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USDA Designates Baca and Lincoln Counties in Colorado as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought

USDA Designates Baca and Lincoln Counties in Colorado as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Baca and Lincoln counties in Colorado as primary natural disaster areas due to severe drought conditions. This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency credit to agricultural producers recovering from the drought through emergency loans. These loans can be utilized for various recovery needs, including replacing essential items like equipment or livestock, reorganizing farming operations, or refinancing certain debts. The FSA will evaluate loan applications based on the extent of losses, available security, and repayment ability. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties experienced a drought intensity of D2 (Severe) for eight or more consecutive weeks, or D3 (Extreme) or D4 (Exceptional) during the growing season.

USDA Designates Baca and Lincoln Counties in Colorado as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought, Offering Emergency Loans to Farmers

USDA Designates Baca and Lincoln Counties in Colorado as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought, Offering Emergency Loans to Farmers

On November 13, 2026, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated Baca and Lincoln counties in Colorado as primary natural disaster areas. This designation is a direct response to severe drought conditions experienced in these areas, which have met the criteria of D2 Drought-Severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional during the growing season, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. As a result of this Secretarial natural disaster designation, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now authorized to provide emergency credit through emergency loans to agricultural producers in these counties. The designation also extends eligibility for assistance to contiguous counties in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, acknowledging the widespread impact of the drought.

USDA Proposes Rule Changes for Pecan Industry in 15 States to Enhance Council Representation and Data Collection

USDA Proposes Rule Changes for Pecan Industry in 15 States to Enhance Council Representation and Data Collection

USDA Proposes Rule Changes for Pecan Industry in 15 States to Enhance Council Representation and Data Collection

Smoky Hill Education Service Center Hosts 37th Annual Legislative Luncheon Addressing Kansas Education Issues

Smoky Hill Education Service Center Hosts 37th Annual Legislative Luncheon Addressing Kansas Education Issues

The Smoky Hill Education Service Center (SHESC) in Salina, Kansas, hosted its 37th Annual Legislative Luncheon, bringing together state lawmakers, regional educators, school administrators, and community leaders. The event, held at SHESC headquarters, focused on current and future issues impacting Kansas classrooms, students, educators, and local communities. Key topics discussed during the moderated legislative session included school finance and funding, covering the state education budget, special education funding, at-risk programs, education vouchers, and E-Rate connectivity support. Discussions also addressed educator workforce and district sustainability, focusing on teacher shortages, retention strategies, KPERS retirement benefits, and challenges faced by rural districts. Policy and classroom culture, including bipartisan collaboration, student responsibility, and school technology bans, were also on the agenda. Elected officials and representatives from various districts, including a representati...

Kansas City Chiefs Name HNTB as Official Architect for Future Stadium Project

Kansas City Chiefs Name HNTB as Official Architect for Future Stadium Project

Kansas City Chiefs Name HNTB as Official Architect for Future Stadium Project

Democrat Cindy Holscher is elected Kansas' next governor, extending her party's wave of victories

Democrat Cindy Holscher is elected Kansas' next governor, extending her party's wave of victories

Democrat Cindy Holscher has been elected Kansas' next governor

Senator Moran's FORECAST Act, Part of Weather Act, Unanimously Passes Senate to Exempt NWS from Hiring Freezes

Senator Moran's FORECAST Act, Part of Weather Act, Unanimously Passes Senate to Exempt NWS from Hiring Freezes

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the FORECAST Act, introduced by Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), as part of the broader Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, also known as the 'Weather Act.' This legislation specifically exempts certain National Weather Service (NWS) employees from any executive order or memorandum imposing a hiring freeze. The exempted roles are critical for issuing weather and flood warnings, maintaining essential observational equipment, and protecting life and property. Senator Moran, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, initiated this bill over a year ago to enhance weather warnings and safety measures. The bill's passage follows his previous efforts to secure a federal hiring-freeze exemption for the NWS to address staffing shortages, particularly at the NWS office in Goodland, Kansas, which previously relied on temporary rotations of employees from other offices.

From Dust-Choked Farms to California: The Journey of the Okies

From Dust-Choked Farms to California: The Journey of the Okies

The Dust Bowl refers to a severe period in the 1930s marked by intense dust storms and prolonged droughts across North America, particularly impact...

Senator Moran's FORECAST Act Unanimously Approved by Senate, Aiming to Modernize Weather Services

Senator Moran's FORECAST Act Unanimously Approved by Senate, Aiming to Modernize Weather Services

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced the Senate's unanimous passage of his FORECAST Act. This legislation is integrated into the broader Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 (Weather Act). The Weather Act encompasses over 17 bipartisan bills designed to enhance natural disaster preparedness, modernize radar and satellite technology, update National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio systems, and strengthen overall weather forecasting and communication for public safety. Senator Moran emphasized that the FORECAST Act specifically aims to ensure National Weather Service (NWS) offices maintain adequate staffing to provide continuous, 24/7 weather forecasting services to communities. The bill includes provisions to exempt certain NWS employees, such as those responsible for issuing warnings, maintaining critical equipment, and protecting life and property, from potentia...

Kansas State University Expert Matt McKernan Advises on Winterizing Roses and Strawberries for Gardeners

Kansas State University Expert Matt McKernan Advises on Winterizing Roses and Strawberries for Gardeners

Kansas State University horticulture expert Matt McKernan has provided essential guidance for gardeners on how to winterize roses and strawberries. With unseasonably warm November temperatures in Kansas, McKernan emphasizes the importance of preparing these plants for the impending colder days. For roses, he advises winterizing after several hard frosts but before the ground freezes to prevent mold growth and damage to the graft union. Gardeners should clean debris around roses, mound 8-10 inches of soil or compost around each plant, and use new soil to avoid root exposure. Once the ground is frozen, a four-inch layer of mulch (straw, leaves, or wood chips) should be added over the mound and covered with soil to hold it in place. This method protects plants from cold and prevents premature budding during warm spells. Rose canes should be pruned to 36 inches, with weak ones removed, and remaining canes tied loosely to prevent wind damage. For strawberries, McKernan stresses the necessity of mulch to protect...

Oklahoma State University Unveils Cimarron Supercomputer, Boosting Regional Research Capabilities

Oklahoma State University Unveils Cimarron Supercomputer, Boosting Regional Research Capabilities

Oklahoma State University (OSU) has officially launched its new Cimarron supercomputer, significantly enhancing computing resources for researchers across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas. This new system is more than ten times more powerful than OSU's previous supercomputer. It is designed to support advanced research in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, severe weather prediction, aerospace, and health care. The Cimarron supercomputer will enable scientists to process vast amounts of data, develop complex simulations, and conduct research that demands substantial computational power. Named after the Cimarron River, the initiative aims to expand research opportunities and foster collaboration among various institutions throughout the region, positioning OSU as a key hub for scientific advancement.

Ryan Transportation Enhances Shipper Portal with Real-Time Quoting and Instant Booking

Ryan Transportation Enhances Shipper Portal with Real-Time Quoting and Instant Booking

Ryan Transportation Enhances Shipper Portal with Real-Time Quoting and Instant Booking