Kansas State University

K-State in the news — June 2024

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, June 28, 2024

National/International

A biodefense project rises on the plains
06/27/24 Axios Science
Various K-State researchers and initiatives were featured in Axios Science's weekly newsletter, which covered biosecurity, biodefenese and biomanufacturing efforts in the Manhattan area.

How Bad Weather Forecasts Can Make Your Groceries More Expensive
06/28/24 Green Queen
“If you have a very severe drought in the Corn Belt … that’s going to be the biggest deal, because that’s gonna raise the cost of production for cattle, hogs, poultry,” said Jennifer Ifft, an agricultural economist at Kansas State University. “So that would probably have the largest inflationary impacts.”

State/Regional

Kansas forced Colorado to stop irrigating 25,000 acres of farmland. Was it too soon to put them in the same room?
06/27/24 The Colorado Sun
Christopher Redmond, assistant meteorologist at Kansas State University’s Weather Data Library, said current weather models show another La Niña is brewing, meaning Colorado and Kansas farmers can expect longer dry periods with heavier but less-penetrating rainfall, “which puts higher demands on the Ogallala Aquifer.” 

Solar storms a potentially costly risk for GPS agriculture
06/26/24 KMIT
The solar storms that knocked out GPS networks in early May — prime planting time in the Midwest — cost farmers a “nontrivial” amount of revenue that depends on how long their equipment was sidetracked, said Terry Griffin, a Kansas State University professor.

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

National/International

Exploring literary landscapes: MA programmes in literature at Kansas State University
06/26/24 Study International 
At Kansas State University’s (K-State) Department of English, students explore this power and more, becoming well-read, well-connected, and well-prepared graduates. 

State/Regional

K-State entomologist receiving reports of black widow, brown recluse spiders
06/25/24 High Plains Journal
For the first time in about a decade, Kansas State University entomologist Jeff Whitworth is answering calls about the black widow spider.

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

National/International

Rural Grocery Summit tackles hunger insecurity in rural areas
06/25/24 WSFA-TV
The National Rural Grocery Summit will explore efforts to find hunger solutions in rural areas on Monday and Tuesday. The summit is hosted by the Kansas State University research group Rural Grocery Initiative. This group supports locally-owned grocery stores in rural areas and improves access to healthy foods by identifying, developing, and sharing resources that support grocers and rural communities. Rural communities make up 63% of all U.S. Counties and almost 90% of counties with the highest food insecurity rates.

The long game and urgency of the Ogallala Aquifer playing out now for Dr. Susan Metzger
06/25/24 Iowa PBS
Water is at the center of everything and in agriculture, particularly regions that depend on sources other than the sky, there is a long game and urgency at play in nearly every decision. Dr. Karen Metzger holds several titles at Kansas State including being the director of Strategic Interdisciplinary Program Development, Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment and the Kansas Water Institute along with the Institute for Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics (ID3A) - Engagement. She’s in the middle of regional and statewide efforts to balance agriculture and its intersection with the environment with nutrient runoff and even carbon sequestration. The focus here is mostly on the Ogallala’s future.

State/Regional

Four Kansas Counties Reporting Tar Spot in Corn
06/25/24 Farms.com
A fungal disease that hampered corn production in 12 Kansas counties last year is back. Kansas State University plant pathologist Rodrigo Onofre said tar spot has already been found in four northeast Kansas counties – Doniphan, Atchison, Jefferson and Nemaha. Those four were among the 12 counties that reported tar spot in 2023, but the disease is showing up about a month earlier this time.

Monday, June 24, 2024

National/International

Groundbreaking: A Story of Innovation
6/22/2024 A&E Networks
Kansas State University research was referenced in this recent special on A&E Networks. "GroundBreaking" takes the audience on a journey of discovery as it traces the roots of one of America's largest crops to the modern-day innovations powered by soy.

