February 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.

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

National/International

Local

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

National/International

Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Size to Reach USD 13.93 Billion by 2035 with 8.58% CAGR
02/17/26 Yahoo! Finance
According to SNS Insider, the global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market size was valued at USD 6.12 Billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 13.93 Billion by 2035, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.58% over the forecast period 2026–2035. The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is listed in the major veterinary reference laboratory market companies analysis report.

The cost of waiting to talk about senior care
02/17/26 AOL
Small, ongoing conversations help families stay connected on what matters most, making later care decisions more comfortable and more aligned with a loved one’s wishes. Support from outside the family can also reduce tension and help keep discussions focused on shared goals. Erin Martinez, Ph.D., CFLE, associate professor of gerontology at Kansas State University, says involving a neutral party — such as a family therapist, social worker, or trusted friend — can help facilitate more collaborative decision-making. She also encourages caregivers to draw on local and community-based resources.

State/Regional

K-State Salina one of 32 universities selected for Delta Air Lines' Propel program
02/16/26 KAKE-TV
Kansas State University in Salina has been selected by one of the largest airline employers in the United States to participate in the Delta Propel Career Pathway Program, a university-industry partnership that streamlines students' paths to commercial pilot careers. K-State Salina made the announcement Monday, saying the campus is one of 38 Aviation Accreditation Board International accredited universities selected.

Monday, Feb. 16, 2026

National/International

Tumbleweeds, as symbolic of the Western U.S. as cowboys, are an invasive plant
2/15/2026 KERA News – NPR for North Texas
Although ubiquitous in the Western United States, tumbleweeds are relatively new on the frontier. They are native to Russia and Eastern Europe. Patrick Geier, an instructor of weed science at Kansas State University, says their journey to the United States in the late 1800s might've also burst the wheat belt in the middle of the country.

State/Regional

Recent K-State Graduates Find Widespread Success
2/13/2026 Sunflower State Radio
Kansas State University graduates are launching careers, advancing their education and strengthening the Kansas workforce at record levels, according to the university's latest post-graduation outcomes report. Based on an 80% knowledge rate of fall and spring 2025 graduates, 97% are either employed or continuing their education — a powerful reflection of K-State's commitment to preparing students for life beyond college.

K-State's Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation to be renamed
2/15/2026 Hutch Post
Kansas State University's Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation will be renamed the Western Star Global Grain and Food Center in honor of J.J. Vanier by the next generation of families, following approval from the Kansas Board of Regents at its Feb. 11 meeting.

Local

K-State implements robot into hospitality department
2/15/2026 WIBW
Kansas State University is pairing students with a robot in an on-campus restaurant. "Wabash Cannonbot" is a robot assisting hospitality students. "When they graduate, and they're managing operations, it's not a question of if restaurants and hotels and hospitals are going to use a robot; they're already using them," said Kevin Roberts hospitality professor. The robot can be found at Lacy's Fresh Fare and Catering.

Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

National/International

NSF announces first AI-ENGAGE awards to modernize global agriculture
2/12/26 National Science Foundation
The U.S. National Science Foundation, in coordination with partner agencies from Australia, India and Japan, today announced the first cohort of awards made under the Advancing Innovations for Empowering NextGen AGriculturE (AI-ENGAGE) initiative. This $2.4 million investment supports six international research projects that will harness artificial intelligence and critical emerging technologies to empower farmers and strengthen agricultural resilience across the United States and Indo-Pacific region. K-State's project will implement "Smart Scout," a computer vision system to estimate soybean yield and detect "lodging" (falling over) of crops.

Local

K-State names new dean for college of engineering
2/13/26 The Manhattan Mercury
Following a national search, Kansas State University announced its appointment of Ashfaq Khokhar as dean of the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, effective Aug. 2. “Dr. Khokhar brings exceptional leadership experience, growth-minded vision and high-quality teaching, research and engagement to K-State in the role of dean for the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering,” said Jesse Perez Mendez, provost and executive vice president. “I look forward to working with him to advance the college and university’s strategic vision.”

