KS - June 2 2025
Evergy Rate Increase; Broadband Initiative; Measles Outbreak Grows; MO Stadium Incentives Uncertain; Court Upholds Drug Search
Evergy Seeks $196 Million Rate Increase Amid Rising Demand Fueled by AI Boom
Governor Kelly Launches $43m Freestate Broadband Initiative
Measles Outbreak Grows to 71 Cases, Spreads to Pawnee County
Missouri Stadium Incentives to Retain Chiefs, Royals Face Uncertain Future
Kansas Supreme Court Splits on Constitutionality of Wichita Drug-Dog Search
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1. Evergy Seeks $196 Million Rate Increase Amid Rising Demand Fueled by AI Boom
Evergy has requested approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission for a $196.4 million rate increase, an 8.62% hike that would raise average residential bills by about $13 per month starting in September 2025. The utility says the increase is needed to cover nearly $1 billion in infrastructure investments and rising operational costs, although the request explicitly excludes costs associated with Evergy’s upcoming natural gas plants and Panasonic’s EV battery facility in Kansas. As artificial intelligence continues to drive a surge in electricity demand nationwide, infrastructure upgrades have become increasingly urgent.
A public hearing schedule has been announced, with sessions planned for June 11 in Wichita and June 16 in Topeka, providing customers a chance to discuss and comment on the proposal. Customers may participate in person or via Zoom, with the Commission accepting written comments until July 14. Evergy Kansas Central serves about 735,000 customers across multiple cities including Wichita, Topeka, and Lawrence, though the rate request does not apply to customers near the Kansas City metro area, who are served separately by Evergy Kansas Metro.
Evergy
Editors note: here are several other past stories from citizen journal, from local to federal, on data center-power demand growth
Greg Loving
Greg Loving
Greg Loving
Greg Loving
2. Governor Kelly Launches $43M Freestate Broadband Initiative
Governor Laura Kelly announced Monday that groundbreaking for the Freestate Middle Mile Network, a nearly $43 million federally-funded broadband project, will occur this month. The initiative aims to significantly expand high-speed internet access across Kansas, particularly benefiting rural communities by utilizing existing highway infrastructure. Lieutenant Governor David Toland highlighted the project’s strategic value, emphasizing it will retain federal dollars within the state, supporting local economic growth. A public groundbreaking event is scheduled at Emporia State University on June 18.
Office of Governor
3. Measles Outbreak Grows to 71 Cases, Spreads to Pawnee County
Kansas health officials confirmed seven new measles cases this week, increasing the state’s total to 71 since January. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported the latest cases in Pawnee County, which are linked to an ongoing outbreak in southwest Kansas. Officials noted previously identified cases in Reno and Sedgwick counties remain unrelated to this outbreak.
KSN
4. Missouri Stadium Incentives to Retain Chiefs, Royals Face Uncertain Future
Missouri lawmakers began debating a contentious incentives package Monday aimed at keeping the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in the state, but significant bipartisan resistance threatens the proposal’s passage. Introduced by MO Governor Mike Kehoe, the funding initiative is central to an ongoing competition with Kansas, as both states seek to secure long-term commitments from the teams. Missouri’s special legislative session also addresses tornado relief for St. Louis, a KC-area hospital, and more complicating the stadium funding debate.
KC Star
5. Kansas Supreme Court Splits on Constitutionality of Wichita Drug-Dog Search
The Kansas Supreme Court issued a divided ruling Friday upholding a 2020 Wichita drug search that relied on a canine sniff, affirming the constitutionality of the traffic stop and subsequent seizure of oxycodone pills. Officers Donald Bailey and Shawn Isham initially stopped Gina Wilson for alleged traffic violations, deploying a drug-sniffing dog despite Wilson’s refusal to consent to a search. The court’s 4th Amendment interpretation sparked vigorous debate among the justices, emphasizing ongoing tensions regarding privacy rights and law enforcement practices.
Kansas Reflector
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Sources
- https://www.ksn.com/news/health/7-more-measles-cases-in-kansas-outbreak-in-pawnee-county
- https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article307705965.html#storylink=cpy
- https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/31/kansas-supreme-court-splits-on-constitutionality-of-drug-dog-search-at-wichita-traffic-stop/