Great Plains News Digest
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MINNESOTA
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US–Winter Weather
A bomb cyclone brings blizzards to the Midwest before turning east
SUMMARY: A strengthening bomb cyclone is barreling across the northern United States, unleashing severe winter weather in the Midwest and aiming at the East Coast. The storm brought blizzard conditions, treacherous travel and widespread power outages Monday across the Plains and Great Lakes. Forecasters say the storm intensified rapidly, meeting the criteria of what’s known as a bomb cyclone. The sharp cold front left parts of the central U.S. waking up to temperatures 50 degrees colder than the day before. The National Weather Service had warned of whiteout conditions beginning Sunday that could make travel impossible in some areas.
WORDS: 879 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 10:54 p.m. CST
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REL–Faith Leaders-Anxious Migrants
US faith leaders supporting targeted immigrants brace for a tough year ahead
SUMMARY: Faith leaders across the United States face challenges as they support anxious immigrants. Haitians, Afghans, and Somali Americans fear policy changes under the Trump administration. In Springfield, Ohio, and elsewhere, Haitians are worried as their Temporary Protected Status is set to expire soon. Afghan refugees face increased restrictions, affecting organizations like Lutheran Social Services. In Minnesota, Somali Americans are dealing with heightened immigration enforcement and derogatory comments from President Trump. Faith communities are uniting to provide sanctuary and support, and religious leaders are speaking out against dehumanizing rhetoric and emphasizing the dignity of every individual.
WORDS: 1308 – MOVED: 12/30/2025 6:14 a.m. CST
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US–Winter Weather
Arctic blast brings snow and wind to the Great Lakes and Northeast
SUMMARY: A surge of arctic air is bringing strong winds, heavy snow and frigid temperatures to the Great Lakes and Northeast, a day after a bomb cyclone that hit the northern U.S. Tens of thousands of customers were without power early Tuesday, with Michigan hardest hit. The National Weather Service predicts snow squalls and gusty winds for the Eastern U.S. New York’s governor warned of whiteout conditions in parts of the state. In Michigan, snow piled up quickly on Monday, and high waves on Lake Superior sent cargo ships into harbors for shelter.
WORDS: 711 – MOVED: 12/30/2025 12:02 a.m. CST
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US–Federal Enforcement-Minnesota-Explainer
Surge in federal officers in Minnesota focuses on alleged fraud at day care centers
SUMMARY: The surge of federal officers this week in Minnesota follows new allegations of fraud by day care centers run by Somali residents. President Donald Trump has previously linked his administration’s immigration crackdown against Minnesota’s large Somali community to a series of fraud cases involving government programs in which most of the defendants have roots in the east African country. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel both announced an increase in operations in Minnesota this week. The move comes after a right-wing influencer posted a video in which he claimed that day care centers had committed up to $100 million in fraud.
WORDS: 614 – MOVED: 12/30/2025 10:02 a.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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US–Warren Buffett’s Successor
The legendary Warren Buffett steps back this week and Berkshire Hathaway enters a new era
SUMMARY: Greg Abel faces the challenge of taking over Berkshire Hathaway from the legendary Warren Buffett this week. Many regard Buffett as the world’s greatest investor after he grew Berkshire from a struggling New England textile mill to the massive conglomerate it is today with shares that go for more than $750,000 a pop. Investors will be watching closely to see what changes Abel might make in Berkshire’s trajectory, but don’t expect any seismic shifts. Buffett isn’t going anywhere and Abel has already been managing all of Berkshire’s noninsurance businesses since 2018. Buffett will remain chairman and plans to continue coming into the office each day to help spot new investments and offer Abel any advice he asks for.
