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KS - June 9 2025

Power Rate Hike Sought; Food Aid; Pay Raises; Sugary Drinks; Thunder Win Game 2

Greg Loving

09 Jun 2025 • 4 min read

Justin Gilpin, CEO of the Kansas Wheat Commission for 16 years, is in Washington, D.C., to lobby Congress in support of the idea that international food assistance programs are a tool to fight hunger, build global markets and help Kansas farmers. (Jill Hummels for Kansas Reflector)

Evergy Seeks 15% Residential Rate Hike as Public Hearings Begin

Kansas Wheat Chief Urges Congress to Preserve Food Aid After Kenya Visit

State Finance Council Releases $36.2 Million for Employee Pay Raises

USDA to Sign Waivers Restricting Sugary Drinks in Food Assistance Program

Thunder Even in NBA Finals with Dominant Game 2 Victory

1. Evergy Seeks 15% Residential Rate Hike as Public Hearings Begin

Eastern Kansas utility giant Evergy is proposing a $196.4 million annual rate increase that would raise residential bills by 15%, or about $13.05 per month for an average home, despite opposition from state regulatory staff. The Kansas Corporation Commission will host public hearings this week in Wichita and June 16 in Topeka to gather customer feedback on the proposal, which would also increase rates nearly 15% for schools and 12% for businesses.

The proposed increase is significantly larger than Evergy's last rate case in 2023, when regulators approved a 7.5% hike following the company's five-year rate freeze after the 2018 merger of Westar and Kansas City Power & Light. The utility serves approximately 735,000 customers across eastern Kansas, and residents can submit written comments to the KCC through July 14.

Kansas Reflector

2. Kansas Wheat Chief Urges Congress to Preserve Food Aid After Kenya Visit

Kansas Wheat Commission CEO Justin Gilpin is lobbying Congress this week to maintain U.S. international food programs after witnessing firsthand the dire conditions at refugee camps in northern Kenya serving 250,000 people fleeing conflicts across East Africa. Gilpin, who observed refugees surviving on just 40% of recommended caloric intake during his February visit, joined 400 agricultural and humanitarian leaders in Washington to advocate for preserving USAID programs that Kansas farmers depend on, as the state must export half its annual wheat crop to foreign markets amid volatile economic conditions.

Kansas Reflector

3. State Finance Council Releases $36.2 Million for Employee Pay Raises

Gov. Laura Kelly and Kansas legislative leaders unanimously approved releasing $36.2 million Monday to fund state employee salary increases authorized by the 2025 Legislature, with the raises set to take effect at the start of the new fiscal year. The amount is less than the $40 million originally allocated, with unused funds returning to the state general fund, according to Kansas Department of Administration Secretary Adam Proffitt.

Kansas Reflector

4. USDA to Allow States to Restrict Sugary Drinks in SNAP, Kansas Awaits Approval

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will sign three new waivers Tuesday permitting states to exclude sugary drinks from purchases under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun will join the signing, part of President Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. Kansas is also seeking similar authority after lawmakers directed the Department for Children and Families to request a waiver prohibiting SNAP purchases of soda and candy. The state’s application, submitted May 14, 2025, remains pending USDA approval, though Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska have already been approved. If authorized, Kansas would implement the restrictions starting in 2026.

USDA

5. Thunder Even in NBA Finals with Dominant Game 2 Victory

The Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back from their Game 1 collapse to defeat the Indiana Pacers 123-107 Sunday night, tying the NBA Finals at 1-1 behind MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 34 points. The Thunder's top-rated defense shut down any hopes of another Pacers comeback, with strong performances from Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams helping secure a complete team victory in front of their home crowd.

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