Great Plains News Digest
The following AP stories are planned for today or have moved. For text, photos, video, live and audio plans beyond the next 24 hours, please visit Coverage Plan.
——————————
KANSAS – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
——————————
US–MARINE CORPS-HELICOPTER-CRASH
Weather and night vision goggles were likely factors in Marine Corps helicopter crash, report finds
SUMMARY: The crash of a Marine Corps helicopter last year that killed five service members was ultimately caused by pilot error. But the use of night vision goggles and unsafe flying conditions also likely were factors. That’s according to an investigation report obtained by The Associated Press. The CH-53 Super Stallion crashed on Feb. 6, 2024, during a late night flight when it hit a mountain near Pine Valley, California, on its way back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The limits of night vision goggles also have been identified as a potential factor in the January collision of an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet near Reagan Washington National Airport.
WORDS: 451 – MOVED: 05/07/2025 12:28 p.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7fed822b56ebd9e658963b0434b10eec&mediaType=text
___
US–MEASLES OUTBREAK-EXPLAINER
North Dakota is 11th US state with a measles outbreak. Here’s what to know
SUMMARY: North Dakota is the 11th state in the U.S. with a measles outbreak. The U.S. has 935 confirmed measles cases this year. That’s triple the amount seen in all of 2024. Two children and an adult have died from measles-related illnesses this year. Ten other states have active outbreaks: Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is prevented by vaccines. Cases also have been reported in 19 states.
WORDS: 1626 – MOVED: 05/07/2025 12:06 p.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e904ec9781f1d164c73afe4ab71774fe&mediaType=text
___
US–AVIATION SAFETY
FAA fixing problems at Newark airport while planning overhaul of US air traffic control system
SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration says it will upgrade the technology used to get radar data to air traffic controllers directing planes to the troubled Newark, New Jersey, airport and improve staffing to alleviate the problems there. At the same time, the agency is working on a broader multibillion-dollar plan that will be announced Thursday for long-overdue upgrades to the nation’s air traffic control system. A January midair collision between a passenger jet and army helicopter over Washington, D.C. ,that killed 67 people, followed by a string of other crashes and mishaps, raised alarms about aviation safety and prompted officials to reexamine the system.
WORDS: 488 – MOVED: 05/07/2025 11:02 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8c529cd72fab0bcb42ba286682553d6e&mediaType=text
___
——————————
KANSAS – UPCOMING – NEWS
——————————
AVIATION SAFETY
DESCRIPTION: The FAA says it is upgrading technology and boosting staffing at the air traffic control hub that serves Newark Airport in response to issues that led to flight cancellations and illustrated some of the challenges plaguing the system the nation’s outdated air traffic control system. After the deadly midair collision in Washington in January and some subsequent crashes raised alarm and prompted a new push to overhaul that system, the Transportation Secretary is set Thursday to announce plans for upgrading it.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2025 1:00 p.m. CDT, Text, Photo
___
——————————
MINNESOTA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
——————————
US–REAL ID
Most airports are operating smoothly on the first day of the REAL ID requirement
SUMMARY: Most airports around the United States operated smoothly as new REAL ID requirements took effect because travelers without the updated document were still allowed to move through security easily. Those without the IDs were given flyers informing them that going forward they would need to present “REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification for your next flight or you may expect delays.” REAL ID requirements for those flying within the U.S. began Wednesday after more than 20 years of delays. Many airports reported security checkpoint wait times of a few minutes on their websites.
WORDS: 1043 – MOVED: 05/07/2025 12:17 p.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f0923fe95923e9675d556ee7e08df326&mediaType=text
___
——————————
MINNESOTA – UPCOMING – NEWS
——————————
US RACIST PLAYGROUND VIDEO VIRAL FUNDRAISER
DESCRIPTION: A recent video showing a Minnesota woman at a playground openly admitting to using a racist slur against a Black child has gone viral, garnering millions of views. But what’s been equally appalling for some is that the woman has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in crowdfunds. The flurry of monetary contributions has reignited multiple debates, such as whether racist language and attacks are becoming more permissible. Experts say this reaction is evidence of people being more open about racist beliefs and wanting to hit back at “cancel culture.” By Terry Tang.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2025 2:00 p.m. CDT, Text, Photo
___
——————————
MINNESOTA – UPCOMING – SPORTS
——————————
BBO–ORIOLES-TWINS
DESCRIPTION: MINNEAPOLIS — Baltimore plays Minnesota at Target Field. By Tyler Mason. 300 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2025 6:40 p.m. CDT, Text, Photo
___
——————————
MISSOURI – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
——————————
US–BALLOT INITIATIVES-STATES
Lawmakers seek to rein in citizen ballot initiatives with new requirements for petitions
SUMMARY: Citizen activists could find it harder to get initiatives on next year’s ballot in some states. Lawmakers in about a dozen states have advanced roughly 40 measures this year that would restrict or revamp the citizen initiative process. Many of those bills already have been signed into law. The new laws include limits on who can circulate initiative petitions and additional requirements on the content of those petitions. Several states also are proposing to raise the threshold needed for voter approval. Many of the new provisions come from Republican lawmakers in states where progressive groups have placed initiatives on the ballot.
