March 2026
K-State in the news
Some of the top stories mentioning Kansas State University are posted below. Download an Excel file (xlsx) with all of this month's news stories.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
State/Regional
Free K-State open house this Saturday: Tours, labs, and hands‑on demos Toggle header content03/30/26 KSNW-TV
Holly Gerke with the K-State Office of Recruitment and Admissions stopped by KSN News at Noon on Monday, March 30, to talk about K-State's upcoming open house event on Saturday, April 4.
K-State to show new documentary highlighting food insecurity in Kansas town
03/30/26 WIBW
K-State will show a new documentary from its award-winning Hungry Heartland Project and Engaged Stories Lab that examines issues of food access in Garden City. According to K-State, “Sharing the Harvest” highlights local organizations and community leaders in Garden City who are working to bridge the gap for families struggling with food insecurity. The documentary is a collaborative effort between Tom Hallaq, associate professor in the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication, and Valerie Padilla Carroll, professor and interim head of the Department of Social Transformation Studies. Three student interns, funded by the Chapman Center for Rural Studies, provided research and production support.
Spring grilling season brings renewed focus on food safety
03/30/26 High Plains Journal
As warmer weather draws people outdoors, food safety should remain top of mind for anyone firing up the grill this spring, said Karen Blakeslee, a food scientist and coordinator of the Rapid Response Center for Food Science at Kansas State University. Blakeslee emphasizes that proper food handling begins with a simple but critical step: washing hands. “When you’re getting ready to prepare food, whether it’s in your kitchen or outdoors … wash your hands,” she said. “It’s very simple to do, and it can really prevent a whole lot of problems.”
Monday, March 30, 2026
National/International
ORAU University Consortium grows to 172 institutions with the addition of 13 new members
3/24/2026 ORAU
Seven universities joined the ORAU University Consortium as sponsoring institutions. Sponsoring institutions must be a non-profit accredited institution of higher learning granting doctoral degrees in areas of interest to ORAU and its members. Kansas State University is a public, non-profit institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a Carnegie Research University R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production with major research areas in life sciences, engineering, and physical sciences.
State/Regional
K-State working on potential bird flu vaccine for chickens
3/27/2026 KSN
Researchers at Kansas State University are working to adapt a bird flu vaccine originally developed for cattle to one that can protect poultry. The research team at the College of Veterinary Medicine previously developed a vaccine designed to guard cattle against bovine parainfluenza and bovine viral diarrhea, then adjusted it so it could protect against bird flu, too. Scientists have already tested the technology in pigs and are now studying whether it can be used to prevent bird flu in chickens. Waithaka Mwangi, a professor at K-State, said the approach uses engineered viruses that can be modified to target specific diseases.
Farmers already facing limited markets face more costs
3/27/2026 High Plains Journal
Crop growers are facing multiple whammies as they head into spring. Allen Featherstone, department head of agricultural economics at Kansas State University, noted in a recent Farm Financial Situation and Trade webinar, farmers have felt the brunt of the tariff war used by President Donald Trump. … Gregg Ibendahl, an associate professor in the department of agricultural economics at K-State, said on March 17 that oil traders, who have dealt with market shock before, were factoring in the possibility of the latest conflict. … Ibendahl specializes in farm management and agricultural finance, and he said the war means farmers should plan on higher fuel and fertilizer expenses for this year.
Local
Manhattan Arts Center builds outdoor learning space
3/27/2026 WIBW
The Manhattan Arts Center is constructing an outdoor learning space on a formerly unused parking lot next to the center. The idea came from a mural by Frank Hammond, a professor of practice at K-State, to put the unused lot to use. "I think it just expands the learning environment, it gets them outside," Hammond said. "But I also think that brings a little awareness to the community about what's happening here." The project is also one of teamwork, with students from K-State's interior and industrial design department drawing up original plans and handcrafting the furniture for the space.
