K-State Offers Aid as Farmers Face Another Challenging Year
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas State University is helping farmers and ranchers weather the struggling agricultural economy. It's been another tough year for farm income and the commodity outlook for 2017 is pessimistic as well. Operating loans for this past season are coming due soon with fall harvest over, and experts say many growers can't make the payments.A series of workshops that aim to help farmers navigate the downtown are planned across the state, starting next week and continuing into February.The university has also expanded its farm analyst program to provide one-on-one assistance.Its agricultural economics department says the goal is to help producers avoid bankruptcy and make adjustments in their operations while they still can.A series of workshops that aim to help farmers navigate the downtown are planned across the state, starting next week and continuing into February.The university has also expanded its farm analyst program to provide one-on-one assistance. It's agricultural economics department says the goal is to help producers avoid bankruptcy and make adjustments in their operations while they still can.
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Kansas Plans Internet Upgrade for Rural School Districts
SALINA, Kan. (AP) - Some rural public school administrators in north-central and northwest Kansas are expressing mixed feelings about a state plan to improve high-speed internet access in rural districts. State officials this week announced a plan to expand internet to up to 20 percent in Kansas school districts. Under the plan, the state will partner with Educational SuperHighway, a California-based organization that works to improve internet access across the country. While some school officials welcome improved technology, others are concern about the expense.
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Merged Utility Company Will Maintain Topeka Office
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The CEO of the company planning to acquire Topeka-based Westar Energy says the merged entity will have an office in Topeka. Terry Bassham, CEO of Kansas City Power and Light, says he doesn't "have a reason we wouldn't always have an office" in Topeka. Bassham and Westar CEO Mark Ruelle spoke at the Kansas Expocentre's Maner Conference Center on Friday in the last of about 15 statewide stops of their "Westar-KCPL Better Together" tour.
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Mountain Lion Sightings on the Rise in Wabaunsee County
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Two Kansas teens got a big surprise, and video, when the hound they were using to hunt raccoons treed a mountain lion last month in Wabaunsee County. The Wichita Eagle reports that the Thanksgiving night sighting was one of three documented within 15 days in a 60-mile area. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism biologist Matt Peek doesn't know whether that part of Kansas has multiple animals or one that has been getting around.
