January 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.
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.
Friday, Jan. 30, 2026
National/International
Cattle Inventory Report May Signal End of Herd Liquidation, Shifting Trends in Beef x Dairy
1/29/2026 RFD TV
RFD NEWS Markets Specialist Tony St. James was joined by Kansas State University Livestock Economist Glynn Tonsor on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss economic drivers and recent trends in the cattle sector. In their conversation, they outline and discuss the latest findings in K-State’s Monthly Meat Demand Monitor.
Why Beef Prices Remain High Despite Record-Low Cattle Supplies
1/29/2026 Drovers
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, says a microeconomic assessment shows consumer preferences have become a powerful driver of market outcomes, even during a period of historically tight supplies.
State/Regional
Sen. Moran: K-State to receive $5 million research reactor grant
1/29/2026 KMAN
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announced Friday that he, as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured a $5 million federal investment for the Kansas State University Research Reactor project. "This investment will help support improvements to K-State’s TRIGA Mark II Nuclear Reactor Facility and strengthen America's energy independence, expand job opportunities in Kansas and invest in the cutting-edge research taking place at our universities," Moran said in a statement yesterday.
Local
K-State's nationally acclaimed online programs position students for lifelong success
1/29/2026 JC 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 and self-paced coursework.
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026
National/International
From Survival to Strategy: Leading in Uncertain Times
1/215/26 NAFSA
Grant Chapman says that his 9/11 experience taught him to pay close attention to his team when it is under pressure. “It’s taking time to talk to staff about their own needs [during] a time that’s complex,” he says. “What do they do to regenerate themselves, what do they need from the university?”
State/Regional
Taking the itch out of sorghum
1/28/26 High Plains Journal
Researchers at Kansas State University asked this question and hypothesize that much of the itchiness is related to the structure of the glumes that surround each grain in the grain head. The sorghum molecular breeding program at K-State is positioned to make this a reality. The researchers specialize in identifying novel sorghum genetics, such as glabrous sorghum, and devising strategies to rapidly translate into commercial sorghums with molecular breeding strategies and public-private partnerships.
Wildcat Wednesday: Pax Tools help parents care for kids
1/28/26 KOAM
Michelle Broxterman from the K-State Research & Extension Office came into the studio this week to discuss PAX Tools. PAX Tools are a set of simple, proven strategies that adults can use when caring for kids to encourage good behavior, strengthen relationships, and reduce stress.
Local
Hancock Earns Literacy Legacy Award
1/28/26 JC Post
Junction City High School English teacher, Patrick Hancock, made history on Tuesday by becoming the inaugural Kansas State University College of Education Literacy Legacy Award recipient.
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026
National/International
Training next-generation millers
01/26/26 World Grain
With ever-higher food safety standards and the need for efficiency and sustainability, today’s millers face increasing pressures from climate change, a shrinking workforce and supply chain volatility. Through new Milling Academy facilities at its headquarters in Uzwil, Switzerland, Bühler is working to provide practical experience across every aspect of the milling process alongside decades of expertise, the latest technology and modern teaching methods. The Milling Academy also runs specialized programs in partnership with Kansas State University in the United States, and at Bühler’s training mill in Wuxi and feed mill in Changzhou, China.
State/Regional
Growing Growers: A hands‑on path for future Kansas farmers
01/26/26 KSNW-TV
Abbey Draut with K-State Extension in Sedgwick County stopped by KSN News at Noon on Monday to talk about the Growing Growers program. The program helps Kansans learn how to grow fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops. The apprentices will work hands-on with experienced local farmers.
KC Community Galvanizes to Support UMKC-Led Critical Materials Crossroads
01/26/26 University of Missouri - Kansas City
Gurpreet Singh, professor at Kansas State University, was one of the many community and civic leaders who joined UMKC administrators and the National Science Foundation at the site visit focused on the University of Missouri-Kansas City-led Critical Materials Crossroads. The site visit marked a major milestone in UMKC’s effort to lead one of the nation’s most ambitious regional strategies, bringing together more than 230 higher education, industry, government and civic partners around a shared long-term vision aiming to secure a domestic critical materials supply chain to strengthen U.S. economic and national security.
