrival of the new Panasonic battery plant will bring learning opportunities for students. Panasonic plans to build its $4 billion electric vehicle battery-making facility at the western edge of the Kansas City area. Alvie Cater, the De Soto School District’s assistant superintendent, says it wants to partner with the company on opportunities for students to learn about manufacturing, technology and engineering. "Our focus will be on helping students identify potential career paths that they might not otherwise have considered," Cater said. The district’s other focus will be on potential development and the need to expand the district. In April, the De Soto board of education began the process of acquiring 150 acres for future needs.
==========
Kansas Receives $83.5 Million to Expand High-Speed Internet Service
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP/KPR) — Federal officials say Kansas has received $83.5 million in federal coronavirus relief funds for projects that are expected to connect more than 21,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet service. The U.S. Treasury Department says the money for Kansas is part of $10 billion in funds for capital improvement projects for states, territories and Native American tribal governments. According Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids, some 173,000 Kansas residents lack home broadband service and 307,000 don't have access to reliable internet service. The money will be distributed through a competitive grant program overseen by the Kansas Department of Commerce.
==========
Federal Appeals Court Finds Immigration-Related Statute Unconstitutional
UNDATED (KCUR) - On Wednesday, a federal appeals court ruled that a statute making it a crime to encourage noncitizens to reside in the United States is unconstitutional. KCUR Radio reports that the decision came in a case involving two Kansas workers. In a 2-1 decision, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling finding the statute to be over broad under the First Amendment. The court found that the statute "criminalizes a substantial amount of constitutionally protected speech, creating a real danger that the statute will chill First Amendment expression." The case sprang from the indictment of a Lawrence drywall contractor and others in March 2015. The government claimed they were part of a scheme to convert more than $13 million in payroll checks into cash to pay crews of undocumented workers in the Kansas City area. ( Read more.)
==========
KDHE Warns of High West Nile Virus Potential in Four State Regions
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a high-risk warning for West Nile virus infections (WNV) for north central, south central, northeast and southeast Kansas. Northwest and southwest Kansas are at moderate risk. West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness in the continental United States. It is most often spread to people through mosquito bites, but it is not spread from person to person. There are no vaccines or medications to treat WNV. People who have had West Nile virus before are considered immune. KDHE recommends using insect repellent, using screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out, changing water frequently in pet dishes and birdbaths, and making sure to eliminate standing water in flower pots, barrels, buckets and any other places water might collect to provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. You can get more information at the KDHE West Nile virus update page.
===========
Two People Shot to Death in Separate KCK Shootings Wednesday Morning
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Two people are dead following separate fatal shootings in Kansas City, Kansas. According to KCTV, the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department says officers were called to the 1700 block of Stewart Avenue just after 2:40 am Wednesday and found a man had been shot inside a home. He was transported to a hospital but died from his injuries. About two hours earlier, police took someone into custody after a man was found shot to death in a home off North 58th Street, just off of Meadowlark Lane. Anyone with information has been asked to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward. ( Read more.)
==========
Investigation Underway After 3 Teens Are Shot in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Police Department is investigating after three people, all teenagers under 18 years old, were shot Tuesday evening. According to KCTV, police received a call shortly after 5 pm about the sound of shots fired in the area of 83rd and Lydia. Two people who had been shot were found in the 1300 block of E. 82nd Terrace. That is on the northeastern side of The Village Apartments complex area. The complex is between Troost Avenue and Lydia Avenue. The third person who had been shot was found at E. 84th Street and Lydia Avenue. That is several roads or streets south of where the other two victims were found. It is also outside the area that encompasses the apartment complex. EMS took all three victims to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries. One individual sustained critical injuries. The other two had non-life-threatening injuries. Police say the victims include two males and one female. No suspect information is available at this time. ( Read more.)
==========
Retired Teachers Will Have Easier Path Back to the Classroom in Kansas
TOPEKA, Kan. (TCJ) - Kansas schools need teachers, and the Kansas State Board of Education is looking to veteran teachers to help mitigate shortages this fall. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that state education board passed a measure Tuesday giving any retired educator who previously held a Kansas teaching license an easier pathway back into the classroom during the 2022-23 school year. The new transitional license option, intended for retired educators whose prior teaching credentials have been lapsed for at least six months, streamlines the process and eliminates application fees and professional development requirements needed for typical license renewals. Teacher retirements in Kansas have risen in past five years
The Kansas board's move comes as several other states also consider how to deal with teacher shortages. Last month, the Kansas State Board of Education voted to continue into the fall semester with lower qualifications for substitute teachers, in light of "an educator shortage that may be the worst we have ever seen" in Kansas. That measure allows anyone with a high school diploma and who passes a background check a temporary substitute teaching license for the fall 2022 semester.
Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson emphasized that both of the board's actions have been temporary measures meant to address teacher shortages and vacancies. ( Read more.)
==========
New Suicide Hotline to Launch in Kansas and Nationwide This Weekend
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - A new suicide hotline launches on Saturday and it represents one of the largest investments in mental health services ever in Kansas. The new number is 988. Callers will be connected with workers specifically trained to help. Kansas is spending $10 million to support the new hotline. That funding helped hire staff for call centers and create mobile response teams that can reach people in crisis. Mental health advocacy groups say the new number is easier to remember and will connect people with mental health resources in their area like substance use treatment or counseling. The federal government is spending over $250 million nationwide to create 988 suicide hotline.
