Great Plains News Digest
To see stories that have already moved, please visit AP Newsroom. For text, photos, video, live and audio plans beyond the next 24 hours, please visit Coverage Plan
——————————-—
KANSAS
————-———————
US—Crossing Guards-Disreguarded
Crossing guards face life-threatening dangers on the job
SUMMARY: An investigation by The Associated Press and Cox Media Group Television Stations found that school crossing guards face dangerous conditions, with many injured or killed on the job. What’s more, data show that drivers who hit crossing guards often face minimal consequences, with a quarter charged criminally and nearly half getting traffic citations. Experts suggest solutions like smart crosswalk systems and better training. Despite the dangers, many crossing guards remain committed to their jobs.
WORDS: 2850 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 11:21 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
MISSOURI
————-———————
US–Election 2026-Redistricting
Ohio panel unveils proposed US House map that could help Republicans win more seats
SUMMARY: Ohio’s Republican-led redistricting commission has unveiled a new U.S. House map that could give Republicans a chance to win two more seats in next year’s elections. The move could support President Donald Trump’s effort to maintain a slim congressional majority. It comes amid a nationwide battle for partisan advantage. Republican lawmakers in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina have already reshaped their congressional districts at Trump’s urging. California Democrats also have redrawn districts that are going before voters in a Tuesday election. Ohio is required by its state constitution to enact new districts before the 2026 elections because the current map was adopted without bipartisan support.
WORDS: 885 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 4:23 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
NEBRASKA
————-———————
NE–Drug Treatment Resources
Detox Desert: Spending cuts, overdose undercounting leaves rural Nebraska with few resources
SUMMARY: An inpatient treatment center for substance abuse that opened in rural Nebraska earlier this year was full within a month of opening and has dozens of requests on any given day. While the numbers may not show that small-town Nebraska has a drug problem, officials and experts say the state has long undercounted drug deaths. A Flatwater Free Press analysis of data shows that Nebraska’s nonfatal overdose rate and its death rate simply don’t match up. Researchers say failing to acknowledge the size of the problem means fewer resources are available to combat it. Nebraska has 12 inpatient treatment centers outside of Omaha and Lincoln and only four of those offer a place to detox.
WORDS: 2275 – MOVED: 10/31/2025 12:43 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
OKLAHOMA
————-———————
US–China-Rare Earths
China’s rare earth export delay offers US a chance to weaken Beijing’s grip on the market
SUMMARY: China’s promise to delay its newest restrictions on the export of the rare earths that are crucial to many high-tech products for one year as part of a trade agreement creates an opportunity for the U.S. and its allies. But it will be hard for the West to undercut China’s stranglehold on the market. The restrictions China imposed on rare earths this year have been a key issue in the trade talks. The White House has made it a priority to reinvigorate the domestic critical minerals industry while also seeking supplies from allies like Australia. Colorado School of Mines professor Ian Lange said he thinks significant progress can be made in a year’s time to lessen China’s dominance of the rare earths market.
WORDS: 875 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 1:59 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————
SPORTS
——————————
——————————-—
KANSAS
————-———————
BKC–Last Dance of the Old Guard
As college basketball continues to change, how long will the game’s old guard of coaches press on?
SUMMARY: The landscape of college basketball is changing rapidly with name, image and likeness deals and the transfer portal reshaping teams yearly. Despite this, a group of veteran coaches like Rick Pitino, Rick Barnes and Tom Izzo continue to provide stability. These coaches have been pillars of the game for decades, but their tenure may be nearing its end. Many are in their seventies and facing the pressures of modern college basketball. Some, like Jay Wright and Tony Bennett, have already retired. Yet, the old guard remains influential, with teams like Houston and Tennessee ranked highly in preseason polls.
WORDS: 1074 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 11:01 a.m. CDT
——————————
BKW–Tipoff-Impact Freshmen
No. 18 USC’s Jazzy Davidson heads list of potential impact freshmen in women’s college basketball
SUMMARY: No. 18 Southern California won’t be lacking star power even as Associated Press 2024-25 player of the year JuJu Watkins sits out this season to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Watkins’ absence puts more of a spotlight on Jazzy Davidson. ESPN rated Davidson as the nation’s No. 1 prospect in her high school class. The 6-foot-1 forward was a four-time selection as Gatorade’s high school player of the year for the state of Oregon. Davidson heads our list of potential impact freshmen in women’s college basketball this season.
