July 2025
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.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
National/International
Precision mapping tracks woody plant spread across Great Plains grasslands
7/29/2025 Phys.org
Hikers on the Konza Prairie may look up this summer and see something unusual in the air. K-State researchers are employing aerial data in their mission to understand and manage the rapid spread of woody plants across the Great Plains.
State/Regional
Quarter-Scale Tractor Team Takes 2nd at International Competition
7/28/2025 KSAL
Regardless of the type of competition or adversity being faced, preparation is key.
This year’s Helwig Farms Quarter-Scale Tractor Team took that message to heart, leaving Manhattan knowing it had put in the work throughout the academic year to have another successful run at the 28th-annual American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition.
Local
Within Reason with Mike Matson 07-28-25
7/28/2025 1350 KMAN
Marshal Stewart, K-State VP for External Engagement
Ready or not: It’s time to plant the fall vegetable garden
7/29/2025 Manhattan Mercury
“Fall gardens may face additional pressures of pests and heat, but the flavor that comes from these late season crops are often better (than summer crops),” said Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini.
Monday, July 28, 2025
National/International
Canola harvest reveals impressive yields
7/26/2025 AGRI-VIEW
Kansas experienced a robust canola harvest this year, driven by an optimal spring that enhanced crop development and reduced pest and disease pressures. Kansas State University canola breeder Mike Stamm said the collected data now offers valuable insights for refining planting strategies and improving yields in the years ahead. "Overall, it turned out pretty well for most producers," Stamm said. "We saw a great yield of 35 to 45 bushels per acre, with some fields pushing 50 or better." The successful harvest was largely attributed to a favorable weather pattern that included dry conditions in early spring, followed by timely and consistent rainfall through late spring and early summer.
State/Regional
Ants are invading Kansas homes in force this summer. Why and how to get rid of them
7/25/2025 The Kansas City Star
If you're noticing an increase of ant infestations in your Kansas home this summer, two factors could be to blame. According to Jeff Whitworth, entomology professor at Kansas State University, the high temperatures and rainy weather are two reasons you may notice more ants in your home this summer. "Between about 65 and 75, 80 degrees [Fahrenheit is] a perfect temperature for them," Whitworth said. "Once it gets to 90, 95 it gets too hot ... so they try and get out of the heat."
Scout for insects in cotton and corn fields
7/26/2025 Hutch Post
Kansas cotton fields are entering the critical squaring phase, so Kansas State University agronomist Logan Simon and entomologist Anthony Zukoff say timely scouting will be essential to protect yield potential.
Local
K-State agricultural economist appointed to Space Weather Advisory Group to White House
7/25/2025 JC Post
Terry Griffin, professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University and a precision agriculture economist, has been appointed to the second cohort of the Space Weather Advisory Group, a crucial advisory body for the White House Subcommittee on Space Weather Operations, Research and Mitigation, or SWORM. His expertise will contribute to national preparedness against space weather events through 2027.
Friday, July 25, 2025
National/International
NRCS resources help Kansas Flint Hills Ranchers push back the green glacier
7/25/25 Drovers
Prairie on Mushrush Ranch restored via the GPGI thanks to financial assistance from EQIP. The Mushrush brothers highlight the additional soil health impact that rotational grazing has had on their 3,500-acre operation — improving both the soil organic matter and structure. The practices helped the operation cut down on feed costs while increasing the average weight of the cattle. The brothers also worked with NRCS to incorporate rotational grazing into their operation. A partnership with the Nature Conservancy and Kansas State University has helped them implement a virtual fencing tool to efficiently manage the intensity, frequency, timing, duration, and distribution of grazing. The practice helped the operation cut down on feed costs while increasing the average weight of their roughly 1,600 Red Angus cattle.
State/Regional
K-State research takes flight to combat woody encroachment with precision mapping
7/25/25 Sunflower State Radio
Known as woody encroachment, the transformation of open grasslands into shrub and tree-dominated landscapes is impacting biodiversity, livestock forage, water resources and even wildfire risk. “Woody encroachment is a pattern that is happening in grasslands all around the world, where areas that used to be grasses, wildflowers and other herbaceous species are seeing a rapid and large increase in shrubs and trees,” said Zak Ratajczak, assistant professor of biology at K-State. “That’s not to say that all of these changes are negative, but in a lot of these grassy ecosystems, shrubs and trees move in and change things drastically.”
