Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–United States-Syria-Troops
US Army names 2 Iowa Guard members killed in attack in Syria
SUMMARY: The two Iowa National Guard members killed in a weekend attack that the U.S. military blamed on the Islamic State group in Syria have been identified. The U.S. Army named them Monday as 25-year-old Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and 29-year-old Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in their honor. A civilian working as a U.S. interpreter also was killed in the attack Saturday, and three other Iowa National Guard were wounded. A Syrian official says the assailant had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago and recently was reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with IS. The gunman was killed.
WORDS: 409 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 11:09 a.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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US–Severe Weather
Weekend storm drops heavy snow around Northeast as Pacific Northwest braces for more rain
SUMMARY: A weekend storm has dumped heavy snow on parts of the Northeast, causing flight delays and creating slick roads. The storm began Saturday and dropped several inches of snow around the New York-New Jersey metro area. Light snow fell over parts of New England. Crews in New Jersey and New York have been working to clear roads. Over 1,000 flights were delayed, and more than 100 others were canceled. Meanwhile, arctic air swept south from Canada, making Sunday the coldest morning of the season in Minnesota. The Pacific Northwest, meanwhile, is bracing for more rain and wind after days of flooding and mudslides.
WORDS: 284 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 12:46 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKC–T25-Iowa St-Eastern Illinois
Milan Momcilovic scores 18 points to help lift No. 4 Iowa State over Eastern Illinois 78-53
SUMMARY: Milan Momcilovic scored 18 points to lead four players in double figures and No. 4 Iowa State opened a season 11-0 for the third time in program history with a 78-53 victory over Eastern Illinois. Blake Buchanan had three dunks while scoring all 14 of his points in the first half and Joshua Jefferson had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Cyclones. Iowa State has won 11 straight games to open a season for the first time since 2021-22. The only other time was in 2014-15. Kooper Jacobi and Zion Fruster scored 11 points each to lead the Panthers.
WORDS: 331 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 2:38 p.m. CST
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BKW–T25-Northern Iowa-Iowa St
Addy Brown scores season-high 28 points in No. 10 Cyclones’ 81-53 win over UNI, Audi Crooks sits out
SUMMARY: Addy Brown had 21 of her season-high 28 points in the first half with national scoring leader Audi Crooks sitting out with an injury and No. 10 Iowa State routed in-state rival Northern Iowa 81-53. Crooks, who averages 27.6 points per game, was injured Wednesday in the Cyclones’ win over No. 11 Iowa. She was expected to finish return-to-play protocol early this week. The school did not disclose the nature of her injury. The Cyclones are out to their best start since the 2013-14 team was a program-best 14-0. The Panthers got 13 points from Abby Tuttle.
WORDS: 336 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 7:19 p.m. CST
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KANSAS
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BBO–Brewers-Royals Trade
Royals trade reliever Angel Zerpa to Brewers for outfielder Isaac Collins and pitcher Nick Mears
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Royals have traded left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa to the Milwaukee Brewers. In return, they receive versatile outfielder Isaac Collins and right-hander Nick Mears. The trade was announced on Sunday. Collins hit .263 with nine homers and 54 RBIs in 130 games last year. He made 100 starts in left field. The Royals have been looking to upgrade their outfield for the past two offseasons. Mears had a career-best 3.49 ERA for Milwaukee last season. Zerpa made a career-high 69 appearances for the Royals with a 4.18 ERA.
WORDS: 196 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 12:29 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes suffers a torn ACL and Chiefs say he’s considering surgical options
SUMMARY: Patrick Mahomes has torn the ACL in his left knee. The star quarterback was hurt while he tried to keep the Kansas City Chiefs’ postseason hopes alive in the waning seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The team says Mahomes is considering surgical options. It’s the most significant injury of a superlative nine-year career for Mahomes. The two-time MVP has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles and reached the AFC championship game in each of his seven previous seasons as Kansas City’s starter. This year, the Chiefs won’t even make the playoffs, and Mahomes won’t be back on the field until sometime in 2026.
WORDS: 904 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 12:59 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chargers-Chiefs
Mahomes tears ACL as Chargers eliminate Chiefs from playoff contention with 16-13 victory
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Chargers eliminate the Kansas City Chiefs from playoff contention with a 16-13 victory on Sunday, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tearing the ACL in his left knee. Derwin James intercepts Gardner Minshew’s pass in the closing seconds to secure the 16-13 win. Justin Herbert, playing with a broken hand, throws for 210 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers complete a regular-season sweep of Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes was injured after being tackled by Da’Shawn Hand. Minshew steps in but throws a crucial interception in the fourth quarter. The Chargers, now 10-4, edge closer to a playoff berth, while the Chiefs’ playoff hopes ended with the loss.
WORDS: 967 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 3:34 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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BKC–Texas Southern-Minnesota
Cade Tyson goes off for career-high 38 points, Minnesota dumps Texas Southern 89-53
SUMMARY: Cade Tyson scored a career-high 38 points, including 23 in the first half, and Minnesota routed Texas Southern 89-53. Tyson, a transfer from North Carolina who also played at Belmont, made a career-high eight 3-pointers and grabbed 11 rebounds. He made 11 of 19 field goals overall, 8 of 12 3-pointers and 8 of 11 free throws. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson scored 14 points, Isaac Asuma 13, and Bobby Durkin 12 for the Golden Gophers. Langston Reynolds had 10 assists. Alex Anderson scored 11 points and Bryce Roberts added 10 for Texas Southern.