Lafene to offer 24/7, free virtual mental health care through new partnership
2/11/26 The K-State Collegian
Through a new partnership, Kansas State is offering mental health services through the mobile app, TimelyCare. The app comes free of charge to any enrolled K-State student. “At K-State, we want every student to know they are never alone. TimelyCare allows students —whether they’re in Manhattan, Salina, Olathe or learning online to connect 24/7 with licensed counselors and trained professionals at no cost, with no insurance or copays required," said Thomas Lane, vice president for student life and dean of students.

K-State Salina offering drone training program for farmers
2/13/26 The Salina Journal
Hunter Allison, a K-State Salina UAS flight instructor pilot who will be instructing the Aerial Applications and Regulations course, said the course will teach drone operators how to confidently plan and execute legally compliant aerial application operations while ensuring personal and aircraft safety.

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

National/International

Cotton farmers embracing new technology to boost efficiency
2/11/26 KCBD
Jonathan Aguilar, an engineering specialist at Kansas State University, focuses on turning research into practical applications for farmers. “For a researcher, they may be talking about the probability, the probability of this going into this way, rather than just a yes or a no,” Aguilar said. “Many farmers, particularly in their operation, that decision may just be a few seconds that they have to make, rather than look at all the possibilities, they just say ‘let me know, is it a green or a red?’”

When love lies: How to spot the signs of financial infidelity
2/11/26 Quartz
"It means that you're ashamed of what you're doing, or you feel like you don't have power in your relationship, or you feel like you don't have conflict resolution skills with your partner," Megan McCoy said. "These little indicators of financial infidelity can almost be a sign, and if we could get people to see them, then we could fix it early on."

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

National/International

Pentagon Rebuilds Lost Blueprints To Keep Aging Weapons Systems Operational
2/11/26 Yahoo News
GPIN will partner with Kansas State University to train interns and non-traditional defense contractors to generate technical data packages, including bills of material, computer-aided design models, and quality documentation required for manufacturing.

State/Regional

Historic Kansas Wheat recipe book collection finds home at K-State archives
2/10/26 High Plains Journal
For nearly 60 years, Kansas Wheat recipe books have served as a consumer education tool, helping families prepare wheat-based foods while connecting Kansas farmers with the people who use their product. That legacy is now preserved at Hale Library at Kansas State University, where the full collection is housed for future study and reference.

KidWind Challenge has begun with record number of teams competing throughout Kansas, state finals in Salina
2/10/26 Salina Post
“KidWind is a fantastic hands-on opportunity that allows students to tinker and experiment with wind turbine designs. They experience the thrill of scientific discovery as their designs are validated through performance testing, and they hone their public speaking skills as they present their turbine design to a panel of judges,” explained David Carter, Director of the Kansas Energy Program at K-State Engineering Extension.

Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

National/International

Are Record Carcass Weights Pushing the Supply Chain to Its Limit?
2/6/26 Drovers
AJ Tarpoff encourages the industry to consider welfare investments — comfort, health, mobility and heat mitigation — as economic investments with real returns in performance and risk reduction.

State/Regional

Kansas Sorghum welcomes Rudd as 2026 Collegiate Fellow
2/6/26 High Plains Journal
Carson Rudd is a sophomore at Kansas State University, where he is studying agricultural economics and building a strong foundation in food and agricultural policy. A native of Flora, Indiana, Rudd grew up adjacent to production agriculture, and found a passion for agriculture through FFA and high school agriculture classes.

Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

State/Regional

K-State prepares to host rodeo in new arena
02/05/26 KWCH and WIBW
The Kansas State University Rodeo has a new home for the first time in 50 years. The annual event will take place at the all-new Bilbrey Family Events Center. “Within the United States, I feel like it’s one of the top facilities in the United States,” K-State Rodeo Coach Christi Brauderick said. “Just being here and I’ve been to several throughout the United States and this definitely is at the top.”

Kansas wheat history, archived by K-State's Hale Library
02/05/26 Kansas Wheat
Now housed within the Morse Department of Archives and Special Collections at Kansas State University, the collection of Kansas Wheat recipe books shifts from a kitchen staple to a research resource. The department serves as the official repository for Kansas State University records and a center of research for cookery, Kansas history and the consumer movement. Preserving these recipe books recognizes the role agricultural communications play in forming food knowledge, consumer confidence and understanding of farming practices.