Canola crop shows promise despite challenges
7/25/25 High Plains Journal
Michael Stamm, canola breeder at Kansas State University, said in early July, the major challenges with harvesting have resulted from the multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms and heavy rains at the end of the growing season. Pod shatter from straight-line winds and hail was a problem for shatter-prone varieties.
Cracking the code for insect protein to take off in pet food
7/24/25 Pet Food Industry
“Any plant can be a problem if planted in a location that does not meet its needs,” says Cynthia Domenghini, PhD, an expert in consumer horticulture at Kansas State University. “This includes a location that is too small to accommodate the mature size of a plant. It’s important not to choose a plant without first doing your research. Know the site conditions and choose a plant that fits into that environment.”
Thursday, July 24, 2025
National/International
This 15-minute weekly habit can help you get better with money, therapist says—here’s how
7/23/25 CNBC
Financial anxiety is a looming feeling, often borne of the notion that you’re not doing well enough — for your future self, for someone your age or compared with your peers, says Megan McCoy, a financial therapist and professor at Kansas State University. “Anxiety tends to swirl in our minds all day, especially when it’s about money,” she says. But instead of trying to avoid these feelings or letting them get in the way of other things you want to accomplish, set aside time to deal with them.
Scientists Find a “Silver Lining” to Adult House Flies’ Filthy Behavior
7/23/25 Agricultural Research Service
The Board of Directors of CFP Board announced today that it has elected Martin Seay, Ph.D., CFP® as its 2026 Board Chair-Elect at its July 2025 meeting. Current Chair-Elect Terri Kallsen, CFP® will serve as Chair of the Board of Directors in 2026, and Seay will become Chair of the Board in 2027. Martin Seay, CFP® serves as professor and researcher of personal financial planning at Kansas State University, where he teaches in the CFP Board-registered undergraduate and Ph.D. programs
8 Common Plants That Can Actually Cause Damage to Your Property
7/23/25 Real Simple
“Any plant can be a problem if planted in a location that does not meet its needs,” says Cynthia Domenghini, PhD, an expert in consumer horticulture at Kansas State University. “This includes a location that is too small to accommodate the mature size of a plant. It’s important not to choose a plant without first doing your research. Know the site conditions and choose a plant that fits into that environment.”
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
State/Regional
Wichita Art Museum showcases Gordon Parks' early works in new exhibit
07/22/25 KMUW
Curator Aileen June Wang from the Beech Museum of Art in Manhattan, Kansas, created the exhibition using photographs Gordon Parks donated to K-State in 1973.
Keeping Animals Cool at County Fairs
07/22/25 KSAL
Kansas State University beef extension veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff said it’s important for youth showing livestock to watch animals closely and know the symptoms of heat stress.
Local
K-State pairs artificial intelligence with agriculture at new conference
07/22/25 WIBW
“We have a growing population; at some point we’re going to have to feed the world,” Kansas State University District Extension Agent Rod Schaub said. “Doing it as efficiently as we can is very important.”
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
National/International
Experts issue warning over dangerous insects spreading rapidly across US: 'They're gonna eat everything they can'
07/22/25 The Cool Down
Invasive Japanese beetles have an enormous appetite, and they're out of control in Kansas. The small, shimmering scarab beetles are native to Japan and considered highly invasive in the United States and Europe. Their eggs are laid in the soil, and larvae eat roots underground until temperatures rise. Once they emerge, the beetles voraciously consume leaves. Despite their small size, these beetles have a devastating impact on agriculture. Roots are destroyed by their larvae, and leaves and fruit are eaten by the mature beetles — the entire crop is lost. "When an insect is out for three months, they're gonna eat everything they can," Kansas State University professor Raymond Cloyd told KSNT.
5 Quiet Ways Frugal People Make Their Lives Feel Rich That Cheap People Haven’t Quite Mastered
07/21/25 Your Tango
Many people may not see a difference between being cheap and being frugal, but there are a few ways frugal people make their lives feel rich that cheap people haven't quiet mastered. “A scarcity mindset is a belief system in which a person consistently feels there is never enough of a key resource,” Megan McCoy, PhD, LMFT, a certified financial therapist and assistant professor of personal financial planning at Kansas State University, told WonderMind. Cheapness revolves around withholding, while frugality emphasizes gratitude.
