Great Plains News Digest
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KANSAS
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US–Aircraft Down-Lawsuit
Family of 1 of the 67 Washington plane crash victims sues the FAA, Army and American Airlines
SUMMARY: The family of one of the 67 people who were killed when an airliner collided with an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., in January is suing the government and the airlines involved. Other families will join the lawsuit later. The lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks to hold the Federal Aviation Administration, the Army, American Airlines and its regional partner, PSA Airlines, accountable for the deadliest U.S. plane crash since 2001. The National Transportation Safety Board has already noted several likely contributing factors in the Jan. 29 crash, including that the helicopter was flying too high and the FAA’s failure to recognize an alarming pattern of close calls.
WORDS: 898 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 11:17 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–Colorado Wildfire-Settlement
Xcel Energy will pay $640M to settle claims from Denver-area wildfire that burned 1,000 structures
SUMMARY: Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy said Wednesday it expects to pay about $640 million to settle lawsuits alleging it was responsible for starting Colorado’s most destructive wildfire that killed two people and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes in 2021. The announcement came right before jury selection was set to begin in a trial combining lawsuits brought by homeowners and insurers over the fire in the heavily populated suburbs between Denver and Boulder. Court documents confirmed a settlement has been reached and the trial canceled. Xcel has maintained that its equipment did not cause or contribute to the fire. It said it does not admit any fault under the settlement.
WORDS: 791 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 2:28 p.m. CDT
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US-SCI–Earth Mapper-First Pictures
First radar images from new Earth-mapping satellite showcase Maine coast and North Dakota farmland
SUMMARY: NASA has released the first radar images from a new Earth-mapping satellite showing the Maine coast and North Dakota farmland in incredible detail. The pictures are from a spacecraft that rocketed into orbit from India two months ago. The joint U.S.-Indian mission will survey virtually all of the world’s land and ice masses multiple times. By tracking even the slightest shifts in land and ice, the satellite will give forecasters and first responders a leg up in dealing with natural disasters. NASA says the pictures released Thursday are a preview of what’s to come once science operations begin in November.
WORDS: 198 – MOVED: 09/25/2025 11:01 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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US–Education-School Closures
Districts around the US are mulling school closures as student enrollment falls
SUMMARY: Districts nationwide are weighing how many public schools they can keep open as enrollment drops due to shrinking budgets, the falling national birthrate and a growing school choice movement. The decisions are gut wrenching. It’s a financial strain to operate half-empty school buildings, but research shows kids and neighborhoods don’t always fare well after closures. Major school systems including Philadelphia, Boston, Houston and Norfolk, Virginia, are considering shuttering schools, while a public outcry over potential closures has stopped them — for now — in Seattle and San Francisco.
WORDS: 1048 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 11:01 p.m. CDT
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China-US-Digital-Cage-Reaction
Lawmakers and activists call for action after AP reveals US tech role in China’s surveillance state
SUMMARY: Lawmakers and activists are urging U.S. tech firms to stop selling surveillance equipment to Chinese police. This follows an Associated Press report revealing the significant role American technology plays in enabling human rights abuses in China. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley wants tech companies to testify before Congress about their exports. An AP investigation found that companies like IBM, Dell, and Cisco sold billions in technology to Chinese authorities, despite warnings. Lawmakers from both parties are calling for stricter export laws. Civil society groups are also demanding that tech firms cut ties with China’s surveillance state.
WORDS: 798 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 10:02 a.m. CDT
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NORTH DAKOTA
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US-SCI–Earth Mapper-First Pictures
First radar images from new Earth-mapping satellite showcase Maine coast and North Dakota farmland
SUMMARY: NASA has released the first radar images from a new Earth-mapping satellite showing the Maine coast and North Dakota farmland in incredible detail. The pictures are from a spacecraft that rocketed into orbit from India two months ago. The joint U.S.-Indian mission will survey virtually all of the world’s land and ice masses multiple times. By tracking even the slightest shifts in land and ice, the satellite will give forecasters and first responders a leg up in dealing with natural disasters. NASA says the pictures released Thursday are a preview of what’s to come once science operations begin in November.
WORDS: 198 – MOVED: 09/25/2025 11:01 a.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Oklahoma-Superintendent Resigns
Ryan Walters resigns as Oklahoma’s top public schools official to lead conservative educators’ group
SUMMARY: Oklahoma’s top public schools official, Ryan Walters, says he’s resigning to lead a conservative educators’ group. Walters, who praised Donald Trump and opposed “wokeness” in schools, announced his decision Wednesday on Fox News. He plans to become CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit supporting educators in developing “free, moral, and upright American citizens.” Walters has been involved in several controversial initiatives, including promoting religion in classrooms and requiring teachers to pass ideology exams. On Tuesday, he pledged to put a Turning Point USA chapter in Oklahoma high schools to honor founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Sept. 10.