WORDS: 906 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 10:02 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
MINNESOTA
————-———————
FBN–Lions-Hutchinson
Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson grateful to sign $180M deal that includes $141M in guarantees
SUMMARY: Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is a big part of a nucleus that the franchise wants to build around in its chase for a Super Bowl title. He just got paid accordingly. Hutchinson signed a four-year, $180 million deal that includes $141 in guarantees, the most for an NFL player who doesn’t play quarterback. He is under contract through the 2030 season. Detroit hosts Minnesota on Sunday at Ford Field. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has extended contracts of key players in recent years, including quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell and safety Kerby Joseph.
WORDS: 353 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 3:14 p.m. CDT
——————————
HKN–Penguins-Wild
Rust has a goal and an assist as Penguins win 4-1 to send Wild to fifth straight loss
SUMMARY: Bryan Rust had a goal and an assist, Tristan Jarry made 26 saves and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat Minnesota 4-1 to hand the Wild their fifth straight loss. Rust’s tip-in of Ryan Shea’s long pass from the point broke a 1-1 tie 6:29 into the third. Ben Kindel added an insurance goal a minute later. Shea also scored and Anthony Mantha had an empty-net goal for Pittsburgh, which improved to 5-1-1 on the road. Kirill Kaprizov had the lone goal for Minnesota, which has lost eight of nine, including four straight to start a six-game homestand. Filip Gustavsson made 30 saves.
WORDS: 333 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 10:03 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
MISSOURI
————-———————
BBO–Giants-Vitello
Tony Vitello takes daunting step from college ranks to MLB dugout as Giants manager
SUMMARY: New San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello seems unfazed by the pressure of his jump from the college ranks at Tennessee to the big leagues. Vitello was hired as the Giants’ manager with no professional playing or coaching experience, and the team introduced him on Thursday. He plans to get into spring training drills alongside his players, throwing batting practice or hitting fungoes in an effort to help improve some fundamentals. And he intends to lean on the veterans who have been doing it for decades.
WORDS: 896 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 4:34 p.m. CDT
——————————
HKN–Canucks-Blues
Sherwood has hat trick, DeBrusk scores in shootout as Canucks beat Blues 4-3
SUMMARY: Keifer Sherwood had a hat trick, Jake DeBrusk scored the only goal in a shootout and the Vancouver Canucks beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3. DeBrusk beat Jordan Binnington in the third round of the shootout to give the Canucks their second win in six games. Kevin Lankinen made 36 saves for Vancouver. Sherwood’s third goal came with 12:56 remaining. He picked up a loose puck in the right circle after a stick was broken and whistled the puck over the shoulder of Binnington, who finished with 15 saves. It was his second career hat trick. Jimmy Snuggerud, Dylan Holloway and Pius Suter scored for St. Louis.
WORDS: 279 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 10:26 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
OKLAHOMA
————-———————
BKN–Thunder-Topic
Thunder guard Nikola Topic diagnosed with testicular cancer and undergoing chemotherapy
SUMMARY: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic has been diagnosed with testicular cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Sam Presti, the team’s general manager, announced this on Thursday. Topic, a first-round pick in 2024, had a testicular procedure earlier in the month and was expected to be out for at least four weeks. Presti said doctors are “extremely positive” about his long-term outlook. Topic has been working out throughout the process and didn’t want the diagnosis revealed until after he started treatment. He missed the entire 2024-2025 season due to a torn ACL but played in summer league this year.
WORDS: 303 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 12:58 p.m. CDT
——————————
BKN–Wizards-Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31 as the Thunder defeat the Wizards 127-108 and improve to 6-0
SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Washington Wizards 127-108, improving to 6-0. Ajay Mitchell scored 20 points off the bench Thursday night. Isaiah Joe, returning from injury, added 20 points and five 3-pointers. Oklahoma City forced 22 turnovers. Cason Wallace led the way with four steals. Despite their perfect record, the Thunder face challenges. General manager Sam Presti announced Nikola Topic’s testicular cancer diagnosis earlier in the day, and injuries sidelined stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Washington fell to 1-4.
WORDS: 356 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 9:36 p.m. CDT
——————————
BKW–Tipoff-Impact Freshmen
No. 18 USC’s Jazzy Davidson heads list of potential impact freshmen in women’s college basketball
SUMMARY: No. 18 Southern California won’t be lacking star power even as Associated Press 2024-25 player of the year JuJu Watkins sits out this season to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Watkins’ absence puts more of a spotlight on Jazzy Davidson. ESPN rated Davidson as the nation’s No. 1 prospect in her high school class. The 6-foot-1 forward was a four-time selection as Gatorade’s high school player of the year for the state of Oregon. Davidson heads our list of potential impact freshmen in women’s college basketball this season.
WORDS: 906 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 10:02 p.m. CDT
——————————
If you have a coverage enquiry, please contact Editorial Support (available 24/7) via editorialsupport@ap.org
<END>
