February 2026

K-State in the news

Some of the top stories mentioning Kansas State University are posted below. Download an Excel file (xls) with all of this month's news stories.

Friday, Feb. 27, 2026

National/International

Nuclear power plant proximity study sparks controversy
2/26/26 Nuclear Newswire
Amir Bahadori, nuclear engineering program director at Kansas State University, cautioned that this study should not be read as proof that nuclear power plants cause cancer deaths. “I do not think this study advances the field of radiation epidemiology in any way,” said Bahadori. “It is common for articles like this to garner substantial media attention. People see headlines and make assumptions on causality often without understanding the real scientific value of the work. Results from ecological studies must be scrutinized because of the limitations associated with study design.”

State/Regional

Meat consumption rises as plant-based diets decline nationwide
2/27/26 Farm Progress
A comprehensive five-year study by Kansas State University's Meat Demand Monitor has uncovered unexpected shifts in American eating habits, challenging popular assumptions about plant-based diet adoption. The monthly survey, funded by beef and pork checkoff programs, collected responses from over 190,000 Americans between February 2020 and 2025, providing crucial insights into meat consumption patterns during a volatile period marked by the COVID pandemic, record beef prices, and the rise of weight loss medications.

Local

New York City actress speaks to Kansas State University students ahead of on-campus show
2/26/26 WIBW
Heather Massie is bringing ‘HEDY! The Life and Inventions of Hedy Lamarr’ to McCain Auditorium Friday evening. Ahead of her show, she spoke to theatre students at Kansas State University. “Well because it’s part of my mission,” Massie said. “I don’t want to just come and do the show, I want to do community engagement and contribute to the community and learn about the community.”

K-State Rodeo debuts new facility
2/25/26 The K-State Collegian
Reece Conner, a K-State rodeo athlete who competes in breakaway roping, noted the energy shift during the Saturday night session. The crowd consistently filled the new stands to capacity, and Conner emphasized that the facility is more than just a venue; it is a tool for the program’s growth. "It was a really cool experience,” Conner, freshman in news & sports media, said. “It was full nearly every day, and that is so impressive and exciting. With a new coach and a new arena, you’re going to get great kids from all over the country. You should see how nice this is compared to other collegiate arenas.”

How farmers can manage cropland after a wildfire
2/26/26 KSNT
With the emergence of wildfires that burned parts of Kansas in early February, wildfire damage to growing crops from a wildfire can cause challenges for farmers including crop injury, erosion risk and altered nutrient status, according to Kansas State University. K-State agronomists emphasized that erosion risk from water or wind is the number one issue regarding wildfire impacts on cropland soil quality. However, it is recommended to use emergency tillage practices like cultivating ridges or clods to roughen the soil’s surface to provide good wind protection.

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026

National/International

ASB announces Product Development Competition winner
2/25/26 Snack and Bakery
The American Society of Baking (ASB) has announced Kansas State University as the first-place winner of its 2026 Product Development Competition, revealed during the BakingTECH conference in Chicago. Their innovative entry, Gochuhoney Bites, not only demonstrated exceptional creativity but also met the highest standards of quality and safety, ASB says.

State/Regional

Girard Youth Entrepreneurship challenge winners discuss event
2/25/26 KOAM
Julie Beeman from the K-State Research & Extension Office brought in two students for Wildcat Wednesday, to discuss the Youth Entrepreneurship program.

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026

State/Regional

Why the number of farms in Kansas decreased in the last year
02/24/26 KSNT-TV
Professor of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Director of undergraduate programs at Kansas State University Elizabeth Yeager spoke with 27 News that one of the reasons why farm numbers across the country have seen dips is due to farm consolidation, as the numbers point to.

K-State meteorologist advises Kansans on dangers of severe weather
02/24/26 High Plains Journal
The annual campaign is designed to remind residents of the state’s wide range of weather hazards and the importance of preparation, said Chip Redmond, a meteorologist at Kansas State University.

Local

Kick-start spring by getting into the garden
02/24/26 Manhattan Mercury
With warmer days in the near-term forecast, many Kansans are eager to get back to gardening. Kansas State University horticulture expert Matt McKernan said early work can begin on vegetables like peas and lettuce.

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026

National/International

Loud Budgeting
02/12/26 Wallet Hub
Megan McCoy, professor in the College of Health and Human Sciences, contributed to an article on loud budgeting. Loud budgeting is a personal finance trend that encourages people to be vocal about their budget and speak up when they can’t afford to spend more. It was popularized on TikTok, and it’s a way for people to avoid overspending and reduce peer pressure from friends.