Shawnee County teens prepare to enter workforce through ‘Topeka Way to Work’ program
3/29/2026 WIBW
Local teenagers are learning how to enter the workforce early through a city program. The 'Topeka Way to Work' program gives youth aged 14-16 an opportunity to work for a local business for six weeks over the summer. … The City of Topeka, Fellowship Hi-Crest and K-State Research and Extension collaborate to make the program possible. "Everyone has a first job at some point, but what we do is we really walk through them on professional development," said Shawnee County K-State Extension 4H Youth Development Agent Grace Wiens. "So they get their first job and they get to build those professional skills at the same time while having a name put to the skills that they're learning."
Friday, March 27, 2026
State/Regional
K-State research aims to fight cancer rates in western Kansas
3/25/26 KSN
Cancer rates are rising in parts of north central Kansas, and now researchers at Kansas State University are stepping in to look for answers. For the last two and a half years, researchers have been testing groundwater contamination in private wells and radon levels in homes in Russell, Ellsworth and Lincoln counties. “We found that a lot of these houses where people have high incidences of cancer for generations, families had high radon levels,” said Dr. Ryan Rafferty, the interim director of Johnson Cancer Research Center. “Far higher than what should have ever been seen.”
Local
K-State students get hands-on experience in new music instrument repair program
3/26/26 WIBW
Kansas State University students are getting hands-on experience in repairing instruments. The goal isn’t just for students to gain experience, but also to apply it in rural communities where the need for instrument repair is greater. “The number one rule of living in rural Kansas or like a rural community is helping others,” KSU supply chain management student Sophia Glanville said. “Because when you help others, when it comes to your time of need they’re going to help you back. Because that’s just how tight-knit those communities are.”
K-State students bring functional art to life at the Manhattan Arts Center
3/25/26 KSNT
K-State professors Richard Thompson and Frank Hammond made a plan for their students to help upgrade the patio into a designated community space — spending hours in the department’s shop designing functional art pieces. “As a student, you can be very involved in campus and forget that you have a community that’s right here as well,” Kuhlman said. “We spent a lot of time working on this. So for us, we have a normal design studio on top of a furniture studio,” Interior Architecture Graduate Student Kate Jepsen said. “So, we had multiple long nights for our design one. But there are also long nights designing these pieces.”
K-State graduate student places top two at Capitol Graduate Research Summit
3/25/26 The K-State Collegian
Ten graduate students represented K-State at the Kansas Capitol on Tuesday, where they presented their research to state representatives and the public at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit. Two placed — Mia Reyes, graduate student in communications and agriculture education, and Nayara Mota Miranda Soares, doctoral student in grain and food science.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
National/International
Traci Brimhall: Intimacy and the Everyday
3/25//26 Bird Notes Daily (Public Radio)
April is National Poetry Month in the US, so we featured some of our favorite poets who write about our feathered friends. Traci Brimhall is an associate professor of poetry at Kansas State University. Her first published collection, from 2013, is called Rookery and features many poems about birds. But Brimhall didn't grow up birding — her interest came later in life.
Insights on Mental Wellness Among Schedulers and Dispatchers
3/25/26 National Aviation Business Assoc.
Tysen Pina, head of the Aviation Department at Kansas State University, learned the importance of taking care of personnel during his time as a U.S. Air Force squadron commander. He added that watching business aviation schedulers and dispatchers at their jobs further opened his eyes.
State/Regional
'Bigger than we thought': Testing exposes silent cancer risks in 3 rural Kansas counties
3/25/26 KAKE
So, she used her connections through the Kansas State University Extension Office to get the Johnson Cancer Research Center at KSU involved. The project took a couple of years to get all the communities on the same page.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
National/International
Mealworm-based HPAI vaccine could cut poultry losses
03/24/26 WATT Poultry
A Kansas State University research team is developing a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccine delivered through gene-edited mealworms, an approach that could reduce flock losses while also eliminate some of the logistical challenges associated with vaccination.
Local
Dan Moser appointed dean of K-State College of Agriculture
03/24/26 Manhattan Mercury
Following his tenure as interim dean, Dan Moser was made the permanent Eldon Gideon Dean of K‑State’s College of Agriculture on Sunday.
