Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Charlie Kirk Post-Arrest
Felony dropped after a man spent a month in a Tennessee jail for a Charlie Kirk post
SUMMARY: Authorities in Tennessee have dropped a felony charge against Larry Bushart, who spent over a month in jail for a Facebook post about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The 61-year-old Bushart was charged with threatening mass violence at a school after posting a meme related to Kirk’s death. Bushart’s post quoted President Donald Trump, who once told supporters to “get over” a school shooting. The Perry County sheriff said Bushart had knowingly caused fear in the community. Free speech advocates said Bushart was targeted for his political views. Prosecutors dismissed the charge Wednesday. Bushart expressed relief after being released, saying he never intended to become a media sensation.
WORDS: 343 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 11:45 a.m. CDT
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US–China Trade-Soybean Farmers
American farmers welcome China’s promise to buy their soybean but this deal doesn’t solve everything
SUMMARY: American farmers welcomed China’s promise to buy some of their soybeans, but Iowa farmer Robb Ewoldt cautioned this won’t solve all the problems as farmers continue to deal with soaring prices for fertilizer, tractors, repair parts and seeds. The Chinese promise to buy 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually for next three years will bring their purchases back in line with where they were at before President Donald Trump launched his latest trade war. But the 12 million metric tons that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China will buy between now and January is only about half their normal purchases. China is the world’s largest buyer of soybeans but it quit buying from America earlier this year after Trump imposed his tariffs.
WORDS: 651 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 12:05 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–Enbridge Pipeline-Corps Permits
US Army Corps of Engineers approves Enbridge plan to encase aging Great Lakes oil pipeline
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved energy company Enbridge’s plan to encase a segment of an aging oil pipeline beneath a Great Lakes channel. The decision Wednesday comes despite findings that construction could harm the environmentally sensitive area. The Corps fast-tracked the project in April after a directive from President Trump. Enbridge now needs a permit from Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to start the project. Environmentalists are urging the state to deny the permit. Concerns about the pipeline’s safety have been growing since 2017, leading to multiple lawsuits and ongoing debates.
WORDS: 525 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 5:23 p.m. CDT
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US–Election 2025-Decision Notes-Minnesota
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Minnesota on Election Day
SUMMARY: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey faces more than a dozen challengers as the Democrat seeks a third term. His highest-profile challenger is state Sen. Omar Fateh, who describes himself as a democratic socialist. Under the city’s ranked-choice-voting system, voters can choose three candidates, ranked in order of preference. Fateh has framed his campaign as a fight against the “status quo.” Beyond the mayoral race, voters will also fill two vacancies in the state Senate. One seat was previously held by a Democrat who resigned after a burglary conviction, the other by a Republican who died in office. Democrats currently hold a one-seat majority in the chamber.
WORDS: 1097 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 11:19 p.m. CDT
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US–Government Shutdown-Food Aid
Federal government shutdown threatens SNAP food aid as several states scramble to help
SUMMARY: A handful of states rolled out plans to use their own funds to provide benefits as the SNAP federal food aid program runs dry. The Trump administration says the federal government won’t fund the program for low-income households in November because of the prolonged federal shutdown. That could leave about 1 in 8 Americans scrambling to pay for food. Both Democratic and Republican governors are launching programs in states including Delaware, Louisiana, New Mexico and Vermont. The federal government says they won’t be reimbursed. It’s also not clear how quickly the benefits can reach recipients. Louisiana’s effort excludes “able bodied” adults who aren’t caring for children.
WORDS: 1046 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 5:03 p.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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NE–Inmate Reduction Proposal
Nebraska’s proposal to let some inmates out early stirs bipartisan pushback
SUMMARY: The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services is trying to create a program that allows some inmates to be released early. The move comes as it grapples with overcrowding and converts one prison into an immigration detention center. It’s already prompting pushback, including from lawmakers in both political parties. They say a program like this could have merit, but it should be created by the Legislature — not the department itself. The current proposal has also been knocked for its lack of details. Corrections spokesperson Dayne Urbanovsky said the proposal was driven by the department’s commitment to population management and improved reentry opportunities.
WORDS: 1665 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 2:48 p.m. CDT
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US–Government Shutdown-Food Aid
Federal government shutdown threatens SNAP food aid as several states scramble to help
SUMMARY: A handful of states rolled out plans to use their own funds to provide benefits as the SNAP federal food aid program runs dry. The Trump administration says the federal government won’t fund the program for low-income households in November because of the prolonged federal shutdown. That could leave about 1 in 8 Americans scrambling to pay for food. Both Democratic and Republican governors are launching programs in states including Delaware, Louisiana, New Mexico and Vermont. The federal government says they won’t be reimbursed. It’s also not clear how quickly the benefits can reach recipients. Louisiana’s effort excludes “able bodied” adults who aren’t caring for children.