State/Regional

What is causing Kansas’ grasslands to disappear?
02/23/26 KSNT-TV
Kansas is losing its wide open spaces, which is causing worry among researchers and ranchers. Kansas’ grassland is shrinking, according to a new study for the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Since 1990, woody plants and trees have taken over large parts of eastern Kansas – areas that were once open to prairie are now considered forested. Biologists said this shift could create a chain of problems. “This is an issue that has the potential to influence a lot of things,” said Jesse Nippert, a biology professor at K-State. “Not just our local economies and livelihoods of people on the ground, but then also other attributes of the natural system.”

Local

Kansas State University students earn fall 2025 degrees, graduation honors
02/23/26 Junction City Post
More than 1,100 students completed degree requirements from Kansas State University in fall 2025. KSU announced that the university awarded approximately 800 bachelor's degrees, 250 master's degrees and 50 doctorates. Several students earned multiple degrees. For outstanding academic performance, more than 681 students earned graduation honors.

Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

State/Regional

February wildfire spread quickly across two states
2/20/2026 High Plains Journal
Chip Redmond, Kansas State University assistant meteorologist and K-State Weather DataLibrary and Mesonet manager, said on a Facebook post before the wildfire that vegetation across Kansas is drying rapidly as warm temperatures and strong winds continue. "As conditions degrade throughout the week, fuels will become more receptive to fire. We are transitioning into the typical spring fire season pattern — when fires can start easily and spread quickly."

Kansas State University hosts rodeo in new venue for first time in 50 years
2/22/2026 WIBW
Kansas State University hosted its annual rodeo this weekend in an all-new location. The four-day event took place at the Bilbrey Family Events Center. "This facility is awesome," said Garden City Community College rodeo team member Creek Williams. "It's been pretty cold outside, but coming here in a heated facility, packed crowds every night, the energy's here, it's awesome. It's been awesome."

K-State Salina Drone Course
2/20/2026 Kansas Ag Connection
Kansas State University Salina is offering new professional training to help farmers learn how to use drone spraying technology in agriculture. The two-day course focuses on aerial applications and regulations for uncrewed aircraft systems, also known as the UAS. The training gives agricultural producers practical skills that can save time and reduce costs. Farmers learn how to use drones to protect crops, control weeds and pests, and improve yields through precision agriculture methods.

Local

Remembering Rev. Jackson's 1993 Landon Lecture on violence and crime in America
2/20/2026 The Mercury
"Not everyone always agreed with his views and he could be rather direct about people he thought should be more attached to his views," Dr. Andrew Orr, professor of history at Kansas State University, said. "He was no shrinking violet, but he had a strong sense of where he believed the true north of America's future lay in a radical conception of human equality."

Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

National/International

Why men secretly (and not-so-secretly) love romance movies
2/19/26 Men's Health
Yes, men are watching romantic movies—and they’re loving them. A 2007 study from Kansas State University found that the vast majority of men enjoy romantic movies almost as much as women, even if they might put on a show about being “dragged” to see them.

AERA selects 34 exemplary scholars as 2026 Fellows
2/19/26 American Educational Research Association
The AERA Fellows Program honors scholars for their exceptional contributions to, and excellence in, education research. Nominated by their peers, the 2026 Fellows — including K-State's Socorro Herrera — were selected by the Fellows Committee and approved by the AERA Council, the association’s elected governing body.

State/Regional

St. John’s Bible to be showcased at the Sandzén Gallery in Lindsborg
2/18/26 Salina Post
In collaboration with Bethany College, Messiah Festival of the Arts, and Kansas State University’s Hale Library, the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery is pleased to host a viewing of and presentations about the Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Described in some circles as the American Book of Kells, The Saint John’s Bible is the first hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible, commissioned more than 500 years ago.

Local

K-State rodeo celebrates 80th year with new arena and coach
2/19/26 KSNT
The Kansas State University College Rodeo, the largest student-led rodeo in the nation, has a new rodeo head coach, Christi Braudrick, and hosted its first rodeo in the newly built Bilbrey Family Event Center on Feb. 19. “Stepping into this, with this event center … is very unique,” Braudrick said. “There’s not a lot of facilities like this within the United States that even host a college rodeo, much less have an event like this on campus.”

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

National/International

US farmers largely see corn as the best option to achieve profitability
2/18/26 Reuters
"Right now, the soybean market is more of a political game than the corn market," says Dan O'Brien, an economist at Kansas State University.