WORDS: 399 – MOVED: 09/25/2025 9:04 a.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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FBC–T25-Indiana-Moore Eligible
Indiana safety Louis Moore wins court case in Texas making him eligible for the rest of season
SUMMARY: Judge Dale Tillery has ruled in favor of Indiana safety Louis Moore, making him eligible to play the rest of this season with the 11th-ranked Hoosiers. Tillery allowed Moore to play each of Indiana’s first four games as the battle against the NCAA played out in Dallas County, Texas, near Moore’s hometown. Moore filed suit in August, challenging the governing body’s five-year rule. Tillery ruled the NCAA rule violated Texas Antitrust Act. Moore spent three seasons in junior college, redshirting one year, then spent two years at Indiana before transferring to Mississippi. He transferred back to Indiana this season and leads the unbeaten Hoosiers with 23 tackles and two interceptions. Indiana visits Iowa on Saturday.
WORDS: 193 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 10:10 p.m. CDT
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FBC–Big 12 This Week
No. 14 Iowa State going for 5-0 start in 1st Big 12 matchup vs. Arizona
SUMMARY: No. 14 Iowa State and Arizona meet Saturday for the first time since 1968. They are now undefeated Big 12 opponents. Iowa State has trailed for only 28 seconds this season and is looking to start 5-0 for the second year in a a row. The 3-0 Wildcats are sixth nationally in scoring defense allowing 8.7 points a game, and seventh allowing 222 total yards a game. No. 24 TCU plays Friday night at defending Big 12 champion Arizona State, which won its league opener on a game-ending field goal at Baylor.
WORDS: 772 – MOVED: 09/25/2025 12:57 a.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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FBN–Chiefs-Injuries
Chiefs welcome back Rashee Rice to meetings, Xavier Worthy to field ahead of crucial Ravens showdown
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is back at the facility as the team prepares for a showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Rice is serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy after a car crash in March 2024. He can attend meetings but still can’t practice. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says Rice’s presence boosts the team. Xavier Worthy, who injured his shoulder in a game against the Chargers, returned to practice and could play this week. Chiefs coach Andy Reid says Worthy is feeling good, but his status for Sunday is uncertain. The Chiefs and Ravens are both 1-2 this season.
WORDS: 443 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 3:42 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Royals-Angels
Ward homers, Jansen earns 475th save as Angels avoid sweep with 3-2 win over Royals
SUMMARY: Taylor Ward homered, Kenley Jansen earned his 475th career save and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 to avoid a series sweep. Yusei Kikuchi (7-11) gave up just one hit while striking out six over five innings. He was removed with a left forearm cramp before the sixth. Jansen struck out two in the ninth for his 28th save of the season. Royals’ starter Stephen Kolek (5-7) went six innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out two. Randal Grichuk’s homer in the fifth was the only hit given up Kikuchi.
WORDS: 342 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 11:33 p.m. CDT
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FBC–Big 12 This Week
No. 14 Iowa State going for 5-0 start in 1st Big 12 matchup vs. Arizona
SUMMARY: No. 14 Iowa State and Arizona meet Saturday for the first time since 1968. They are now undefeated Big 12 opponents. Iowa State has trailed for only 28 seconds this season and is looking to start 5-0 for the second year in a a row. The 3-0 Wildcats are sixth nationally in scoring defense allowing 8.7 points a game, and seventh allowing 222 total yards a game. No. 24 TCU plays Friday night at defending Big 12 champion Arizona State, which won its league opener on a game-ending field goal at Baylor.
WORDS: 772 – MOVED: 09/25/2025 12:57 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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FBN–Vikings-Flores
Vikings-Steelers game gives thriving Brian Flores a reflection of gratitude and a chance to catch up
SUMMARY: Brian Flores found the perfect pit stop for his coaching career in Pittsburgh. He has clearly been enjoying the ride with Minnesota since then. The third-year defensive coordinator of the Vikings gets the chance this weekend to catch up with old friends from the Steelers when the two teams play the NFL’s first game in Dublin. Flores had recently been fired after a three-season run as coach of the Miami Dolphins when longtime Steelers coach Mike Tomlin offered him a job as a senior defensive assistant working with the inside linebackers in 2022. He joined the Vikings a year later.
