Great Plains News Digest
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KANSAS
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US-MED–Overdose Deaths
US overdose deaths fell through most of 2025, federal data reveals
SUMMARY: U.S. overdose deaths fell through the most of last year, suggesting a lasting improvement in an epidemic that had been worsening for decades. Overdose deaths have been falling for more than two years now in the most extended drop in decades, the new data indicates. However, the decline also shows signs of leveling off a bit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the data Wednesday. It shows that an estimated 73,000 people died from overdoses in the 12-month period that ended August 2025, down about 21% from the previous 12-month period. Experts are cautiously optimistic the trend will last.
WORDS: 949 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 12:00 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Tribal Members
Oglala Sioux Tribe says three tribal members arrested in Minneapolis are in ICE detention
SUMMARY: The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota said three of the four tribal members detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis last week have been transferred to an ICE facility and called for their immediate release. President Frank Star Comes Out said the Department of Homeland Security refused to release more information on the men arrested unless the tribe entered into an immigration agreement with ICE. He said the tribe has no plans to enter into an agreement with ICE.
WORDS: 591 – MOVED: 01/13/2026 6:59 p.m. CST
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US-Immigration-Enforcement-Minneapolis Arrest
Liberian man arrested in Minneapolis raid was regularly checking in with authorities, lawyer says
SUMMARY: The Liberian man arrested over the weekend after heavily armed immigration agents used a battering ram to break through the front door of his Minneapolis home had been checking in regularly with federal authorities for years, his attorney said. The arrest of 37-year-old Garrison Gibson during a Minnesota immigration crackdown that the Department of Homeland Security has called its largest enforcement operation ever, was a “blatant constitutional violation,” since agents did not have a proper warrant, said attorney Marc Prokosch. The arrest Sunday came in a city increasingly on edge after an immigration agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good last week, setting off waves of angry protests and clashes between authorities and activists.
WORDS: 792 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 7:07 p.m. CST
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US Immigration Enforcement-Minnesota-Renee Good
Renee Good’s family hires George Floyd law firm to investigate Minneapolis ICE shooting
SUMMARY: Renee Good’s family hired the law firm that represented George Floyd’s family to seek answers and accountability for the Minneapolis mother’s killing by a federal immigration agent. The family’s decision to hire the law firm came the same week the U.S. Justice Department sees no basis for a federal civil rights investigation. An FBI probe is ongoing. The family on Wednesday said it wants Good remembered as “an agent of peace” and alleged she was killed while trying to follow federal agents’ instructions. The Trump administration has defended the officer’s actions as self-defense. The law firm Romanucci & Blandin said it will release information from its investigation “on a rolling basis” in the coming weeks.
WORDS: 559 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 1:51 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement
Federal officer shoots person in leg after being attacked during Minneapolis arrest, officials say
SUMMARY: A federal officer has shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis after being attacked with a shovel during an arrest Wednesday. That’s according to officials. The shooting took place about 4.5 miles north of where an immigration agent fatally shot Renee Good on Jan. 7. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that federal law enforcement officers stopped a person from Venezuela who was in the U.S. illegally. It said the person drove away and crashed into a parked car before taking off on foot. It said after officers reached the person, two other people arrived from a nearby apartment and all three started attacking the officer.
WORDS: 1276 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 10:57 a.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement-States
Proposals targeting immigration flood in following ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis
SUMMARY: Democrats across the country are proposing state law changes to rein in federal immigration officers and protect the public following the shooting death of a protester in Minneapolis and the wounding of two people in Portland, Oregon. Many of the measures have been proposed in some form for years in Democratic-led states, but their momentum is growing as legislatures return to work amid President Donald Trump’s national immigration crackdown following the killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis. Republicans are pushing back, blaming protesters for impeding enforcement of immigration laws.
WORDS: 785 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 11:05 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement
Trump threatens to use the Insurrection Act to end protests in Minneapolis
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy troops to quell persistent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis. Trump made the threat Thursday. A day earlier, a federal officer in the city shot and wounded a man who had attacked the officer with a shovel and broom handle. Minneapolis has been on edge since an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in the head. Trump has repeatedly threatened to invoke the rarely used federal law to deploy the U.S. military or federalize the National Guard for domestic law enforcement, over the objections of state governors.