Manhattan man awarded graduate research grant
03/24/26 Manhattan Mercury
A Manhattan man was selected as the recipient of a graduate research grant from the honor society Phi Kappa Phi on Thursday. Roselle Barretto was chosen as one of 20 recipients of the award, and will receive up to $1,500 to support his research.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
State/Regional
K-State extension to hold youth tractor safety training
03/24/26 Hutch Post
Kansas State University Extension is offering a Youth Tractor Safety Training course in Hutchinson next month, providing young people with required certification to safely work on farms. The training is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pleasantview Activity Center, 5015 S. Dean Road.
A nonprofit grocery store is closing in rural Kansas, showing how hard it is to fight food deserts
03/24/26 KCUR
Rural communities have been turning to nonprofits and other strategies to keep grocery stores open. But one of those new stores is closing in Kansas, which shows how challenging it can be to provide food in small towns.
Tumbleweeds can be so bad in the Great Plains that they bury homes and cause fire danger
03/24/26 KCUR
Today, if you drive across western Kansas on a windy day, you will often see not a lonely tumbleweed, but a swarm of them crossing the highway or congregating along a fence by the road. In western Kansas, it comes with the territory. In fact, ask people in town and they will tell stories with annoyance or amazement of tumbleweeds blocking their driveways or stacked against their homes.
Monday, March 23, 2026
National/International
Time to Check for First Hollow Stem
3/20/2026 MorningAgClips
Two Kansas State University graduate students are urging cattle producers to evaluate wheat fields for signs of first hollow stem, an indication that they should be moving grazing animals off those fields. "First hollow stem is a growth stage that we look for in our wheat to know when we need to remove cattle from these dual-purpose wheat fields," said Claire Bott, a master's student in K-State's Department of Agronomy.
Food Tank's Weekly News Roundup: SNAP Recipients Sue USDA, Researchers Tackle Avian Flu, and Fertilizer Prices Soar
3/21/2026 Food Tank
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is taking new steps to help prevent the spread of avian flu in partnership with U.S. universities. On Tuesday, the Foundation announced that they are partnering with Kansas State University to invest a little more than US$400,000 into the development of a vaccine that will protect cattle and swine from the H5N1 influenza — funds which come from FFAR's Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research program.
State/Regional
Moser selected to lead K-State ag
3/20/2026 High Plains Journal
If there's one thing Dan Moser has taken away from his tenure as interim dean of Kansas State University's College of Agriculture, it's a reminder of the excitement K‑State generates among its stakeholders. That excitement will be critical, Moser said, as he works to elevate the college and expand K‑State's reputation as a national leader in agricultural education and research. Following a national search, Moser has been appointed the permanent Eldon Gideon Dean of K‑State's College of Agriculture, effective March 22.
Tumbleweeds can be so bad in the Great Plains that they bury homes and cause fire danger
3/23/2026 Kansas Public Radio
When the weeds spread, a farmer's crops are then competing for the limited water. They are so well adapted for the High Plains that they keep Kansas State University weed scientist Patrick Geier pretty busy. "They thrive in limited water environments," Geier said. "If we have an area where there's a blank patch or ground, these plants love it."
Kansas announces $3.9M for AI, drone and smart transportation projects
3/20/2026 StateScoop
According to the announcement, projects will include AI-driven onboard security monitoring for Johnson County Transit, smart signal and pedestrian safety upgrades in Leavenworth, and nearly $1 million for advanced air mobility aircraft at Kansas State University–Salina.
Local
K-State Salina hosts Public Safety UAS Summit for first responders
3/20/2026 Salina Journal
Kansas State University Salina will host the Public Safety Uncrewed Aircraft System Summit on April 22. The summit aims to connect law enforcement, fire and emergency management agencies with experts in drone technology, according to a community announcement. The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crisis City Regional Training Center in Salina.
K-State veterinarian shares tips to keep pets safe during severe weather
3/21/2026 Salina Post
Severe weather season is here in Kansas, and preparing for storms should include every member of the family, including pets. Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian at the Kansas State University Hill's Pet Health and Nutrition Center, said planning ahead for storms can help keep pets safe and reduce stress during severe weather events.