Monday, Jan. 26, 2026
State/Regional
This vegan ice cream pop-up in Kansas City is run by a firefighter and supported by roller derby
01/21/26 Flatland and KCUR-FM
Last spring, Mays began churning batches in a $45,000 Carpigiani LB 302 RTX commercial ice cream maker at K-State Olathe’s Food Innovation Accelerator. Although the metro hosts three business incubators for fledgling food entrepreneurs, K-State Olathe is the only one with a commercial ice cream maker and is considered the resident expert on its operation.
Working on the farm in dangerous cold? Dress right and work smart
01/23/26 Succesful Farming
Your first layer, called the base layer, should be very warm. “We want something that’s going to be knit and very close to the skin,” explained Rhiannon Brover of the fashion studies program at K-State. A fabric that wicks moisture away from the body is important. Wool is a good choice for base clothing because it remains warm, even when wet. Wool also has a reputation for durability.
Understanding herbicide resistance: Why they don’t work like they used to
01/26/26 American Ag Network
K-State weed scientist Pat Geier recently marked the 50th anniversary of the first documented case of herbicide resistance in the state, tracing how weed resistance has evolved and what it means for modern weed management in Kansas agricultural systems. “Herbicide resistance occurs when a weed population survives applications of a chemical that would normally control it, often driven by repeated use of herbicides with the same mode of action over many seasons,” Geier said. “Over time, naturally occurring genetic variations allow some weeds to survive and reproduce, leading to resistance becoming more widespread within fields and across regions.”
Local
Sen. Moran announces federal investment for Kansas State University nuclear engineering program
01/23/26 Junction City Post
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Jerry Moran has secured a $5 million-dollar federal investment for the Kansas State University Research Reactor project. His staff noted that this federal investment will support the project’s work to restore and enhance the facility through upgrading infrastructure, completing licensing updates and expanding research capabilities to support advanced nuclear research, workforce development and national energy priorities.
Friday, Jan. 23, 2026
National/International
Cattle producers across the U.S. brace for snow, bitter cold with these tips
01/23/26 Successful Farming
Kansas State Beef Systems Extension Specialist Justin Waggoner reminded listeners that cattle in a confinement or feedlot setting will have different behavior and needs than cattle in more exposed environments such as pastures or out on corn stocks. For example, Waggoner says feedlot or confined cattle will often increase their dry matter intake ahead of the storm. “That can really set up a scenario that creates challenges in terms of acidosis or digestive upsets,” he said.
Local
The weekend winter storm: brace for cold
01/22/26 The Manhattan Mercury
Chip Redmond, a meteorologist and network manager for Kansas Mesonet at K-State, said Manhattanites and those in the surrounding area should brace for sub-zero temperatures and around 5 inches of snow in the winter storm coming this weekend.
Kansas experiences worst bird flu outbreak in the nation
01/22/26 The K-State Collegian
“As they [birds] begin their fall migrations across the continent, the state usually faces an increased risk of HPAI introduction and spread,” said Lance Noll, clinical assistant professor. “We kind of saw a reemergence of it back in 2021, and it really hits again every season.” Noll also serves as a section head for Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, a K-State-affiliated laboratory focusing on diagnostic testing, disease surveillance and outbreak responses. A majority of the testing is focused on wildlife surveillance.
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026
National/International
Death cap mushrooms linked to deaths, hospitalizations
01/16/26 The Seattle Times
An exceptionally wet December has contributed to an abundance of death cap mushrooms, or Amanita phalloides, in Central and Northern California, causing what officials describe as an unprecedented outbreak of severe illness and death among people who consume the fungi. The death cap mushroom has a dome-shape smooth cap with olive or yellowish-green tones. On the underside of its cap are white gills and spores. It can be confused with the mushroom species Volvariella, which is edible. These mushrooms appear similar because they have a volva, a cup-like structure at the base of the mushroom’s stem, and are white-ish, but lack one important key characteristic annulus, or ring, around its stem, said Ari Jumpponen, Kansas State University distinguished professor of biology.
