Wheat Harvest Hits Halfway

Kansas Lawmakers Target USDA Closures

Algae Advisories Hit Kansas Lakes

Kelly Denies Serial Killer Clemency

Empanada Sales Surge During World Cup

Wheat Harvest Hits Halfway

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas Wheat's Day 6 harvest report said the 2026 wheat cutting was roughly 50% complete at CoMark Equity Alliance's approximately 75 Kansas locations. The cooperative expected to take in only 40% to 45% of a normal crop as harvest moved through areas with high abandonment, variable stands and weed pressure. Reported yields ranged from as low as five bushels per acre to 40, with anomalies in the 50s, while test weights averaged above 60 pounds per bushel and protein levels ran higher than usual. The next statewide harvest report is scheduled for June 28, 2026.

Kansas Wheat

Kansas Lawmakers Target USDA Closures

WICHITA, Kan. — U.S. Reps. Sharice Davids and Derek Schmidt introduced the bipartisan USDA Field Office Stability Act on June 18 to limit closures or relocations of U.S. Department of Agriculture county and field offices. The bill would bar the agency from closing or relocating Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Rural Development offices except in limited circumstances, including when another field office is within 20 miles in the same state. The lawmakers said the measure responds to USDA staffing cuts that have affected offices serving farmers, ranchers and rural communities. They cited roughly 24,000 USDA job cuts nationwide since January 2025, about 27% of the workforce, including roughly 500 positions in Kansas. The measure awaits committee action in the U.S. House.

KWCH

Algae Advisories Hit Kansas Lakes

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks issued public health advisories June 18 for 12 Kansas lakes because of blue-green algae. Warning status covered Gathering Pond, King Lake, Marion Reservoir, Pomona Lake, Lake Afton and Wellington Lake. Watch status covered Augusta Santa Fe Lake, Herington City Lake, Clinton Lake, Jewell State Fishing Lake, Jeffrey Energy Center Make-up Lake and Chisholm Ridge Ponds. Officials advised people and pets to avoid suspicious water, rinse after contact and report suspected harmful algal bloom-related illness.

KWCH

Kelly Denies Serial Killer Clemency

TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly announced June 18 that she denied John Robinson's request to commute his death sentence. Robinson, 82, was convicted of killing seven women and a teenage girl in Kansas and Missouri cases dating to 1984. Kelly said Kansas reinstated the death penalty in 1994 and that it remains state law. She said Robinson's request did not include a credible claim of innocence or evidence of manifest injustice. The governor's office said the Prisoner Review Board process requires notice to victims, the prosecuting attorney and the trial judge before a report is sent to the governor. Robinson was the only person sentenced to death with a clemency application received as of June 18, 2026.

Governor's Office · KWCH

Empanada Sales Surge During World Cup

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. — Argentina Empanadas owner Ivan Acuña said his Prairie Village shop, Shawnee restaurant Buenos Aires, Fan Fest booth and wholesale business have sold about 10,000 empanadas per week during the World Cup. Acuña said demand has been especially strong around Argentina-related events. Lines at Fan Fest grew long enough that volunteers helped manage them, he said. He expects the business to remain busy through the rest of the tournament.

KCTV5

Sources

1. Kansas Wheat: https://kswheat.com/day-6-kansas-wheat-harvest-report
2. KWCH: https://www.kwch.com/2026/06/18/davids-schmidt-introduce-bipartisan-bill-keep-usda-offices-open-kansas-farmers-ranchers/
3. KWCH: https://www.kwch.com/2026/06/18/dozen-kansas-lakes-under-blue-green-algae-warnings-watches/
4. Governor's Office / KWCH: https://www.kwch.com/2026/06/18/kansas-gov-laura-kelly-denies-clemency-request-convicted-serial-killer-john-robinson/
5. KCTV5: https://www.kctv5.com/2026/06/19/local-business-says-its-selling-10000-argentinian-empanadas-week/

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