KS - May 23 2025
Evergy Signals Data Center Deals; Kansas Law Lures Data Centers; Marshall Blocks Trump Jet Bill; Kansas Stormy Memorial Day; MVP Leads Thunder Win
Evergy Signals Imminent Data Center Deals Following New Kansas Tax Break
New Kansas Law Offers Decades-Long Tax Exemptions to Lure Data Centers
Marshall Blocks Bill Aimed at Trump's $400M Qatari Jet Gift
Kansas Braces for Stormy Memorial Day; Severe Weather, Heavy Rain Forecast
MVP Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder to 2-0 Lead Over Timberwolves
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Evergy Signals Imminent Data Center Deals Following New Kansas Tax Break
Kansas is on the verge of getting a data center after lawmakers created a new economic development incentive. While details about the prospective data center remain secretive, the project is expected to become public later this year, according to electric utility Evergy. Meanwhile, the energy company and economic development officials have additional data center developments in the works. A data center development in Kansas is expected to be announced sometime this year, Evergy CEO David Campbell told investors in a May 8 quarterly earnings call. "We are in final stages of negotiation with two large customers for two data center projects representing 1.3 gigawatts of load," Campbell said. "One of these customers is evaluating our Kansas service territory and the other, an existing data center customer, is evaluating expansion in Missouri. Subject to final agreements and project announcements, we expect to begin to see an impact on our demand growth from these customers in 2027 and 2028 and into the next decade." Campbell said Evergy is also in "advanced discussions" with prospective customers that would need 3 gigawatts Meanwhile, Evergy is also engaged in preliminary discussions on a pipeline of projects equating to 7 gigawatts. "Relative to our size, our backlog of growth opportunities is one of the most robust in the country, reflecting the competitiveness and vitality of our region," Campbell said in the quarterly earnings call.
CJONLINE
New Kansas Law Offers Decades-Long Tax Exemptions to Lure Data Centers
In the annual shareholder meeting, Campbell said new large customers are driving forecasts of load growth of 2% to 3% per year through 2029. On the last day of the legislative session, bipartisan majorities of lawmakers passed Senate Bill 98, which was signed by Gov. Laura Kelly. Lawmakers had been told that Kansas was missing out on high-value data center developments happening elsewhere in the country — including neighboring states — because the state lacked incentives. The new law creates a sales tax exemption for purchases related to development, acquisition, construction and operation of a data center. The sales tax exemption lasts for 20 years and requires a minimum investment of $250 million and creation of at least 20 new jobs. The cost of electricity is excluded from the exemption.
CJONLINE
Marshall Blocks Bill Aimed at Trump's $400M Qatari Jet Gift
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, blocked the passage of a bill that would have prevented President Donald Trump from accepting a plane that is estimated to be worth as much as $400 million from the Qatari government for use as a future Air Force One. On May 21, the United States officially accepted the Boeing 747 from Qatar. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, called the gifted plane "the largest bribe to an American president in modern history." His bill was targeted at Trump's acceptance of the plane but would have applied to any president seeking to accept a plane from any foreign country.
CJONLINE
Kansas Braces for Stormy Memorial Day; Severe Weather, Heavy Rain Forecast
It may be a rainy Memorial Day weekend. “Another round of thunderstorms are expected to move across the area tonight. Some of these storms could become severe and produce large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall,” a hazardous weather outlook by the National Weather Service in Wichita said. “An active weather pattern is expected to bring multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms to the region for this weekend through Monday.”The severe weather is forecast throughout the state. The potential for rain increases to occasional, the highest designation, starting at around 8 p.m. Saturday, when large hail and damaging winds are forecast. The heavy rainfall could lead to some flooding issues, with the biggest concern for that being in southeast Kansas. Wichita is forecast to see 1.5 to 2 inches of rain between Friday and Sunday night. Coffeyville is expected to get between 4 and 6 inches. Pic
KANSAS.COM
MVP Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder to 2-0 Lead Over Timberwolves
OKLAHOMA CITY – — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points a day after being named the NBA's MVP, and the Oklahoma City Thunder overwhelmed the Minnesota Timberwolves again, winning 118-103 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.
ESPN
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https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/05/23/with-new-tax-incentive-evergy-expects-kansas-data-center-announcement/83584231007/?tbref=hphttps://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/05/23/with-new-tax-incentive-evergy-expects-kansas-data-center-announcement/83584231007/?tbref=hphttps://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/state/2025/05/23/kansas-sen-roger-marshall-saves-trumps-qatari-jet-by-blocking-bill/83797036007/https://www.kansas.com/news/weather-news/article307015026.html#storylink=cpyhttps://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401773149