State/Regional
A creepy critter may be to blame for dead spots in your Kansas lawn this summer
07/22/25 The Kansas City Star
Kansas is experiencing less severe drought this year, and it’s no question yards are enjoying the extra moisture after a rainy June. So if you’re still finding brown spots on your lawn this summer, a creepy, crawly nuisance may be to blame. “They’re going to continue probably for another month or two, or even three, depending upon the weather,” Kansas State University entomology professor Jeff Whitworth recently told The Wichita Eagle.
Monday, July 21, 2025
National/International
Beef prices have soared in the US — and not just during grilling season
7/17/2025 AP
It’s the height of grilling season and demand in the U.S. for beef remains strong, which Kansas State agricultural economist Glynn Tonsor said will help keep prices higher. If prices remain this high, shoppers will likely start to buy more hamburger meat and fewer steaks, but that doesn’t appear to be happening broadly yet — and people also don’t seem to be buying chicken or pork instead of beef.
State/Regional
K-State's 'All Things Kansas' Platform Empowers Communities With Local Data Tools
7/16/2025 KCLY
Kansas State University is helping Kansans better understand their communities through All Things Kansas, a free, interactive data platform launched in early 2024. Designed to serve all 105 counties, the tool allows users to access and visualize data critical for local planning, business development, and community growth. Jessica Gnad, director of economic development at K-State, said, "The audience of the platform is anybody in Kansas, but we especially find that it's being used quite a lot by business leaders, community leaders, elected officials, and, of course, extension agents. It's for anybody that just wants to have that better understanding of their home, of their community, or even make comparisons in a region."
K-State veterinarian urges pet owners to stay alert as summer heats up
7/18/2025 Sunflower State Radio
As summer temperatures climb, a Kansas State University veterinarian urges pet owners to take precautions against seasonal hazards to keep their pets safe and healthy. "Summer is a great time to be outside with your pets, but it also comes with some seasonal risks," said Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian at the Veterinary Health Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "By taking a few simple precautions, you can help ensure that your pet stays safe, healthy and happy all season long."
Local
K-State stepping up to the state's water challenges
7/18/2025 The Mercury
Water is the lifeblood of western Kansas agriculture, but it is also a finite resource. As the Ogallala Aquifer declines and rainfall becomes more erratic, farmers across the High Plains are being pushed to rethink how they manage every drop. Groundwater levels in parts of northwest and southwest Kansas have dropped more than 20 feet in the past two decades. … That's where the Testing Ag Performance Solutions program fits in. TAPS is a farmer-driven, research-supported competition that brings together producers, researchers, and industry innovators to explore better ways to manage water, optimize inputs, and sustain the long-term viability of High Plains farms. Kansas State University will host the 2025 TAPS Technology Field Days July 29 and 31 in Colby and Garden City to provide a front-row seat to that work in action.
Explore the future of farming and food systems at K-State's AI in Kansas Ag Conference
7/19/2025 Salina Post
K-State's AI in Kansas Ag Conference on Tuesday, July 22, in Lyndon, Kansas, will delve into how artificial intelligence, or AI, is driving innovation and reshaping the future of farming and food systems. Attendees will learn about cutting-edge technologies and tools for adapting and thriving in a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape, including drones, precision irrigation, automated equipment, data analytics and virtual fencing for cattle.
K-State Supports Innovation at Fort Riley
7/19/2025 KSAL
Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute, or TDI, recently collaborated with Fort Riley during its Victory Week Innovation Challenge, bringing soldiers from the field to the frontlines of innovation. The weeklong challenge, designed to showcase the Big Red One Innovation Program, encouraged soldiers to address challenges facing the army while educating personnel across the base about opportunities to recognize problems and access resources for creating innovative solutions.
Friday, July 18, 2025
National/International
Drone 'hot spots' may create elevated risk for midair collisions
7/17/25 Flying Magazine
Researchers at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research found that drone activity in and around congested airspace may be higher than previously thought. They also discovered that a “sizable number” of drone pilots fly above the FAA-mandated 400-foot ceiling for small uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS)—and, potentially, without authorization.
State/Regional
Washington leaders: Soil health, 'Regenerative' agriculture key to farming's future
7/17/25 Dodge City Globe
Some of the notables at the roundtable were Ray Flickner, who was named as the 2025 Strip-Till Innovator of the Year by Strip-Till Farmer magazine; Blaine Ginther, founder of SureFire Ag, and Chuck Rice, distinguished professor of soil microbiology at Kansas State University.