12 Types Of Ultrasonic Tools That Will Have Your Home Clean In No Time
01/17/26 Yahoo! News
Different technologies and methods promise better results for less effort but some are gimmicks. Others, like ultrasonic cleaning technology, have been incorporated into different cleaning tools with at least some degree of success. How well an ultrasonic repellent works may depend on the pests you're aiming to deter. Kansas State University researcher Subramanyam Bhadriraju has conducted several studies examining the impact of ultrasonic sound on various insects.
Announcing the 2026 AAFCS Distinguished Service Award Winners
01/20/26 AP News
The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences is pleased to announce the following Family and Consumer Sciences professionals as the recipients of a 2026 AAFCS Award. Debra K. Andres, M.S., CFCS-HDFS, Kansas, is a dedicated Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with Kansas State University Extension, serving the Flint Hills District. With more than three decades of experience in education, extension, and community leadership, she has developed and implemented impactful programs in health, nutrition, family well-being, and financial literacy.
State/Regional
K-State and Habitat for Humanity are building an energy-efficient house with hemp
01/16/26 Lawrence Journal-World
Kansas State University and Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills are working on an affordable house in Ogden, Kansas, that will use hemp insulation to keep its residents warm in winter and cool in summer.
Friday, Jan. 16, 2026
National/International
US farm economy shows widening cracks as costs rise, jobs vanish
1/15/26 Reuters
Many farmers are instead pushing older machinery to last longer. Terry Griffin, an agricultural economics professor at Kansas State University, analyzed U.S. Fire Administration data and found that as farm incomes fell in recent years, the number of combine fires in Kansas surged. "It's like if you have an old car and don't have the money to keep it up, you stop changing the oil or keeping it clean," Griffin said. "You need money to maintain your equipment."
Phillips community members excited about 'transformation' of lumber mill site
1/15/26 WJFW-TV
An old lumber mill in Phillips, Wisconsin, hasn’t been in use since 2015, yet it remains in Philips to this day, taking up precious space along the beautiful shore. The nonprofit group Price County United Limited held a community meeting Wednesday night with a team from Kansas State University. The KSU team specializes in cleaning brownfields which are contaminated properties. “There are so many moving parts and different aspects that need to go into a project like this from infrastructure to financial to environmental aspects,” said Roxanne Anderson, regional director for K-State's Technical Assistance for Brownfields program.
State/Regional
Kansas State University nuclear reactor provides students with hands-on experiences
1/14/26 KWCH, WIBW
“The student interest in nuclear engineering has really taken off over the past five, seven years,” KSU Nuclear Engineering Program Director Amir Bahadori said. “We’re seeing very strong interest, probably as a result of a lot of the discussions that you hear with big tech companies, with the federal government.”
New aviation program headlines Spring Hill High School expansion
1/14/26 The Olathe Reporter
Williams said the idea came from board member Jon Chitwood, but took shape through visits to other programs in Gardner, Ottawa, Lee’s Summit and Kansas State - Salina — K-State Salina could partner up with the Spring Hill program for college credits... "...to be able to see the programs, the drone programs and what they utilize for drones right now, the opportunity for our students," Williams said. "Some of the jobs that are out there for our students that they probably don’t even know exist right now when it comes to aviation.”
Donations fund music and STEM opportunities
1/14/26 Abilene Reflector-Chronicle
Assistant Superintendent Rick Rivera said the district’s ABC after-school strings program partners with Kansas State University, where music students travel to Abilene to provide string lessons to local students. The program culminates in a student performance each December. “This is a great opportunity for our students and for the Kansas State students to get real-world experience providing instruction,” Rivera said, noting that much of the funding goes toward stipends for the college instructors’ travel and teaching time.
K-State partnership puts cutting-edge drone tech in farmers' hands
1/16/26 Precision Farming Dealer
In addition to K-State’s expertise in agriculture and unmanned aerial systems, K-State will play a big role in helping Kelly Hills work with the large data sets collected from farmers’ lands, said Ajay Sharda, professor of biological and agricultural engineering and an ID3A director. “We have a diverse range of skillsets, including remote sensing, data analytics, working with large and small machines, and economic responses,” said Sharda. “There’s a whole team of people, and they’re all directly or indirectly involved with ID3A. It’s an amazing opportunity for us to put a pin on the map.”