WORDS: 972 – MOVED: 12/30/2025 9:00 a.m. CST
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NORTH DAKOTA
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US–Winter Weather
A bomb cyclone brings blizzards to the Midwest before turning east
SUMMARY: A strengthening bomb cyclone is barreling across the northern United States, unleashing severe winter weather in the Midwest and aiming at the East Coast. The storm brought blizzard conditions, treacherous travel and widespread power outages Monday across the Plains and Great Lakes. Forecasters say the storm intensified rapidly, meeting the criteria of what’s known as a bomb cyclone. The sharp cold front left parts of the central U.S. waking up to temperatures 50 degrees colder than the day before. The National Weather Service had warned of whiteout conditions beginning Sunday that could make travel impossible in some areas.
WORDS: 879 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 10:54 p.m. CST
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US–Winter Weather
Arctic blast brings snow and wind to the Great Lakes and Northeast
SUMMARY: A surge of arctic air is bringing strong winds, heavy snow and frigid temperatures to the Great Lakes and Northeast, a day after a bomb cyclone that hit the northern U.S. Tens of thousands of customers were without power early Tuesday, with Michigan hardest hit. The National Weather Service predicts snow squalls and gusty winds for the Eastern U.S. New York’s governor warned of whiteout conditions in parts of the state. In Michigan, snow piled up quickly on Monday, and high waves on Lake Superior sent cargo ships into harbors for shelter.
WORDS: 711 – MOVED: 12/30/2025 12:02 a.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKC–T25-UMass Lowell-Iowa
Stirtz scores 22 points to lead No. 25 Iowa over UMass Lowell, 90-62
SUMMARY: Bennett Stirtz scored 22 points as No. 25 Iowa finished the nonconference part of its schedule with a 90-62 win over UMass Lowell. Iowa, which moved into The Associated Press Top 25 last week for the first time since the third week of the 2022-23 season, is off to its best start since the 2020-21 team opened 12-2. Cam Manyawu had 14 points and nine rebounds, Alvaro Folgueiras also scored 14 and Tavion Banks added 12 points for the Hawkeyes, who won their third consecutive game. Angel Montas Jr. had 23 points to lead UMass Lowell.
WORDS: 303 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 6:21 p.m. CST
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BKC–T25-Houston Christian-Iowa State
Jefferson scores season-high 23 points in No. 3 Iowa State’s 89-61 win over Houston Christian
SUMMARY: Joshua Jefferson scored a season-high 23 points, Blake Buchanan had five dunks and 16 points and No. 3 Iowa State beat Houston Christian 89-61 on Monday night. The Cyclones (13-0) led by 14 points in the first half and 31 in the second. Milan Momcilovic added 13 points for Iowa State. Killyan Toure had 11. Demari Williams led Houston Christian (5-8) with 19 points. Ryan Bartley and D’Aundre Samuels each had 14.
WORDS: 139 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 9:17 p.m. CST
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GYM–SafeSport-Gymnastics Coach
AP sources: In ‘Nassar 2.0,’ Olympics watchdog failed to close abuse case against gymnastics coach
SUMMARY: Young gymnasts were sounding warnings about a coach as far back as 2017. That’s the same year the U.S. Center for SafeSport was created in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual-abuse scandal. People familiar with the case involving Sean Gardner told The Associated Press he had agreed to a permanent ban from coaching early this year but the center never closed the deal. The people spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation by SafeSport and said Gardner’s case got tangled in office politics that included allegations of retaliation. SafeSport says putting Gardner on temporary suspension was effectively the same as a permanent ban. Gardner has pleaded not guilty to federal child pornography charges and is awaiting trial.
WORDS: 1647 – MOVED: 12/30/2025 7:15 a.m. CST
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OLY–SafeSport-Gymnastics Coach Takeaways
Takeaways from AP report on what sources say was Olympic watchdog’s failure to close abuse case
SUMMARY: Young gymnasts were sounding warnings about a coach as far back as 2017. That’s the same year the U.S. Center for SafeSport was created in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual-abuse scandal. People familiar with the case involving Sean Gardner told The Associated Press he had agreed to a permanent ban from coaching early this year but the center never closed the deal. The people spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation by SafeSport. SafeSport says putting Gardner on temporary suspension was effectively the same as a permanent ban. Gardner has pleaded not guilty to federal child pornography charges and is awaiting trial.
