Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US Immigration-Des Moines Schools Superintendent
Former Iowa superintendent charged with federal firearms offense after immigration arrest
SUMMARY: Federal authorities have charged Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, with possessing firearms while in the U.S. illegally. Roberts resigned this week after being detained by immigration agents. Roberts appeared by video Thursday before a judge in Des Moines. Federal authorities said Roberts had a final removal order that was issued last year, and an immigration judge denied a motion to reopen Roberts’ immigration case in April this year. They allege Roberts had four firearms in his possession, one in his school-issued vehicle and three at his residence. Roberts’ attorney said he will exercise his right to plead not guilty if he is indicted.
WORDS: 535 – MOVED: 10/02/2025 4:03 p.m. CDT
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US–Immigration-Des Moines School Superintendent
Iowa school district sues search firm that vetted superintendent arrested by ICE last week
SUMMARY: Iowa’s largest school district has said it filed a lawsuit against the consulting company it hired to find superintendent candidates. The Des Moines school district alleges the company failed to properly vet Ian Roberts, who was arrested by immigration authorities last week. Des Moines Public Schools hired JG Consulting in 2022, leading to Roberts’ hiring the following year. Immigration officials say Roberts was not authorized to work in the U.S. Federal prosecutors have charged him with possessing firearms while in the country illegally. The district accuses the consulting company of breach of contract and negligence. School board chair Jackie Norris says the goal is to recoup taxpayer dollars and address reputational damage.
WORDS: 777 – MOVED: 10/03/2025 11:46 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–Trump-Clean Energy
Trump administration cuts nearly $8B in clean energy projects in states that backed Harris
SUMMARY: The Trump administration has announced the cancellation of $7.6 billion intended for clean energy projects across 16 states. Each of those are states where both senators voted against the Republican bill to keep the federal government open. The cuts likely will affect battery plants, hydrogen technology projects and more. The announcement Thursday by the Energy Department came after the Republican funding bill couldn’t muster enough votes to pass in the Senate, initiating a federal government shutdown. The Trump administration says the projects do not align with national energy needs, while critics argue the move is politically motivated and could raise energy costs and threaten thousands of jobs.
WORDS: 1001 – MOVED: 10/02/2025 12:08 p.m. CDT
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US–Big Tech-Private Equity-Minnesota
Regulators approve disputed $6.2B takeover of Minnesota Power by investment group
SUMMARY: Minnesota regulators have approved the takeover of Minnesota Power by an investment group, despite opposition from the state attorney general and consumer advocates. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously Friday, saying conditions on the deal will protect the public interest and shield customers from rate increases. The buyout involves a BlackRock subsidiary and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board taking over Allete, Minnesota Power’s parent company. The deal is valued at $6.2 billion. Opponents fear this could lead to higher bills and less accountability. Supporters argue the capital infusion will help meet the state’s carbon-free energy goals by 2040.
WORDS: 629 – MOVED: 10/03/2025 12:47 p.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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US–Medical Marijuana-Pushback
Nebraska Republicans are targeting voter-approved medical marijuana, following other GOP-led states
SUMMARY: Nebraska officials have missed a deadline to grant licenses to marijuana growers under a new medical marijuana law approved by voters. This delay highlights ongoing resistance in GOP-led states like Nebraska, where Republican leaders are trying to weaken or overturn the law. On Tuesday, Lia Post, who suffers from chronic pain, expressed frustration at a commission meeting as the deadline loomed. Many states have legalized some form of marijuana use, but some Republican leaders continue to oppose it, citing safety concerns. Critics argue this undermines voter intentions.
WORDS: 1088 – MOVED: 10/02/2025 5:16 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Texas Megachurch-Pastor Accused
Texas megachurch founder Robert Morris pleads guilty to child sex abuse charges
SUMMARY: Authorities say a Texas megachurch founder has pleaded guilty to lewd and indecent acts with a child after he was accused of sexually abusing a young girl in the 1980s in Oklahoma while he was a traveling minister. Sixty-four-year-old Robert Preston Morris entered the pleas Thursday before a judge in Oklahoma under a plea agreement. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said Morris received a 10-year suspended sentence with the first six months to be served in jail. Drummond said the abuse began in 1982 when the victim was 12 and Morris was staying at her family’s home in Hominy, Oklahoma. Morris resigned as senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, after the accusations were made public.
WORDS: 659 – MOVED: 10/02/2025 4:02 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKL–Fever-Clark
Caitlin Clark says Collier made ‘valid’ points and Commissioner Engelbert hasn’t contacted her
SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark says WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert hasn’t reached out to her in the aftermath of Napheesa Collier’s statement about an alleged private conversation in which the league’s leader made comments about Clark. The Indiana Fever guard spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since the league’s All-Star Game in July. Clark said Minnesota Lynx star Collier made valid points in her lengthy statement that criticized league officials, particularly Engelbert, for what Collier portrayed as a lack of accountability and care for WNBA players.
WORDS: 934 – MOVED: 10/02/2025 11:29 a.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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FBN–Chiefs-Jaguars Preview Capsule
Chiefs looking for 3rd consecutive win this season and 9th in a row against the Jaguars
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs have won eight in a row against Jacksonville and will try to make it nine straight on “Monday Night Football.” The Chiefs have won consecutive games since an 0-2 start and have receiver Xavier Worthy back in the mix. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are off to their best start since 2018 and are one seemingly botched pass interference call away from being undefeated. First-year head coach Liam Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence have benefitted from a league-leading 13 takeaways.