Friday, March 20, 2026
National/International
‘It’s not sustainable’: US farmers reeling as Iran war pushes fertilizer costs up
3/20/26 The Guardian
In 2025, if it wasn’t for federal subsidies, including the $12bn in bridge loans the USDA is offering to farmers hurt by Donald Trump’s tariffs, producers would have lost money. Gregg Ibendahl, associate professor at Kansas State University, says the extra payments were a lifeline to farmers. “They turned a really bad year into at least a mediocre year,” he said.
Classroom to career: Gaurav Jha
3/13/26 CSA News
Precision agronomists use technology to maximize agricultural production while minimizing its environmental footprint. Specifically, Guarav Jha, assistant professor of precision agriculture at Kansas STate University, and his lab study how soil microbes affect water resiliency on Kansas farms. They stitch massive amounts of data together from drones, satellites, soil health indicators, and other sources to assess exactly how much water an alfalfa, corn, or soybean farmer needs in certain parts of their field without waste.
State/Regional
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. But what if a simple conversation with your doctor could be the key to your heart's health?
3/2/26 Kansas Public Radio
What if a simple conversation with your doctor could be the key to your heart's health? That's the question asked by K-State graduate researcher Sarah Fenn. Maintaining heart‑healthy habits, monitoring blood pressure, and staying active become increasingly important as women age, and discussing any concerns with a healthcare professional can help guide prevention and early detection.
Local
K-State to host free immersive math day for middle schoolers
3/19/26 JC Post
"This event is an opportunity to experience the creativity, problem-solving and real-world applications of mathematics in a welcoming university setting," said Virginia Naibo, professor of mathematics. During sessions, participants will engage in hands-on, math-centered activities and games, including working with networks, solving puzzles, creating and cracking secret messages, and exploring the binary number system.
Fire weather watch issued for Manhattan area
3/19/26 The Manhattan Mercury
"You add into things like the freeze component, where we likely froze some of that wheat, we froze some of those cool season grasses. Those are going to die off," said Chip Redmond, a meteorologist at Kansas State University. "They're going to add dead vegetation to the landscape."
Thursday, March 19, 2026
National/International
The Cost of Waiting to Talk About Senior Care
3/19//26 The Good Men Project
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.
Laserfiche Announces 2026 Run Smarter® Award Winners
3/19/26 AP
Laserfiche — the leading SaaS provider of intelligent content management — today announced the winners of the 2026 Laserfiche Run Smarter® Awards.
- Kansas State University: Laserfiche Program of the Year, U.S./Canada
Local
Alerts issued about alpha-gal syndrome from tick bite
3/19/26 Marysville Advocate
K-State responds: Kansas State University researchers and extension specialists have teamed up on a project to help alleviate the negative impacts of the allergy to red meat that affects a growing number of people.
Hale Library music collection continues to grow at K-State
3/18/26 WIBW
Kansas State University staff member is adding to a special collection at Hale Library. K-State music librarian Thomas Bell says he’s prioritized the library’s music collection to create something for everyone. “Music is something that people have in common, almost everyone loves music,” he said. Bell has been adding to a growing collection of thousands of music pieces at the library.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
National/International
Local
Secretary of the Army Visits the Big Red One
03/17/26 Junction City Post
At Victory Forge, Soldiers showcased small UAS training, additive manufacturing, and the Division’s partnership with Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute. These efforts highlight how 1ID is accelerating Soldier driven solutions and strengthening the Army’s transformation priorities.
Brown wheat mite activity confirmed in Kansas, K-State reports
03/17/26 KSNT
The Kansas State University Entomology Department reports that a pest that attacks wheat crops is confirmed to be active in parts of the state.
K-State Entomologist Anthony Zukoff reported in an agronomy e-update on Thursday, March 12, that brown wheat mite activity has been confirmed recently in parts of western Kansas. The university warns that wheat and triticale, a hybrid crop of wheat and rye, should be monitored for seeds and any mite damage on the stems and leaf tips.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
National/International
Diesel Prices Keep Rising as Middle East Tensions Continue
03/16/26 RFD-TV
Kansas State University agricultural economist Dr. Gregg Ibendahl discusses rising diesel prices, the influence of global oil markets, and the potential impact on farmers heading into the spring planting season.
