Great Plains News Digest
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KANSAS
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US-Election-2026-Redistricting
Virginia lawmakers back redrawing congressional maps, paving the way for a voter referendum
SUMMARY: Virginia’s Democratic-led General Assembly is advancing a constitutional amendment to allow redistricting ahead of the midterm elections. This means Virginia voters will now be tasked with deciding whether lawmakers should redraw the state’s congressional map ahead of the midterm elections. Officials say the legislature’s proposed congressional map will be made public by the end of January, ahead of the referendum in April. The redistricting resolution has sparked raucous debate among lawmakers on the merits of gerrymandering a battleground state known to have moderate and independent voters. The state currently is represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and five Republicans.
WORDS: 660 – MOVED: 01/16/2026 11:58 a.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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US–Immigration-Enforcement-Tribal-Members
Oglala Sioux president walks back claims of DHS pressure, member arrests
SUMMARY: The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is walking back claims of pressure and arrests he made earlier this week. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it can’t verify these claims and denies asking for any agreement. Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out has not commented further. The accusations arose amid concerns over immigration enforcement and racial profiling affecting Native Americans. Star Comes Out initially said the arrests occurred in Minneapolis and that federal officials said the tribe could get information if they entered into an immigration agreement with the federal government. Later he said his statement was “misinterpreted” and that no demand was made by federal officials.
WORDS: 1013 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 4:44 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Minneapolis-Tactics
Aggressive tactics used on Minneapolis protesters raise concerns about federal officer training
SUMMARY: Federal immigration agents deployed to Minneapolis have used aggressive crowd-control tactics — including pointing rifles at demonstrators and deploying chemical irritants — actions the government says are necessary to protect officers from violent attacks and growing protests. But law enforcement experts warn these measures are escalating risk and being carried out by agents without extensive crowd-management training. Videos and witness accounts reviewed by The Associated Press show federal agents breaking vehicle windows, pulling occupants from cars and deploying chemical agents such as tear gas and pepper spray during confrontations with protesters. Experts say such tactics, while sometimes justified in targeted arrests, carry heightened risks when used for crowd control.
WORDS: 1108 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 2:26 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement-States
Proposals on immigration enforcement flood into state legislatures, heightened by Minnesota action
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 officer in Minneapolis. Republicans are pushing back, blaming protesters for impeding enforcement of immigration laws. Tennessee Republicans on Thursday announced several proposals with more restrictions aimed at illegal immigration.
WORDS: 886 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 11:05 p.m. CST
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US–Trump-Insurrection Act-Explainer
Insurrection Act: How it’s been used and what Trump wants to do with it
SUMMARY: Donald Trump would not be the first president to invoke the Insurrection Act, as he has now threatened to do as a way to send U.S. military forces to Minnesota. But he’d be the first to use the 19th century law to send troops to quell protests that started because of federal officers the president already has sent to the area — one of whom shot and killed a U.S. citizen. The law allows presidents to use the military domestically but only on rare occasions. It has been invoked on more than two dozen occasions but not much since 20th Century’s Civil Rights Movement. And some legal experts say nothing in Minneapolis justify using the act again now.
WORDS: 1288 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 4:13 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 1807 law to deploy the U.S. military or federalize the National Guard for domestic law enforcement, over the objections of state governors.
WORDS: 928 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 11:48 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement
A Liberian man released after his battering-ram arrest in Minneapolis is back in custody again
SUMMARY: A Liberian man is back in custody in Minnesota, a day after a judge ordered him released because agents broke down his door to arrest him without a judicial warrant. The dramatic arrest of Garrison Gibson last weekend by armed immigration agents using a battering ram was captured on video. Gibson’s lawyer says his client was detained again Friday when he appeared at an immigration office for a routine check-in, even after a judge ruled his arrest unlawful. Gibson’s arrest is one of more than 2,500 in the Twin Cities, according to Department of Homeland Security data.
WORDS: 442 – MOVED: 01/16/2026 10:53 a.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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US-Election-2026-Redistricting
Virginia lawmakers back redrawing congressional maps, paving the way for a voter referendum
SUMMARY: Virginia’s Democratic-led General Assembly is advancing a constitutional amendment to allow redistricting ahead of the midterm elections. This means Virginia voters will now be tasked with deciding whether lawmakers should redraw the state’s congressional map ahead of the midterm elections. Officials say the legislature’s proposed congressional map will be made public by the end of January, ahead of the referendum in April. The redistricting resolution has sparked raucous debate among lawmakers on the merits of gerrymandering a battleground state known to have moderate and independent voters. The state currently is represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and five Republicans.