Local
Technology Development Institute supports innovation at Fort Riley
7/17/25 The Manhattan Mercury
Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute, or TDI, recently collaborated with Fort Riley during its Victory Week Innovation Challenge, bringing soldiers from the field to the frontlines of innovation. The weeklong challenge, designed to showcase the Big Red One Innovation Program, encouraged soldiers to address challenges facing the army while educating personnel across the base about opportunities to recognize problems and access resources for creating innovative solutions.
Dawn Foods invests in K-State bakery science students through new scholarship
7/17/25 Salina Post
Bakery science students at Kansas State University are now eligible for scholarship assistance through a gift from global bakery manufacturer and ingredient supplier Dawn Foods. The Dawn Foods Bakery Science Scholarship is open to undergraduate juniors or seniors and will provide two recipients each with a $5,000 scholarship annually, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
Thursday, July 17, 2025
National/International
Pivot Bio Expands World-Class Scientific Advisory Board
7/17/25 PivotBio
Three distinguished scientists have joined the company’s Scientific Advisory Board, bringing world-renowned expertise in crop physiology, soil microbiology, digital agriculture and resilient, next-gen ag to help shape its innovation agenda. These appointments come as Pivot Bio expands its platform to support the next generation of sustainable crop nutrition technologies.
Fred Below, Ph.D., Bruno Basso, Ph.D., and Chuck Rice, Ph.D. are the newest additions to a world-class group of scientific and industry leaders.
Martin Seay, Ph.D., CFP® Elected 2026 CFP Board Chair-Elect
7/26/25 CFP Board
The Board of Directors of CFP Board announced today that it has elected Martin Seay, Ph.D., CFP® as its 2026 Board Chair-Elect at its July 2025 meeting. Current Chair-Elect Terri Kallsen, CFP® will serve as Chair of the Board of Directors in 2026, and Seay will become Chair of the Board in 2027. Martin Seay, CFP® serves as professor and researcher of personal financial planning at Kansas State University, where he teaches in the CFP Board-registered undergraduate and Ph.D. programs.
State/Regional
Spearville celebrates 150 years
7/14/25 Dodge City Globe (no link available)
K-State students and high school students from Spearvile will use oral histories, alongside primary documents, to create public exhibits celebrating the town’s history.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
National/International
7 in 10 Americans are anxious about money—and earning more won't necessarily help, says therapist
07/15/25 CNBC
While those factors may explain why some people are feeling stressed about money, they don't get to the heart of financial anxiety, says Megan McCoy, a financial therapist and professor at Kansas State University.
State/Regional
New STEAM academy launches for Kansas high school students
07/15/25 KSN.com
Students will complete personalized online coursework through Ad Astra’s virtual platform while participating in immersive labs, engineering simulations, and design challenges at the Cosmosphere. Additional program highlights include:
- Dual-credit opportunities through K-State Salina, Hutchinson Community College, and WSU Tech
- Access to Cosmosphere exhibits, restoration labs, and staff experts
- A senior project presented at a year-end event
Local
Nemaha Central Middle School earns award at World KidWind Competition
7/15/25 WIBW
Kansas KidWind is an energy-related STEM education event from the Kansas Corporation Commission and K-State Engineering Extension, made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Drought-stricken Kansas farmers likely to see ARC payments for 2024 crop
7/15/25 Manhattan Mercury
K-State Extension farm economist Robin Reid and extension assistant Rich Llewelyn said the federal safety net programs for row crop producers who elected ARC in 2024 could benefit from payments this fall.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
National/International
New York might experiment with city-run grocery stores. How do they work?
07/15/25 The Washington Post
Rial Carver, program leader at the Rural Grocery Initiative at Kansas State University, talks about municipal-owned grocery stores in a larger article looking at the potential for New York City run grocery stores.
High heat intensifying water deprivation in confined livestock
07/15/25 The Beef Site
Temperatures ranging from 90s F to triple-digits (32 C to 43 C) are expected through late July and August in many parts of the US and extreme temperatures are being seen around the world. Heat waves of this nature often stress livestock housed outdoors by increasing their water requirements and consumption. Kansas State University veterinary toxicologist Steve Ensley said the consequences of this added need for water can lead livestock to experience water deprivation and salt toxicity.
Monday, July 14, 2025
National/International
Why Your Tomato Plants Have Black Spots—And How To Fix Them
7/14/25 Southern Living
Dr. Marty Draper, current Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies for the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University, suggests a DIY solution for treating leaf spot.3 Mix a heaping tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of vegetable oil, and a small amount of mild dish soap into a gallon of water. Spray tomato plants early in the morning and reapply the mixture regularly to maintain its efficiency.
Local
New Beach Museum of Art signature exhibition spotlights contemporary Kansas art
7/13/25 Salina Post
Kansas State University's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art is celebrating contemporary Kansas artists with the launch of a new Kansas Triennial series and inaugural exhibition.
Friday, July 11, 2025
State/Regional
Should Kansas and Missouri prioritize the Royals over the Chiefs?
7/10/25 The Beacon
Nathaniel Birkhead, an associate professor of political science at Kansas State University, said choosing between the Chiefs and Royals shouldn’t be a financial decision because the finances aren’t great. He said if lawmakers had to choose, they should choose based on which team is more important to constituents and the fabric of the community. “Frankly, if I were to give advice,” Birkhead said, “I would give advice to not actually pay anything for the stadiums.”
Local
K-State master's student harnesses the power of AI to simplify travel
7/10/25 The Manhattan Mercury
Exploring new places can bring immense satisfaction, but travelers know that planning for an amazing trip can be stressful. There's a lot to coordinate, from getting to your destination to figuring out the best spots to explore and eat to finding the best place to lay your head at night, not to mention making sure it's all within your budget. Enter Kansas State University student Raksa Ma, who has developed an award-winning solution that has drawn national acclaim: an AI Travel Concierge System.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
National/International
From Food Aid to Dog Chow? How Trump’s Cuts Hurt Kansas Farmers.
7/8/25 New York Times
Plunging grain prices exert a brutal ripple effect on Kansas’s small towns, Mr. Barnes said. “When you have a million bushels down a dollar in cash, that’s $7 million leaving the area,” Mr. Barnes said, citing a Kansas State University study.
State/Regional
Kansas State University students earn spring semester honors
Concordia Blade-Empire 7/8/25
Nearly 4,600 Kansas State University students have earned semester honors for their academic performance in the spring 2025 semester.
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
National/International
U.S. News & World Report ranked 2 Kansas universities higher than last year
07/08/25 Yahoo.com
Two colleges ranked higher on a national ranking list than last year. U.S. News & World Report ranked 436 national public universities based on class sizes, graduation rate and other factors. Out of the four Kansas Universities, Kansas State University and Wichita State University ranked higher this year than last year's list, and the University of Kansas and Baker University ranked lower.
5 credit card marketing tricks — and what you should know about them
07/07/25 AOL
Credit card experts are full of tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your credit cards. Card issuers have their own tips and tricks – but they work a little bit differently than what the experts will tell you. “Credit card marketing is effective because it taps deeply into how we think, feel and behave around money,” says Megan McCoy, a certified financial therapist and assistant professor of personal financial planning at Kansas State University.
A solar storm’s billion-dollar agricultural toll and the race to fortify GPS systems
07/07/25 Natural News
In May 2024, a severe solar storm dubbed the Gannon Solar Storm disrupted GPS signals across the U.S., inflicting over $565 million in agricultural losses — the costliest impact yet recorded on American farmers. The storm, named after deceased space scientist Jennifer Gannon, occurred during the peak planting season in the Midwest, sending GPS-guided tractors spiraling off course by hundreds of feet. Terry Griffin, a Kansas State University economist, noted that 70% of U.S. planted acres use GPS automation, leaving few alternatives when systems fail: “We no longer use physical road markers. Without GPS, machinery the size of our current equipment can’t be manually navigated.”
Monday, July 7, 2025
National/International
Why beef prices have hit a record
7/4/25 The New York Times and Wichita Eagle
Ranchers reported strong profits in 2014 and expanded their herds over the next five to six years, said Ted Schroeder, an agricultural economics professor at Kansas State University.
May 2024 solar storm cost $500 million in damages to farmers, new study reveals
7/4/25 Live Science
The erratic behavior of GPS-guided farming machinery caused by the Gannon solar storm cost American farmers in the U.S. midwest more than $500 million, according to Terry Griffin, a professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University.
State/Regional
Why your backyard bug zapper hurts the ecosystem, not pesky mosquitoes
7/4/25 Kansas City Star
Markis Hill is a horticulture agent with Kansas State University Research and Extension.
KSU students earn spring 2025 semester honors
7/4/25 Salina Post
Nearly 4,600 Kansas State University students have earned semester honors for their academic performance in the spring 2025 semester.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
National/International
The US plans to begin breeding billions of flies to fight a pest. Here is how it will work
7/2/25 Associated Press
In one sense, raising a large colony of flies is relatively easy, said Cassandra Olds, an assistant professor of entomology at Kansas State University. But, she added, “You’ve got to give the female the cues that she needs to lay her eggs, and then the larvae have to have enough nutrients.”
New York Is Hungry for a Big Grocery Experiment
7/2/25 The Atlantic and MSN
"It’s a retention strategy, but it’s also a recruitment strategy,” Rial Carver, the program leader at Kansas State University’s Rural Grocery Initiative, told me.
State/Regional
Could Wichita’s rainy June mean more mosquitoes this summer? What an expert says
Wichita Eagle 7/2/25
“Most of the life stages of mosquitoes occur in water,” Raymond Cloyd, entomology professor with Kansas State University, recently told The Eagle. “So anytime there’s moisture and the temperatures hover between 70 and 80 degrees, that’s going to be conducive for development of the mosquitoes. Especially areas of where the stagnant water or warm water accumulates, those are areas that are prime breeding grounds for most mosquitoes.”
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
National/International
What Do Dementia Patients Think About?
6/9/2025 A Place for Mom
"As dementia begins and progresses, the person will notice their increasing memory difficulties and will be aware that they're struggling to cognitively function as they used to," explains Erin Martinez, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Gerontology at Kansas State University. In situations where your loved one struggles to do something they used to know how to do, fear and frustration — coupled with a new difficulty in verbally expressing confusion — can result in aggression. "It's entirely normal and common to experience a range of complex emotions in response to these challenges, including frustration, anger, sadness, and denial," Dr. Martinez says.
State/Regional
Eating while in pain
7/1/2025 High Plains Journal
When seated at the dinner table, it is easy to detect who are the fast eaters in the group. But if those people are unwell, the desire to eat and the amount of food consumed can change. While that is true for people, cattle also change their eating habits when they are uncomfortable, say the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. Changes in eating habits when cattle are managing an injury was the topic of discussion on a recent Cattle Chat podcast. The experts spoke with guest doctoral graduate student and veterinarian Jordana Zimmermann, who is conducting a trial focused on how fast cattle eat when they are in pain.
Local
Moran, Starkey Selected to Aviation HOF
7/1/2025 KSAL
The Dean of K-State Salina and the senior U.S. Senator from Kansas will both be inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame. According to the organization, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and Dr. Alysia Starkey, Dean & CEO of Kansas State University Salina are among four who will be inducted as part of the class of 2025. The other two inductees include Mark Schlegel, accomplished pilot and aviation leader, and Rick Hamlin, lifelong advocate and contributor to Kansas aviation.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
National/International
Here’s A Sample Of The Common Readers Colleges Are Assigning This Year
07/01/25 Forbes
Kansas State University’s 2025 common read is "Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World" by Vivek H. Murthy, who served as the 19th and 21st U.S. Surgeon General. The book examines loneliness as a public health concern and offers suggestions for how people can form more social connections in their lives. "'Together' is a powerful choice for the K-State First Book because it sparks vital conversations about the importance of connection and community," said Brianne Heidbreder, director of K-State First and associate professor of political science. "It is a reminder that one of our greatest strengths lies in how we care for and show up for one another."
New wheat varieties may reduce the need for bread additive
06/30/25 AGDAILY
A new trio of Oklahoma State University wheat varieties might just be the food solution for consumers interested in fewer additives — the substances added to food products during processing to help improve color, texture, flavor, or, in the case of bread, dough quality. Flour from the OSU varieties Paradox, Breadbox and Firebox (dubbed the OX varieties) appears to provide an uncommonly high level of dough strength while maintaining varying levels of extensibility. Research on the Paradox wheat variety and its siblings continues through the combined efforts of OSU and Kansas State University.
Tar Spot confirmed in Kansas cornfields for 2025, K-State pathologist urges early scouting
07/01/25 Farmtalk News
Tar spot, a fungal disease that has steadily established itself in Kansas cornfields over the past few years, has been detected again in the state, with the first confirmed report of 2025 occurring June 11 in northeast Kansas. “I think we have learned a lot in the last (few) years in terms of distribution and management,” K-State Row Crop Pathologist Rodrigo Onofre said. “It is one of the corn diseases that we see survive in corn residue, so folks that have seen this spot before are going to be dealing with this disease for a long time.”