State/Regional
Sedgwick County Extension hosting youth lawn mowing clinic
03/16/26 KWCH-TV
Sedgwick County Extension will host its 12th annual youth lawn mowing clinic Tuesday, March 17. The clinic is open to students in fifth through ninth grade and is designed to teach the basics of lawn mowing. Sedgwick County Extension Food Crops Horticulture Agent Abbey Draut said participants will cover a range of topics during the clinic. “They’ll learn about lawn mowing safety, how to identify different grasses that are commonly grown in Kansas,” Draut said. “They’ll learn about personal safety, so wearing sunscreen, the right type of shoes, things like that. And then they’ll also learn how to start a business.”
Library Tech Expo invites community to explore new tools, technology
03/16/26 The Chanute Tribune
From drones and robots to ghost-hunting kits and 3D printing, the Chanute Public Library is giving residents a chance to explore new technology and resources during a Tech Expo this week. The program, known as Libraries with Heart, was created through a partnership between the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, K-State Extension – Southwind Extension District and the American Heart Association, along with several participating libraries across the region.
Monday, March 16, 2026
National/International
13 Surprising Benefits of Keeping Plants Indoors
3/15/2026 SheBudgets
Hospitals have long placed flowers and plants in patient rooms, and it turns out that tradition is backed by real science. A Kansas State University study found that patients recovering from surgery who had plants in their rooms requested less pain medication and were discharged sooner than those without plants.
State/Regional
The sound of rural school music
3/15/2026 Hutch Post
A new program and certificate at K-State is putting working, well-maintained instruments right into rural Kansas students' hands — all while also equipping K-State's future music teachers to handle most basic repairs themselves when they begin teaching in Kansas schools.
K-State Olathe bulks up manufacturing training with new tech center
3/13/2026 Kansas City Business Journal
A powerful new resource for area manufacturers is cranking up in Olathe. K-State Olathe's Advanced Manufacturing and Bulk Solids Technology Center, which formally opened in January, will work directly with manufacturers to avoid or clear problems moving materials through production lines.
Sorghum: An opportunistic crop that pays
3/14/2026 High Plains Journal
Research near Mead, Nebraska, showed that soybeans planted after sorghum produced a 16% yield increase compared to continuous soybeans. Improvements were linked to better soil fertility, improved soil structure, stronger weed control and fewer pest problems. Even corn can benefit from following sorghum. A five-year Kansas State University trial found corn yields increased over 8% when planted after sorghum compared to continuous corn.
Friday, March 13, 2026
Statewide
Kansas farmers could see higher commodity prices amid war in Iran
3/12//26 KWCH
According to Trading Economics, wheat has hit its highest price in two years. People in the agriculture industry say that could benefit farmers’ profits. “Coming into this month, it didn’t look like things were gonna change, but this uptick in prices could really help some guys out depending on, you know, what happens,” said Patrick Bergkamp, K-State Extension Reno County agriculture agent.
Local
Johnson Cancer Research Center continues studies connecting water contamination and radon levels in Kansas homes to cancer rates.
3/11/26 The K-State Collegian
Matthew Kirk, professor of geology, studies Kansas water chemistry and groundwater microbiology to determine chemical composition. Kirk says the novelty of this project lies in environmental issues. “The great thing about this project is that it considered groundwater quality as well as radon exposure, which is another environmental issue, and then combined that with the health data from the people living in those areas,” Kirk said.
K-State alumnus John Garetson continues to teach bowling and engrave awards after nearly 40 years of serving students.
3/11/26 The K-State Collegian
Over the years, John Garetson took on many roles at the Union. In addition to overseeing engraving services, he coached the K-State men’s and women’s intercollegiate bowling teams and served as an advisor for the K-State Bowling Club. Today, he works with the Union’s Engraving Services department within the Marketing Office and serves as the instructor of record for the Beginning Bowling classes offered at K-State.
