Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Trump-Blue Slips-Explainer
Trump and Republican senators fight over a century-old tradition for judicial nominees
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says the Senate’s century-old tradition of allowing home state senators to sign off on some federal judge and U.S. attorney nominees is “old and outdated.” Republican senators disagree. Trump has been complaining about what’s called the blue slip process for weeks and has pushed Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley to abandon the practice. But the veteran Iowa Republican senator hasn’t budged. On Monday, Trump said he may sue, arguing he can only get “weak” judges approved in states that have at least one Democratic senator. Senate Republicans have been unbowed, arguing they used blue slips to their own benefit when Democrat Joe Biden was president.
WORDS: 931 – MOVED: 08/26/2025 6:09 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–Democrats-Gaza
Democratic leaders withdraw measure clarifying the party position on the Israel-Hamas war
SUMMARY: The Democratic National Committee leadership has withdrawn a measure that would have clarified the party’s position on the Israel-Hamas war. A resolution backed by DNC leadership, including Chair Ken Martin, was approved unanimously during Tuesday’s meeting of the party’s resolution committee. But after pushback from progressive members later in the meeting, Martin surprised those on both sides of the debate by withdrawing his resolution and calling instead for a task force to study the issue further. The delay prolongs a sensitive political debate that has divided Democrats for much of the last year.
WORDS: 437 – MOVED: 08/26/2025 12:35 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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US–Congress-Town Hall-Missouri
And now for something different, civility unfolds in a Missouri GOP congressman’s town hall
SUMMARY: One of the few Republican U.S. House members making in-person appearances embarked on a town hall tour of his district to meet with constituents, and a civil conversation broke out. Rep. Mike Alford and an audience of about 100 in west central Missouri on Monday spent an hour bantering about Medicaid, the national guard being deployed in Washington, D.C., and certainly the deluge of action being taken by President Donald Trump. But gone from the slightly Democratic-leaning audience in the small auditorium on Southwest Baptist University campus in Boliver were the screams of “liar!” that have marked other Republican town halls, notably Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood’s in Lincoln on Aug. 5.
WORDS: 627 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 9:29 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKL–Fever-Injuries
Indiana Fever to be short-handed again as Caitlin Clark is ruled out of key matchup against Seattle
SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark and four other injured teammates have been ruled out of Tuesday’s key late-season matchup between the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm. The announcement came when Indiana updated its injury report Monday. Fever players and coaches were not scheduled to have media availability Monday. Clark has not played or practiced since injuring her right groin July 15. She did, however, participate in Indiana’s pregame shootaround Sunday at Minnesota. The Fever have lost two straight to the league-leading Lynx, a team Clark followed closely when she was growing up in Iowa. Indiana and Golden State are tied for the final playoff spots, 1/2 game behind Seattle.
WORDS: 259 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 6:20 p.m. CDT
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BKL–Clark-Nike
Caitlin Clark becomes a Nike signature athlete with shoe coming out next year
SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark is Nike’s newest signature athlete, expanding the athletic wear company’s partnership with the WNBA star. Nike has revealed a new logo of interlocking Cs to represent the Indiana Fever player. Clark’s first signature shoe and apparel collection will debut next year. Her logo collection will launch on Oct. 1. A T-shirt in the Fever’s colors of yellow and navy blue will come out a month earlier. Clark has had a huge impact in women’s basketball ratings and attendance over the last few years, dating from her time setting the NCAA all-time scoring record at Iowa.
WORDS: 283 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 7:44 p.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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FBC–Kansas-Daniels
Fireworks and touchdowns: How Jalon Daniels and Kansas celebrated their new stadium
SUMMARY: Jalon Daniels has experienced a major transformation in Kansas football. The sixth-year quarterback celebrated a touchdown with fireworks in the newly rebuilt stadium. Kansas beat Fresno State 31-7 in Saturday’s opener. Daniels, who was recruited by former coach Les Miles, has seen the team evolve from a winless season in 2020 to reaching bowl games. Injuries previously derailed his career, but he played a full season last year. The new stadium and his sixth season of eligibility motivated him to return. Daniels impressed with his leadership and performance, completing 18 of 20 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns. Kansas plays Wagner on Friday night before renewing the Border War against old Big 12 rival Missouri.
WORDS: 820 – MOVED: 08/26/2025 11:50 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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FBN–Jets-Phillips
Harrison Phillips had ‘initial shock’ about trade from Vikes, but says Jets’ ‘arrow is pointing up’
SUMMARY: Harrison Phillips said he was initially shocked by his trade from the Minnesota Vikings to the New York Jets last week. The veteran defensive tackle and team captain was a key player in Minnesota’s defense and active in the community. His trade from Minnesota was made official last Thursday. Phillips sees this as a great opportunity with the Jets, who are looking to end a 14-year playoff drought. He joins a strong defensive line, including Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams, and is eager to contribute to the team’s success. He says the Jets’ arrow is pointing up.
WORDS: 808 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 1:17 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Blue Jays
Scherzer wins 3rd straight start, Blue Jays use a big 1st inning for a 10-4 win over Twins
SUMMARY: Max Scherzer pitched six innings and won his third straight start, Alejandro Kirk and Andrés Giménez homered and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 10-4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added a two-run single as the AL East-leading Blue Jays won for the 30th time in 39 home games. Scherzer (5-2) allowed four runs and four hits, including two home runs. Minnesota’s Matt Wallner homered twice off Scherzer, his 18th and 19th, but the Twins lost for the sixth time in seven games.