Local
K-State nuclear engineering program provides hands-on experience with reactor operation
1/15/26 KSNT
"Getting to take a student into the control room, show them this is what a nuclear reactor console looks like and when you move these buttons, this is what happens over in the bay," said Amir Bahadori, program director. "You're actually controlling the splitting of the nucleus of atoms."
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026
National/International
Microplastics from washing clothes could be hurting your tomatoes
1/15/26 Washington Post
Mary Beth Kirkham, an agronomy professor at Kansas State University who was not involved in the study, said she has seen positive results. She described an experiment in which corn grown with microplastics in the soil had higher protein levels than corn grown without the contaminants. “The corn grown with microplastics in the soil had more nitrogen in it, which led to more protein," Kirkham said. But the increased protein from the contaminants does come with trade-offs, Kirkham said. Microplastics are a known carrier of heavy metals, which if consumed can have negative health effects.
State/Regional
Study: Racoons are becoming more domesticated
1/15/26 Rural Radio Network
New research from Kansas State University comparing raccoons from urban and rural counties found that animals in heavily populated areas had slightly shorter snouts, a trait sometimes linked to early stages of domestication.
Local
Hypertension awarenesss & prevention opportunities
1/13/26 JC Post
K-State Extension, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, is offering a free Hypertension Awareness and Prevention Program this spring. Sessions will be led by American Heart Association Certified Healthy Heart Ambassadors.
Monday, Jan. 12, 2026
State/Regional
Getting accurate results from pregnancy checking your cows
1/9/2026 High Plains Journal
The group explained that pregnancy checking serves as more than a headcount of bred cows — it is a management tool that influences nutrition plans, marketing decisions and culling strategies. However, checking too early can lead to uncertainty. "Timing really matters when it comes to pregnancy diagnosis," K-State veterinarian Bob Larson said. "If you check too early, you may identify pregnancies that won't be maintained or miss pregnancies that occur later."
Mix of technologies can help farmers save water
1/10/2026 FarmProgress – Kansas Farmer
But while irrigation technology has a lot of upside, success depends on its simplicity, durability, ease of use and reliability. No matter how efficient it is, modern irrigation tech needs to make economic sense. Jonathan Aguilar, an ag engineer at Kansas State University, offered his state as a good example of how irrigation technology can save both money and water. Despite voluntarily using less water, some farmers in Kansas are still making as much as their neighbors who haven't reduced irrigation usage. "There are ways that this can be done. It's just a matter of how extensive the money savings are that [farmers] can possibly get from the system," Aguilar said.
Local
K-State horticulture expert says gardening is good for mental wellness
1/9/2026 The Mercury
Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini said research has shown mental health benefits associated with gardening, including reduced levels of depression, anxiety and increased satisfaction with quality of life. "Perhaps you have your own experiences with such benefits and that's why you continue to garden," Domenghini said. "Gardening can alleviate stress by providing food security. It is a source of physical activity and can serve as a social hobby."
Friday, Jan. 9, 2026
State/Regional
Sky-high innovation, boots-on-ground farmer insight
1/8/26 HutchPost
But it's still a farmer's calloused hands that sort through soil, steer a tractor's wheel or guide a drone's controls, highlighting the need to find the best ways to bring innovations into the hands of farmers. That's why Kansas State University's Institute for Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics, or ID3A, is partnering with Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems to develop the next generation of precision agriculture alongside those who will implement it.
USDA report expected to shape commodity prices heading into 2026
1/8/26 Brownfield Ag News
Dan O’Brien with Kansas State University says there’s been some uncertainty around total U.S. crop production due to the government shutdown and lack of reports in November. “Whether the numbers are going to be right or not, if they’re going to be changed later, I think the market will take this as the final put-to-bed, supply-side information that we have.”
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026
National/International
Feeding your dog corn from the beach: what veterinarians say about it
1/7/26 Todo Noticias
According to veterinarian Dr. Susan C. Nelson , a clinical professor at the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center , dogs should not eat corn on the cob , as the hard part can cause serious health complications. “If dogs ingest the cob or pieces of it, it can cause a life-threatening obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract,” explains the specialist.