WORDS: 784 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 2:14 p.m. CDT
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BKL–Lynx Collapse
Top-seeded Lynx lament losing their usual composure and a big lead in letting Mercury tie the series
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Lynx squandered a 20-point lead in the third quarter of Game 2 of their semifinal series against the Phoenix Mercury and took an 89-83 overtime loss. The Lynx uncharacteristically lost their composure down the stretch and made several costly mistakes. They committed four unforced turnovers in a 65-second span of the third quarter. They also lost possession on a 5-second call on an inbound play with 46 seconds left in the fourth quarter while leading by three. The Mercury wound up winning 89-83 in overtime to even the best-of-five series at one game apiece. Game 3 is Friday night.
WORDS: 548 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 4:13 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Steelers-Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers hates his new helmet. The Steelers QB is more upbeat about his team’s offense
SUMMARY: Aaron Rodgers isn’t exactly a fan of his new helmet. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback says he “hates” the model the NFL required him to use this year after the league banned the model he long preferred for safety reasons. Despite his reservations, Rodgers is adapting. He’s thrown for seven touchdowns through three games, tied for second in the NFL. Rodgers says the Steelers are still “figuring it out” but is optimistic things are trending in the right direction. Pittsburgh travels to Dublin, Ireland, in Week 4 to face Minnesota in the first regular-season game in the Emerald Isle.
WORDS: 776 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 4:24 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Rangers
Rangers get strong finale from deGrom and top Twins 4-2 to stop 8-game skid
SUMMARY: Josh Smith homered, Billy McKinney singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Texas Rangers beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 to end a season-worst eight-game losing streak. Byron Buxton hit his career-high 32nd home run on the second pitch from Jacob deGrom — a 447-foot shot to center field. It was the 18th time in his career that Buxton led off a game with a homer. DeGrom allowed a single and a walk from there, striking out nine in five innings. He left his 30th start of the season after five innings and 74 pitches, finishing with a 12-8 record and a 2.97 ERA.
WORDS: 364 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 10:00 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Rangers-deGrom
A win for Jacob deGrom and Rangers with his 30th start of ’25 after 4 injury-plagued seasons
SUMMARY: Jacob deGrom struck out eight over five innings in his 30th and final start this season for the Texas Rangers. That has to be considered a victory even though he didn’t get one Wednesday night. The 37-year-old lanky right-hander threw 172 2/3 innings and skipped only one start after after missing most of his first two seasons with the Rangers because of Tommy John surgery. He finished 12-8 with 185 strikeouts and a 2.97 ERA. He got a no-decision against Minnesota, leaving with the game tied 1-1 before the Rangers won 4-2. The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner allowed only one more hit and walked one after Bryon Buxton homered on the second pitch of the game.
WORDS: 810 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 9:01 p.m. CDT
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FBN–NFL-Ireland-Rooneys
Ireland is home turf for Rooney family as Steelers lead NFL into Dublin game
SUMMARY: The game Sunday between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings is a homecoming of sorts for the Rooney family, which traces its roots to Newry in Northern Ireland. Steelers President Art Rooney II is scheduled to be in Newry on Thursday for an event with the Ireland Funds, a philanthropic organization that his father cofounded more than 30 years before becoming U.S. ambassador to Ireland in 2009. As ambassador, Daniel M. Rooney made it a point to visit all 32 counties in Ireland, that’s 26 in the Republic and six in the North. Dublin’s Croke Park is the setting for Ireland’s first regular-season NFL game.
WORDS: 761 – MOVED: 09/25/2025 12:57 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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FBC–SEC-Reshuffled Rivalries
SEC coaches mostly on board with new scheduling that ends some long-time annual matchups
SUMMARY: LSU coach Brian Kelly says he understands why new SEC scheduling will be unpopular with those who’d like to see the Tigers play Alabama and Florida every year — as they have for more than half a century. But Kelly and many other coaches in the conference say the goals of competitive balance and getting all teams to play each other at least once every two years is a sensible trade-off. While most of the best-known and oldest rivalries will remain annual fixtures, several will not. Those include Georgia and Tennessee, who’ve met every year since 1992. Each team will have three “annual opponents” for at least the next four years, when the conference schedule increases to nine games.