WORDS: 882 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 11:48 p.m. CST
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NORTH DAKOTA
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US-MED–Overdose Deaths
US overdose deaths fell through most of 2025, federal data reveals
SUMMARY: U.S. overdose deaths fell through the most of last year, suggesting a lasting improvement in an epidemic that had been worsening for decades. Overdose deaths have been falling for more than two years now in the most extended drop in decades, the new data indicates. However, the decline also shows signs of leveling off a bit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the data Wednesday. It shows that an estimated 73,000 people died from overdoses in the 12-month period that ended August 2025, down about 21% from the previous 12-month period. Experts are cautiously optimistic the trend will last.
WORDS: 949 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 12:00 p.m. CST
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Tribal Members
Oglala Sioux Tribe says three tribal members arrested in Minneapolis are in ICE detention
SUMMARY: The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota said three of the four tribal members detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis last week have been transferred to an ICE facility and called for their immediate release. President Frank Star Comes Out said the Department of Homeland Security refused to release more information on the men arrested unless the tribe entered into an immigration agreement with ICE. He said the tribe has no plans to enter into an agreement with ICE.
WORDS: 591 – MOVED: 01/13/2026 6:59 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement
Federal officer shoots person in leg after being attacked during Minneapolis arrest, officials say
SUMMARY: A federal officer has shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis after being attacked with a shovel during an arrest Wednesday. That’s according to officials. The shooting took place about 4.5 miles north of where an immigration agent fatally shot Renee Good on Jan. 7. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that federal law enforcement officers stopped a person from Venezuela who was in the U.S. illegally. It said the person drove away and crashed into a parked car before taking off on foot. It said after officers reached the person, two other people arrived from a nearby apartment and all three started attacking the officer.
WORDS: 1276 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 10:57 a.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement
Trump threatens to use the Insurrection Act to end protests in Minneapolis
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy troops to quell persistent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis. Trump made the threat Thursday. A day earlier, a federal officer in the city shot and wounded a man who had attacked the officer with a shovel and broom handle. Minneapolis has been on edge since an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in the head. Trump has repeatedly threatened to invoke the rarely used federal law to deploy the U.S. military or federalize the National Guard for domestic law enforcement, over the objections of state governors.
WORDS: 882 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 11:48 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKC–T25-Iowa-Purdue
Braden Smith leads 2nd-half charge in No. 5 Purdue’s 79-72 comeback victory over Iowa
SUMMARY: Braden Smith scored all 16 of his points in the second half and tied the Big Ten record for assists in conference play, and No. 5 Purdue overcame a nine-point to beat Iowa 79-72 on Wednesday night. Trey Kaufman-Renn added 12 points, Fletcher Loyer had 11 and Oscar Cluff 10 to help the Boilermakers (16-1, 6-0 Big Ten) win their eighth straight game. They have won their first six conference games for only the fifth time since 1940. Smith finished the game with 478 assists in league games — the same number former Michigan State player Cassius Winston had. Bennett Stirtz had 19 points to lead Iowa (12-5, 2-4). Kael Combs added 16 points.
WORDS: 341 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 7:47 p.m. CST
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BKC–T25-Purdue-Smith’s Charge
Braden Smith rebounds from sluggish 1st half to help No. 5 Purdue find its footing in win over Iowa
SUMMARY: Braden Smith blamed himself for No. 5 Purdue’s first-half struggles against Iowa. The preseason All-American responded by reverting to his familiar form the rest of the way. One week after starting the second half on the bench for the first time in his four-year career, Smith delivered a dazzling final 20 minutes at Mackey Arena in a 79-72 victory over Iowa that could go a long way toward the Boilermakers capturing another Big Ten title.
WORDS: 607 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 9:11 p.m. CST
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BKW–T25-Iowa St-Colorado
Desiree Wooten scores 24 as Colorado women beat No. 19 Iowa State 68-62
SUMMARY: Desiree Wooten scored a season-high 24 points, and Jade Masogayo added 15 as Colorado held off No. 19 Iowa State 68-62.