4 universities shaping tomorrow's computer science leaders
6/21/2024 Study International
The Department of Computer Science at Kansas State University (K-State) prepares students for advanced positions in the computing industry through world-class faculty, world-class research and world-class education. Ranked among the top 110 computer science schools in the country, the department is where graduate students are empowered and have gone on to become problem-solvers, team players and leaders.

Bird flu is highly lethal to some animals, but not to others. Scientists want to know why.
6/23/2024 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Then there’s the issue of susceptibility. Flu virus need to be able to latch onto cells before they can invade them. "If it doesn't get into a cell, nothing happens. ... The virus just swims around," explained Juergen Richt, a researcher at Kansas State University.

State/Regional

*K-State veterinarians perform eye exams for service animals in record numbers
6/23/2024 KSAL and JC Post
A record-breaking number of Kansas service animals are now cleared for their vital work, thanks to the work of Kansas State University veterinarians. The ophthalmology team at K-State’s Veterinary Health Center saw a record number of patients during the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists/Epicur Pharma National Service Animal Eye Exam event in May. This was the service’s 15th year participating in the national event, which provides complimentary eye exams for service and working animals each May.

Local

*EDGE District unveils new office building with plans to create 5,000 jobs by 2035
6/21/2024 The Mercury
K-State officials on Thursday held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Edge District’s newest office building at 1960 Kimball Ave. KSU Foundation senior vice president Greg Lohrentz detailed the importance of the newest addition. "This building before us will provide hope for nearly 250 new employees," he said. The Edge District also features Rockin K's restaurant and a Brothers Coffee Co. location. The district has brought in approximately 1,400 new jobs to date, and some predict a total of 5,000 new jobs by 2035.

Kansas Profile: Stephanie Switzky leads initiative to teach indigenous literature
6/22/2024 The Mercury
Stephanie Switzky is an English and literature teacher at Royal Valley High School in Hoyt. She is leading an initiative to teach Native American and other indigenous literature in her school. … Switzky's continued research led her to Lisa Tatonetti at Kansas State University. "I sent her an email and she emailed me right back," Switzky said. Tatonetti is a K-State distinguished teaching scholar and professor of English who has a specialty in indigenous literature. Tatonetti mentored and encouraged Switzky as Switzky developed curriculum for an indigenous literature high school course. They met weekly on Zoom for nine months. "Dr. Tatonetti has been incredibly generous with her time and knowledge," Switzky said. "I learned a ton as we read and discussed and read and discussed some more."

Friday, June 21, 2024

National/International

Farming revolution coming – just slowly
6/21/24 Agri-View
Drones can reveal if a crop is stressed or facing other issues that aren’t visible from the side of the road, said Jonathan Aguilar, an irrigation engineer and associate professor with Kansas State University. “Some farmers have tried drones before and the way they saw it was ‘it’s just another pretty picture,’” he said. “We are trying to make sure those pictures are actually information that they could make action out of.”

Local

*KSU Foundation and the community held ribbon cutting for new Edge District office building
6/20/24 WIBW
Partner tenants will leverage the strengths of K-State while contributing industry expertise to academic and research efforts and streamlining student talent recruitment. With flexible office space for 250 employees, the building will increase the Edge District’s total office and laboratory space to 300,000 square feet.

*EDGE District unveils new office building looking to create 5,000 jobs by 2035
6/20/24 KMAN
K-State senior vice president and chief of staff Marshall Stewart says this project being completed is just the start. “We’re going to celebrate this and it’s very exciting,” he said. “However, this is just the start of something very special for our university and the region.” Stewart says around 1,400 jobs have been initially created with this project and the goal is to have about 5,000 jobs created by 2035. feet.

 

Thursday, June 20, 2024

National/International

9 Black Mulch Landscaping Ideas
6/18/24 Family Handyman
Mulching around the base of a tree has a nice look, as seen here in this video from @archboldlandscaping—but it can also improve the health of your trees and make them grow faster. According to Kansas State University “Research has proven that, over time, a mulch ring placed three to six feet around the tree can almost double the growth rate of the tree.”