WORDS: 342 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 8:48 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Vikings-Colts Trade
Colts get CB Mekhi Blackmon in trade from Vikings after multiple injuries at the position
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Vikings have traded cornerback Mekhi Blackmon to the Indianapolis Colts for a sixth-round draft pick. The deal was announced on Monday night and it’s pending a physical. Blackmon was a third-round pick in 2023. He made three starts with the Vikings, recording seven pass breakups and one interception. He tore his ACL during training camp last year. The Colts are dealing with multiple injuries in their secondary. They recently signed veteran Xavien Howard. Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Jones, and JuJu Brents are all recovering from injuries. Rookie Justin Walley also tore his ACL earlier this month.
WORDS: 292 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 10:36 p.m. CDT
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US–Women’s Sports Leagues-PWHL
‘You’re planting your brand flag’: The power of brand building in the women’s sports boom
SUMMARY: As the ever-growing crop of new women’s leagues aim for longevity, the question of team branding — which encompasses the nicknames and the color schemes and logos — is front and center. Successful leagues need legions of fans who buy the merchandise, learn the chants and pass along their fandom. Strong branding is central to all of that, and the PWHL is an interesting case study.
WORDS: 972 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 7:21 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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SOC–St Louis City FC-Pfannenstiel Fired
St. Louis City FC fires sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel amid another trying season
SUMMARY: St. Louis City FC has fired sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel. The decision comes two years after the MLS expansion club won the regular-season Western Conference title. The team is currently 14th out of 15 in the conference with seven matches left. Club president Diego Gigliani says the decision was difficult but necessary for the club’s future goals. Pfannenstiel, hired in 2020, was instrumental in establishing the club’s first team and academy programs. Gigliani and technical director John Hackworth will manage the roster while searching for a new sporting director.
WORDS: 346 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 1:13 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Royals-White Sox
Shane Smith gives up 1 hit in a career-high 7 innings, White Sox beat the Royals 7-0
SUMMARY: Shane Smith allowed one hit in a career-high seven innings, Korey Lee hit a two-run homer, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-0. Smith (4-7) pitched into the seventh inning for the first time in his career, facing just 23 batters on 80 pitches. Lee, in his first start since getting called up from Triple-A Charlotte, drove a shot over the left-field wall for his first home run of the season for a 5-0 lead in the fourth. Brooks Baldwin followed with a home run near the same spot for a six-run lead. Chicago has won three straight games after losing 14 of 18. Kansas City dropped to 13-10 in August.
WORDS: 335 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 9:03 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Pirates-Cardinals
Burleson hits a game-ending homer as the Cardinals beat the Pirates 7-6
SUMMARY: Alec Burleson hit a game-ending solo homer with two out in the ninth inning, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Burleson drove an 87 mph slider from Dennis Santana deep to center for his 16th homer. It was his fourth hit of the night. It was the first run allowed by Santana since Aug. 6. The right-hander surrendered three hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings over his previous six appearances. Willson Contreras had two RBIs for St. Louis, which had dropped eight of 11. Michael McGreevy permitted four runs and six hits in six innings.
WORDS: 316 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 10:02 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Contreras Ejection
Willson Contreras ejected, hits own coach with bat in Cardinals’ win over Pirates
SUMMARY: Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras threw a bat that mistakenly hit his own coach and tossed bubble gum on the field after he was ejected in St. Louis’ 7-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. Manager Oliver Marmol was also ejected during an animated argument with the umpires after a called third strike in the seventh inning. Contreras began walking toward his team’s dugout after being rung up on a pitch. Cardinals bench coach Daniel Descalso grabbed Contreras and led him away. The Cardinals won the game when Alec Burleson hit a solo home run with two outs in the ninth inning.
WORDS: 387 – MOVED: 08/25/2025 10:25 p.m. CDT
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FBC–T25-Notre Dame-Love
Love story: No. 6 Notre Dame’s title hopes likely will hinge on the success of its star running back
SUMMARY: Running back Jeremiyah Love finds himself at the heart of No. 6 Notre Dame’s game plan this season. His hurdling of opponents were all over highlight reels last season. And now The Associated Press preseason All-American finds himself in the early Heisman Trophy discussion. But with a new, inexperienced quarterback leading the team, Love knows he’ll need to carry a hefty load as the Fighting Irish try to win their first national championship since 1988. The road to the playoffs begins Sunday night when the Irish visit No. 10 Miami in the season opener for both teams.
WORDS: 746 – MOVED: 08/26/2025 11:22 a.m. CDT
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FBC–Kansas-Daniels
Fireworks and touchdowns: How Jalon Daniels and Kansas celebrated their new stadium
SUMMARY: Jalon Daniels has experienced a major transformation in Kansas football. The sixth-year quarterback celebrated a touchdown with fireworks in the newly rebuilt stadium. Kansas beat Fresno State 31-7 in Saturday’s opener. Daniels, who was recruited by former coach Les Miles, has seen the team evolve from a winless season in 2020 to reaching bowl games. Injuries previously derailed his career, but he played a full season last year. The new stadium and his sixth season of eligibility motivated him to return. Daniels impressed with his leadership and performance, completing 18 of 20 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns. Kansas plays Wagner on Friday night before renewing the Border War against old Big 12 rival Missouri.
WORDS: 820 – MOVED: 08/26/2025 11:50 a.m. CDT
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