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KANSAS

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US–Philanthropy-AI

Funders commit $1B toward developing AI tools for frontline workers

SUMMARY: A coalition of philanthropic funders will spend $1 billion over 15 years to help develop artificial intelligence tools to help spur economic mobility. The funders announced Thursday that they will create a new entity, NextLadder Ventures, to offer grants and investments to nonprofits and for-profits that develop tools to help frontline case workers manage often huge caseloads. The group includes the Gates Foundation, Ballmer Group, Stand Together, Valhalla Foundation and hedge fund founder John Overdeck. The AI company Anthropic will offer technical expertise and access to its technologies to the nonprofits and companies NextLadder invests in.

WORDS: 1021 – MOVED: 07/17/2025 7:00 a.m. CDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/FunderscommitBtowarddevelopingAItoolsforfrontlineworkers/5c84fa707ba8275a7afb2bc5245c286d/text

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NEBRASKA

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US–Water Dispute-Nebraska-Colorado

Nebraska sues neighboring Colorado over how much water it’s drawing from the South Platte River

SUMMARY: Nebraska has filed a lawsuit against Colorado over how much water its neighbor draws from the South Platte River. Officials said Wednesday that the filed the case with the U.S. Supreme Court, which settles disputes between states. Nebraska accuses Colorado of withholding water guaranteed under a 1923 agreement, and that this is hurting Nebraska agriculture and water supplies. The dispute also involves Nebraska’s plan to build a canal that would see Nebraska seize land in Colorado to divert water into Nebraska. Colorado officials call the lawsuit unnecessary and costly. Experts say climate change is intensifying water shortages, making disputes like this more common. A resolution could take years.

WORDS: 847 – MOVED: 07/16/2025 3:00 p.m. CDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/NebraskasuesneighboringColoradooverhowmuchwateritsdrawingfromtheSouthPlatteRiver/0bcbaf44503406d488d514202d97330f/text

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NORTH DAKOTA

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US–Squirrels Overrun Town

Ground squirrels are taking over a North Dakota city and officials are not amused

SUMMARY: Ground squirrels have proliferated in Minot, North Dakota’s fourth-largest city. They’ve burrowed everywhere from vacant lots to school grounds, residential areas and the downtown area. They’re particularly plentiful on an Air Force base north of the city. A pest control operator who is leading the fight against them likens it to one man taking on a massive storm. He traps thousands of the rodents per year. A combination of the area’s plains habitat and few predators in town make Minot a nice home for the tunneling rodents, which can harbor disease from fleas and create hazards with their holes.

WORDS: 847 – MOVED: 07/16/2025 10:57 p.m. CDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/GroundsquirrelsaretakingoveraNorthDakotacityandofficialsarenotamused/dde22d2fa10140191a168687a5aa4daa/text

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OKLAHOMA

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US–Executions-Glance

A look at the status of US executions in 2025

SUMMARY: Twenty-six men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S. Ten other people are scheduled to be put to death in seven states during the remainder of 2025. Michael B. Bell was executed in Florida on Tuesday. Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas and Utah have scheduled executions for later this year. Executions also have been carried out this year in Alabama, Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The number of executions this year exceeds the 25 executions carried out last year and in 2018. It is the highest total since there were 28 people put to death in 2015.

WORDS: 1076 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 5:33 p.m. CDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AlookatthestatusofUSexecutionsin/518a3a8a365b8661a02c7c7495e4cff0/text

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US–Philanthropy-Tax and Spending Law

Bipartisan support helps foundations avoid tax increase in new Trump legislation

SUMMARY: Two Republican senators and a broad coalition of funders made a big difference for private foundations during negotiations over President Donald Trump’s tax and spending legislation. Sen. Todd Young of Indiana and Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma both advocated against the increase in taxes on the earnings of foundation endowments. Young said it took some persuasion but that many in the Republican caucus appreciate the value of the investments private foundations make in their communities. The new law also allows the vast majority of tax filers to take a charitable deduction of up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for married couples.

