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, July 20, 2026
National/International
K-State Wildlife Expert Shares Tips For Raccoon Control
7/19/2026 Global Agriculture
Raccoon populations in Kansas and the Great Plains have been increasing over the last 40 years. As they become more abundant, the problems they cause around the home garden also rise. Ever-so-clever, it seems as though raccoons harvest sweet corn right before it is to be picked. Kansas State University wildlife expert Drew Ricketts says fencing may be the best way to prevent raccoons from stealing the year's harvest.
Late Rains, Tight Windows Challenge Weed Control in Kansas Row Crops
7/17/2026 MorningAgClips
Growing up on a Nebraska cow-calf operation, Tasha Macholan saw how drought and changing pasture conditions could complicate livestock management. Now a Kansas State University graduate student in the Department of Animal Science and Industry, she is studying whether one routine management decision — where producers place cattle supplement — could improve calf performance while helping manage invasive Old World bluestem.
State/Regional
K‑State Graduate Layne McAfee's Goal Is To Use Art To Build Up Kansas Communities
7/17/2026 Sunflower State Radio
One of Layne McAfee's favorite experiences growing up was seeing the art her grandma made be a cornerstone of the thriving art community in rural Jefferson County. It's one of the reasons why McAfee, as a Kansas State University student, leveraged her coursework in art, marketing and museum studies to continue to build that community as a volunteer with the Old Jefferson Town museum in Oskaloosa.
Data and drones helping farmers squeeze more from every acre
7/17/2026 Rural Messenger
As Kansas wheat harvest wraps up, producers are leaving the field with something just as valuable as the grain in their trucks: data that can drive smarter decisions for years to come. Deepak Joshi, a precision agriculture specialist at Kansas State University, said yield data collected by combine harvesters is one of the most powerful tools on today's farms. "This is a really important time as growers are harvesting their wheat, and they’re going to be collecting a lot of yield data from their field," Joshi said. "Those yield data can tell us so many different stories about their field. It's not only about the total yield."
Local
HCF's "Garden for Good" grows produce, opportunity and support
7/18/2026 Hutch Post
Twenty-five incarcerated residents participate in the gardening program, with each maintaining a small personal garden plot in addition to working in the community garden. Participants have already earned Master Gardener certification through K-State Research and Extension, while another group is currently working toward certification.
Air Force pilot shares career lessons at K-State Salina
7/18/2026 Salina Journal
Students at Kansas State University Salina had the chance to learn from a leader in military aviation planning, according to a community announcement. Air Force Col. Matthew Shelly, a 2005 K-State Salina graduate, returned to campus as this year's Alumni Fellow to share his experiences and insights with students and faculty. Shelly currently serves as chief of plans for United States Pacific Command in Honolulu.