Thursday, March 12, 2026
National/International
Research progress on HPAI vaccine
3/12//26 Pet Food Processing
One such project utilized a bug-to-bird approach to deliver vaccines. The project, a partnership between Kansas State University, North Carolina State University and the Insect Farming Initiative, was featured at the annual conference. Laura Miller, associate professor of veterinary virology at Kansas State University and one of the project leads, said traditional vaccine approaches often fail for several reasons beyond the federal trade policy constraints.
Cattle Markets Face Tight Supplies, Middle East Tensions, and Weather Risks
3/11/26 RFD TV
Glynn Tonsor, a livestock economist at Kansas State University, says geopolitical developments in the Middle East are influencing broader financial markets. “Developments in the Middle East, the broader discussion about oil prices — one step from that is macroeconomic and stagflation concerns, and sort of renewed questions about what that means for trade and the broader market,” Tonsor said. “Everything got kind of bearish, and there’s kind of a risk-off move, the way I would describe it. A lot of positioning leaving various commodities, not necessarily oil, but other commodities, and certainly the equity market — putting cash on the sidelines when uncertainty is heightened.”
Local
Study trip to Indonesia affects Ross Latta’s outlook on culture, career
3/11/26 Marysville Advocate
A May 2025 graduate in human resources management and now a human resource administrator for Dollar General, Latta traveled to Pontianak City, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, as part of the Cross-Cultural International Program, a partnership between the K-State College of Business and Universitas Tanjungpura, or UNTAN.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
National/International
Spiking pump prices dent Trump’s willingness to extend war
03/10/26 Bloomberg and MSN
The price jumps resonate even more among older Americans who experienced the 1970s energy crisis, said Lance Bachmeier, a Kansas State University economics professor. The impacts could also be disproportionately felt by low- and middle-income consumers, who spend a larger share of their income on gas, he added.
State/Regional
From rivalry to results: KU, K-State research partnerships deliver big wins for Kansas
03/11/26 KU News Service
The University of Kansas and Kansas State University may be fierce rivals on the field and on the court, but they’ve long been teammates in labs and Kansas communities, tackling problems that matter to the state.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
National/International
The Best Money Advice of All Time
03/10/26 Kiplinger
Financial advice is everywhere these days. In the digital age, you can find insights and tips about how best to save, invest and manage your money from adviser and financial services websites; YouTube, TikTok and other social media platforms; podcasts, newsletters and Substacks; and your 401(k) provider, among other outlets. Megan McCoy, certified financial therapist and acting personal financial planning program chair, says "People give too much advice, like telling people to spend less, that relies on motivation and has a negative connotation, like you are somehow the problem. I prefer to create automatic systems so that doing the right thing with your money is the default."
State/Regional
Cancer rates are rising in western Kansas. K-State is helping community members address the issue
03/09/26 Great Bend Tribune
When residents of three western Kansas counties raised concerns about rising cancer rates and potential environmental cancer risks in their communities, Kansas State University researchers responded with research and collaboration that led to results. A project led and funded by K-State’s Johnson Cancer Research Center has been studying and testing groundwater contamination in private wells and radon levels in homes in Russell, Ellsworth and Lincoln counties since March 2024. The project was initiated from residents’ concerns about increasing cancer rates in these counties, including colorectal cancer in Russell County and prostate and lung cancers in Lincoln County.
Local
K-State economist warns of raised gas prices and agricultural impact
03/10/26 Manhattan Mercury
Rising crude oil prices following military action in the Middle East could soon adversely affect farmers and push gasoline prices higher across the country, according to a Kansas State University economist. Gregg Ibendahl, associate professor of agricultural economics at K-State, said increases in oil prices typically translate to higher gasoline prices within weeks.
Monday, March 9, 2026
National/International
At a loss for words? Gen Z is outsourcing the hard conversations to AI
3/8//26 CNN
Russell Fulmer, an associate professor at Kansas State University who studies AI and behavioral sciences, said the two forces created the “perfect storm” for AI to be integrated into social interaction. Adolescence — roughly ages 10 to 19, according to the World Health Organization — is the critical window for developing confidence, a stable sense of identity and emotional regulation. If adolescents don’t fully develop their social skills during this time, people may be “more prone to lack confidence, more apt to escapism or avoidance and maybe there’s a lack of resiliency,” Fulmer said.