WORDS: 1011 – MOVED: 12/30/2025 8:00 a.m. CST
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KANSAS
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FBN–Chiefs-Reid
Andy Reid plans to return as Chiefs coach next season
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid says he plans to return next season, dismissing any retirement rumors. On Monday, he joked about his status with the franchise he’s led to three Super Bowl titles. Reid, 67, is used to fielding questions about his future after the Super Bowl, but this season, Kansas City is 6-10 and out of playoff contention. Reid signed a five-year extension in April 2024. He spent 14 seasons with the Eagles before joining the Chiefs, where he’s had great success with quarterbacks Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes. Reid has 307 wins, needing 18 more to pass George Halas for third on the NFL’s all-time list.
WORDS: 401 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 1:23 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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BKN–Timberwolves-Bulls
Reid scores 33 points, T-Wolves rout Bulls 136-101 after Chicago loses White, Giddey to injuries
SUMMARY: Naz Reid scored a season-high 33 points off the bench, Anthony Edwards added 23, and the Minnesota Timberwolves routed the Bulls 136-101 after Chicago lost top scorers Coby White and Josh Giddey to injuries. Julius Randle had 17 points as Minnesota pulled away in the third quarter in the opener of a four-game trip. Donte DiVincenzo and Bones Hyland scored 12 each as Minnesota shot 53.7% after a cold start. Nikola Vucevic lead Chicago with 23 points, but the depleted Bulls couldn’t keep pace and lost a second straight following a five-game winning streak.
WORDS: 343 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 9:43 p.m. CST
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BKN–Bulls-Injuries
Chicago Bulls lose top scorers Coby White and Josh Giddey to injuries in loss to Timberwolves
SUMMARY: The Chicago Bulls lost top scorers Coby White and Josh Giddey to injuries in Monday night’s 136-101 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but coach Billy Donovan said after the game he was unsure of the severity of the injuries. White, Chicago’s leading scorer, exited with a right calf strain in the first quarter. He was ruled out for the rest of the game at halftime. Giddey, Chicago’s second-leading scorer, walked off the court gingerly with an apparent left hamstring injury in the first minute of the second half. He also was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. The Bulls were already playing without center Zach Collins.
WORDS: 576 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 6:50 p.m. CST
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HKN–Wild-Golden Knights
Wild beat Golden Knights 5-2 to improve to 9-1-1 since Dec. 8
SUMMARY: Marcus Johansson had a goal and three assists and the surging Minnesota Wild beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 on Monday night. The Wild are 9-1-1 since Dec. 8. They are third in the Central Division with 54 points. Matt Boldy, Jared Spurgeon, Brock Faber and Joel Eriksson Ek also scored for the Wild. They have scored first in 25 games this season. Filip Gustavsson improved to 6-0-1 in his last seven starts, stopping 14 shots. Vegas goalie Carter Hart allowed five goals on 12 shots before he was pulled as Minnesota opened a 5-0 lead by the 6:56 mark of the second. Brayden McNabb and Mark Stone scored for Vegas.
WORDS: 258 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 11:42 p.m. CST
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HKO–World Junior
BC’s James Hagens scores twice, US beats Slovakia 6-5 in world junior hockey
SUMMARY: Boston College forward James Hagens scored in a 1:03 span late in the second period and early in the third and the United States overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Slovakia 6-5 on Monday night in the world junior hockey championship. Hagens tied it at 4 with 45 seconds left in the second, then gave the Americans the lead 18 seconds into the third. The United States matched Sweden at 3-0 in Group A play ahead of their New Year’s Eve showdown. In the early game, Sweden had four power-play goals in an 8-1 romp over Germany.
