Great Plains News Digest
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MINNESOTA
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US–Isle Royale-Wolf Survey
Unexpected medical issue grounds Isle Royale wolf-moose survey
SUMMARY: Researchers from Michigan Tech University were unable to conduct their annual wolf-moose survey on Isle Royale this past winter. A last-minute medical issue grounded their ski-plane pilot, and no replacement was found in time. The survey has been conducted since 1958 and tracks wolf and moose populations on the remote island in Lake Superior. This marks the third disruption in five years, with previous cancellations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and unsafe ice conditions. The university’s report had been released on Tuesday and includes no new population data. However, summer observations by students noted wolf activity and moose remains. Researchers plan to resume the survey next winter.
WORDS: 474 – MOVED: 07/15/2025 11:32 a.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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US–Air Force Employee-Classified Info
Retired Army officer pleads guilty to sharing classified info on Russia-Ukraine war on dating site
SUMMARY: A retired Army officer who worked as a civilian Air Force employee has pleaded guilty to conspiring to share classified information about Russia’s war with Ukraine. David Slater admitted that he transmitted national defense secrets through a foreign dating platform to someone claiming to be a woman in Ukraine. Slater worked at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and had access to top-secret information. Sentencing is set for Oct. 8. Prosecutors and his attorneys agreed that he should serve about six to seven years in prison, though the judge will ultimately decide.
WORDS: 538 – MOVED: 07/14/2025 12:00 p.m. CDT
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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US–Congress-Budget-Cuts
Republicans are considering changes to Trump’s request for $9.4 billion in spending cuts
SUMMARY: Senate Republicans are exploring changes to President Donald Trump’s request to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved spending targeted by DOGE. The negotiations signal potential difficulties ahead of an important test vote. Trump is looking to claw back $1.1 billion of funding authority from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and about $8.3 billion from foreign aid programs that aim to fight famine and disease and promote global stability. Congress has until Friday to get a bill to the president’s desk for his signature, or the spending stands. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says some GOP senators would like to see “modest changes” to the bill.
WORDS: 664 – MOVED: 07/15/2025 11:52 a.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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FBN–Top 5-Cornerbacks
Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II voted NFL’s top cornerback by AP
SUMMARY: Patrick Surtain II last season became only the seventh cornerback to win the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. His shutdown season also helped him earn the top cornerback spot in voting by a panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers who ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Surtain received five first-place votes and three seconds. Sauce Gardner got two first-place votes, finishing second. Cooper DeJean got the other first-place vote, appearing on only one of eight ballots. Derek Stingley Jr. finished third, Trent McDuffie was fourth and DeJean placed fifth.
WORDS: 467 – MOVED: 07/15/2025 11:41 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BKL–Lynx-Sky
Napheesa Collier scores 29 and the Lynx beat the Sky 91-78
SUMMARY: Napheesa Collier had 29 points, five assists and three steals, Courtney Williams added 18 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Chicago Sky 91-78. Minnesota avenged an 87-81 loss to the Sky on Saturday. Bridget Carleton opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer to give the Lynx a lead, 47-46, they would not relinquish the rest of the way. Kayla McBride added 17 points and Carleton scored 11 for the Lynx. Angel Reese secured her ninth straight double-double for Chicago with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Rachel Banham added 15 points and Rebecca Allen scored 10.
WORDS: 266 – MOVED: 07/14/2025 9:22 p.m. CDT
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BKL–WNBA All-Star-CBA
WNBA players and the league are far apart on new CBA talks ahead of in-person discussions
SUMMARY: The WNBA players union and league officials have much to discuss when they sit down this week for their first in-person talks as a group since December about the new collective bargaining agreement. The two sides are hoping for a transformational new collective bargaining agreement. After sharing initial proposals, Phoenix Mercury forward and union rep Satou Sabally said the league’s offer was “a slap in the face.” The two sides are scheduled to have their first face-to-face meeting in Indianapolis on Thursday. Increased salaries, revenue sharing and roster size are three areas where the union hopes to see major changes from the current CBA.