WORDS: 1046 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 5:03 p.m. CDT
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US–China Trade-Soybean Farmers
American farmers welcome China’s promise to buy their soybean but this deal doesn’t solve everything
SUMMARY: American farmers welcomed China’s promise to buy some of their soybeans, but Iowa farmer Robb Ewoldt cautioned this won’t solve all the problems as farmers continue to deal with soaring prices for fertilizer, tractors, repair parts and seeds. The Chinese promise to buy 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually for next three years will bring their purchases back in line with where they were at before President Donald Trump launched his latest trade war. But the 12 million metric tons that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China will buy between now and January is only about half their normal purchases. China is the world’s largest buyer of soybeans but it quit buying from America earlier this year after Trump imposed his tariffs.
WORDS: 651 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 12:05 p.m. CDT
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NORTH DAKOTA
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US–Greenpeace Lawsuit-North Dakota
Judge says Greenpeace must pay $345 million in pipeline lawsuit, cutting jury amount nearly in half
SUMMARY: A North Dakota judge has ordered Greenpeace to pay damages of $345 million, reducing an earlier jury award after it found the environmental group and others liable for defamation and other claims brought by a pipeline company in connections with protests of an oil pipeline nearly a decade ago. The lawsuit in state court reaches back nearly a decade ago to protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline. Dallas-based Energy Transfer and subsidiary Dakota Access sued Greenpeace USA, Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund Inc. in 2019, alleging a scheme to stop the pipeline. Earlier this year a nine-person jury sided with the pipeline company and awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.
WORDS: 430 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 3:50 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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FBN–Chiefs-Pacheco
Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco expected to miss Sunday showdown against the Bills with knee injury
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs are likely to be without running back Isiah Pacheco for their game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Pacheco sprained a knee ligament in last week’s win over the Washington Commanders. He did not practice Wednesday, so Kareem Hunt is expected to take on more carries. Pacheco has 329 rushing yards this season but hurt his knee late in Monday night’s game. Hunt, who returned to the Chiefs last year, has been the short-yardage back. The Chiefs could also benefit from the return of right guard Trey Smith, who missed last week’s game with back spasms.
WORDS: 662 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 1:19 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Bills-Passing Struggles
Bills coach McDermott says he and coordinator Brady are on same page on team’s passing struggles
SUMMARY: Bills coach Sean McDermott says he and offensive coordinator Joe Brady are on the same page about Buffalo’s struggles in the passing game. McDermott spoke Wednesday, two days after he and Brady offered contradictory assessments. McDermott said the passing game needed to improve, while Brady said he had no concerns. Assurances aside, the lingering concerns aren’t going away. Buffalo’s receivers are having trouble getting open down field, forcing Josh Allen to throw short passes and hope players can generate yardage after the catch. It’s not clear whether that approach will be effective this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs.
WORDS: 788 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 5:00 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Colts-Smith’s Battle
Colts RT Braden Smith continues to find coping techniques for his mental health struggles
SUMMARY: Indianapolis Colts right tackle Braden Smith says he’s grateful that he’s found coping techniques to deal with his obsessive-compulsive disorder. The condition was so severe that he contemplated suicide. He sought treatment last season and missed the final five games. Ultimately, he traveled to Mexico and used a psychoactive compound, ibogaine, that is not legal in the U.S. He says it changed his life. Now, the 29-year-old Smith says he’s able to focus on the present and keep dark thoughts at bay. And he’s playing at a high level for a dynamic Colts offense. Indy has the best record in the NFL.
WORDS: 860 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 5:15 p.m. CDT
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SOC–New Zealand-US Women
Emma Sears has a hat trick in a 6-0 USWNT victory over New Zealand
SUMMARY: Emma Sears scored three goals and Catarina Macario added two as the U.S. women’s national team routed New Zealand 6-0. It was the most goals scored by the United States since coach Emma Hayes joined the team last year. Sears, who got her third goal in the 84th minute, had the national team’s first hat trick since Sophia Wilson against Uzbekistan in 2022. It was the team’s third match of the international window.
WORDS: 599 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 9:38 p.m. CDT
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BKC–Last Dance of the Old Guard
As college basketball continues to change, how long will the game’s old guard of coaches press on?
SUMMARY: The landscape of college basketball is changing rapidly with name, image and likeness deals and the transfer portal reshaping teams yearly. Despite this, a group of veteran coaches like Rick Pitino, Rick Barnes and Tom Izzo continue to provide stability. These coaches have been pillars of the game for decades, but their tenure may be nearing its end. Many are in their seventies and facing the pressures of modern college basketball. Some, like Jay Wright and Tony Bennett, have already retired. Yet, the old guard remains influential, with teams like Houston and Tennessee ranked highly in preseason polls.
WORDS: 1074 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 11:01 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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FBN–Vikings-McCarthy Returns
J.J. McCarthy, Vikings hit ‘reset button’ at QB while Carson Wentz preps for season-ending surgery
SUMMARY: The quarterback situation might be settling into place in this frustrating and painful start to the season for the Minnesota Vikings. J.J. McCarthy has been cleared to return for Sunday’s game at the Detroit Lions. He missed five starts with a high ankle sprain. Carson Wentz filled in and played half of that time with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. The 10th-year veteran will soon have season-ending surgery. McCarthy said he feels great now. He started the first two games before the injury and recently re-watched those with coach Kevin O’Connell to focus on his fundamentals.