WORDS: 282 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 10:24 p.m. CST
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KANSAS
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SOC–WCup-Tickets
FIFA says it has received more than 500 million ticket requests for 2026 World Cup
SUMMARY: FIFA says it has received over 500 million ticket requests for this year’s World Cup. Outside the host countries, the most requests come from Germany, England, and Brazil. FIFA is asking for up to $8,680 per ticket. After criticism, FIFA announced $60 tickets for every game, available through national federations. The most-requested match in the recent sales phase was Colombia vs. Portugal on June 27 in Miami Gardens, Florida. FIFA plans to notify applicants about their tickets no earlier than February 5, with random allocation for high-demand matches.
WORDS: 210 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 5:26 p.m. CST
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BKC–UCF-Kansas St
Kugel’s 19 points, Stillwell’s 18 lift UCF over Kansas State 82-73
SUMMARY: Riley Kugel scored 19 points, Jamichael Stillwell added 18, and UCF weathered Kansas State’s comeback bid to win 82-73 on Wednesday night. The Knights (14-2, 3-1 Big 12) shot 53% from the field and 47% from beyond the arc. Themus Fulks had 13 points (6-for-11 shooting) and dished 12 assists for his fifth game with 10 or more assists this season. Devan Cambridge chipped in with 11 points on perfect 4-for-4 shooting. PJ Haggerty scored 23 points (9-for-18 shooting) for the Wildcats (9-8, 0-4), and Khamari McGriff added 15 points. UCF won their second straight game, after their 11-game winning streak was snapped by Oklahoma State on Jan. 6. Kansas State has dropped four straight contests after winning four straight to end their non-conference schedule.
WORDS: 297 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 9:22 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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FBN–Vikings-QBs
Vikings will wait and see on McCarthy as the ’26 starter, aim for ‘most talented and deep’ QB room
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Vikings haven’t wavered in their support of J.J. McCarthy while continuing to exude optimism about his potential when publicly discussing their developing quarterback. What they haven’t done is commit to him as their starter for next season. They’re certain to add a veteran to the mix, either in free agency or a trade. The Vikings are fully aware of how much the injuries have set McCarthy back on the learning curve. He has started just 10 games over two years.
WORDS: 583 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 7:33 p.m. CST
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BBO–Twins-Brujan
Twins claim versatile infielder Vidal Brujan off waivers from Braves
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins have claimed infielder Vidal Bruján off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. The move adds a switch hitter with multi-position major league experience. The 27-year-old Bruján has played for five times in five seasons since debuting in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit .253 with 14 runs and eight RBIs over 61 games in 2025 between the Braves, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs. Bruján spent 2024 with the Miami Marlins. He has played primarily at second base and shortstop over 262 major league games with regular turns at third base and every outfield spot as well.
WORDS: 166 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 8:18 p.m. CST
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BKW–T25-UCLA-Minnesota
Rice, Betts lead No. 3 UCLA past Minnesota 76-58 to win 10th straight game
SUMMARY: Kiki Rice had 25 points on 8-for-9 shooting and Lauren Betts posted her third straight double-double, leading No. 3 UCLA past Minnesota 76-58. Betts staved off early foul trouble to finish with 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Bruins improved to 16-1 and stayed unbeaten in Big Ten play while pushing their winning streak to 10. Their only loss was to No. 4 Texas in Las Vegas. The Bruins shot 60% from the floor against the top defensive team in the nation. UCLA had by far the highest final score in a regulation game this season against Minnesota.
WORDS: 359 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 9:05 p.m. CST
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BKW–T25-UCLA-Rice
Kiki Rice’s birthday party is another UCLA win. The third-ranked Bruins are dominating Big Ten play.
SUMMARY: Kiki Rice celebrated her 22nd birthday as third-ranked UCLA stayed unbeaten in Big Ten play with a decisive victory at Minnesota. The smooth-shooting senior guard had a career-high-tying 25 points to take advantage of opportunity created by attention on star teammate Lauren Betts in the post. The 5-foot-11 Rice added five assists, four rebounds and three steals while shooting 8 for 9 from the floor, 3 for 3 from 3-point range and 6 for 6 from the free-throw line. She is a sure-bet first-round pick in the WNBA draft on a connected and determined team.
