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KS - June 18 2025

Historic Weather; McPherson Rainfall; Kansans Medicare Coverage; Challenging Wheat Season; High Farm Income

Greg Loving

18 Jun 2025 • 3 min read

Kansas farm income in 2025 is expected to be the second highest in the past 20 years, bolstered by government payments that addressed weather challenges and depressed crop prices. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)

Wichita Shatters Weather Records With Historic Wind and Rain

McPherson Area Tops State With 5.28 Inches of Rainfall

13,000 Kansans Face Health Coverage Loss Under Federal Medicaid Cuts

Kansas Wheat Crop Battles Through Challenging Growing Season

Government Payments Drive Kansas Farm Income to 20-Year High

1. Wichita Shatters Weather Records With Historic Wind and Rain

Wichita experienced extraordinary weather Tuesday as the city recorded 4.19 inches of rainfall, breaking a 135-year-old record of 2.50 inches set on June 17, 1890. More remarkably, meteorologists were stunned by a 102 mph wind gust measured at 4:22 a.m. at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport — the highest wind speed recorded in Wichita since measurements began in 1970.

Kansas.com

2. McPherson Area Tops State With 5.28 Inches of Rainfall

McPherson County led Kansas with the highest rainfall totals as storms swept through the state, with 5.28 inches measured about one mile south of McPherson, according to the Kansas Mesonet. The only other areas exceeding Wichita's 4.19 inches were in southern Sedgwick County and neighboring counties, including Pretty Prairie in Reno County, which recorded 4.92 inches.

A look at Tuesday’s rainfall totals around Kansas. Screenshot Kansas Mesonet

Kansas.com

3. 13,000 Kansans Face Health Coverage Loss Under Federal Medicaid Cuts

Thousands of Kansans could lose their health insurance as Congress considers significant cuts to Medicaid as part of the Trump Administration's "One Big Beautiful Bill" budget reconciliation process. Updated projections from Manatt Health show 13,000 Kansans would lose Medicaid coverage, while the state could forfeit up to $3.77 billion in program funding over the next decade if the federal cuts are approved.

Capital-Journal

4. Kansas Wheat Crop Battles Through Challenging Growing Season

Despite dire predictions last fall, Kansas wheat fields showed surprising resilience this spring, though challenges persist as harvest approaches. John Holman, Kansas State University agronomy professor at the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Garden City, credited cooler May temperatures and timely rains for salvaging what looked like a lost crop from December through April, though excess moisture has now caused lodging in some southwest Kansas fields, potentially due to increased root rot diseases from wet spring conditions.

High Plains Journal

5. Government Payments Drive Kansas Farm Income to 20-Year High

Kansas farm income for 2025 is projected to reach one of its highest levels in two decades, primarily driven by $2 billion in federal government payments offsetting depressed crop prices and challenging weather conditions. Jennifer Ifft, agricultural policy specialist at Kansas State University, noted the sharp contrast between thriving livestock farmers benefiting from strong demand and struggling crop farmers facing lower prices and high input costs, with government assistance making the critical difference in overall farm profitability.

Kansas Reflector

Hutchinson

Salina

McPherson / Lindsborg

Many more cities coming soon!