Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Trump-Iowa
Trump will kick off a yearlong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with event in Iowa
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump will be in Iowa to kick off a year of patriotic festivities leading up to next year’s 250th anniversary of American independence. Organizers see the coming year of festivities, which start Thursday, as a way to help unite a polarized country and bridge partisan divides. But a recent Gallup poll showed the widest partisan split in patriotism in over two decades, with only about a third of Democrats saying they are proud to be American compared with about 9 in 10 Republicans. As a candidate, Trump proposed a “Great American State Fair” in Iowa, but it will take place next year in Washington instead.
WORDS: 773 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 11:14 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–Minnesota Lawmakers Shot
Man charged with killing former Minnesota House speaker is due back in court after delay
SUMMARY: The man accused of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding a state senator and his wife, is due back in court after a week’s delay. Prosecutors allege 57-year-old Vance Boelter carried out the June 14 attacks disguised as a police officer. Authorities say he also targeted other Democrats. Boelter’s lawyer argued that he’d been sleep-deprived due to harsh jail conditions, and won a delay in proceedings last week. Boelter could face the federal death penalty, though no decision has been made. The attacks have been described as a political assassination and a threat to democracy.
WORDS: 706 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 11:08 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Trump-Education-Grant Freeze
Some education grants in limbo were used for ‘leftwing agenda,’ Trump administration says
SUMMARY: The Trump administration has accused states and schools of using federal education grants to help fund “a radical leftwing agenda.” The administration this week froze over $6 billion in federal education grants meant for immigrant and low-income students. Officials say they are reviewing the funds to ensure alignment with President Donald Trump’s priorities. On Wednesday, the Office of Management and Budget claimed some grants were misused to support immigrants in the country illegally or promote LGBTQ+ inclusion. Programs for English learners and migrant children are among those affected, leaving schools scrambling to adjust. Advocates say the majority of children in English language programs were born in the United States.
WORDS: 678 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 5:14 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKL–Fever-Clark Out
Caitlin Clark to miss 4th straight game for Fever with a strained left groin
SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark will miss her fourth straight game for the Indiana Fever due to a strained left groin. The team announced her status ahead of their game against the Las Vegas Aces. Clark also missed the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup win over the Minnesota Lynx. Fever coach Stephanie White says Clark is progressing but emphasizes the need for her to fully recover before returning.
WORDS: 179 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 6:44 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BBO–Twins-Ober
Twins put struggling starter Bailey Ober on injured list with left hip impingement
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins have placed pitcher Bailey Ober on the 15-day injured list due to a left hip impingement. Ober has struggled this season with a 4-6 record with a 5.28 ERA in 17 starts. He allowed 14 home runs and had a 9.00 ERA in his last five turns. The Twins have not yet announced who will take Ober’s place in the rotation on Friday against Tampa Bay. Ober had been one of their top starters over the past two years.
WORDS: 159 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 4:31 p.m. CDT
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BKL–WNBA-Red Panda Injured
Red Panda has fractured left wrist, released from hospital after fall at WNBA game
SUMMARY: Good news, basketball fans: Red Panda intends to be ready for next season. Red Panda, the popular performer who fell off her unicycle and crashed to the court during intermission of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx, has a broken left wrist and will need further consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, the agency that represents her said Wednesday. Red Panda — her real name is Rong Niu — spent 11 hours in a Minneapolis hospital, with a pair of Lynx staffers there with her the entire time, agent Patrick Figley said. The Chinese American acrobat was heading home for treatment and recovery, which should take a few months.
WORDS: 320 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 6:08 p.m. CDT
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HKN–Kraken-Lindgren
Ryan Lindgren plans to bring his defensive-minded ways to Seattle Kraken
SUMMARY: Ryan Lindgren has signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the Seattle Kraken. The 27-year-old defenseman aims to strengthen a team that struggled defensively last season, allowing 3.20 goals against per game. Lindgren, known for his defensive skills rather than scoring, has 14 goals and 88 assists in 405 NHL games. He spent more than six seasons with the New York Rangers before being sent to the Colorado Avalanche at the trade deadline. After recovering from a challenging 2024-25 season, including preseason jaw surgery, Lindgren says he feels ready to contribute. He’s eager to work under coach Lane Lambert and build chemistry with his new teammates.
WORDS: 627 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 6:14 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Marlins
Twins snap Marlins’ eight-game winning streak with 2-1 victory
SUMMARY: Brooks Lee and Carlos Correa drove in runs to back a strong start by Simeon Woods Richardson, and the Minnesota Twins beat Miami 2-1 on Wednesday night to end the Marlins’ eight-game win streak. Byron Buxton singled off Janson Junk to begin the game. He advanced on a wild pitch and Willi Castro’s single before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Lee that ended the Twins’ 18-inning scoreless streak. Kyle Stowers homered for the second straight game, a solo shot off Woods Richardson to tie it in the second. It was his fifth homer in nine games and 15th overall.
WORDS: 377 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 8:43 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Cardinals-Pirates
Pirates complete series shutout sweep of Cardinals, win 5-0 behind Keller for 6-0 homestand
SUMMARY: Mitch Keller pitched seven innings, Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a two-run single in a four-run eighth and the Pittsburgh Pirates shut out St. Louis over a three-game series, winning 5-0 to extend their winning streak to a season-high six. Pittsburgh pitchers extended their scoreless streak to 31 innings as the Pirates finished a 6-0 homestand that started against the New York Mets in which they outscored opponents 43-4. Keller won his second straight start following a 15-start winless streak. He allowed five hits, struck out seven and walked one. Dennis Santana and Isaac Mattson completed the six-hitter with one inning each.
WORDS: 333 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 2:13 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Pirates-Perfect Homestand
Last-place Pirates finish a 6-0 homestand by shutting out Cardinals in 3 straight games
SUMMARY: The Pirates didn’t look like a last-place team during a 6-0 homestand in which they outscored the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals by 43-4. Despite their season-high six-game winning streak, the Pirates are 38-50 — including 26-24 since Don Kelly was promoted from bench coach on May 8 after manager Derek Shelton was fired. Pittsburgh was 14 games behind the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs entering play on Wednesday. The Pirates became the first team since at least 1901 to score 43 runs or more and allow four runs or fewer in a six-game span.
WORDS: 348 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 5:17 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Royals-Mariners
Julio Rodriguez delivers a go-ahead RBI single to lift the Mariners past Royals 3-2
SUMMARY: Julio Rodriguez hit a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning and Randy Arozarena drove in two runs as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night. Rodriguez, who left the bases loaded in the fifth, atoned for that missed opportunity by hitting a first-pitch cutter from reliever Steven Cruz, who entered for Angel Zerpa (3-1), to the left side. Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia got a piece of Rodriguez’s hit before it ricocheted past him, allowing the Mariners to take a 2-1 lead.
WORDS: 295 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 11:36 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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CN–Ranch Bronc Riding
Women buck trend, look to grow rodeo sport of ranch bronc riding
SUMMARY: Women are making strides in ranch bronc riding, a challenging rodeo event traditionally dominated by men. Riders like 18-year-old Sophia Bunney and 19-year-old Blayne Bedard are embracing the sport, which involves staying on a bucking horse for eight seconds using a standard western saddle. Pearl Kersey, president of Women’s Ranch Bronc Canada, teaches the sport and highlights its growing popularity. Events like the Ponoka Stampede have added women’s ranch bronc, but it’s not yet part of major rodeos like the Calgary Stampede. Kersey says the sport empowers women, inspiring them to pursue goals they once thought unattainable.
WORDS: 865 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 3:42 p.m. CDT
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