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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Nearly half of the U.S. winter wheat crop is in poor or very poor condition, following a tough growing season. Some farmers are choosing to leave their crop in the field -
Massive data centers powering artificial intelligence have sprouted across the country in recent years, drawing opposition for their water consumption. But in rural Kansas, boosters of one project argue that it could represent a huge savings in water use compared to irrigated farming. -
Former Mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, Joe Ceballos pleaded guilty in April to voting as a noncitizen, which he says was an honest mistake. Now he’s being ordered to federal immigration detention. -
Homegrown athletes are spreading lucha libre, or traditional Mexican wrestling, across the Plains. It’s more than just entertainment, as it carries cultural history with it while sometimes addressing modern challenges in the world. -
Joe Ceballos, former mayor of Coldwater, is a legal resident, but not a citizen. He pleaded guilty Monday to voting illegally, saying it was a mistake. It’s not yet clear if he’ll face deportation. -
Rural communities have been turning to nonprofits and other strategies to keep grocery stores open. But one of those new stores is closing in Kansas, which shows how challenging it can be to provide food in small towns. -
Western Kansas was scorched by wildfires spread out over several counties. While local and state fire agencies contain them, ranchers and small towns move to recovering. -
Western Kansas has the potential to capitalize on our region’s growing energy demands even as rural populations shrink. There’s plenty of land, wind and sun to be a center for renewable energy production. But skepticism is bringing these projects to a halt. -
Southwest Kansas farmers have a tough task: Decide on a plan to reduce their irrigation or have the state decide it for them. Groundwater Management District 3 is proposing an unprecedented districtwide conservation area. But a lot of farmers think there are some holes in this plan. -
The Democratic Kansas governor and Republican attorney general don’t always agree about suing or joining existing lawsuits. Now the Kansas Supreme Court could decide.
