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Business June 17, 2026 - 10:56 am

Panasonic to shift some Kansas production lines to make AI data center batteries

by Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Panasonic’s Kansas electric vehicle battery plant will convert part of its operations to build batteries for data centers, company officials announced.

Business February 3, 2026 - 10:38 am

De Soto Panasonic battery plant nearing 50% production, second wing underway

by Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Panasonic’s Kansas battery plant will ramp up to 50% of its production capacity in the next few months, a company executive said Monday. 

Public Safety December 12, 2025 - 5:11 pm

Johnson County officers kill a stabbing suspect at Panasonic plant. Here’s what we know

by Celisa Calacal & Savannah Hawley-Bates, Kansas News Service

The Panasonic plant in De Soto shut down after officers shot a person suspected of stabbing another. The suspect is dead, and the stabbing victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

State News October 21, 2025 - 10:45 am

Kansas region expects, plans for near doubling of energy usage through next decade

by Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Experts at the Southwest Power Pool project energy usage to grow by 96% during the next decade in its 14-state region, and on Friday, federal regulators gave the organization the ability to proactively plan for that growth. 

Business October 7, 2025 - 10:43 am

De Soto embraces ‘generation worth of improvements’ as Panasonic ramps up production

by Sara Maloney, Kansas Reflector

De Soto is moving forward with plans for major developments even though Panasonic may delay full production at its new electric vehicle battery plant.

State News July 23, 2025 - 10:50 am

Kansas regulators question Evergy about rate increases, Panasonic revenue

by Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Regulators questioned Evergy officials Monday about its rate case. A unanimous settlement agreement will bump an average homeowner’s bill by about $9 per month.

Business July 14, 2025 - 4:53 pm

Panasonic’s vision for massive Kansas battery plant becomes reality with grand opening

by Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Hundreds from around the world gathered Monday to celebrate the grand opening of the Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto and tour the 4.7 million-square-foot facility that claims the tag of the state’s biggest economic development project ever.

Business July 11, 2025 - 1:53 pm

Panasonic to delay production at Kansas battery plant as electric car sales decline, policies shift

by Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Panasonic is delaying full production in its De Soto battery plant because of dropping electric car sales and U.S. policies that do not support electric cars, international media reports. 

Business January 17, 2025 - 4:42 pm

The first EV batteries will come out of De Soto’s massive Panasonic plant this spring

by Zane Irwin, Kansas News Service

One of the largest economic development projects in Kansas history will start churning out lithium-ion batteries as soon as March, Panasonic announced on Friday.

Business January 16, 2024 - 1:01 pm

Panasonic answers concern Kansans to pay for electricity infrastructure serving De Soto plant

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Panasonic executives involved in construction of the $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant at De Soto said Tuesday the facility would begin production in early 2025 and negotiations continued with Evergy on delivery of electricity to manufacturing space occupying 4.7 million square feet.

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Current Top Posts

  • New donut shop, taco chain, pop-up events among Lawrence business updates
    New donut shop, taco chain, pop-up events among Lawrence business updates
  • City soon to reopen 9th Street to traffic, plans to reconstruct Watson Park basketball court
    City soon to reopen 9th Street to traffic, plans to reconstruct Watson Park basketball court
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  • Obituary: Elizabeth Friend
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  • Kansas political trailblazer Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker dies at 94
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