Local

*U.S. News and World Report ranks K-State engineering programs among best graduate programs in nation
6/19/24 WIBW
U.S. News and World Report ranked the Kansas State University engineering programs among the best graduate programs in the nation.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

National/International

Bird flu not lethal to all animals
06/18/24 The Columbian
Juergen Richt, a researcher at K-State, contributes to the discussion of bird flu and how it spreads to different species. In the last two years, bird flu has been blamed for the deaths of millions of wild and domestic birds worldwide. It’s killed legions of seals and sea lions, wiped out mink farms, and dispatched cats, dogs, skunks, foxes and even a polar bear. But it seems to have hardly touched people.

Meet Mithila Jugulam, incoming Pest Management Science Co-Editor-in-Chief
06/18/24 Journal of the Science of Food & Agriculture
As Professor Mithila Jugulam steps into the role of Co-EiC on SCI’s journal Pest Management Science, she shares insights into her journey to becoming a leading researcher in her field and her vision for the future evolution of the long-established journal. Jugulam and her team at Kansas State University, where she is Professor of Weed Physiology and Molecular Biology, have carried out work on the evolution and mechanisms of herbicide resistance that has been recognized around the world.

State/Regional

Four Inane Questions with 79Roze Dress Shop’s LaToya Rozof
06/18/24 The Pitch
Armed with a B.S. in Apparel and Textile Marketing from Kansas State University, LaToya Rozof is dedicated to building a brand that resonates with women everywhere. Her goal? “To shatter outdated beauty standards and empower women to love their bodies,” she says. At her clothing store, 79Roze Dress Shop, she wants ladies to know she’s become a haven for fashionable and affordable clothing that celebrates all shapes. 

*Kansas State University invests $210M into College of Agriculture infrastructure project
06/18/24 KSHB-KC
Kansas State University is raising funds to complete its Agriculture Innovation Initiative. The $210 million infrastructure project includes three new buildings and renovations to two iconic university halls. By mid-summer 2026, the university will have three new buildings: The Agronomy Research and Innovation Center, Bilbrey Family Event Center and Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation. It will also make major renovations to Weber and Call Halls.

Monday, June 17, 2024

National/International

The strange economics of pig meat: Ham prices are down, but bacon's up
06/17/24 CNN
Glynn Tonsor, a professor in the department of agriculture economics at Kansas State University suggests that if you zoom out, pork prices are indeed going up across the board.

State

K-State Salina Brings No-Cost STEM Training for K-12 Educators
06/17/24 Sunflower State Radio
The next generation of Kansas scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians needs quality experiences and knowledgeable teachers, and Kansas State University Salina has helped lead the way through several recent STEM educational opportunities to support K-12 educators.

Local

Annual garden tour to feature 5 homes in 35th year
06/16/24 KMAN
Set for June 22 and put on by K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners, the tour will feature five home gardens, two community gardens and the K-State gardens. The theme of this year’s tour is “Nature Scapes.” Colleen Hampton, a K-State Research and Extension Master Gardener organizing the tour said she, like many other gardeners, loves to get out into nature to de-stress and to see the wildlife the plants attract. She said this tour gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.

Friday, June 14, 2024

Local

K-State alumna Lauren Harness named new director of Kansas City Design Center
06/13/24 The Manhattan Mercury
“Kansas City and the KCDC are essential to APDesign at K-State,” said Michael McClure, dean of the college, “We are thrilled to have Lauren Harness as our new director. We welcome her back to K-State and look forward to the energy and leadership she will bring in improving Kansas City through applied planning and design research.”

