June 2026
K-State in the news
Some of the top stories mentioning Kansas State University are posted below. Download an Excel file (xlsx) with all of this month's news stories.
Friday, June 5, 2026
National/International
Detection at the nanoscale: A phosphate-detecting electrochemical sensor
6/4/26 Phys.org
Graphene, the "wonder material," has shaped much of Suprem Das's research career. From nano-manufacturing to advanced printing for applications such as sensing and energy, Das is committed to finding graphene solutions with real-world impact. Das and his team manufacture graphene in the form of printable ink for various applications.
State/Regional
What is the screwworm and should Kansas ranchers be concerned?
6/4/26 KSN
“Because the USDA has such an aggressive management strategy in place, that helps to soften the blow of just one case showing up,” said Todd Gunderson, a clinical assistant professor of beef production medicine at Kansas State University.
The Screwworm Battle Begins on U.S. Soil: Now What?
6/4/26 AgWeb
Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University professor of agricultural economics, stresses, “First and foremost, I don’t anticipate a beef demand challenge from it. There’s no reason to believe a consumer should be concerned.”
Thursday, June 4, 2026
National/International
Nebraska stakes out new ground on farm data ownership as other states weigh broader measures
6/3/26 AgriPulse
Kansas State University economist Terry Griffin told Agri-Pulse that data doesn’t generally “play well” within the legal concept of private ownership under British common law, a predecessor to much of the U.S.’s legal tradition. He said he’s pointed out in past discussions with farmers that data’s characteristics tend to fit more closely with the idea of a “public good” than a “private good,” though he added that’s generally been an unpopular message.
“A lot of farmers would say, ‘I don’t care what you say, I own my data,’” Griffin said. But he added, “It’s not like owning grain or livestock or a pencil or land. It’s got very different characteristics than those physical goods.”
Local
Stormont Vail Health, PrairieLINK Awarded KDHE Grant to Advance Rural Health Transformation
6/3/26 JC Post
The funding will support the continued development of the PrairieLINK Health Alliance of Kansas, a collaborative regional effort focused on strengthening access, coordination, and long-term sustainability of rural healthcare services. PrairieLINK is a partnership among Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus and rural clinics, Morris County Hospital and rural clinics, Community HealthCare System and rural clinics, F.W. Huston Medical Center and rural clinic, Midland Care Connection, and Kansas State University. Together, these organizations represent a diverse network of critical access hospitals, rural providers, community-based organizations, and academic leaders working to improve care delivery and health outcomes across a multi-county region.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
National/International
University Trends in Plant Intellectual Property Protection
TechPipeline
At Kansas State University (K-State), the focus of the plant breeding program for wheat — a sexually propagated crop — means that plant patents are not the primary tool. Instead, K-State relies primarily on PVP certificates, which allow farmers to save seed for replanting while protecting against unauthorized commercial use. Chris Brandt, Associate Vice President for Research at the Kansas State University Research Foundation, explained the institution’s philosophy.
State/Regional
Kansas wheat farmers face up to 20% yield loss amid drought, freezes
06/2/26 KWCH
One expert at Kansas State University said the worst areas include parts of central and southwest Kansas. Some communities are weeks ahead of when they typically harvest.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
National/International
How data and AI help reshape water policy in the agricultural heartland
06/02/26 SAS
Producing nearly a quarter of America’s wheat supply, along with significant quantities of corn, soybeans, sorghum and sunflowers, Kansas remains a critical contributor to feeding the nation and the world. Livestock is also a major driver of the economy – and it depends on water for everything from pasture and forage to animal health and processing. The Kansas Department of Agriculture estimates beef cattle ranching and farming account for about $13.5 billion in the Kansas economy. These realities raise the stakes for water policy decisions about how limited supplies are managed and how water quality is protected. This is the work at the heart of the Kansas Water Institute (KWI) at Kansas State University: turning science and data into trusted insights that help sustain the state’s water resources for current and future generations.
A new project aims to bring more AI literacy to rural Ohio
06/02/26 WYSO-FM
For years, there’s been a push to create better broadband infrastructure in rural areas, where access to high speed internet can be hard to come by. Wright State University, in partnership with Kansas State Extension, is tackling a new digital frontier: artificial intelligence. The university received $2.5 million in grant money from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education to develop an AI curriculum for rural educators at Ohio and Kansas high schools and colleges.
State/Regional
Hutch Community Foundation launches nonprofit training series
06/1/26 Hutch Post
The Hutchinson Community Foundation is launching a series of workshops aimed at helping Reno County nonprofits strengthen leadership skills, improve organizational capacity and increase their chances of securing grant funding. One of the first workshops in the series will focus on "All Things Kansas," a public data portal developed through Kansas State University. The resource allows nonprofits to access detailed local information that can strengthen grant applications.
California company establishes partnership with K-State to advance aerospace training
06/01/26 KSN-TV
Spencer Schrader, director of applied aviation research lab at K-State Salina, joined KSN News to talk about a partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and what it means for students.
Monday, June 1, 2026
State/Regional
Schroeder receives prestigious Amethyst Award for lifetime of service and contributions to K-State
5/29/26 The Fence Post
Ted Schroeder’s tenure at Kansas State University spans 40 years, and throughout his lifetime of service, he has contributed significantly to advancing the university’s mission. Now, the university distinguished professor of agricultural economics is the recipient of the Amethyst Award, K-State’s most prestigious award.
Kansas ag leaders weigh solutions for veterinarian shortages that affect rural communities
5/31/26 Wichita Eagle
Kansas State University officials are supporting programs that introduce veterinary students to rural lifestyles and gathering data to understand where shortages exist, said Brad White, director of K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute and director of the Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas.