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.
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.