WORDS: 857 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 3:36 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Injuries
Chiefs welcome back Rashee Rice to meetings, Xavier Worthy to field ahead of crucial Ravens showdown
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is back at the facility as the team prepares for a showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Rice is serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy after a car crash in March 2024. He can attend meetings but still can’t practice. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says Rice’s presence boosts the team. Xavier Worthy, who injured his shoulder in a game against the Chargers, returned to practice and could play this week. Chiefs coach Andy Reid says Worthy is feeling good, but his status for Sunday is uncertain. The Chiefs and Ravens are both 1-2 this season.
WORDS: 443 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 3:42 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Giants
Cardinals eliminated from playoff contention following 4-3 loss to Giants
SUMMARY: Andrew Knizner hit an RBI triple in the eighth inning, and the San Francisco Giants beat St. Louis 4-3 to eliminate the Cardinals from playoff contention. Rafael Devers hit his 34th home run of the season, and Casey Schmitt had three hits to help the San Francisco avoid the series sweep. One day after the Cardinals ended the Giants’ postseason hopes with a late comeback, manager Bob Melvin’s club returned the favor with a late rally of its own. Jose Butto (5-3), the third of four relievers used by Melvin, retired two batters to get the win. Tristian Beck worked the ninth for his second save.
WORDS: 331 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 11:24 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Royals-Angels
Ward homers, Jansen earns 475th save as Angels avoid sweep with 3-2 win over Royals
SUMMARY: Taylor Ward homered, Kenley Jansen earned his 475th career save and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 to avoid a series sweep. Yusei Kikuchi (7-11) gave up just one hit while striking out six over five innings. He was removed with a left forearm cramp before the sixth. Jansen struck out two in the ninth for his 28th save of the season. Royals’ starter Stephen Kolek (5-7) went six innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out two. Randal Grichuk’s homer in the fifth was the only hit given up Kikuchi.
WORDS: 342 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 11:33 p.m. CDT
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FBC–Big 12 This Week
No. 14 Iowa State going for 5-0 start in 1st Big 12 matchup vs. Arizona
SUMMARY: No. 14 Iowa State and Arizona meet Saturday for the first time since 1968. They are now undefeated Big 12 opponents. Iowa State has trailed for only 28 seconds this season and is looking to start 5-0 for the second year in a a row. The 3-0 Wildcats are sixth nationally in scoring defense allowing 8.7 points a game, and seventh allowing 222 total yards a game. No. 24 TCU plays Friday night at defending Big 12 champion Arizona State, which won its league opener on a game-ending field goal at Baylor.
WORDS: 772 – MOVED: 09/25/2025 12:57 a.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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FBC–SEC-Reshuffled Rivalries
SEC coaches mostly on board with new scheduling that ends some long-time annual matchups
SUMMARY: LSU coach Brian Kelly says he understands why new SEC scheduling will be unpopular with those who’d like to see the Tigers play Alabama and Florida every year — as they have for more than half a century. But Kelly and many other coaches in the conference say the goals of competitive balance and getting all teams to play each other at least once every two years is a sensible trade-off. While most of the best-known and oldest rivalries will remain annual fixtures, several will not. Those include Georgia and Tennessee, who’ve met every year since 1992. Each team will have three “annual opponents” for at least the next four years, when the conference schedule increases to nine games.
WORDS: 857 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 3:36 p.m. CDT
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FBC–Oklahoma State-After Gundy
Doug Meacham faces daunting task as Oklahoma State’s interim head coach
SUMMARY: Oklahoma State interim head football coach Doug Meacham faces a big challenge following Mike Gundy, the most successful coach in the program’s history. Gundy was fired Tuesday, and Meacham steps in with the team struggling at 1-2. Oklahoma State hosts Baylor in its first game with Meacham as interim coach. The Cowboys have faced setbacks, including injuries and a struggling offense. Meacham is optimistic, noting the team’s positive attitude in practice. He acknowledges the mental hurdles of replacing a longtime friend but appreciates the opportunity. He urges fans to support the team as it works to improve.
WORDS: 794 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 9:40 p.m. CDT
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FBC–Big 12 This Week
No. 14 Iowa State going for 5-0 start in 1st Big 12 matchup vs. Arizona
SUMMARY: No. 14 Iowa State and Arizona meet Saturday for the first time since 1968. They are now undefeated Big 12 opponents. Iowa State has trailed for only 28 seconds this season and is looking to start 5-0 for the second year in a a row. The 3-0 Wildcats are sixth nationally in scoring defense allowing 8.7 points a game, and seventh allowing 222 total yards a game. No. 24 TCU plays Friday night at defending Big 12 champion Arizona State, which won its league opener on a game-ending field goal at Baylor.
WORDS: 772 – MOVED: 09/25/2025 12:57 a.m. CDT
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