Great Plains News Digest
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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FBC–Big 12 Media Days
Colorado coach Deion Sanders declines to address health issues at Big 12 media days
SUMMARY: Deion Sanders is not discussing his health issues at Big 12 football media days. The Colorado coach, entering his third season, focused on his team instead. Sanders had been absent from football camps in Boulder since April, with no explanation from the school. He expressed gratitude for support from Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and fellow coaches who checked on him regularly. This season marks Sanders’ first without his sons on the team, as both have moved to the NFL. Sanders, now the Big 12’s highest-paid coach, has a $54 million contract through 2029.
WORDS: 735 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 2:17 p.m. CDT
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FBC–Big 12-Rich Rod’s Reprise
Rich Rodriguez’s return as coach at West Virginia is a homecoming, too
SUMMARY: Rich Rodriguez’s return to West Virginia as coach is also a homecoming. The 61-year-old known as “Rich Rod” left his alma mater for Michigan nearly 20 years ago. Back then, Rodriguez was one of the hottest coaching prospects in college football. He returns to Morgantown with a wistful view of his career track. Rodriguez is talking about it being a final coaching stop after a wayward journey that started with a humbling experience at Michigan followed by stints at Arizona and Jacksonville State.
WORDS: 756 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 6:08 p.m. CDT
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MMA–Askren-Lung Transplant
Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren recovering from double lung transplant
SUMMARY: Olympic wrestler and former UFC fighter Ben Askren has undergone a double lung transplant after battling severe pneumonia. In a social media post Wednesday, Askren shared that he is now recovering. He revealed he remembers little from a 45-day ordeal between late May and early July, during which he was on a ventilator and his heart stopped four times. Askren lost 50 pounds during the experience but expressed gratitude for the love and support he received. Known for his amateur wrestling and MMA career, Askren retired in 2019 and briefly returned for a boxing match in 2021.
WORDS: 326 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 10:19 p.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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BBO–Royals-Keuchel
Royals sign former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Royals have signed former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league deal. The team announced the signing on Wednesday. The 37-year-old Keuchel worked out for the team last week. He will head to its training facility in Arizona and then is expected to spend time at Triple-A Omaha in the hopes of returning to the big leagues. Keuchel appeared in four games for Milwaukee last season. He spent his first seven seasons with the Astros, helping them win the 2017 World Series. He was a two-time All-Star and won the Cy Young in 2015.
WORDS: 193 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 1:26 p.m. CDT
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US–Ex-NBA-Player-Rape-Conviction
Ex-NBA player Ben McLemore sentenced to over 8 years in prison for rape
SUMMARY: An Oregon judge has sentenced former NBA player Ben McLemore to more than eight years in prison for raping a woman at a house party in 2021. KGW reports that the ex-Portland Trail Blazer was sentenced to 100 months in prison on Wednesday. The sentencing comes a week after a jury found the 32-year-old guilty of rape, unlawful sexual penetration and one count of sexual abuse. He was found not guilty on another count of sexual abuse. The charges stemmed from a party at a home owned by a then-teammate. Prosecutors described the sexual encounter as rape. The defense argued it was consensual sex.
WORDS: 230 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 3:27 p.m. CDT
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FBC–Big 12-Rich Rod’s Reprise
Rich Rodriguez’s return as coach at West Virginia is a homecoming, too
SUMMARY: Rich Rodriguez’s return to West Virginia as coach is also a homecoming. The 61-year-old known as “Rich Rod” left his alma mater for Michigan nearly 20 years ago. Back then, Rodriguez was one of the hottest coaching prospects in college football. He returns to Morgantown with a wistful view of his career track. Rodriguez is talking about it being a final coaching stop after a wayward journey that started with a humbling experience at Michigan followed by stints at Arizona and Jacksonville State.
WORDS: 756 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 6:08 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Pirates-Royals
Perez and Caglianone power Royals to 4-3 win over Pirates for 3-game sweep
SUMMARY: Salvador Perez homered twice, Jac Caglianone hit the longest measured homer by a Royals rookie, and Kansas City beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 to complete a three-game sweep. Perez broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning with his longball off Isaac Mattson. He opened the scoring with a 444-foot shot to center in the second. But the most impressive homer of the game belonged to Caglianone — a 466-foot, two-run drive to center in the fourth against Bailey Falter. It was the longest homer by a Royals rookie since Statcast started tracking in 2015 and the fourth-longest by any Kansas City player at Kauffman Stadium.