*Local expert reminds dog owners to keep pets safe during heat advisory
06/13/24 KMAN
With extremely hot temperatures approaching Manhattan, a K-State veterinary professor reminds residents to keep their furry friends safe in the heat. Susan Nelson is the clinical professor in the Pet Health Center at K-State, and said certain dog breeds can be at a greater risk.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

National/International 

Red states strike deals to show controversial conservative videos in schools
06/13/24 The Washington Post
When Adrienne McCarthy, a researcher at Kansas State University, published an analysis of PragerU’s college-level materials in 2022, she found prominent themes included small government, opposition to the welfare state and pushback against movements such as Black Lives Matter. She concluded PragerU “mimics much of the extreme right-wing ideology in a way that is more readily digestible.”

'Giant Rat' Caught on Film in New York City Bodega?
06/12/24 Snopes
Kansas State University Associate Professor Adam Ahlers, who had researched muskrat populations, told Snopes via email the animal was a muskrat, an amphibious rodent. "That is a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). I'm 100 percent sure of this," Ahlers said.

State/Regional

‘Precision Ag’ promised a farming revolution. It’s coming, just slowly
06/13/24 St. Louis Public Radio
Drones can reveal if a crop is stressed or facing other issues that aren’t visible from the side of the road, said Jonathan Aguilar, an irrigation engineer and associate professor with Kansas State University.

Local

*K-State Salina students elects Student Governing Association president, vice president
06/12/24 WIBW
K-State Salina officials said the newly elected Student Governing Association president and vice president at Kansas State University Salina are ready to implement their ideas for the 2024-2025 school year.

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

National/International 

How forecasts of bad weather can drive up your grocery bill
06/12/24 Popular Science
It’s something Jennifer Ifft, an agricultural economist at Kansas State University, is also thinking about. “If you have a very severe drought in the Corn Belt … that’s going to be the biggest deal, because that’s gonna raise the cost of production for cattle, hogs, poultry,” said Ifft. “So that would probably have the largest inflationary impacts.”

State/Regional

KDA celebrates Governor Kelly signing bill that amends Kansas Pesticide Law
06/11/24 WIBW
In addition, KDA will work with K-State Research and Extension to develop training and testing materials as outlined in the bill.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

State/Regional

Dairy facilities expert named 2024 Kansas Dairy Leader
06/11/24 The Farmer
When he first came to Kansas State University more than 40 years ago, Joseph “Joe” P. Harner III taught sewing machine repair workshops as part of his Extension outreach. It may not entirely have been in his wheelhouse as a state agricultural engineering Extension specialist, but it was information the people needed, and he was there to serve. That dedication to Kansas farmers and farm families in finding solutions that would improve their lives at home and on the farm was just one of the many reasons why the Kansas Dairy Association Board recognized Harner as its 2024 Kansas Dairy Leader, during its annual meeting March 22 in Manhattan, Kan.

Monday, June 10, 2024

State/Regional

TAR SPOT FOUND IN KANSAS, 2024's FIRST REPORTED CASE IN U.S.
6/7/2024 Brownfield
Low levels of tar spot have been confirmed in some corn fields in Kansas. Dr. Rodrigo Onofre, row crops specialist at Kansas State University's Department of Plant Pathology, says, "It's a month earlier than what we found in 2023," he said. "We just confirmed tar spot in two counties here in Kansas, Doniphan County and Atchison County." He says this is the first documented report of tar spot in the U.S. for the 2024 growing season. "We're finding that growth stage from V3 to V10."

Local

Danger near the bird feeder? K-State wildlife expert urges caution
6/8/2024 JC Post
Bird feeders are a great way to enjoy nature without leaving your front porch, and many homeowners understand the joys of seeing multiple bird species frequent the feeders. But Kansas State University wildlife specialist Drew Ricketts said bird feeders also can attract predators and other wildlife into your yard. For example, racoons are seven times more likely to enter the yard and deer are two times more likely if you have a bird feeder.

Rx for Roses: Gardeners reporting cases of rosette virus, blackspot
6/7/2024 Salina Post
Rose rosette virus and rose blackspot have been reported in several Kansas counties, causing signs of stress on many rose plants this spring. If you are concerned because your garden's roses are looking a bit stressed right now, you might not be alone. Kansas State University horticultural expert Cynthia Domenghini said gardeners in several Kansas counties are reporting problems with their roses due to the rosette virus or rose blackspot.