WORDS: 500 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 8:03 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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FBN–Chiefs-Reid
Andy Reid plans to return as Chiefs coach next season
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid says he plans to return next season, dismissing any retirement rumors. On Monday, he joked about his status with the franchise he’s led to three Super Bowl titles. Reid, 67, is used to fielding questions about his future after the Super Bowl, but this season, Kansas City is 6-10 and out of playoff contention. Reid signed a five-year extension in April 2024. He spent 14 seasons with the Eagles before joining the Chiefs, where he’s had great success with quarterbacks Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes. Reid has 307 wins, needing 18 more to pass George Halas for third on the NFL’s all-time list.
WORDS: 401 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 1:23 p.m. CST
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FBN–Raiders-Analysis
Raiders’ personnel decisions last week are potentially long-term benefits
SUMMARY: The Las Vegas Raiders placed key players on injured reserve last week. This decision has weakened the roster, leading to a 34-10 loss against the Giants. But the Raiders are now positioned for the top pick in the next NFL draft, which could help them secure a championship-caliber quarterback. Despite the challenges, tight end Michael Mayer has shown promise, while special teams continue to struggle. The Raiders face the Chiefs on Sunday to close their season.
WORDS: 758 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 6:52 p.m. CST
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HKN–Sabres-Blues
Tuch scores in 3rd period, Sabres beat Blues 4-2 for 9th straight victory
SUMMARY: Zach Benson and Alex Tuch scored and the Buffalo Sabres beat the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Monday night for their ninth straight victory. Noah Ostlund also scored, Peyton Krebs had an empty-netter and Alex Lyon made 16 saves for Buffalo. The Sabres have their longest streak since winning 10 straight in November 2018. Lyon has started seven games during Buffalo’s nine-game surge, stopping 170 of 185 shots for a .919 save percentage. Jimmy Snuggerud and Brayden Schenn scored for St. Louis, and Joel Hofer made 30 saves. The Blues are 3-2-1 in their last six games.
WORDS: 190 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 9:42 p.m. CST
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NORTH DAKOTA
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HKO–World Junior
BC’s James Hagens scores twice, US beats Slovakia 6-5 in world junior hockey
SUMMARY: Boston College forward James Hagens scored in a 1:03 span late in the second period and early in the third and the United States overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Slovakia 6-5 on Monday night in the world junior hockey championship. Hagens tied it at 4 with 45 seconds left in the second, then gave the Americans the lead 18 seconds into the third. The United States matched Sweden at 3-0 in Group A play ahead of their New Year’s Eve showdown. In the early game, Sweden had four power-play goals in an 8-1 romp over Germany.
WORDS: 500 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 8:03 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–Hawks-Thunder
SGA scores 39 as Thunder win 140-129 to hand short-handed Hawks their 7th straight defeat
SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder used a big third quarter to beat the skidding Atlanta Hawks 140-129. Chet Holmgren had 24 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, and Jalen Williams added 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the NBA-leading Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander scored the Thunder’s first eight points. He made 15 of 24 field goals and all seven of his foul shots. He scored at least 20 points for the 104th consecutive game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 30 points and Onyeka Okongwu had 26 points and 14 rebounds for Atlanta, which has lost seven straight. The short-handed Hawks played without starters Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and Kristaps Porzingis.
WORDS: 376 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 10:08 p.m. CST
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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BKC–T25-South Dakota St-Arizona
Peat scores 19 as No. 1 Arizona closes out nonconference with 99-71 win over South Dakota State
SUMMARY: Koa Peat, Jaden Bradley and Motiejus Krivas each had a double-double as No. 1 Arizona continued its string of blowout victories in a 99-71 win over South Dakota State. The Wildcats at 13-0 are off to their best start since 2013-14, when they began 21-0. It is the fourth time they’ve started a season with at least 13 consecutive victories. Peat had 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, Bradley had 13 points and a career-best 10 assists and Krivas went for 13 points and 11 rebounds as Arizona won by at least 20 for the eighth consecutive game, tying a school record set in 1928-29. Kalen Garry scored 20 points for South Dakota State, which fell to 1-23 against ranked opponents.
WORDS: 321 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 10:23 p.m. CST
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