K-State in the news

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Read some of today's top stories mentioning Kansas State University. Download an Excel file (xlsx) with all of the day's news stories.

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Friday, April 3, 2026

State/Regional

Kansas State University economist warns of fuel, fertilizer price shock for farmers
4/1/26 The Kansas Reflector
Surging oil prices associated with instability in the Middle East threaten to exacerbate tight margins for Kansas farmers by driving up the cost of fuel and fertilizer, a Kansas State University economist says. Gregg Ibendahl, who focuses on agricultural production and finance, said higher energy prices ripple through the economy and prove detrimental for farmers consuming diesel and fertilizer. These negative market forces surfaced to strike the bottom line of U.S. producers just as farmers readied fields for planting.

Roger Marshall hopes there will be no boots on the ground in Iran war
4/3/26 The Topeka Capital-Journal
Kansas State University economist Gregg Ibendahl has said "the U.S. is almost self-sufficient when it comes to energy, so availability shouldn't be the issue. But we are not immune from higher prices." Ibendahl said higher prices for oil and fertilizer especially can strain farm budgets.

Measuring the accuracy of radiation models for radiation therapy
3/30/26 Kansas Public Radio
K-State's Ashleigh Mauler discusses her research on radiation and how scientists can improve the accuracy of the models they use to determine treatment regimens.

Economist says price slump altered farmer planting decisions for wheat, sorghum
4/2/26 Brownfield Ag News
Dan O’Brien with Kansas State University says he’s not surprised that wheat acres could be the lowest in more than 100 years. “There was a long decline in prices starting in March of last year and then (went) lower until there was a little blip in June and then more lows. No doubt, that impacted farmer expectations.”

Local

KSU Foundation to host 24-hour Day of Giving event
4/1/26 The K-State Collegian
“We just want people to show up and celebrate, but also recognize that support, even small support, can make a great difference here at the university,” Sara Prince, associate vice president of development for the Foundation, said. Prince said the day not only raises money for units at K-State, but also invites students to celebrate donors who’ve helped improve students’ experiences here.

Rising oil prices affect Kansas students, farmers amid conflict in Middle East
4/1/26 The K-State Collegian
Lance Bachmeier, professor of economics, said the recent spike in oil prices is affecting costs across the board. “The direct effect that everybody’s going to notice, you just go to the pump, and you’re paying considerably more,” Bachmeier said. “For a lot of people that drive, that’s costing them a lot. And I haven’t recently booked any plane tickets, but I’m guessing that that’s feeding through. So, for instance, college students that have to book a flight home, they’re gonna probably see a much higher price because of that as well. But then it’ll feed into things like grocery prices because … quite a big chunk of the cost of food is transportation.”