WORDS: 704 – MOVED: 07/15/2025 9:04 a.m. CDT
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FBN–Top 5-Wide Receivers
Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson tie for the top wide receiver in a vote by AP writers
SUMMARY: Ja’Marr Chase achieved the receiving triple crown. Justin Jefferson has rewritten receiving records in his first five seasons. So which superstar pass-catcher is the best wide receiver in the NFL? It’s a tie, according to a panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers who ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Chase and Jefferson each received four first-place votes and four seconds. Amon-Ra St. Brown finished third, CeeDee Lamb was fourth and AJ Brown placed fifth.
WORDS: 497 – MOVED: 07/15/2025 10:30 a.m. CDT
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BKL–Around the WNBA
WNBA ready for the spotlight with All-Star Game in Indiana this weekend
SUMMARY: The WNBA finishes off the first half of its season this week before heading into the All-Star break in Indiana, which will be a showcase for young star Caitlin Clark. The Fever have three all-stars with Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell all playing in the game Saturday. Clark, who is one of the captains, took both her Indiana teammates for her team in the game. Before Saturday’s contest, the Fever have a busy week with back-to-back games against Connecticut, in Boston, and New York.
WORDS: 503 – MOVED: 07/15/2025 11:45 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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FBC–SEC Media Days
The SEC and Big Ten are currently at a standstill over the College Football Playoff format
SUMMARY: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC and Big Ten have not agreed on a College Football Playoff format beyond this season. Sankey noted frequent discussions with Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti but highlighted differing views on playoff allocations. The current 12-team playoff guarantees spots for the five highest-ranked conference champions. Sankey emphasized collaboration but stated changes could proceed without unanimous agreement. The CFP contract allows the SEC and Big Ten to propose and impose changes if aligned.
WORDS: 832 – MOVED: 07/14/2025 12:58 p.m. CDT
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GLF–Golf Glance
British Open returns to Royal Portrush. The PGA Tour is in Lake Tahoe
SUMMARY: Golf’s oldest championship returns to Royal Portrush. It’s the third time the British Open has gone to the Northern Ireland links. Shane Lowry won in 2019. Scottie Scheffler comes into the final major of the year as a slight betting favorite over Rory McIlroy. McIlroy missed the cut at Royal Portrush in 2019 and is coming off a runner-up finish at the Scottish Open. The PGA Tour and European Tour have an event near Lake Tahoe with the Barracuda Championship. It’s an opposite-field event so the winner won’t get a Masters invitation. Also this week is the U.S. Girls Junior.
WORDS: 807 – MOVED: 07/15/2025 8:20 a.m. CDT
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FBN–Top 5-Cornerbacks
Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II voted NFL’s top cornerback by AP
SUMMARY: Patrick Surtain II last season became only the seventh cornerback to win the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. His shutdown season also helped him earn the top cornerback spot in voting by a panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers who ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Surtain received five first-place votes and three seconds. Sauce Gardner got two first-place votes, finishing second. Cooper DeJean got the other first-place vote, appearing on only one of eight ballots. Derek Stingley Jr. finished third, Trent McDuffie was fourth and DeJean placed fifth.
WORDS: 467 – MOVED: 07/15/2025 11:41 a.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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FBC–SEC Media Days
The SEC and Big Ten are currently at a standstill over the College Football Playoff format
SUMMARY: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC and Big Ten have not agreed on a College Football Playoff format beyond this season. Sankey noted frequent discussions with Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti but highlighted differing views on playoff allocations. The current 12-team playoff guarantees spots for the five highest-ranked conference champions. Sankey emphasized collaboration but stated changes could proceed without unanimous agreement. The CFP contract allows the SEC and Big Ten to propose and impose changes if aligned.
WORDS: 832 – MOVED: 07/14/2025 12:58 p.m. CDT
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