From classrooms to communities: How Global UGRAD alumni become ambassadors for American innovation
2/18/26 Medium
A 2022 Global UGRAD alumni who studied at Kansas State University, Santiviago is the co-founder and creative director at Kuara Magic. “I took courses in manufacturing engineering, which helped me design professional solutions quickly for a wide range of problems. I also studied entrepreneurship, which strengthened my skills in leadership, team management, budgeting, and event organization.”

State/Regional

K-State Salina selected for Delta’s pilot career program
2/18/26 KSN
“Our students are very excited about the name brand and the ability to work for a company that is so well recognized,” said Kristen Regan, executive director of strategic initiatives for K-State Salina. “The pathway program provides our students a leg up in having an opportunity after they graduate.”

Local

Salina engineering student among 30 others representing KSU to recruit and promote profession
2/18/26 Salina Post
31 student leaders in Kansas State University's Carl R. Ice College of Engineering have been selected to represent the college through the Engineering Ambassadors

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

National/International

Local

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

National/International

Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Size to Reach USD 13.93 Billion by 2035 with 8.58% CAGR
02/17/26 Yahoo! Finance
According to SNS Insider, the global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market size was valued at USD 6.12 Billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 13.93 Billion by 2035, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.58% over the forecast period 2026–2035. The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is listed in the major veterinary reference laboratory market companies analysis report.

The cost of waiting to talk about senior care
02/17/26 AOL
Small, ongoing conversations help families stay connected on what matters most, making later care decisions more comfortable and more aligned with a loved one’s wishes. Support from outside the family can also reduce tension and help keep discussions focused on shared goals. Erin Martinez, Ph.D., CFLE, associate professor of gerontology at Kansas State University, says involving a neutral party — such as a family therapist, social worker, or trusted friend — can help facilitate more collaborative decision-making. She also encourages caregivers to draw on local and community-based resources.

State/Regional

K-State Salina one of 32 universities selected for Delta Air Lines' Propel program
02/16/26 KAKE-TV
Kansas State University in Salina has been selected by one of the largest airline employers in the United States to participate in the Delta Propel Career Pathway Program, a university-industry partnership that streamlines students' paths to commercial pilot careers. K-State Salina made the announcement Monday, saying the campus is one of 38 Aviation Accreditation Board International accredited universities selected.

Monday, Feb. 16, 2026

National/International

Tumbleweeds, as symbolic of the Western U.S. as cowboys, are an invasive plant
2/15/2026 KERA News – NPR for North Texas
Although ubiquitous in the Western United States, tumbleweeds are relatively new on the frontier. They are native to Russia and Eastern Europe. Patrick Geier, an instructor of weed science at Kansas State University, says their journey to the United States in the late 1800s might've also burst the wheat belt in the middle of the country.

State/Regional

Recent K-State Graduates Find Widespread Success
2/13/2026 Sunflower State Radio
Kansas State University graduates are launching careers, advancing their education and strengthening the Kansas workforce at record levels, according to the university's latest post-graduation outcomes report. Based on an 80% knowledge rate of fall and spring 2025 graduates, 97% are either employed or continuing their education — a powerful reflection of K-State's commitment to preparing students for life beyond college.

K-State's Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation to be renamed
2/15/2026 Hutch Post
Kansas State University's Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation will be renamed the Western Star Global Grain and Food Center in honor of J.J. Vanier by the next generation of families, following approval from the Kansas Board of Regents at its Feb. 11 meeting.

Local

K-State implements robot into hospitality department
2/15/2026 WIBW
Kansas State University is pairing students with a robot in an on-campus restaurant. "Wabash Cannonbot" is a robot assisting hospitality students. "When they graduate, and they're managing operations, it's not a question of if restaurants and hotels and hospitals are going to use a robot; they're already using them," said Kevin Roberts hospitality professor. The robot can be found at Lacy's Fresh Fare and Catering.

Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

National/International

NSF announces first AI-ENGAGE awards to modernize global agriculture
2/12/26 National Science Foundation
The U.S. National Science Foundation, in coordination with partner agencies from Australia, India and Japan, today announced the first cohort of awards made under the Advancing Innovations for Empowering NextGen AGriculturE (AI-ENGAGE) initiative. This $2.4 million investment supports six international research projects that will harness artificial intelligence and critical emerging technologies to empower farmers and strengthen agricultural resilience across the United States and Indo-Pacific region. K-State's project will implement "Smart Scout," a computer vision system to estimate soybean yield and detect "lodging" (falling over) of crops.