Why do beef prices keep climbing? It’s not just shrinking herds
02/05/26 KSN
The U.S. cattle herd has been shrinking for decades, according to Kansas State University agricultural economist Glynn Tonsor. He said having fewer cattle than the year before is not unusual, noting that the U.S. beef cattle has been in a general decline since the 1970s. “So, it is not new that we have less cows than last year,” he said. “That’s actually a very long-term trend.”

Local

Within Reason with Mike Matson: D.J. Schaefer, Kansas State University grad student
02/06/26 KMAN
D.J. Schaefer, a military veteran and doctoral student in history at K-State, discussed the Kansas State University Missing in Action Recovery and Identification Project — an initiative he is starting at the university to help recover missing U.S. military personnel from past global conflicts through student experiential learning and historical research.

K-State Salina lecture to explore how everyday people can advance the common good
02/05/26 Salina Post
The February Civic Lecture Series discussion at Kansas State University Salina will explore how collective action, shared purpose and people-powered organizing can make a difference across Kansas communities. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, K-State Salina's Civic Lecture Series will feature "The Power of People to Impact the Common Good," a community discussion about what is possible and how everyday people can move the common good forward, together.

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026

State/Regional

Economist, residents have questions about Olathe's financing plan for Chiefs HQ, training facility
02/03/26 KSHB-TV
Kansas State University economics professor Dan Kuester analyzed the city's financial plans and said he found several concerning elements.

Strong consumer demand is driving beef prices despite tighter cattle supplies
02/03/26 High Plains Journal
Consumer’s demand for beef — not just shrinking cattle numbers — is playing a central role in shaping prices and profitability across the U.S. beef supply chain, according to research from Kansas State University agricultural economists.

Local

K-State wildlife expert discusses efforts to reintroduce mussel populations
02/03/26 Manhattan Mercury
If so, consider yourself lucky, because a Kansas State University wildlife expert says that more than half of these species are endangered or threatened in some way.

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026

Local

Moran announces federal funding for K-State Olathe manufacturing program
02/02/26 Manhattan Mercury
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., has secured more than $5 million in federal resources for Kansas State University Olathe to purchase advanced manufacturing equipment. Moran is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science. This funding was approved by Congress as part of a three-bill appropriations package, and it was signed into law by the president on Jan. 23.

Monday, Feb. 2, 2026

State/Regional

K-State's nationally acclaimed online programs position students for lifelong success
2/1/2026 Hutch Post
For today's learners, higher education must be as adaptable as the lives they lead. Built with flexibility at their core, Kansas State University's online programs support learners balancing careers, family responsibilities and full schedules, offering accessible faculty support, self-paced coursework and more.

'We got to deal with it': Kansas ranchers caring for cattle amid cold calving season
1/30/2026 KSN
Todd Gunderson, a clinical assistant professor of beef production medicine at Kansas State University, said calves can be born just about any time of the year. But many farmers selectively breed their herd so babies are born around the same time. For some, winter just works best.

Talking gut health, protein and home cooking
1/30/2026 Great Bend Tribune
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans build on familiar advice – eat more fruits and vegetables, choose whole grains and limit highly processed foods – while sharpening the focus on how Americans cook, combine and choose foods for long-term health, according to a Kansas State University Extension nutrition specialist. Priscilla Brenes, a nutrition and wellness specialist with K-State Extension, said the updated guidelines emphasize gut health, higher-quality protein and cooking skills that support healthier eating at home.

Local

K-State study: Strong consumer demand drives beef prices despite tighter cattle supplies
1/30/2026 The Mercury
Consumer’s demand for beef — not just shrinking cattle numbers — is playing a central role in shaping prices and profitability across the U.S. beef supply chain, according to research from Kansas State University agricultural economists. Brian Coffey, who co-authored a recent paper examining the U.S. retail beef market, said a microeconomic assessment shows consumer preferences have become a powerful driver of market outcomes, even during a period of historically tight supplies.