WORDS: 660 – MOVED: 01/16/2026 11:58 a.m. CST
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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US–Immigration-Enforcement-Tribal-Members
Oglala Sioux president walks back claims of DHS pressure, member arrests
SUMMARY: The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is walking back claims of pressure and arrests he made earlier this week. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it can’t verify these claims and denies asking for any agreement. Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out has not commented further. The accusations arose amid concerns over immigration enforcement and racial profiling affecting Native Americans. Star Comes Out initially said the arrests occurred in Minneapolis and that federal officials said the tribe could get information if they entered into an immigration agreement with the federal government. Later he said his statement was “misinterpreted” and that no demand was made by federal officials.
WORDS: 1013 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 4:44 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 1807 law to deploy the U.S. military or federalize the National Guard for domestic law enforcement, over the objections of state governors.
WORDS: 928 – MOVED: 01/14/2026 11:48 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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FBN–Chiefs-Mahomes
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: ‘I want to be ready for Week 1’ after ACL surgery
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes plans to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Mahomes had surgery in December to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee. He said Thursday his rehab is “hitting all the checkpoints” to get him back for summer workouts and possibly training camp. Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL on Dec. 14, ending his season. The recovery time is about nine months. Mahomes is doing most of his rehab in Kansas City with the Chiefs’ top physical therapist. He also travels to Dallas for checks with his surgeon.
WORDS: 708 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 3:21 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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BBO–Rockies-Castro
Versatile Willi Castro and Rockies agree to $12.8 million, 2-year deal, AP source says
SUMMARY: A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that versatile infielder/outfielder Willi Castro and the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a $12.8 million, two-year deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. Castro spent last season with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .226 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs. He played all three outfield spots last season in addition to seeing time at third and shortstop. He even pitched an inning while with the Twins.
WORDS: 190 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 3:20 p.m. CST
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FBN–NFL-Salute-to-Service
Christian McCaffrey, Aaron Jones and Jake Ferguson are finalists for NFL’s Salute to Service Award
SUMMARY: San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson are the finalists for the 15th annual Salute to Service Award. The award is given to a person who displays “exceptional efforts” to honor and support members of the military community. The winner will be recognized at NFL Honors on Feb. 5 during Super Bowl week. The finalists were announced Thursday by the NFL and USAA. Niners tight end George Kittle, the 2024 Salute to Service Award recipient, will be among the judges.
WORDS: 107 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 7:33 p.m. CST
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HKN–Jets-Wild
Scheifele has 4 points as Jets beat Wild 6-2 for 4th straight win
SUMMARY: Mark Scheifele had a goal and three assists, Jonathan Toews scored for the fourth consecutive game and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Minnesota Wild 6-2. Toews also had an assist, Gabriel Vilardi and Josh Morrissey each had a goal and an assist, and Tanner Pearson and Logan Stanley scored as Winnipeg tied its season high for goals. Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves as the Jets won their fourth straight following an 11-game losing streak. Winnipeg is 9-1-1 in its past 11 games against the Wild, including six straight wins in Minnesota. Danila Yurov and Marcus Johansson scored for the Wild, who are 1-3-2 in their last six games.
WORDS: 346 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 9:50 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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HKN–Blues-Thomas
St. Louis Blues leading scorer Robert Thomas is out 2 weeks with a lower-body injury
SUMMARY: The St. Louis Blues have put leading scorer Robert Thomas on injured reserve and said he’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks. President of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong said Thomas is out because of a lower-body injury. The 26-year-old center ranks first on the team with 22 assists and 33 points and is tied for the most goals with 11. Thomas missed the Blues’ most recent game Tuesday night at Carolina and did not practice Thursday. St. Louis sits in 13th place in the NHL’s 16-team Western Conference with an 18-21-8 record through 47 games and is five points out of the second and final wild-card spot.
WORDS: 154 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 1:32 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Mahomes
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: ‘I want to be ready for Week 1’ after ACL surgery
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes plans to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Mahomes had surgery in December to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee. He said Thursday his rehab is “hitting all the checkpoints” to get him back for summer workouts and possibly training camp. Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL on Dec. 14, ending his season. The recovery time is about nine months. Mahomes is doing most of his rehab in Kansas City with the Chiefs’ top physical therapist. He also travels to Dallas for checks with his surgeon.