WORDS: 320 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 9:45 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BKL–Lynx-Mercury
Alyssa Thomas scores career-high 29 and the Mercury close on a 19-4 run to beat the Lynx 79-71
SUMMARY: Alyssa Thomas scored 12 of her career-high 29 points in the fourth quarter and the Phoenix Mercury closed on a 19-4 run to beat the Minnesota Lynx 79-71. Thomas was 14 of 24 from the field to top her previous high of 28 points. She also had eight rebounds and five assists. Phoenix tied it at 69 and 71 before Thomas scored on back-to-back possessions to take a 75-71 lead. She scored 10 points during the Mercury’s game-closing run. Monique Akoa Makani added 13 points and Sami Whitcomb scored 10 for Phoenix (14-6). Courtney Williams led Minnesota (17-3) with 21 points.
WORDS: 296 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 4:56 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins Moves
Twins call up LHP Anthony Misiewicz and designate LHP Joey Wentz for assignment
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins have selected the contract of left-hander Anthony Misiewicz from Triple-A St. Paul and designated left-hander Joey Wentz for assignment. Misiewicz has made 26 relief appearances for St. Paul this season. He has a 4.02 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings. The 30-year-old Misiewicz has appeared in 131 major league games. He pitched for the New York Yankees in 2023 and ’24. Wentz appeared in six games with the Twins after he was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh on June 11. He allowed 14 runs in eight innings.
WORDS: 157 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 5:30 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins Buxton
Twins’ Buxton leaves game after getting hit on hand
SUMMARY: Minnesota Twins All-Star Byron Buxton has suffered a hand injury. Buxton left Wednesday’s game with a left hand contusion after being hit by a pitch from Chicago Cubs starter Cade Horton. Buxton led off the first inning when he was hit, although the play was initially ruled a foul ball. Minnesota challenged the call and it was overturned after video review showed the ball hitting a pad on the top of Buxton’s hand. After being looked at by a trainer, Buxton stayed in the game and eventually scored on a hit by Ryan Jeffers. But Brooks Lee pinch hit for Buxton in the second.
WORDS: 183 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 7:44 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cubs-Twins
Minnesota Twins beat Chicago Cubs 4-2, but Buxton injures hand
SUMMARY: Ryan Jeffers and Carlos Correa each had an RBI as the Minnesota Twins scored a pair of first-inning runs for the second straight game in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs. Matt Wallner added a solo homer for the Twins in the third, which proved to be enough for right-hander David Festa (3-3), who went 5 1/3 innings and allowed a pair of runs in the fourth inning. The Twins lost All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton to a hand injury in the second inning. Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-3) didn’t make it through the fifth inning.
WORDS: 339 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 9:15 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Buxton
Twins keep sore Buxton out of starting lineup with bruised hand, but expect All-Star to be fine
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins have kept All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton out of Thursday’s starting lineup due to a bruised left hand. Manager Rocco Baldelli says Buxton could still play as a pinch-hitter, depending on how his hand feels. Buxton was hit by a pitch during Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs but stayed in briefly before being removed. X-rays showed no fractures. Baldelli expects him to return soon. Buxton’s participation in next week’s All-Star Game and Home Run Derby appears unaffected. Buxton has 20 home runs this season and ranks among league leaders in several categories.
WORDS: 297 – MOVED: 07/10/2025 11:39 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Royals-Keuchel
Royals sign former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Royals have signed former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league deal. The team announced the signing on Wednesday. The 37-year-old Keuchel worked out for the team last week. He will head to its training facility in Arizona and then is expected to spend time at Triple-A Omaha in the hopes of returning to the big leagues. Keuchel appeared in four games for Milwaukee last season. He spent his first seven seasons with the Astros, helping them win the 2017 World Series. He was a two-time All-Star and won the Cy Young in 2015.