WORDS: 274 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 2:21 p.m. CST
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HKN–Bruins-Wild
Quinn Hughes scores in Minnesota debut as Wild beat Bruins 6-2 for 4th straight win
SUMMARY: Quinn Hughes scored in his Minnesota debut and the Wild beat the Boston Bruins 6-2 for their fourth straight win. Kirill Kaprizov had two goals and an assist for the Wild, who improved to 16-3-2 since Nov. 1, including 10-0-2 at home. Ryan Hartman had a goal and two assists, Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist and Jared Spurgeon also scored for Minnesota. Filip Gustavsson made 29 saves, improving to 6-1-1 with a 1.84 goals-against average and .931 save percentage in his past eight starts. Alex Steeves and Andrew Peeke scored, and Jeremy Swayman made 25 saves for Boston.
WORDS: 360 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 8:03 p.m. CST
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BKN–Kings-Timberwolves
Timberwolves top Kings 117-103 without Edwards behind 24 points from Randle
SUMMARY: Julius Randle had 24 points and nine rebounds to lead Minnesota past the Sacramento Kings 117-103 in the Timberwolves’ second straight game without star Anthony Edwards. Jaden McDaniels scored 21 points and Naz Reid added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Edwards is sidelined by soreness in his right foot. The Timberwolves have won seven of eight to improve to 17-9 and exacted a measure of revenge for their 117-112 overtime loss at Sacramento on Nov. 24 when they blew a 10-point lead with less than three minutes left in regulation. The Kings have lost 15 of 18. Leading scorer Zach LaVine left with an ankle injury.
WORDS: 339 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 8:48 p.m. CST
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FBC–Obit-Wiggin
Paul Wiggin, College Football Hall of Famer and former coach, dies at 91
SUMMARY: Paul Wiggin, the former Stanford and Cleveland Browns star who was on the losing end of “The Play” coaching star quarterback John Elway and the Cardinal, died Friday. He was 91. Wiggin’s death was announced by the Browns, the Minnesota Vikings and the National Football Foundation. He was the fourth-oldest living NFF Hall of Famer. Wiggin was on the Stanford sideline in 1982 for “The Play” when California scored the winning touchdown in a 25-20 victory in the “Big Game” after Stanford’s band prematurely took the field. Wiggin played for Stanford from 1954-56. He was a two-time All-America selection as a defensive tackle and was selected the school’s Defensive Player of the Century. He spent his entire 11-year NFL career with the Browns,
WORDS: 392 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 6:13 p.m. CST
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HKN–Wild-Hughes
Quinn Hughes complete a Wild few days with a goal in first game with Minnesota
SUMMARY: A “Welcome to Minnesota” message played on the video board during a first period break, and Minnesota Wild fans loudly welcomed Quinn Hughes to the self-proclaimed “State of Hockey.” Hughes did not seem to notice because he had his turned to the right and was talking defensive strategy with assistant coach Jack Capuano. It was almost apropos that Hughes didn’t know which way to look after what could be described as a head-spinning couple of days.
WORDS: 536 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 10:01 p.m. CST
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BKN–Kings-LaVine
Kings lose leading scorer Zach LaVine to left ankle injury in loss to Timberwolves
SUMMARY: Sacramento Kings leading scorer Zach LaVine injured his left ankle midway through the second quarter against Minnesota and was ruled out for the rest of the game. LaVine landed awkwardly on his left foot during a drive into the lane. He got his flip shot to fall, drew a foul and converted the three-point play. The 12th-year veteran guard is averaging 20.6 points per game. He remained on the floor for about three more minutes while moving around gingerly before he was removed and went to the locker room for evaluation.
WORDS: 196 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 8:00 p.m. CST
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BKN–Timberwolves-Edwards
Timberwolves hold Edwards out for second straight game with sore foot and finish strong again
SUMMARY: Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards missed his second straight game with soreness in his right foot. The team’s poise was present and accounted for in a 117-103 victory over Sacramento. Edwards has been considered day-to-day with his availability. Coach Chris Finch said before the game the injury “hasn’t calmed down to the point where he’s able to go.” Backup point guard Mike Conley was also sidelined due to an Achilles tendon injury. The Timberwolves outscored the Kings 29-19 over the final 12 minutes for their league-leading eighth game this season with a 10-plus-point advantage in the fourth quarter.
WORDS: 593 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 6:27 p.m. CST
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FBN–Vikings-Cowboys
Dak Prescott and Cowboys watch playoff hopes all but vanish in 34-26 loss to Vikings
SUMMARY: J.J. McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score, C.J. Ham had the go-ahead TD on his first carry of the season and the Minnesota Vikings severely damaged Dallas’ playoff hopes with a 34-26 victory over the Cowboys. The Vikings won a second consecutive game after they were eliminated from the postseason race before the kickoff. The Cowboys have to win their three remaining games and hope defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia goes 0-3 in order for Dallas to overtake the Eagles in the NFC East. Both of McCarthy’s TD tosses were to Jalen Nailor.