WORDS: 691 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 9:04 p.m. CDT
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BKN–Lakers-Timberwolves
Lakers fend off Timberwolves on Austin Reaves’ buzzer-beater for 116-115 win
SUMMARY: Austin Reaves swished the 12-foot winner in the lane right before the buzzer to finish with 28 points and lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-115 victory after the Minnesota Timberwolves had taken the lead with a late 14-2 run. Reaves matched his career high with 16 assists, Jake LaRavia had 27 points on 10-for-11 shooting, and DeAndre Ayton added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who were up 112-101 after a 3-pointer by Reaves with 4:01 left. Julius Randle, who led the Wolves with 33 points, capped the furious rally by dropping in the go-ahead finger roll with 10.2 seconds left.
WORDS: 330 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 11:22 p.m. CDT
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BKN–Lakers-Reaves
Austin Reaves gives short-handed Lakers another reason to rely on him with buzzer-beater vs. Wolves
SUMMARY: Austin Reaves rose up for a floater from 12 feet out and swished the winner for the Los Angeles Lakers right before the buzzer for a 116-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Reaves has taken on a heavy responsibility for the Lakers while stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James are injured and four other players are unavailable. Reaves had 28 points and matched his career high with 16 assists. He became the first Lakers player since Kobe Bryant 20 years ago to start a season with five consecutive games of 25-plus points.
WORDS: 723 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 12:44 a.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Shelton
Twins hire former coach and ex-Pirates skipper Derek Shelton as manager
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins have picked former bench coach Derek Shelton as their new manager. Shelton managed the Pittsburgh Pirates for five-plus years. The Twins made a formal announcement on Thursday and scheduled an introductory news conference for Shelton on Tuesday. Shelton had an overall record of 306-440 with the Pirates before he was fired just 40 games into this season. The 55-year-old was the bench coach for the Twins in 2018 and 2019 under two different managers, Paul Molitor and Rocco Baldelli. Shelton never finished higher than fourth place in the NL Central or better than 76-86 with the Pirates.
WORDS: 702 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 7:20 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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FBN–Chiefs-Pacheco
Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco expected to miss Sunday showdown against the Bills with knee injury
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs are likely to be without running back Isiah Pacheco for their game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Pacheco sprained a knee ligament in last week’s win over the Washington Commanders. He did not practice Wednesday, so Kareem Hunt is expected to take on more carries. Pacheco has 329 rushing yards this season but hurt his knee late in Monday night’s game. Hunt, who returned to the Chiefs last year, has been the short-yardage back. The Chiefs could also benefit from the return of right guard Trey Smith, who missed last week’s game with back spasms.
WORDS: 662 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 1:19 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Bills-Passing Struggles
Bills coach McDermott says he and coordinator Brady are on same page on team’s passing struggles
SUMMARY: Bills coach Sean McDermott says he and offensive coordinator Joe Brady are on the same page about Buffalo’s struggles in the passing game. McDermott spoke Wednesday, two days after he and Brady offered contradictory assessments. McDermott said the passing game needed to improve, while Brady said he had no concerns. Assurances aside, the lingering concerns aren’t going away. Buffalo’s receivers are having trouble getting open down field, forcing Josh Allen to throw short passes and hope players can generate yardage after the catch. It’s not clear whether that approach will be effective this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs.
WORDS: 788 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 5:00 p.m. CDT
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SOC–New Zealand-US Women
Emma Sears has a hat trick in a 6-0 USWNT victory over New Zealand
SUMMARY: Emma Sears scored three goals and Catarina Macario added two as the U.S. women’s national team routed New Zealand 6-0. It was the most goals scored by the United States since coach Emma Hayes joined the team last year. Sears, who got her third goal in the 84th minute, had the national team’s first hat trick since Sophia Wilson against Uzbekistan in 2022. It was the team’s third match of the international window.
WORDS: 599 – MOVED: 10/29/2025 9:38 p.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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FBC–Nebraska-Rhule
Nebraska extends Matt Rhule’s contract through 2032, adds bonuses for CFP appearances
SUMMARY: Nebraska has announced a two-year contract extension with coach Matt Rhule, adding bonuses for College Football Playoff appearances. The deal runs through the 2032 season. Rhule is in his third season at Nebraska, and there was speculation two weeks ago that he might fill the job at Penn State. Last season, Rhule led Nebraska to its first winning season in eight years. Nebraska is off to a 6-2 start this season. Rhule, who earns $7.5 million this year, says his focus remains on building Nebraska football into a championship contender.
WORDS: 359 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 12:03 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–Thunder-Topic
Thunder guard Nikola Topic diagnosed with testicular cancer and undergoing chemotherapy
SUMMARY: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic has been diagnosed with testicular cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Sam Presti, the team’s general manager, announced this on Thursday. Topic, a first-round pick in 2024, had a testicular procedure earlier in the month and was expected to be out for at least four weeks. Presti said doctors are “extremely positive” about his long-term outlook. Topic has been working out throughout the process and didn’t want the diagnosis revealed until after he started treatment. He missed the entire 2024-2025 season due to a torn ACL but played in summer league this year.
WORDS: 185 – MOVED: 10/30/2025 12:58 p.m. CDT
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