WORDS: 708 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 3:21 p.m. CST
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BKC–NCAA-Gambling Indictment-Explainer
Key facts in the latest NCAA basketball betting investigation
SUMMARY: Federal prosecutors have revealed a sprawling scheme to rig college basketball games while yielding big payouts to gamblers. An indictment unsealed Thursday alleges fixers started with two professional games in China before turning their focus to recruiting college players in America. The indictment cites roughly 30 college games impacted by that effort during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. Prosecutors say the scheme eventually involved more than 39 players on 17 Division I men’s basketball teams. It comes as the NCAA has spent the past year pursuing its own probes for sports-gambling violations.
WORDS: 1053 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 3:51 p.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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US–NCAA-Redshirt-Lawsuit
Federal judge denies injunction for college football players seeking to play a 5th year
SUMMARY: A federal judge has denied a request for a preliminary injunction by five college football players seeking to play a fifth season this fall. U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell wrote that the players did not make the case that they likely would succeed on their claim that the NCAA violates U.S. antitrust laws with its redshirt rule that restricts athletes to four seasons over five years. All five players have competed four seasons in four years without taking a redshirt year. Attorney Ryan Downton said in a statement his clients are disappointed they are unlikely to play next season.
WORDS: 391 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 7:18 p.m. CST
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BKW–T25-Nebraska-Michigan St
Grace VanSlooten scores 22 and No. 15 Michigan State women top No. 24 Nebraska 73-71
SUMMARY: Grace VanSlooten scored 22 points, leading No. 15 Michigan State to a 73-71 victory over No. 24 Nebraska. Juliann Woodward sealed the win with two free throws in the final seconds. Rashunda Jones added 15 points, and Kennedy Blair contributed 14 for the Spartans. Michigan State, now 17-1, is off to its best start in program history. Nebraska’s Amiah Hargrove scored 21 points off the bench. Michigan State broke a three-game losing streak against Nebraska. Their last win against the Cornhuskers was in the 2022-23 Big 10 tournament.
WORDS: 311 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 8:31 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–Thunder-Rockets
Thunder surge in fourth quarter to defeat Rockets 111-91
SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points, Chet Holmgren added 18 and Oklahoma City pulled away in the fourth quarter to cruise to a 111-91 win over the Houston Rockets Thursday night. Cason Wallace added 17 off the bench to help the Western Conference-leading Thunder to a fifth straight victory. The Thunder led by two early in the fourth quarter before using an 11-2 run, with a 3 from Ajay Mitchell and two from Wallace, to make it 90-79 with less than nine minutes to go.
WORDS: 355 – MOVED: 01/15/2026 9:11 p.m. CST
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FBC–Transfer Portal Winners
Indiana lands star-studded group from transfer portal while preparing for national championship game
SUMMARY: Indiana and Mississippi had rather busy schedules the last couple of weeks as they competed in the College Football Playoff while the transfer portal window was open. But it apparently didn’t bother their 2026 roster construction efforts too much. Indiana has put together arguably the nation’s best collection of transfers for its 2026 roster as the Hoosiers get ready to face Miami in the national championship game. Ole Miss’ transfer class isn’t that far behind heading into Friday’s closing of the portal window.
WORDS: 1141 – MOVED: 01/16/2026 10:31 a.m. CST
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FBC–Transfer Portal-New Coaches
Portal gives new coaches a shot at a quick turnaround. LSU’s Lane Kiffin tops the rankings for 2026
SUMMARY: The NCAA transfer portal is a godsend for new coaches. Forget three-, four- and five-year builds. Having roughly 3,000 players looking for new landing spots creates long days, sleepless nights and more film study than any NFL rookie quarterback. Those who navigate it best — like Arizona State, Indiana, Ole Miss and Texas Tech in recent years — have a chance to advance to the College Football Playoff in short order. 247 Sports ranks LSU’s Lane Kiffin as having the best portal class of 2026.
WORDS: 903 – MOVED: 01/16/2026 11:13 a.m. CST
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FBC–Oklahoma-Returning Stars
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer and linebacker Kip Lewis to return for final seasons
SUMMARY: Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer and linebacker Kip Lewis will return next season. The school announced the news on social media Thursday. Mateer led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff in his first season after transferring from Washington State. He passed for 2,885 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for 431 yards and eight scores. Lewis was the leading tackler on one of the nation’s best defensive units with 76 tackles. Several other Sooners, including top receiver Isaiah Sategna, also announced their returns.
WORDS: 173 – MOVED: 01/16/2026 11:23 a.m. CST
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