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Panasonic’s main customer — almost certainly Tesla — wants the Japanese company to move a little faster getting its gigantic EV-battery plant in De Soto up and running. Tesla no longer uses a Chinese-made battery for its ubiquitous Model 3 after pivoting to domestically produced cells last year to qualify for federal subsidies, the Financial Times reports. President Trump’s tariffs also make using Chinese batteries less profitable. When the 4.7 million-square-foot plant comes fully online, it’s expected to increase Panasonic’s EV-battery output by 60%, while other leading automakers, such as Honda and Toyota, delay launching their battery factories, the report says. [...]

Tom Nass and BG Gilliam from Pineville, Missouri, completed their 891.7-mile journey along the Chisholm Trail today, arriving in Abilene, Kansas— named one of the Top 10 True Western Towns by True West Magazine. Their journey in the saddle began on February 14 near San Antonio, Texas, and spanned 88 days, testing them through all types of weather, including snow, dust storms, and intense heat. Gilliam had dreamed of this adventure for years, and it didn’t take much convincing for Nass to saddle up for the ride. Brenda Dyer accompanied the pair, scouting the route and providing critical support throughout their journey. [...]

The city of Andover is leaning into what one local writer called its “fling with the Wild West” as inspiration for a new community event on May 17. Several HeritageFest activities tie into Andover’s beginnings in the late 1800s as a stop on the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway and the July 16, 1898, robbery of both the train depot and the daily nighttime passenger train. The free HeritageFest is happening from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at The Heritage, a mixed-use development with a public plaza at Kellogg and Yorktown Road. Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More [...]

A new internet project near Wichita State University is expected to bring faster, more reliable service to homes, schools, and businesses throughout south-central Kansas. On Thursday, Wichita State leaders joined state officials and representatives from the nonprofit Connected Nation to break ground on Kansas’s first “carrier-neutral” Internet Exchange Point (IXP). The facility, which will be located across from WSU’s Eck Stadium, is expected to be completed by spring 2026. Source: KSN-TV

Public universities across Kansas are asking the Board of Regents for permission to raise tuition by 8% next fall. Only one university requested no rate change. The schools say they're under financial pressure to keep up with inflation, and in some cases, a reduction in government funding. Wichita State University is asking for a 3.5% increase, 1% more than their average hike. Source: KSN-TV

The City of Wichita is asking residents to sound off on local fireworks regulations through a brief online survey open now through May 30. The 2025 Fireworks Survey takes about five minutes to complete and is part of the city’s annual outreach on fireworks usage. Wichita’s fireworks season runs June 27–July 5. “Safe and sane” fireworks are allowed daily from 10 a.m. to midnight, while aerial fireworks are only permitted July 3–5. Source: KSN-TV

A unique new sign has made its way to Route 66 in Galena. It's located just as travelers cross the yellow brick road state line from Missouri Route 66 into Kansas Route 66. At the bottom of the "Welcome to Galena", signs reads "Home of the Sea Slug King of Kansas". Those behind the sign say the story of name, was an accident. It started as a joke when Dale Oglesby thought he was purchasing just one sea slug but ended up purchasing seven towable bladder sea slugs back in January. Source: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Topeka's city leaders are using some cash to help decorate the North Topeka Arts District (NOTO). The Topeka City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, May 13 to send $52,000 to NOTO. The money will now go towards three separate project areas in the arts district. You may notice the cash at work in the coming days with some improvements to NOTO. Source: KSNT 27 News

Although Wyandotte County has yet to see a reported measles outbreak, public health officials are readying public guidance and offering vaccine services as the disease inches north from southwest Kansas. As of May 7, Kansas’s 48 reported measles cases remained among eight counties in the state’s southwest corner, according to a state dashboard tracking the disease. The state’s northeast counties and others in the Kansas City metro had not reported any new cases as of publication time. The majority of patients testing positive for measles are unvaccinated. Source: The Iola Register

The City of Lawrence is planning to ban people from camping “anywhere in Lawrence” effective in mid-August, representing a change that has long been in the works. Still, the change has come as a surprise to some. Katie Kraus, who is currently experiencing homelessness in Lawrence, said she’s worried about her friends after learning of the camping ban.  “Things are changing really fast and it’s scary,” she said.  Effective Aug. 15, though, “Camping will no longer be allowed anywhere in Lawrence, including Brook Creek Park, Burcham Park and Sandra Shaw Park,” according to a city flyer given to people living outside.  Source: [...]