Great Plains News Digest
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KANSAS
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US–Immigration-New Detention Centers
ICE is using no-bid contracts, boosting big firms, to get more detention beds
SUMMARY: No-bid contracts with politically connected companies have become crucial to the Republican Trump administration’s push for more space to hold immigrants for deportation. Those contracts include one for a now-shuttered private prison in Kansas. An agreement with Tennessee-based private prison firm CoreCivic for reopening a 1,033-bed prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, is part of a surge of contracts issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without seeking competitive bids first. ICE cites a “compelling urgency” for more detention beds for immigrants in the U.S. illegally. ICE’s moves have delighted industry analysts on company earnings calls and promised bigger profits but have also drawn criticism. Skeptical city officials argue CoreCivic needs a special use permit.
WORDS: 1850 – MOVED: 06/16/2025 5:57 a.m. CDT
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US–Immigration-New Detention Centers-Takeaways
Takeaways from AP’s reporting on shuttered prisons, mass deportation push and no-bid contracts
SUMMARY: Private prison operators are marketing their shuttered lockups to federal immigration officials as President Donald Trump pushes for mass deportations, with some facilities nabbing lucrative no-bid contracts. When the Republican took office, politically connected private-prison giants CoreCivic Inc., of Tennessee, and The Geo Group Inc., of Florida, had around 20 idle facilities. CoreCivic says it hasn’t seen such demand for its services in its 42-year history. But the push to reopen facilities has encountered resistance in unexpected places like Leavenworth, Kansas, whose name evokes a short hand for serving hard time. The Leavenworth facility was mothballed in 2021 after Democratic President Joe Biden called on the Justice Department to curb the use of private prisons.
WORDS: 1046 – MOVED: 06/16/2025 6:32 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–Minnesota Shootings-Reaction
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith contemplates increased security after shooting of Democratic lawmakers
SUMMARY: Lawmakers are still reeling from the shooting that killed one Minnesota state legislator and her husband and severely wounded another and his wife. Even as authorities searched for the suspect in the shooting, the state’s two U.S. Senators noted the attack was one of an increasing examples of political violence. Sen. Tina Smith said she was contemplating the previously unthinkable notion of regular security guards. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said people need to remember that politicians are human beings.
WORDS: 458 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 12:06 p.m. CDT
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US–Political Violence
Political violence is threaded through recent US history. The motives and justifications vary
SUMMARY: The attacks on two Democratic Minnesota state lawmakers at home are the latest in a grim spike in political violence. One lawmaker and her husband were killed while a second one and his wife were gravely wounded. Those attacks follow the firebombing of a march in Colorado calling for the release of hostages in Gaza, the killing of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington and the firebombing of the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion. That’s just in the past two months. Before that came the attempted assassination of Donald Trump during the presidential campaign, the attack on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband and a shooting at a Republican congressional baseball practice.
WORDS: 1134 – MOVED: 06/14/2025 5:50 p.m. CDT
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US–Minnesota Lawmakers Shot-Hortman
A teenager with a job making burritos became a powerful Minnesota lawmaker who trained service dogs
SUMMARY: Melissa Hortman’s power as a Democratic leader to shape the course of a deeply divided Minnesota Legislature was a far cry from her job as a teenager making chili-cheese burritos and overshadowed her volunteer work training service dogs for veterans. The 55-year-old was a lifelong Minneapolis-area resident who went to college in Boston and then returned home for law school. She was elected to the Minnesota House in 2004 and helped pass a sweeping liberal program as its speaker in 2023. The chamber was split evenly between Democrats and Republicans this year and she helped break a budget impasse. Friends and colleagues remembered her as grounded, kind and compassionate.
WORDS: 1012 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 2:50 p.m. CDT
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US–Minnesota-Lawmakers Shot
Man suspected of shooting 2 Minnesota lawmakers is in custody after surrendering to police
SUMMARY: The man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another has been taken into custody, ending a nearly two-day search that put the entire state on edge. Vance Boelter was arrested Sunday evening. Former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs. Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin home, about 9 miles away. Boelter was arrested in a rural area in Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis.