Local

K-State names new dean for college of engineering
2/13/26 The Manhattan Mercury
Following a national search, Kansas State University announced its appointment of Ashfaq Khokhar as dean of the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, effective Aug. 2. “Dr. Khokhar brings exceptional leadership experience, growth-minded vision and high-quality teaching, research and engagement to K-State in the role of dean for the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering,” said Jesse Perez Mendez, provost and executive vice president. “I look forward to working with him to advance the college and university’s strategic vision.”

Lafene to offer 24/7, free virtual mental health care through new partnership
2/11/26 The K-State Collegian
Through a new partnership, Kansas State is offering mental health services through the mobile app, TimelyCare. The app comes free of charge to any enrolled K-State student. “At K-State, we want every student to know they are never alone. TimelyCare allows students —whether they’re in Manhattan, Salina, Olathe or learning online to connect 24/7 with licensed counselors and trained professionals at no cost, with no insurance or copays required," said Thomas Lane, vice president for student life and dean of students.

K-State Salina offering drone training program for farmers
2/13/26 The Salina Journal
Hunter Allison, a K-State Salina UAS flight instructor pilot who will be instructing the Aerial Applications and Regulations course, said the course will teach drone operators how to confidently plan and execute legally compliant aerial application operations while ensuring personal and aircraft safety.

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

National/International

Cotton farmers embracing new technology to boost efficiency
2/11/26 KCBD
Jonathan Aguilar, an engineering specialist at Kansas State University, focuses on turning research into practical applications for farmers. “For a researcher, they may be talking about the probability, the probability of this going into this way, rather than just a yes or a no,” Aguilar said. “Many farmers, particularly in their operation, that decision may just be a few seconds that they have to make, rather than look at all the possibilities, they just say ‘let me know, is it a green or a red?’”

When love lies: How to spot the signs of financial infidelity
2/11/26 Quartz
"It means that you're ashamed of what you're doing, or you feel like you don't have power in your relationship, or you feel like you don't have conflict resolution skills with your partner," Megan McCoy said. "These little indicators of financial infidelity can almost be a sign, and if we could get people to see them, then we could fix it early on."

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

National/International

Pentagon Rebuilds Lost Blueprints To Keep Aging Weapons Systems Operational
2/11/26 Yahoo News
GPIN will partner with Kansas State University to train interns and non-traditional defense contractors to generate technical data packages, including bills of material, computer-aided design models, and quality documentation required for manufacturing.

State/Regional

Historic Kansas Wheat recipe book collection finds home at K-State archives
2/10/26 High Plains Journal
For nearly 60 years, Kansas Wheat recipe books have served as a consumer education tool, helping families prepare wheat-based foods while connecting Kansas farmers with the people who use their product. That legacy is now preserved at Hale Library at Kansas State University, where the full collection is housed for future study and reference.

KidWind Challenge has begun with record number of teams competing throughout Kansas, state finals in Salina
2/10/26 Salina Post
“KidWind is a fantastic hands-on opportunity that allows students to tinker and experiment with wind turbine designs. They experience the thrill of scientific discovery as their designs are validated through performance testing, and they hone their public speaking skills as they present their turbine design to a panel of judges,” explained David Carter, Director of the Kansas Energy Program at K-State Engineering Extension.

Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

National/International

Are Record Carcass Weights Pushing the Supply Chain to Its Limit?
2/6/26 Drovers
AJ Tarpoff encourages the industry to consider welfare investments — comfort, health, mobility and heat mitigation — as economic investments with real returns in performance and risk reduction.

State/Regional

Kansas Sorghum welcomes Rudd as 2026 Collegiate Fellow
2/6/26 High Plains Journal
Carson Rudd is a sophomore at Kansas State University, where he is studying agricultural economics and building a strong foundation in food and agricultural policy. A native of Flora, Indiana, Rudd grew up adjacent to production agriculture, and found a passion for agriculture through FFA and high school agriculture classes.

Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

State/Regional

K-State prepares to host rodeo in new arena
02/05/26 KWCH and WIBW
The Kansas State University Rodeo has a new home for the first time in 50 years. The annual event will take place at the all-new Bilbrey Family Events Center. “Within the United States, I feel like it’s one of the top facilities in the United States,” K-State Rodeo Coach Christi Brauderick said. “Just being here and I’ve been to several throughout the United States and this definitely is at the top.”