WORDS: 772 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 11:40 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Diamondbacks-Arenado
Veteran star 3B Nolan Arenado hopes move to the Diamondbacks leads to elusive postseason success
SUMMARY: Nolan Arenado is an eight-time All-Star, a 10-time Gold Glove winner and many in the baseball world believe the star third baseman is well on his way to having a plaque in Cooperstown at the Baseball Hall of Fame. One thing he hasn’t accomplished is postseason success with just five postseason hits in 33 at-bats over 13 seasons. He hopes a move to the young Arizona Diamondbacks can change that trend. Arenado was traded to the D-backs on Tuesday from the St. Louis Cardinals, where he spent the previous five seasons. The veteran third baseman turns 35 in April, but still believes he has plenty of good baseball in front of him.
WORDS: 823 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 5:07 p.m. CST
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BKC–Missouri State-Western Kentucky
Teagan Moore’s 20 leads Western Kentucky past Missouri State 87-72
SUMMARY: Led by Teagan Moore’s 20 points, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated the Missouri State Bears 87-72. The Hilltoppers are now 11-6 on the season, while the Bears fell to 10-7.
WORDS: 177 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 9:12 p.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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BKC–T25-Father-Son Combos
Hoiberg family business brings lots of joy as No. 8 Nebraska has a season for the ages
SUMMARY: Fred Hoiberg and two of his sons sure are enjoying the ride as the Nebraska men’s basketball team builds on its best start. The Cornhuskers are 17-0, have the nation’s longest winning streak at 21 games and, at No. 8, the program’s highest ranking in 60 years. Hoiberg’s son Sam has evolved from a walk-on practice player to one of the Big Ten’s most versatile guards. Sam’s identical twin, Charlie, is in his first year as a graduate manager. Sam says the Hoibergs are living their dream. Twenty Division I men’s teams have head coaches with at least one son playing for him.
WORDS: 1013 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 2:35 p.m. CST
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FBC–Hall of Fame
Heisman winner Mark Ingram, star DLs Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald will enter College Football HOF
SUMMARY: The College Football Hall of Fame’s 18-man class for 2026 has been announced. Mark Ingram, the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy, and Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald, two of the most fearsome defensive linemen in college football history, highlight the class. Gary Patterson of TCU and Chris Petersen are among four coaches that will be inducted at the National Football Foundation’s awards dinner in December in Las Vegas. The class includes six consensus first-team All-Americans, four multi-year first-team All-Americans and eight major award winners.
WORDS: 586 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 3:12 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–Thunder-On Track
Defending champion Thunder back on track at midpoint after beating Spurs for 1st time in 4 meetings
SUMMARY: The Oklahoma City Thunder have regained their form, boasting a 34-7 record at the season’s halfway point. After a rocky 6-6 stretch, they are now on a four-game win streak, the longest in the league. On Tuesday, they defeated the San Antonio Spurs 119-98, finally overcoming their recent rivals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the team with nearly 32 points per game. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are also making significant contributions. The Thunder’s strong defense and high-scoring offense make them a formidable team, with a point differential of 13.2 points per game.
WORDS: 787 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 2:44 p.m. CST
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BKC–Tulsa-Charlotte
David Green’s 21 points help Tulsa take down Charlotte 86-74
SUMMARY: Led by David Green’s 21 points, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane defeated the Charlotte 49ers 86-74 on Wednesday. The Golden Hurricane improved to 14-3 with the win and the 49ers fell to 9-9.
WORDS: 195 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 8:54 p.m. CST
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BKC–Oral Roberts-Denver
Carson Johnson scores 33 as Denver beats Oral Roberts 98-87
SUMMARY: The Denver Pioneers defeated the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles 98-87 led by Carson Johnson’s 33 points. The Pioneers improved to 9-11 with the victory and the Golden Eagles fell to 5-14.
WORDS: 142 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 10:28 p.m. CST
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