WORDS: 982 – MOVED: 06/14/2025 11:02 p.m. CDT
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US-MED–Pistachio Cream-Salmonella
Salmonella poisoning linked to pistachio cream sickens 4 in Minnesota and New Jersey
SUMMARY: Four people have been sickened in two states by salmonella poisoning linked to pistachio cream, a nut butter spread. Three people in Minnesota and one in New Jersey fell ill. One person was hospitalized. The outbreak is linked to Emek brand pistachio cream imported from Turkey. The product has a use-by date of Oct. 19. The spread was sent to wholesale distributors, restaurants and food service locations nationwide. Salmonella poisoning causes fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps and can lead to severe illness and hospitalization. Young children, older people and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
WORDS: 214 – MOVED: 06/16/2025 11:08 a.m. CDT
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US–Minnesota-Lawmakers-Shot-What to Know
What to know about the shootings of 2 Minnesota lawmakers and the arrest of Vance Boelter
SUMMARY: The man suspected of killing one Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another is now charged with murder after police arrested him Sunday near his home following a nearly two-day search. Vance Boelter is accused of posing as a police officer and fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband in their home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs. Authorities say he also shot and wounded a state senator and his wife. The top state prosecutor for the Minneapolis area says she plans to charge him with first-degree murder, and federal prosecutors and federal murder and stalking charges have been filed against him.
WORDS: 824 – MOVED: 06/16/2025 8:59 a.m. CDT
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US–Minnesota-Lawmakers Shot
Prosecutors: Suspect in shooting of two Minnesota state lawmakers planned to target two others
SUMMARY: The man accused of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another went to the homes of two other lawmakers to carry out more carnage on the night of the shootings. But one of the other lawmakers was not home and the suspect left the other house after police arrived. That is according to acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson, who spoke at a press conference Monday. The suspect, Vance Boelter surrendered to police Sunday. He is accused of posing as a police officer and fatally shooting state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday. Authorities say he also shot and injured state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife.
WORDS: 1160 – MOVED: 06/16/2025 6:57 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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US–Small Business-Amusement Parks-Tariffs
Smaller amusement parks hope for a strong summer under the shadow of tariffs
SUMMARY: The tariffs wars involving global economic powerhouses such as the U.S. and China are being felt even in such distinctly local places as your regional amusement park. Families who balk at the cost of a vacation at big amusement parks like Disney World favor trips to regional parks. But if tariffs lead to economic uncertainty, they may stay home. The Trump administration’s import taxes on foreign goods also could subject park owners to costs that their customers might not think about. Parts of the rides are made of imported steel that’s currently subject to tariffs. And prizes and toys people win playing games often come from China.
WORDS: 993 – MOVED: 06/16/2025 7:06 a.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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BBO–Athletics-Royals
Nick Kurtz hits a solo homer to rally the Athletics to a 3-2 win and sweep of the Royals
SUMMARY: Nick Kurtz hit a solo ninth-inning homer to rally the Athletics to a 3-2 win and three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals. Kurtz hit Carlos Estévez’s fastball 411 feet to right-center for his sixth home run. It gave the Athletics their first sweep at Kauffman Stadium since September 2016. T.J. Ferguson retired all four batters he faced, striking out two to earn the win and Mason Miller struck out two for his 14th save. The Royals matched their longest losing streak of the season while dropping all six games of their homestand.
WORDS: 322 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 4:36 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BBO–Twins-Astros
Mauricio Dubón’s walk-off single lifts Astros over Twins 2-1, sweep 3-game series
SUMMARY: Victor Caratini had a sacrifice fly in the ninth and Mauricio Dubón hit a walk-off single with two out in the 10th to help the Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 and sweep the three-game series. Astros starter Brandon Walter gave up a run on six hits with nine strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings. Shawn Dubin, Bennett Sousa and Josh Hader combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Minnesota’s Brooks Lee led off the third with a home run. The Astros, who beat the Twins 3-2 on Saturday, have won five in a row and 16 of their last 22.
WORDS: 320 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 4:38 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Cardinals-Brewers
Yelich homers and Megill escapes a 9th-inning jam as the Brewers top the Cardinals 3-2
SUMMARY: Christian Yelich homered and Trevor Megill escaped a jam in the ninth inning, sending the Milwaukee Brewers to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the finale of a four-game series. Drew Avans and Sal Frelick each drove in a run for Milwaukee, which won for the fourth time in six games. Yelich had three hits, and Caleb Durbin went 2 for 3. Iván Herrera hit his eighth homer for St. Louis with two out in the eighth inning. Willson Contreras also drove in a run.
WORDS: 360 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 4:07 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Athletics-Royals
Nick Kurtz hits a solo homer to rally the Athletics to a 3-2 win and sweep of the Royals
SUMMARY: Nick Kurtz hit a solo ninth-inning homer to rally the Athletics to a 3-2 win and three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals. Kurtz hit Carlos Estévez’s fastball 411 feet to right-center for his sixth home run. It gave the Athletics their first sweep at Kauffman Stadium since September 2016. T.J. Ferguson retired all four batters he faced, striking out two to earn the win and Mason Miller struck out two for his 14th save. The Royals matched their longest losing streak of the season while dropping all six games of their homestand.