WORDS: 1067 – MOVED: 05/07/2025 11:17 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2be9e9c2900d17d93ac588b136039d56&mediaType=text
___
——————————
MISSOURI – UPCOMING – SPORTS
——————————
BBO–WHITE SOX-ROYALS
DESCRIPTION: KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chicago plays Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium. By Marc Bowman. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game starts 6:40 p.m. CT.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2025 6:40 p.m. CDT, Text
___
——————————
NORTH DAKOTA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
——————————
US–MEASLES OUTBREAK-EXPLAINER
North Dakota is 11th US state with a measles outbreak. Here’s what to know
SUMMARY: North Dakota is the 11th state in the U.S. with a measles outbreak. The U.S. has 935 confirmed measles cases this year. That’s triple the amount seen in all of 2024. Two children and an adult have died from measles-related illnesses this year. Ten other states have active outbreaks: Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is prevented by vaccines. Cases also have been reported in 19 states.
WORDS: 1626 – MOVED: 05/07/2025 12:06 p.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e904ec9781f1d164c73afe4ab71774fe&mediaType=text
___
US–BALLOT INITIATIVES-STATES
Lawmakers seek to rein in citizen ballot initiatives with new requirements for petitions
SUMMARY: Citizen activists could find it harder to get initiatives on next year’s ballot in some states. Lawmakers in about a dozen states have advanced roughly 40 measures this year that would restrict or revamp the citizen initiative process. Many of those bills already have been signed into law. The new laws include limits on who can circulate initiative petitions and additional requirements on the content of those petitions. Several states also are proposing to raise the threshold needed for voter approval. Many of the new provisions come from Republican lawmakers in states where progressive groups have placed initiatives on the ballot.
WORDS: 1067 – MOVED: 05/07/2025 11:17 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2be9e9c2900d17d93ac588b136039d56&mediaType=text
___
——————————
OKLAHOMA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
——————————
US–MEASLES OUTBREAK-EXPLAINER
North Dakota is 11th US state with a measles outbreak. Here’s what to know
SUMMARY: North Dakota is the 11th state in the U.S. with a measles outbreak. The U.S. has 935 confirmed measles cases this year. That’s triple the amount seen in all of 2024. Two children and an adult have died from measles-related illnesses this year. Ten other states have active outbreaks: Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is prevented by vaccines. Cases also have been reported in 19 states.
WORDS: 1626 – MOVED: 05/07/2025 12:06 p.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e904ec9781f1d164c73afe4ab71774fe&mediaType=text
___
US–OKLAHOMA EXECUTION-HANSON
Inmate transferred to Oklahoma by Trump administration denied clemency, set to be executed
SUMMARY: An Oklahoma board has denied clemency for a man convicted of killing a Tulsa woman in 1999. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board’s 3-2 vote on Wednesday clears the way for John Fitzgerald Hanson to be executed by lethal injection on June 12. Now 61, Hanson was sentenced to death in Tulsa County after he was convicted of carjacking, kidnapping and killing Mary Bowles. Prosecutors allege Hanson and an accomplice, Victor Miller, kidnapped the woman from a Tulsa shopping mall. Hanson had been serving time in a federal prison for unrelated crimes, but he was transferred to Oklahoma custody after President Donald Trump’s election.
WORDS: 513 – MOVED: 05/07/2025 11:57 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aff7e490a53b1003b88b38f9e7d13b36&mediaType=text
___
——————————
SOUTH DAKOTA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
——————————
US–BALLOT INITIATIVES-STATES
Lawmakers seek to rein in citizen ballot initiatives with new requirements for petitions
SUMMARY: Citizen activists could find it harder to get initiatives on next year’s ballot in some states. Lawmakers in about a dozen states have advanced roughly 40 measures this year that would restrict or revamp the citizen initiative process. Many of those bills already have been signed into law. The new laws include limits on who can circulate initiative petitions and additional requirements on the content of those petitions. Several states also are proposing to raise the threshold needed for voter approval. Many of the new provisions come from Republican lawmakers in states where progressive groups have placed initiatives on the ballot.
WORDS: 1067 – MOVED: 05/07/2025 11:17 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2be9e9c2900d17d93ac588b136039d56&mediaType=text
___