WORDS: 193 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 1:26 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Arenado
Nolan Arenado back in Cardinals lineup after missing 3 games with a shoulder impingement
SUMMARY: Nolan Arenado is returning to the Cardinals lineup after missing three games with a right shoulder impingement. The eight-time All-Star also missed two games last week after jamming his finger while recording his 1,900th career hit. Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, is enduring one of the toughest seasons of his career. He entered Wednesday batting just .248 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in 81 games. The Cardinals were facing the Washington Nationals in the second game of a three-game series. Arenado was playing third base and batting fifth in the lineup.
WORDS: 148 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 3:44 p.m. CDT
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FBC–Big 12 Media Days
Colorado coach Deion Sanders declines to address health issues at Big 12 media days
SUMMARY: Deion Sanders is not discussing his health issues at Big 12 football media days. The Colorado coach, entering his third season, focused on his team instead. Sanders had been absent from football camps in Boulder since April, with no explanation from the school. He expressed gratitude for support from Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and fellow coaches who checked on him regularly. This season marks Sanders’ first without his sons on the team, as both have moved to the NFL. Sanders, now the Big 12’s highest-paid coach, has a $54 million contract through 2029.
WORDS: 735 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 2:17 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Nationals-Cardinals
Wood, Lowe HRs power Washington past Cardinals 8-2 as Cairo earns 1st win as Nats’ interim manager
SUMMARY: James Wood hit his 24th homer, Nathaniel Lowe added a three-run shot and the Washington Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-2 to give interim manager Miguel Cairo his first victory. Cairo took over when Washington fired manager Dave Martinez and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo hour after a 6-4 loss to Boston on Sunday. Amed Rosario hit a solo homer and MacKenzie Gore earned the win as the Nationals snapped a four-game skid. Masyn Winn had three hits and Andre Pallante took the loss for St. Louis.
WORDS: 336 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 9:36 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Pirates-Royals
Perez and Caglianone power Royals to 4-3 win over Pirates for 3-game sweep
SUMMARY: Salvador Perez homered twice, Jac Caglianone hit the longest measured homer by a Royals rookie, and Kansas City beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 to complete a three-game sweep. Perez broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning with his longball off Isaac Mattson. He opened the scoring with a 444-foot shot to center in the second. But the most impressive homer of the game belonged to Caglianone — a 466-foot, two-run drive to center in the fourth against Bailey Falter. It was the longest homer by a Royals rookie since Statcast started tracking in 2015 and the fourth-longest by any Kansas City player at Kauffman Stadium.
WORDS: 320 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 9:45 p.m. CDT
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MMA–Askren-Lung Transplant
Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren recovering from double lung transplant
SUMMARY: Olympic wrestler and former UFC fighter Ben Askren has undergone a double lung transplant after battling severe pneumonia. In a social media post Wednesday, Askren shared that he is now recovering. He revealed he remembers little from a 45-day ordeal between late May and early July, during which he was on a ventilator and his heart stopped four times. Askren lost 50 pounds during the experience but expressed gratitude for the love and support he received. Known for his amateur wrestling and MMA career, Askren retired in 2019 and briefly returned for a boxing match in 2021.
WORDS: 326 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 10:19 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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FBC–Big 12 Media Days
Colorado coach Deion Sanders declines to address health issues at Big 12 media days
SUMMARY: Deion Sanders is not discussing his health issues at Big 12 football media days. The Colorado coach, entering his third season, focused on his team instead. Sanders had been absent from football camps in Boulder since April, with no explanation from the school. He expressed gratitude for support from Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and fellow coaches who checked on him regularly. This season marks Sanders’ first without his sons on the team, as both have moved to the NFL. Sanders, now the Big 12’s highest-paid coach, has a $54 million contract through 2029.
WORDS: 735 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 2:17 p.m. CDT
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FBC–Big 12-Rich Rod’s Reprise
Rich Rodriguez’s return as coach at West Virginia is a homecoming, too
SUMMARY: Rich Rodriguez’s return to West Virginia as coach is also a homecoming. The 61-year-old known as “Rich Rod” left his alma mater for Michigan nearly 20 years ago. Back then, Rodriguez was one of the hottest coaching prospects in college football. He returns to Morgantown with a wistful view of his career track. Rodriguez is talking about it being a final coaching stop after a wayward journey that started with a humbling experience at Michigan followed by stints at Arizona and Jacksonville State.
WORDS: 756 – MOVED: 07/09/2025 6:08 p.m. CDT
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