K-State in the news

Recent news highlights

Read some of today's top stories mentioning Kansas State University. See more K-State faculty, staff and students in the news in the clip archives.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2026

National/International

The hobby that can decrease stress and help strengthen relationships
9/11/26 The Independent
At Kansas State University, the Bonding thru Board Games program uses tabletop gaming to support the development soft skills, such as self-control, positive self-concept, social and communication skills and executive function.

State/Regional

K-State research uses AI and drones to detect crop stress
9/9/26 Kansas Ag Connection
A field of crops may appear healthy and green, but hidden stress caused by heat or insufficient water can affect plant health long before visible symptoms appear. Detecting these early signs is the focus of research led by Kelechi Igwe, a doctoral student in biological and agricultural engineering at Kansas State University. Igwe's research explores new ways to identify crop stress before farmers can see it in the field. The goal is to provide growers with an early warning system that helps them take action and reduce potential yield losses.

Use physics, not force: Smarter cattle restraint
9/9/26 Drovers
When Dr. Todd Gunderson demonstrated cattle restraint at AABP, he didn’t bring a model animal on stage. He tied a rope around his own foot. The Kansas State University production medicine veterinarian was demonstrating a simple point: when working with a 1,000-pound cow or a much larger bull, you aren’t going to win a contest of strength. The better approach is to use rope, leverage, positioning and physics to make the restraint system do the work.

Local

Willie AI | What does it do for students?
9/9/26 The K-State Collegian
Students can interact with the program to find on-campus resources as well as any other K-State information. Shana Bender, director of retention and persistence, said the program has two functions which ensure adequate assistance to students. “The first is to support students and provide them with resources at the time that they need it,” Bender said. “At any point in time, a first- or second-year student can text Willie AI and ask questions and get an answer about resources, locations and information on campus. The second part of what Willie AI does is routine check-ins with students to find out if there are any areas that are particularly challenging for them in a moment.”