WORDS: 1105 – MOVED: 07/16/2025 7:02 a.m. CDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BipartisansupporthelpsfoundationsavoidtaxincreaseinnewTrumplegislation/c5b020589418425835f89849bdf7234c/text

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SPORTS

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IOWA

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BKL–Fever-Clark

Caitlin Clark sidelined again with another injury heading into All-Star weekend

SUMMARY: The Indiana Fever might be without star guard Caitlin Clark again for a bit after she injured her groin Tuesday night late in a win over the Connecticut Sun. It will be a busy week for the league’s young star if she can play at all. She sat out the team’s 98-77 loss against New York and her status for WNBA All-Star weekend, which Indiana is hosting, is up in the air. Clark is supposed to compete in a loaded 3-point contest Friday night and is captain of one of the All-Star teams.

WORDS: 578 – MOVED: 07/16/2025 9:49 a.m. CDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/CaitlinClarksidelinedagainwithanotherinjuryheadingintoAllStarweekend/7872b6cea0b8ee21219a43373c9bdf4d/text

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MINNESOTA

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BKL–WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest

Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Allisha Gray headline WNBA All-Star 3-point contest

SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark will hopefully be in a 3-point contest for the first time in her pro career as the Indiana Fever guard is set to compete Friday night in the WNBA All-Star competition. Clark injured her groin on Tuesday night in the last minute of the Fever’s game against Connecticut and it’s unknown if she’ll be able to participate this weekend in either the contest or the All-Star Game. She’ll be joined by contest record holder Sabrina Ionescu, who is back in the 3-point contest after a one-year hiatus. Ionescu last entered the contest in 2023 and set a record hitting 25 of her 27 shots in the final round, scoring 37 points. It was the most shots made in a 3-point contest in either the WNBA or NBA.

WORDS: 470 – MOVED: 07/15/2025 2:11 p.m. CDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/CaitlinClarkSabrinaIonescuandAllishaGrayheadlineWNBAAllStarpointcontest/43e8d50d8656e52a7cd13de6c76fe80c/text

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MISSOURI

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FBN–Rashee Rice-Dallas Crash

Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice sentenced to 30 days in jail over Dallas high-speed crash

SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to 30 days in jail after authorities said he and another speeding driver caused a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway last year. Prosecutors say Rice was driving a Lamborghini Urus SUV at 119 mph when he caused the March 2024 wreck. Multiple people were injured. On Thursday, Rice pleaded guilty to felony charges, including causing serious bodily injury. As part of a plea deal, he also received five years of deferred probation and must pay $115,000 for victims’ medical expenses. In a statement, Rice apologized for the harm caused and pledged to make amends to those affected.

WORDS: 265 – MOVED: 07/17/2025 12:25 p.m. CDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ChiefswidereceiverRasheeRicesentencedtodaysinjailoverDallashighspeedcrash/454eb8f9ee467628ee8258fe8ae5cc0c/text

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OKLAHOMA

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FBC–SEC-Oklahoma

John Mateer earns high praise as Oklahoma enters new era, hoping to return to high Sooners standards

SUMMARY: Oklahoma is gearing up for a comeback after a tough first season in the SEC. The Sooners finished 6-7 overall and 2-6 in conference play, far behind Texas, which dominated with a 13-3 record. New quarterback John Mateer, a transfer from Washington State, is earning praise for his leadership and athleticism. Coach Brent Venables and teammates have highlighted his seamless transition and ability to energize the team. Mateer credits his success to familiarity with the offense, thanks to former Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle who hired by Oklahoma in December.

WORDS: 539 – MOVED: 07/16/2025 6:03 p.m. CDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JohnMateerearnshighpraiseasOklahomaentersnewerahopingtoreturntohighSoonersstandards/a2d2eb120310f1d3f7c2f77cb3a8f594/text

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Article Topic Follows: AP Nebraska News

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