WORDS: 322 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 4:36 p.m. CDT
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CAR–IndyCar-Gateway
Two-time Indy 500 winner Newgarden flips car, walks away from wreck in IndyCar race at Gateway
SUMMARY: Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden flipped his car upside down during Sunday night’s race at Gateway outside St. Louis. Newgarden crashed midway through the race after contact with Louis Foster. Foster spun into the wall and shot across the track, stopping directly in Newgarden’s path. Newgarden was unable to avoid the direct collision and his car launched into the air, damaged the SAFER barrier, landed on its roof and then skidded for a considerable distance. The IndyCar safety crew immediately helped Newgarden from his car and he radioed his Team Penske crew he was fine.
WORDS: 264 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 8:48 p.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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BBC–CWS-Arizona-Louisville
Louisville strikes for 6 runs in 8th to eliminate Arizona from College World Series with an 8-3 win
SUMMARY: Zion Rose singled to give Louisville its first lead during a six-run eighth inning and the Cardinals knocked Arizona out of the College World Series with an 8-3 win. Louisville’s 19th come-from-behind win of the season moved the Cardinals to another elimination game Tuesday against Oregon State, which lost 6-2 to Coastal Carolina on Sunday night. Arizona has lost six straight CWS games over three appearances since 2016. The Cardinals trailed 3-1 early and came up empty after having runners in scoring position in the third, fourth and fifth innings. When they broke through, the runs came in bunches.
WORDS: 654 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 4:36 p.m. CDT
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BBC–CWS-Coastal Carolina-Oregon St
Coastal Carolina’s 6-2 win over Oregon State at College World Series extends its streak to 25 games
SUMMARY: Coastal Carolina’s unbeaten Jacob Morrison was dominant into the eighth inning and the Chanticleers capitalized on Oregon State’s early mistakes to extend their win streak to 25 games with a 6-2 victory in the College World Series. Morrison went 7 2/3 innings for his longest outing in over two months. He retired 16 straight over the middle innings. The Chanticleers would advance to the best-of-three finals with another win Wednesday. Their opponent will be either Louisville or Oregon State, which meet in an elimination game Tuesday.
WORDS: 720 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 9:27 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–NBA Finals-Williams’ Role
Jalen Williams’ resilience helps Thunder gain solid position heading into Game 5 vs. Pacers
SUMMARY: Jalen Williams keeps bouncing back. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s All-Star forward has suffered through poor shooting stretches in each of the past three playoff series. And each time, he’s recovered to help the Thunder win critical games. After two rough shooting nights to start the Finals series against the Indiana Pacers, he found his stride. In Game 4, Williams handled the ball more and was aggressive. He scored 27 points and made 8 of 18 field goals and 11 of 11 free throws. His success helped the Thunder win 111-104 to even the series at 2-2.
WORDS: 538 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 2:47 p.m. CDT
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BKN–NBA Finals-Foster
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle offers defense of Scott Foster after referee receives criticism in Game 4
SUMMARY: Indiana coach Rick Carlisle offered an impassioned and somewhat unprompted defense of referee Scott Foster on Sunday, evidently aware of the mountains of online criticism that came after Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Foster was one of the three on-court referees assigned to Game 4, which had more fouls called and more free throws awarded than any of the three previous games in the series. Foster — who has long been a lightning rod for critics — did not work any of those first three games.
WORDS: 551 – MOVED: 06/15/2025 2:47 p.m. CDT
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BKN–NBA Finals Guide
NBA Finals guide: When the games are, how to watch, what the odds are
SUMMARY: It’s now the final week of the season. Monday night could be the next-to-last of the NBA season, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers set to play Game 5 of the finals. It’s a best-of-three series now, with the Thunder and Pacers tied at 2-2. Game 6 is in Indianapolis on Thursday and, if necessary, the final game of the season will be back at OKC on June 22.
WORDS: 1113 – MOVED: 06/01/2025 8:57 a.m. CDT
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BKN–NBA Finals
Game 5: Pacers, Thunder set to play swing game, with winner grabbing 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals
SUMMARY: The back-and-forth of these NBA Finals has been constant. Game 1 went to Indiana, so Oklahoma City had to bounce back in Game 2. Indiana reclaimed the series lead in Game 3, only to see Oklahoma City answer yet again in Game 4, knotting the series 2-2. And now, Game 5. The swing game, as some call it. The winner on Monday night between the Pacers and Thunder in Oklahoma City will take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals and move one win away from hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
WORDS: 303 – MOVED: 06/16/2025 7:20 a.m. CDT
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