WORDS: 777 – MOVED: 10/02/2025 1:04 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Jaguars Preview
Jaguars insist MNF matchup with the Chiefs is ‘about us’ and not the 3-time defending AFC champs
SUMMARY: For Kansas City, it’s just another prime-time game. For Jacksonville, it’s a chance for a statement game. Although the Jaguars have lost eight in a row in the series, they are approaching their “Monday Night Football” matchup against the three-time defending AFC champion Chiefs with a “who cares about the past” mentality. New team. New year. New outlook. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen says “it’s not about the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s not about Patrick Mahomes. It’s about us.” Jacksonville has a growing belief that the franchise’s latest rebuild is sustainable and beating the Chiefs could change the narrative for a floundering franchise.
WORDS: 694 – MOVED: 10/02/2025 6:09 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BKL–WNBA Commissioner
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to speak for 1st time since Napheesa Collier’s blistering comments
SUMMARY: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert typically highlights the league’s successes over the past season at her annual state of the league address. This year’s speech might be a little different. Engelbert will speak Friday night ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals for the first time since Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier’s blistering assessment that the league has “the worst leadership in the world” with a commissioner who lacks accountability. The best-of-seven championship series is between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury. It is in many ways being overshadowed by the off-court issues facing Engelbert and the league.
WORDS: 349 – MOVED: 10/03/2025 9:43 a.m. CDT
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FBN–Browns-London
Browns QB Dillon Gabriel is confident for his 1st NFL start and jokes that his dad needs a passport
SUMMARY: Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel seems to take everything in stride, like not stressing about his parents being unable to attend his first NFL start. They’re in his native Hawaii. The game is in London. And Gabriel joked that his father doesn’t yet have a passport. Gabriel was selected midweek as the starter for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, taking over from Joe Flacco with coach Kevin Stefanski hoping the 24-year-old quarterback can spark what’s been an anemic offense.
WORDS: 688 – MOVED: 10/03/2025 9:12 a.m. CDT
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FBN–Vikings-London
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy will miss 3rd straight game because of ankle injury
SUMMARY: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss his third straight game because of a right ankle sprain. The second-year quarterback was ruled out Friday ahead of Minnesota’s game against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. McCarthy injured his ankle in the third quarter of Minnesota’s 22-6 loss to Atlanta in Week 2. Carson Wentz will make his third start. The Vikings will be missing three starters from the offensive line. Right tackle Brian O’Neill (knee), center Ryan Kelly (concussion), and left guard Donovan Jackson (wrist) were all ruled out Friday.
WORDS: 301 – MOVED: 10/03/2025 10:36 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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FBN–Chiefs-Jaguars Preview Capsule
Chiefs looking for 3rd consecutive win this season and 9th in a row against the Jaguars
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs have won eight in a row against Jacksonville and will try to make it nine straight on “Monday Night Football.” The Chiefs have won consecutive games since an 0-2 start and have receiver Xavier Worthy back in the mix. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are off to their best start since 2018 and are one seemingly botched pass interference call away from being undefeated. First-year head coach Liam Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence have benefitted from a league-leading 13 takeaways.
WORDS: 777 – MOVED: 10/02/2025 1:04 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Jaguars Preview
Jaguars insist MNF matchup with the Chiefs is ‘about us’ and not the 3-time defending AFC champs
SUMMARY: For Kansas City, it’s just another prime-time game. For Jacksonville, it’s a chance for a statement game. Although the Jaguars have lost eight in a row in the series, they are approaching their “Monday Night Football” matchup against the three-time defending AFC champion Chiefs with a “who cares about the past” mentality. New team. New year. New outlook. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen says “it’s not about the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s not about Patrick Mahomes. It’s about us.” Jacksonville has a growing belief that the franchise’s latest rebuild is sustainable and beating the Chiefs could change the narrative for a floundering franchise.
WORDS: 694 – MOVED: 10/02/2025 6:09 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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GLF–Korn Ferry-59
Davis Chatfield becomes the 3rd player this year with a 59 on the Korn Ferry Tour
SUMMARY: Davis Chatfield is the latest Korn Ferry Tour player with a 59. Chatfield made an albatross on the par-5 15th hole and finished with a 30-foot birdie putt for 12-under 59 at The Patriot Golf Club in the Compliance Solutions Championship. Myles Creighton and Adrien Dumont Du Chassart shot 59 in the same Korn Ferry Tour event at the Wichita Open. It’s the eighth sub-60 round across golf this year. That list includes three 59s on the PGA Tour Americas. Jake Knapp shot 59 on the PGA Tour and Sebastian Munoz shot 59 at a LIV Golf event in Indianapolis.
WORDS: 164 – MOVED: 10/02/2025 1:58 p.m. CDT
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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BKL–WNBA Finals-Things to Know
The WNBA Finals begin on Friday. Here are some things to know
SUMMARY: WNBA Finals coaches Becky Hammon and Nate Tibbetts share a South Dakota heritage with both growing up there. Hammon actually played against a team coached by Tibbetts’ father, Fred, when she was in high school. Fred Tibbetts was one of the most successful high school coaches in the state’s history winning 111 games in a row at one point. Although they are the same age, the two didn’t really know each other until both got jobs in the NBA as assistant coaches. Hammon was with the Spurs and Tibbetts with the Cavaliers, Trail Blazers and Magic.
WORDS: 800 – MOVED: 10/03/2025 1:00 a.m. CDT
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