The drought is easing in the eastern half of Kansas thanks to timely rains. In late April, the entire state was in some type of a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. On Thursday, the agency reported that 75 percent of the state is in a moderate to exceptional drought, compared to 97 percent on April 23. Also, 65 percent of the state is in the severe to exceptional category, which has eased from 82 percent in April.

About 10 percent of the state is out of the drought.

By Amy Bickel

Drought continues to improve in the eastern half of Kansas. In fact, for the first time since June 2012, there are areas in the state not labeled as in a drought.

The U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday shows about 3 percent of the state is not listed in a drought. However, conditions are dire in western Kansas, which has the highest ratings the monitor gives  -- extreme to exceptional. About half the state are in those categories.