State/Regional
This Kansas house being built with hemp is designed to keep down electricity bills
1/8/26 KCUR and other NPR stations
Kansas State University and Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills are working on an affordable house in Ogden, Kansas, that will use hemp insulation to keep its residents warm in winter and cool in summer.
Venezuela situation could add uncertainty to commodity, energy markets
1/7/26 Brownfield Ag News
Dan O’Brien with Kansas State University says commodity prices have been steady so far. “They really have responded in a neutral-quasi positive manner. We haven’t seen analysts or traders overall move to the negative side.” He says it’s too early to determine if it will affect U.S. ag exports, but geo-political issues with China could come into play due to their relationship with Venezuela. “This isn’t going to probably encourage the Chinese to rush headlong to make more U.S. purchases. If anything, particularly for soybeans, they’re going to be more cautionary.”
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026
State/Regional
Potato…Po-tah-to: Knowing the variety makes a difference in how you cook versatile vegetable
01/06/26 High Plains Journal
Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee says that even though two potato varieties may seem the same, there can be a big difference in how each makes it to the dinner table.
Local
K-State seeks to grow rural Kansas' skilled trades workforce with grant
1/6/25 Manhattan Mercury
Kansas State University is transforming Kansas’ manufacturing workforce pipeline by expanding access to high-quality training, strengthening STEM teaching and providing personalized advising in rural school districts.
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026
National/International
Why grip strength may be one of the best predictors of how well—and how long—you live
01/05/25 National Geographic
Pete Rohleder, a kinesiologist at Kansas State University, weighs in on how grip strength could be an indicator of your overall health.
State/Regional
In Kansas, tumbleweeds are an icon of the Plains. They’re also an invasive nuisance
01/06/26 KCUR
Tumbleweeds have taken over the High Plains. They thrive so well that they are part of the culture of the West. But this ample supply of blowing weeds can hurt farm yields, wreak havoc on neighborhoods and cause fire dangers. They are so well adapted for the High Plains that they keep Kansas State University weed scientist Patrick Geier pretty busy.
Border Queen Harvest Hub commercial kitchen opens in Caldwell building entrepreneurship for food enthusiasts
12/31/25 Summer News Cow
Shared commercial kitchens are currently trending among communities, and Caldwell jumped on board to open one recently. “This is a true collaboration of numerous entities,” says Stacy Davis, SCED director, in January. “K-State 105, SCED, Kansas Farm Bureau, Shop Kansas Farms, Vision Caldwell, Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, Sumner County Research and Extension, Border Queen Harvest Hub, and KanOkla are coming together to make this happen. This commercial kitchen will stimulate economic prosperity by providing the public access to a facility that allows them to grow a food business.”
Meet the new director at K-State Extension Sedgwick County
12/22/25 KSN TV
Kelli Anderson, Director and Community Vitality Agent at K-State Extension Sedgwick County, joined 3KSN to discuss the latest updates at the K-State Extension Sedgwick County office and how they are bringing expertise and resources to Kansans.
Monday, Jan. 5, 2026
State/Regional
A Kansas nuclear engineering program is back and students are quickly signing up
1/02/2026 KCUR
College students at Kansas State University are increasingly eyeing careers in nuclear technology. So the school has relaunched a bachelor’s degree that originally blazed a trail in the U.S. for nuclear studies.
Laura Kelly says water a top priority for her last year as governor
1/02/2026 Hutch Post
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said creating a sustainable water plan is one of her two top priorities for her last year as governor. Western Kansas has faced years of declining groundwater levels. The Kansas State University Foundation said about a quarter of the High Plains Aquifer, which supplies about 90% of water used in Kansas, is at "minimum threshold," meaning it's unable to extract 200 gallons per minute, the minimum needed for large-scale irrigation.
Asian longhorn tick, theileriosis concerning to K-State professor
1/02/2026 High Plains Journal
Livestock producers need to be aware of the Asian longhorn tick and what it can do to their cowherds. That's the assessment of Greg Hanzlieck, professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, associate director of the K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and section head for the field disease investigation program and outreach. He addressed attendees at the Kansas Livestock Association convention in Manhattan during late November.