Calen Moore
Western Kansas ReporterCalen Moore is High Plains Public Radio's western Kansas reporter. Based in Liberal, he covers the issues that impact the region — from water conservation and agriculture to rural development and immigration.
His work reaches audiences across through the Kansas News Service, a statewide collaboration of public radio stations.
Growing up in southwest Kansas, Moore has a heart for the region and hopes to tell stories and connect people across the often overlooked High Plains.
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Western Kansas has inserted itself into the corn belt, a region of the Midwest from Ohio to Nebraska that has dominated corn production. There might be better crop options for the Kansas climate, but huge industries and government subsidies help keep corn growing. -
Kansas farmers are hurting after China’s retaliatory tariffs on the United States closed a major market for the state’s biggest crop. Despite a productive year, farmers across Kansas may not break even. -
Small Kansas high schools are switching to six-man football to keep their teams alive, while their towns’ populations shrink. And state high school sports officials think it’s a trend that will likely grow. -
Kansas is an important “breadbasket” state because of its massive wheat production, but in recent years that’s been changing. With poor profits and drier climates, wheat has been harder to manage. New innovations could rejuvenate the economy and production of the wheat state. -
Southwest Kansas residents are making an effort to remember a river that helped shape communities in the area. The Arkansas River today has run dry in the region, but has left a significant impact, leading locals looking for conservation and recharge efforts. -
Western Kansas is the place for a quiet, rural lifestyle. But with that comes shortages when you need to see a doctor. Many will drive an hour or more to receive quality health care. But some of the problems may not be easily fixed. -
Under the Great Plains, there's an aquifer powering the region's agriculture system. But it's running out of water, prompting farmers in middle America to consider more environmentally friendly crops.
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Under the Great Plains, there's an aquifer powering the region's agriculture system. But it's running out of water, prompting farmers in middle America to consider more environmentally friendly crops.
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Many towns in western Kansas lack gyms and fitness centers. Some small communities are building outdoor walking trails to encourage better health and attract new residents. -
The cattle feedlots on the western side of Kansas produce a significant amount of the beef in your grocery store. But a small town in the region is now opposing a feedlot because of health and environmental concerns.