Kansas wheat history, archived by K-State's Hale Library
02/05/26 Kansas Wheat
Now housed within the Morse Department of Archives and Special Collections at Kansas State University, the collection of Kansas Wheat recipe books shifts from a kitchen staple to a research resource. The department serves as the official repository for Kansas State University records and a center of research for cookery, Kansas history and the consumer movement. Preserving these recipe books recognizes the role agricultural communications play in forming food knowledge, consumer confidence and understanding of farming practices.

Why do beef prices keep climbing? It’s not just shrinking herds
02/05/26 KSN
The U.S. cattle herd has been shrinking for decades, according to Kansas State University agricultural economist Glynn Tonsor. He said having fewer cattle than the year before is not unusual, noting that the U.S. beef cattle has been in a general decline since the 1970s. “So, it is not new that we have less cows than last year,” he said. “That’s actually a very long-term trend.”

Local

Within Reason with Mike Matson: D.J. Schaefer, Kansas State University grad student
02/06/26 KMAN
D.J. Schaefer, a military veteran and doctoral student in history at K-State, discussed the Kansas State University Missing in Action Recovery and Identification Project — an initiative he is starting at the university to help recover missing U.S. military personnel from past global conflicts through student experiential learning and historical research.

K-State Salina lecture to explore how everyday people can advance the common good
02/05/26 Salina Post
The February Civic Lecture Series discussion at Kansas State University Salina will explore how collective action, shared purpose and people-powered organizing can make a difference across Kansas communities. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, K-State Salina's Civic Lecture Series will feature "The Power of People to Impact the Common Good," a community discussion about what is possible and how everyday people can move the common good forward, together.

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026

State/Regional

Economist, residents have questions about Olathe's financing plan for Chiefs HQ, training facility
02/03/26 KSHB-TV
Kansas State University economics professor Dan Kuester analyzed the city's financial plans and said he found several concerning elements.

Strong consumer demand is driving beef prices despite tighter cattle supplies
02/03/26 High Plains Journal
Consumer’s demand for beef — not just shrinking cattle numbers — is playing a central role in shaping prices and profitability across the U.S. beef supply chain, according to research from Kansas State University agricultural economists.

Local

K-State wildlife expert discusses efforts to reintroduce mussel populations
02/03/26 Manhattan Mercury
If so, consider yourself lucky, because a Kansas State University wildlife expert says that more than half of these species are endangered or threatened in some way.

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026

Local

Moran announces federal funding for K-State Olathe manufacturing program
02/02/26 Manhattan Mercury
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., has secured more than $5 million in federal resources for Kansas State University Olathe to purchase advanced manufacturing equipment. Moran is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science. This funding was approved by Congress as part of a three-bill appropriations package, and it was signed into law by the president on Jan. 23.

Monday, Feb. 2, 2026

State/Regional

K-State's nationally acclaimed online programs position students for lifelong success
2/1/2026 Hutch Post
For today's learners, higher education must be as adaptable as the lives they lead. Built with flexibility at their core, Kansas State University's online programs support learners balancing careers, family responsibilities and full schedules, offering accessible faculty support, self-paced coursework and more.

'We got to deal with it': Kansas ranchers caring for cattle amid cold calving season
1/30/2026 KSN
Todd Gunderson, a clinical assistant professor of beef production medicine at Kansas State University, said calves can be born just about any time of the year. But many farmers selectively breed their herd so babies are born around the same time. For some, winter just works best.

Talking gut health, protein and home cooking
1/30/2026 Great Bend Tribune
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans build on familiar advice – eat more fruits and vegetables, choose whole grains and limit highly processed foods – while sharpening the focus on how Americans cook, combine and choose foods for long-term health, according to a Kansas State University Extension nutrition specialist. Priscilla Brenes, a nutrition and wellness specialist with K-State Extension, said the updated guidelines emphasize gut health, higher-quality protein and cooking skills that support healthier eating at home.

Local

K-State study: Strong consumer demand drives beef prices despite tighter cattle supplies
1/30/2026 The Mercury
Consumer’s demand for beef — not just shrinking cattle numbers — is playing a central role in shaping prices and profitability across the U.S. beef supply chain, according to research from Kansas State University agricultural economists. Brian Coffey, who co-authored a recent paper examining the U.S. retail beef market, said a microeconomic assessment shows consumer preferences have become a powerful driver of market outcomes, even during a period of historically tight supplies.