K-State in the news

Recent news highlights

Read some of today's top stories mentioning Kansas State University. Download an Excel file (xlsx) with all of the day's news stories.

See more K-State faculty, staff and students in the news in the clip archives.

Monday, March 30, 2026

National/International

ORAU University Consortium grows to 172 institutions with the addition of 13 new members
3/24/2026 ORAU
Seven universities joined the ORAU University Consortium as sponsoring institutions. Sponsoring institutions must be a non-profit accredited institution of higher learning granting doctoral degrees in areas of interest to ORAU and its members. Kansas State University is a public, non-profit institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a Carnegie Research University R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production with major research areas in life sciences, engineering, and physical sciences.

State/Regional

K-State working on potential bird flu vaccine for chickens
3/27/2026 KSN
Researchers at Kansas State University are working to adapt a bird flu vaccine originally developed for cattle to one that can protect poultry. The research team at the College of Veterinary Medicine previously developed a vaccine designed to guard cattle against bovine parainfluenza and bovine viral diarrhea, then adjusted it so it could protect against bird flu, too. Scientists have already tested the technology in pigs and are now studying whether it can be used to prevent bird flu in chickens. Waithaka Mwangi, a professor at K-State, said the approach uses engineered viruses that can be modified to target specific diseases.

Farmers already facing limited markets face more costs
3/27/2026 High Plains Journal
Crop growers are facing multiple whammies as they head into spring. Allen Featherstone, department head of agricultural economics at Kansas State University, noted in a recent Farm Financial Situation and Trade webinar, farmers have felt the brunt of the tariff war used by President Donald Trump. … Gregg Ibendahl, an associate professor in the department of agricultural economics at K-State, said on March 17 that oil traders, who have dealt with market shock before, were factoring in the possibility of the latest conflict. … Ibendahl specializes in farm management and agricultural finance, and he said the war means farmers should plan on higher fuel and fertilizer expenses for this year.

Local

Manhattan Arts Center builds outdoor learning space
3/27/2026 WIBW
The Manhattan Arts Center is constructing an outdoor learning space on a formerly unused parking lot next to the center. The idea came from a mural by Frank Hammond, a professor of practice at K-State, to put the unused lot to use. "I think it just expands the learning environment, it gets them outside," Hammond said. "But I also think that brings a little awareness to the community about what's happening here." The project is also one of teamwork, with students from K-State's interior and industrial design department drawing up original plans and handcrafting the furniture for the space.

Shawnee County teens prepare to enter workforce through ‘Topeka Way to Work’ program
3/29/2026 WIBW
Local teenagers are learning how to enter the workforce early through a city program. The 'Topeka Way to Work' program gives youth aged 14-16 an opportunity to work for a local business for six weeks over the summer. … The City of Topeka, Fellowship Hi-Crest and K-State Research and Extension collaborate to make the program possible. "Everyone has a first job at some point, but what we do is we really walk through them on professional development," said Shawnee County K-State Extension 4H Youth Development Agent Grace Wiens. "So they get their first job and they get to build those professional skills at the same time while having a name put to the skills that they're learning."