==========
Young Girl Dies Week After Being Pulled from Pool at Kansas City Amusement Park
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KC Star) - A young girl died from her injuries a week after she was pulled from an attraction at Oceans of Fun water park in Kansas City. The Kansas City Star reports that the child - whose name and age have not been disclosed - was in distress at the Coconut Cove pool when a staff member had to pull her out on July 5. After medical personnel performed CPR, the girl was transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital with critical injuries. But just a week after she was being treated in the hospital, water park officials announced that she succumbed to her injuries. The cause of the girl’s injuries remains unknown at this time. Oceans of Fun water park says it will remain closed until further notice.
(AP version)
Girl Pulled from Kansas City Amusement Park Pool Dies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The owner of a popular water park in Kansas City says a young girl who was pulled from a pool last week has died. A spokesman for Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., which owns Oceans of Fun water park, confirmed the girl's death this week. The company said in a statement that park staff and fire department responders cared for the girl after she was found in distress on July 5 at the park's Coconut Cove pool. The company didn't say what caused the girl to begin struggling and it didn't immediately reply to a request for further information, including the girl's name. Law enforcement officials said the girl was younger than 10 years old.
==========
Invasive Jumping Worms Discovered in Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Harvest Public Media) — This summer you might notice a new type of worm in your garden. Jumping Worms, an invasive species from Asia, have recently been found in Kansas and other states throughout the Midwest. The worm has a voracious appetite that depletes the soil of nutrients. They also crowd out and replace beneficial earthworms. Jumping Worms get their name from the way they thrash around. They are more firm and less slimy than other earthworms with a white band around their bodies. To slow the spread of the worm, the Missouri Department of Conservation suggests reducing transportation of soil or mulch and not using the worms as fish bait. Because they’re relatively new to the Midwest, researchers are still waiting to see how they affect gardens, farms and forests. (Read more.)
==========
Big 12 Changes Coming After One Last Season with 10 Schools
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Big 12 is going into its final season as a 10-team league. Oklahoma and Texas are still in the conference but will eventually leaveg for the Southeastern Conference. The Big 12's four new additions won't join the league until next summer. New Sooners coach Brent Venables says he wants to keep the focus on the 2022 football season, and not what will happen after that. Oklahoma will try to bounce back after having its record streak of six consecutive Big 12 titles snapped last season. Texas is coming off a 5-7 record in coach Steve Sarkisian's first season.
==========
KC Royals Beat Blue Jays 3-1 with 1Help from Minor-League Players
TORONTO (AP) — The Kansas City Royals overcame the absence of 10 unvaccinated players to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1. Double-A callup Angel Zerpa pitched five solid innings in his first major league start and Bobby Witt Jr. hit a tiebreaking home run for Kansas City. Nate Eaton homered in his major league debut as the Royals won for the fifth time in six games. Players who aren't vaccinated against COVID-19 aren't allowed to enter Canada. Among the Royals who stayed home were All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi, two-time All-Star Whit Merrifield, future cornerstones Kyle Isbel and MJ Melendez and outfielder Michael A. Taylor.
==========
Kansas City Chiefs Aim for Return to Super Bowl Glory
UNDATED (AP) - The Chiefs traded wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins in their biggest move of the offseason, replacing him with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Skyy Moore. If that works, Patrick Mahomes and Company could be headed to a fifth straight AFC title game. On defense, the Chiefs need to put more pressure on the quarterback in a division featuring the Chargers' Justin Herbert, the Broncos' Russell Wilson and the Raiders' Derek Carr to reach a third Super Bowl in the last four seasons. They flopped in last year's AFC championship game, blowing a 21-10 halftime lead in an overtime loss to the Bengals.
==========
Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Tackle Mitchell Schwartz Announces Retirement
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Offensive tackle Mitch Schwartz, who helped the Kansas City Chiefs win their first Super Bowl in 50 years in 2019, announced his retirement Thursday because of lingering effects from a back injury. The 33-year-old Schwartz, who had played in 134 consecutive games with Cleveland and Kansas City, hurt his back against Buffalo in October 2020. He had surgery in the offseason and skipped last year in the hopes of making a full recovery. Schwartz was voted a first-team All-Pro in 2018. He also was picked to the second team on three occasions.
==========
Chiefs Unable to Sign Franchise Left Tackle Orlando Brown to Long-Term Deal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs and left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. failed to agree to a long-term contract before the deadline, leaving the blindside protector for quarterback Patrick Mahomes playing on the franchise tag this season. Now the question is whether Brown will sign his tender and report to training camp with the rest of the Chiefs next week. The Chiefs had been optimistic that they could sign Brown, whom they acquired from the Ravens for a package of draft picks prior to last season, to a lucrative deal. But the negotiations were slowed initially as Brown decided on representation, and then it became increasingly clear this week that the sides remained far apart.
==========
These area headlines are curated by KPR news staffers, including J. Schafer, Laura Lorson, Kaye McIntyre, and Tom Parkinson. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays, 11 am weekends. This news summary is made possible by KPR listener-members. Become one today. And follow KPR News on Twitter.