Mealworms May Help Deliver Avian Flu Vaccine
3/6/26 Lancaster Farming
Laura Miller, a veterinary virologist at Kansas State University, outlined her “bugs to birds” project at the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum on Feb. 19.
State/Regional
Kansas scientists explore mealworm-based vaccine to fight bird flu
3/4/26 KSN
The agriculture industry is working to get control of the bird flu outbreak, and Kansas could be at the forefront of a solution. Researchers at Kansas State University say the key to protection may be in what poultry eat.
Local
K-State SAE fraternity serves at Flint Hills Healing Farm for True Gentleman Day of Service
3/8/26 WIBW
Members of the Kansas State Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity spent part of their Sunday volunteering at a local ranch that helps people heal through nature, as part of their national True Gentleman Day of Service at Flint Hills Healing Farm.
Friday, March 6, 2026
State/Regional
A new breed of vet wants to make clinic trips 'fear free' for pets and their owners
3/6/26 KMUW
It sounds simple enough, but what fear free requires is a major shift in how the humans in the exam room think about the animal experience, said Dr. Neala Boyer — a board-certified vet and associate clinical professor at Kansas State University’s Hill’s Pet Health and Nutrition Center. In 2021, she received her elite Fear Free certification.
K-State study findings could explain increase of cancer cases in three Kansas counties
3/5/26 KWCH 12
The Johnson Cancer Research Center at Kansas State University is studying elevated cancer cases in Ellsworth, Russell and Lincoln counties. Researchers found many homes in those counties had elevated radon levels and elevated mineral levels in private water wells that could pose health risks.
Cancer rates are rising in western Kansas, and K-State is helping communities address the issue
3/5/26 KSRL
When residents of three western Kansas counties raised concerns about rising cancer rates and potential environmental cancer risks in their communities, Kansas State University researchers responded with research and collaboration that led to results. A project led and funded by K-State's Johnson Cancer Research Center has been studying and testing groundwater contamination in private wells and radon levels in homes in Russell, Ellsworth and Lincoln counties since March 2024.
Local
Manhattan AAUW chapter to host International Women's Day panel
3/5/26 The Manhattan Mercury
Each year, the organization welcomes a panel of women speakers to discuss what has led them from their home countries to Kansas. Chapter president Usha Reddi said this year’s panel of K-State graduate students is no different. Speakers include Barbara Baker (drama therapy), Maryam Ghasempour (photography), Nicole Kucherov (entomology), Meghan Rice (organic chemistry) and Vinusha Wickramasinghe (biology).
Newly elected student body leaders are here for the students
3/4/26 The K-State Collegian
Christian Peña, junior in agricultural education and Caden Bastian, junior in political science and history, were both elected Kansas State’s next student body president and vice president, respectively, on Feb. 26. Peña and Bastian cemented their campaign’s focus on being there for the student body. “Making sure that students always know that we’re right beside them through everything that we do is our number one priority,” Peña said. “We have a lot of ideas that are going forward that we’re hoping we can maybe get some momentum on. But everything we have planned is going to benefit students.”
Thursday, March 5, 2026
National/International
Will Crop Insurance Pay for Fire Damage?
3/4/26 Successful Farming
Even though fire is covered, the loss may be too small to trigger indemnity payments, especially if a farm or ranch buys federal crop insurance for large enterprise units. This type of coverage is popular due to its lower premiums, said Jennifer Ifft, a Kansas State University agricultural economist and Extension specialist who studies crop insurance.
New Poultry Vaccine Delivered Through Feed
3/4/26 Farms.com Group
Researchers at Kansas State University are exploring a new way to protect poultry from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a disease that threatens global animal health and food security. Their innovative project focuses on using mealworms, commonly included in poultry feed, to deliver vaccines to birds.
State/Regional
Kansas scientists explore mealworm-based vaccine to fight bird flu
3/4/26 KSN
The agriculture industry is working to get control of the bird flu outbreak, and Kansas could be at the forefront of a solution. Researchers at Kansas State University say the key to protection may be in what poultry eat.