Friday, June 7, 2024

State/Regional

Scientists tackling liver abscesses in beef on dairy cows
6/6/24 High Plains Journal
Dr. T.G. Nagaraja, university distinguished professor of microbiology at Kansas State University, is coordinating his research with Woerner’s. Nagaraja received a $248, 641 grant (matched to $497, 282) to evaluate biochemical fingerprinting in blood plasma collected from beef cattle with and without liver abscesses.

K-State Olathe unveils student success center in anticipation of increased enrollment
6/6/24 Olathe Reporter
The Kansas State University - Olathe campus opened its new student success center Thursday, providing extra study and gathering spaces for the campus’s growing population. The new center is located on the second floor of the main K-State Olathe building, and houses large gathering spaces, smaller study rooms and office’s for the school’s student success coaches.

Local

*From idea to market – director talks bringing together ideas and developers through KSU Institute
6/6/24 KSNT
Commercialization Director for Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute, Bret Lanz, spoke on building the connection between entrepreneurs and engineers, setting up students for lifelong success, bringing a product to market and more.

Frequency of droughts could increase in Northeast Kansas
6/6/24 WIBW
“Drought is a period of abnormal precipitation, usually combined with heat as well, that stresses vegetation and typically expands just beyond the short term, tends to be a little bit longer term,” said Christopher Redmond, a Meteorologist from Kansas State University’s Weather Data department.

Manhattan Zoo to celebrate 70th birthday of Susie the chimpanzee
6/6/24 WIBW
Being the oldest living chimpanzee in human care does add additional caretaking, but routine monitoring by zookeeping staff along with the exotic animal veterinary staff of Kansas State University is ongoing.

*K-State Salina faculty and staff members celebrated with annual awards
6/6/24 The Manhattan Mercury
Kansas State University Salina recognized five faculty and staff members with annual awards for their achievements, innovations and leadership.

Thursday, June 6, 2024

National/International

Huge amounts of bird-flu virus found in raw milk of infected cows
6/5/24 Nature
The findings suggest that minimizing exposure to raw milk could be an important way to prevent transmission. But the enormous scale of US milking operations means that stopping the spread will be complicated, says Juergen Richt, a veterinary virologist at Kansas State University in Manhattan.

Particle size and benefits of pelletizing
6/5/24 Asian Agribiz
Chad Paulk, Associate Professor at Kansas State University, is a strong advocate for feed pelletizing. He identified various benefits, including improved palatability, enhanced animal performance, easier handling, reduced wastage, prevention of selective feeding, minimized ingredient segregation, and decreased presence of pathogenic organisms. 

Local

*K-State Salina Honors Faculty, Staff
6/5/24 KSAL
Kansas State University Salina is celebrating its faculty and staff members for their hard work and dedication during the 2023-2024 academic year. The campus has recognized five faculty and staff members with annual awards for their achievements, innovations and leadership.

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

State/Regional

Drought Impacted Fields Need Supplemental Equipment
06/04/24 KSAL.com
Drought plaguing parts of Kansas created shorter wheat plants and thinner crop stands this year. In turn, Kansas State University wheat production specialist Romulo Lollato advises growers to make adjustments at harvest time.

Local 

Invasive tree-eating insect expands in northeast Kansas
06/04/24 KSNT
Kansas State University’s Research & Extension Office issued a news release on the discovery in late May, stating that emerald ash borers are confirmed in the City of Emporia as of May 24

*K-State researchers announce clinical study for improved lung cancer treatment
06/04/24 1350 KMAN
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed an improved treatment for lung cancer.

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

National/International

New tool diagnoses PRRS quicker than before
06/04/24 dvm360
Veterinary diagnostic laboratories are now utilizing a new web-based diagnostic tool to help quickly detect porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). The syndrome is a highly contagious virus that costs the United States swine industry 100s of millions of dollars annually, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Kansas State University is one of the institutions utilizing a $1 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The laboratories and academic institutions are using the Swine Disease Reporting System (SDRS) to rapidly detect any new strains of PRRS. 

