News

Plans for a $12 billion data center campus, Wyandotte County's largest economic development project to date, scored initial approval from the Unified Government Thursday. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, approved a master plan amendment and request to rezone 550 acres for a six-building data center campus near the Kansas Speedway. Aaron Wolofsky of Red Wolf DCD Properties LLC plans to build three 330,000-square-foot data center buildings and a substation on each side of Parallel Parkway. The 600-megawatt campus would cover multiple land parcels generally located between 131st and 118th streets. Source: Kansas City Business Journal - Local Kansas [...]

A group opposed to a possible battery energy storage system has submitted a petition to force a vote on an ordinance banning certain kinds of the technology within the City of Halstead. Kevin Henderson stated that he and others delivered a 30-page petition with 252 signatures on Friday to City Hall and received a receipt for the submission. State law requires a City Council to vote on a submitted ordinance if it receives a petition with signatures of registered voters that equal 40 percent of the number of people who voted in the previous City election. Source: Harvey County Now

The Kansas City Chiefs want Kansas to extend enhanced STAR bonds that could publicly finance a domed stadium and other team projects across the state line. Approved in June 2024, Kansas' stadium offer would allow sales tax revenue bonds to be issued up to 70% of a $1 billion-plus stadium. The legislation is set to expire June 30, but the state's Legislative Coordinating Council can retroactively extend it up to a year, until June 30, 2026. Senate President Ty Masterson on Thursday said that at the Chiefs' request, the council would meet July 7 to discuss an extension, potentially to no [...]

Walmart hosted a grand opening for its $257 million case-ready beef packaging and distribution center on Friday in Olathe. The facility at 20200 W. 167th Street is the first case-ready facility fully owned and operated by Walmart. The debut of the roughly 330,000-square-foot plant follows the retail giant’s investment in Sustainable Beef LLC. Source: Kansas City Business Journal - Local Kansas City News

The start of production at Panasonic’s $4 billion electric-vehicle battery plant in De Soto is nearing. Although the company hasn’t given a precise date, a ceremonial grand opening celebration is planned for July 14. It’s no secret Panasonic’s buildout has become a catalyst for economic development — in De Soto and well beyond — but as battery production looms even as construction pushes forward on other parts of the plant, opportunities for other companies to snag land neighboring the massive battery plant are filling up fast. Source: Kansas City Business Journal - Local Kansas City News

The Kansas Supreme Court declined to hear a case about controversial petitions requesting to change the form of government in Prairie Village. The petitions sparked in 2023 after the city attempted to amend zoning laws to allow for more affordable housing. The situation transformed into a heated housing debate that bled into the 2023 city elections. Source: Local Kansas City Missouri & Kansas News |

Kansas City, Kansas, fire officials held a press conference on June 27, 2025, to warn families about the risks of consumer fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Demonstrations included how hot sparklers can burn and safety reminders for using mortars, fountains, and other fireworks legally and responsibly. Source: Local Kansas City Missouri & Kansas News |

A proposed hog farm in rural Ottawa County is drawing public attention ahead of a scheduled hearing next month. The facility, named Smoky Hills Pork, would house more than 45,000 pigs and be located near Minneapolis. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a public hearing on July 9 in Minneapolis to discuss a proposed water pollution control permit for the project. Source: KCLY Radio

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the Federal Fiscal Year 2025-2028 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document. The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at ksdot.gov/about/publications-and-reports/state-transportation-improvement-program-stip. The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes July 10. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at 785-296-3254. Source: KDOT

Early this year, during the dead of winter, we spoke with Clay Center Zoo Curator Garett Payne on how they care for animals in the extreme cold and snow. Recently, we spoke to Payne on how the animals are cared for during the heat of summer. Payne said the addition of the new buildings makes it much easier for the animals and caretakers.  Most of the animals have full access to air conditioning when they get too hot. He spoke about the few animals that don’t have access to AC. Source: KCLY Radio