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
National/International
Connecticut gas prices jump as U.S. strikes in Iran push fuel toward $3 a gallon
03/03/26 Yahoo News
And at least one expert, Gregg Ibendahl, a professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University, forecast a scenario in which nationwide gas prices could approach $4 a gallon.
Rainfall can shape bird populations as much as temperature, global study reveals
03/03/26 MSN.com
For the study, Boyle and her former postdoctoral scholar at Kansas State University, Katy Silber, undertook an ambitious global review, combing through decades of published research to identify studies that documented links between rainfall and bird reproduction.
State/Regional
Kansas research finds bugs as a vaccine for avian flu amongst poultry
03/03/26 KSNT
Kansas State University researchers have discovered a unique vaccine strategy to help fight avian flu amongst poultry.
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
National/International
How IACH is Shaping Future Providers
03/02/26 The Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
When Matthew Ruether arrived at Irwin Army Community Hospital for the first day of his clinical rotation as a Kansas State University physician assistant student, he expected to gain experience. Ruether is one of three KSU physician assistant students welcomed Feb. 23, marking the first time IACH has hosted PA students from Kansas State University. While the hospital has long served as a training platform through the Army’s Interservice Physician Assistant Program, the addition of civilian PA students reflects a growing clinical education mission.
State/Regional
Kansas professor, drivers discuss impact on gas prices after strikes on Iran
03/02/26 KWCH-TV
Lance Bachmeier, an economics professor at Kansas State University, said that if action in Iran ends quickly like the administration is hoping, then the impact on gas prices will be minimal. “So the most likely outcome, as I see it, is there would be a pretty minor blip in gasoline prices. I wouldn’t see that having a big affect on the US economy, because we don’t import very much oil, or import any oil from Iran,” Bachmeier said.
Kansas State University to develop AI-driven technology aimed at helping soybean farmers
03/02/26 KSNT
Kansas State University announced on Monday that its researchers and partners from international universities are developing an artificial intelligence-driven computer system aimed at helping soybean farmers. K-State researchers and partners from universities across Japan, India and Australia are developing an AI-driven computer vision system called Smart Scout as a way to detect soybean yield and lodging — the risks of the crop falling before harvest.
Local
K-State horticulture expert says the presence of water in a natural space can benefit mental well-being
03/02/26 Manhattan Mercury
Limited by space in your garden? Looking for a new project to enhance your space? Wanting to attract birds and pollinators to your garden? Kansas State University horticulture expert Matt McKernan suggests adding a water element to the garden.
Monday, March 2, 2026
National/International
Meat consumption rises as plant-based diets decline nationwide
2/27/2026 FarmProgress
A comprehensive five-year study by Kansas State University's Meat Demand Monitor has uncovered unexpected shifts in American eating habits, challenging popular assumptions about plant-based diet adoption.
State/Regional
Why topdressing crops before spring can increase crop yield
2/27/2026 KSNT
Agronomists at Kansas State University believe that the months before spring can be the time to topdress wheat and canola. Topdressing, which is the practice of covering crops with nutrients or any organic matter, can provide benefits for canola and wheat producers to ‘maximize’ getting more yield out of the crops — especially before spring, according to K-State agronomists. As Kansas' wheat is progressing fast throughout the state, K-State agronomists recommend preparing to topdress wheat crops with nitrogen fertilizer during green-up to help maximize crop yield. The only times when producers should delay topdressing wheat is when the soil is sandier, poorly drained or frozen from snow.
Local
Cross-Cultural International Program provides students with a global learning experience
2/27/2026 The Mercury
When Ross Latta boarded a plane for Indonesia, he expected an academic experience. What he found instead was a week that reshaped how he understands culture, collaboration, and the future of his career. A May 2025 graduate in human resources management and now a human resource administrator for Dollar General, Latta traveled to Pontianak City, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, as part of the Cross-Cultural International Program, a partnership between the K-State College of Business Administration and Universitas Tanjungpura, or UNTAN.