August 2022

Panasonic’s decision to build a $4 billion factory for electric vehicle batteries in Johnson County could help an industry struggling to ramp up while reeling from an ailing supply chain. The plant also underscores how an industry marketed as green comes with its own tough-tosolve environmental problems — like how to build a more easily recycled battery with a lower pollution footprint. For now, salvaging the most valuable ingredients in electric batteries usually means shredding them and burning off certain ingredients or drenching them in acid. “Nobody has come up with a good design that would be easily recyclable,” said Linda Gaines, a chemical physicist and transportation system analyst at the Argonne National Laboratory.

Emily Costello The Conversation (THE CONVERSATION) Religious leaders often try to support the people they serve during challenging times. This supportive role was especially important during the past few years as the nation dealt with a pandemic, social distancing and the loss of more than a million lives.

An Olathe woman who lost her race for Olathe school board and was later removed from a board meeting has lost her bid to prevent the board from enforcing its new policy governing public comments at meetings. Jennifer Gilmore sued the board and various individuals in January, claiming they violated her First Amendment free-speech rights and the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

By Jessica Jensen K-State Research and Extension news service MANHATTAN, Kan. — As rising costs continue to hit Americans’ pocketbook, the director of the Kansas Energy Program, housed at Kansas State University, says some common-sense measures can help homeowners save on their energy bill.