Best Student Checking Accounts
06/04/24 WalletHub
Cory Thompson, Instructor in Personal Financial Planning at Kansas State University, weighed in on the best student checking accounts available. Thompson gave advice for students looking for a new checking account, what mistakes are commonly made while choosing a checking account and important things to look for when comparing student checking accounts.

State/Regional

*KSU researchers announce clinical study for improved lung cancer treatment
06/04/24 Junction City Post
A team of Kansas State University researchers has developed an improved treatment for lung cancer, and project collaborators have completed the first procedure in Australia as part of a clinical study. The improved bronchoscopic microwave ablation treatment could treat small lung tumors in a single-session procedure that would improve patient safety and reduce cost. The clinical study is designed to assess the safety and technical feasibility of the phenoWave microwave ablation system.

*KSRE — Drought affected wheat fields call for supplemental equipment
06/04/24 Junction City Post
Drought plaguing parts of Kansas created shorter wheat plants and thinner crop stands this year. In turn, Kansas State University wheat production specialist Romulo Lollato advises growers to make adjustments at harvest time. “This year, the biggest cause for short wheat has been drought stress,” he said. “During springtime, the crop starts to go through a phase called stem elongation. That’s when plant height is determined. In certain areas, there was virtually no moisture, which caused the plants to be short.”

Monday, June 3, 2024

National/International

Why U.S. News & World Report ranked these colleges best in Kansas
5/31/2024 Yahoo! News and The Topeka Capital-Journal
K-State is ranked second in the state and 170th nationally. The university is located in Manhattan and has an acceptance rate of 95%. In the Top Public Schools category, KSU ranks 91 out of 221. About 47% of students graduate in four years. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1 and 48% of the university's classes have 20 or fewer students.

Role Call: Universities, schools partner to train more qualified teachers, but shortage persists
5/31/24 WLRN Public Media
Across Florida, school districts and universities are partnering on potential solutions to the state's pervasive teacher shortage — among the worst in the nation. "They are providing more teachers into the workforce, but the number of teachers they're providing is fairly small, relative to the size of the teacher labor market in Florida," said Tuan Nguyen, a researcher from Kansas State University. "It's moving the needle, but only a very, very small amount relative to the number of vacancies you have."

State/Regional

*K-State breaks ground on Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation
5/31/2024 High Plains Journal
Kansas State University’s College of Agriculture broke ground on the third building of its Agriculture Innovation Initiative on May 17. The Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation, which will connect Weber Hall and Call Hall on the northeast corner of the Manhattan campus when completed in fall 2026, will provide a new home for the university's grain science department.

*K-State lands $6M grant led by Feed the Future Innovation Lab on Sustainable Intensification
5/31/2024 Spot On Colorado
Kansas State University officials have cited a Manhattan-based innovation lab's "decade of success" in providing global food security as key to a $6 million award announced recently by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

K-State PhD student branches out from farming roots for studies
6/1/2024 Enid News & Eagle
"I realized that there's a really big need for students to look into livestock markets and meat markets. That's what led me here to working with my adviser, Dr. Glynn Tonsor," Luke said. "I came here thinking I wanted to work in livestock and meat, but then I got an internship with the USDA in the Office of the Chief Economist. One of my main projects with that internship was working on understanding the economic component of livestock enteric emissions." Enteric emissions are released into the atmosphere by ruminant livestock as part of their digestive process. The beef industry is facing calls for change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cattle and other livestock. The solution? Luke believes feed additives may be a way forward. In controlled feeding environments like feedlots, she's studying potential producer adoption of an additive which can be consumed by cattle to reduce emissions.

 

*Note: Asterisks indicate clips that resulted from recent news releases or pitches from Communications and Marketing.