WORDS: 849 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 10:36 p.m. CST
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FBN–Vikings Eliminated
J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings win after being eliminated from playoffs before kickoff at Cowboys
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention before taking the field for their game at the Dallas Cowboys. They are still trying to build some momentum for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. He has his first back-to-back wins as an NFL quarterback after their 34-26 win Sunday night. The Vikings have alternated between making and missing the playoffs in four seasons under coach Kevin O’Connell. Minnesota lost in the wild-card round after going 13-4 in 2022 and 14-3 in 2024. The Vikings stopped a four-game losing streak with a 31-0 victory over Washington last week. McCarthy threw for 250 yards with two TDs against Dallas.
WORDS: 677 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 7:43 p.m. CST
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BBO–Twins-Bell
Twins add first baseman Josh Bell with agreement on $7 million contract, according to AP source
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins and durable slugger Josh Bell have agreed on a one-year, $7 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because completion of the deal was pending a standard physical exam. Bell will make $5.5 million in 2026, with a $250,000 signing bonus and a mutual option for 2027. The mutual option only becomes guaranteed if both sides exercise it. If the Twins decline, Bell gets a $1.25 million buyout. Bell batted .237 with 22 home runs and 63 RBIs for Washington last season.
WORDS: 144 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 10:13 a.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Brewers-Royals Trade
Royals trade reliever Angel Zerpa to Brewers for outfielder Isaac Collins and pitcher Nick Mears
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Royals have traded left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa to the Milwaukee Brewers. In return, they receive versatile outfielder Isaac Collins and right-hander Nick Mears. The trade was announced on Sunday. Collins hit .263 with nine homers and 54 RBIs in 130 games last year. He made 100 starts in left field. The Royals have been looking to upgrade their outfield for the past two offseasons. Mears had a career-best 3.49 ERA for Milwaukee last season. Zerpa made a career-high 69 appearances for the Royals with a 4.18 ERA.
WORDS: 196 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 12:29 p.m. CST
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FBC–Obit-Wiggin
Paul Wiggin, College Football Hall of Famer and former coach, dies at 91
SUMMARY: Paul Wiggin, the former Stanford and Cleveland Browns star who was on the losing end of “The Play” coaching star quarterback John Elway and the Cardinal, died Friday. He was 91. Wiggin’s death was announced by the Browns, the Minnesota Vikings and the National Football Foundation. He was the fourth-oldest living NFF Hall of Famer. Wiggin was on the Stanford sideline in 1982 for “The Play” when California scored the winning touchdown in a 25-20 victory in the “Big Game” after Stanford’s band prematurely took the field. Wiggin played for Stanford from 1954-56. He was a two-time All-America selection as a defensive tackle and was selected the school’s Defensive Player of the Century. He spent his entire 11-year NFL career with the Browns,
WORDS: 392 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 6:13 p.m. CST
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FBN–On Football-Mahomes & Parsons
Injuries to Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons ruin NFL’s Week 15
SUMMARY: First, Patrick Mahomes went down. Then, it was Micah Parsons. The NFL lost two of its all-time greatest players to serious knee injuries in a span of a few hours on Sunday, ruining a day filled with exciting comebacks and fascinating stories. Forty-four-year-old Philip Rivers played his first game in 1,800 days and nearly led the 14-point underdog Indianapolis Colts to a stunning upset against Seattle before Jason Myers kicked a 56-yard field goal with 29 seconds left to lift the Seahawks to an 18-16 victory. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills from a 21-0 deficit to a 35-31 victory at New England.
WORDS: 850 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 11:02 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes suffers a torn ACL and Chiefs say he’s considering surgical options
SUMMARY: Patrick Mahomes has torn the ACL in his left knee. The star quarterback was hurt while he tried to keep the Kansas City Chiefs’ postseason hopes alive in the waning seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The team says Mahomes is considering surgical options. It’s the most significant injury of a superlative nine-year career for Mahomes. The two-time MVP has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles and reached the AFC championship game in each of his seven previous seasons as Kansas City’s starter. This year, the Chiefs won’t even make the playoffs, and Mahomes won’t be back on the field until sometime in 2026.
WORDS: 904 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 12:59 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chargers-Chiefs
Mahomes tears ACL as Chargers eliminate Chiefs from playoff contention with 16-13 victory
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Chargers eliminate the Kansas City Chiefs from playoff contention with a 16-13 victory on Sunday, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tearing the ACL in his left knee. Derwin James intercepts Gardner Minshew’s pass in the closing seconds to secure the 16-13 win. Justin Herbert, playing with a broken hand, throws for 210 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers complete a regular-season sweep of Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes was injured after being tackled by Da’Shawn Hand. Minshew steps in but throws a crucial interception in the fourth quarter. The Chargers, now 10-4, edge closer to a playoff berth, while the Chiefs’ playoff hopes ended with the loss.
WORDS: 967 – MOVED: 12/14/2025 3:34 p.m. CST
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