Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Trump-Education-States
Trump officials loosen strings on federal education money for Iowa. More states could follow
SUMMARY: The Trump administration is giving Iowa more power to decide how it spends its federal education money. Washington is signing off on a proposal that’s expected to be the first of many as conservative states apply for new spending freedom from the federal government. Iowa was the first state to apply for an exemption from certain spending rules after Education Secretary Linda McMahon invited states to request the flexibility last year. Such waivers have been offered for years but are finding new interest under President Donald Trump. Indiana and Oklahoma have made similar requests.
WORDS: 858 – MOVED: 01/07/2026 10:46 a.m. CST
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KANSAS
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US–Boeing Door Plug Lawsuits
Alaska Airlines pilot who safely landed plane after panel blew out says Boeing unfairly blamed him
SUMMARY: The Alaska Airlines pilot who was praised as a hero for safely landing a plane after a door plug panel flew off shortly after takeoff in 2004 is suing Boeing because he believes the plane maker wrongly tried to blame him and the rest of the crew in past legal filings. Captain Brandon Fisher was commended by the heads of the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing executives for helping ensure none of the 177 people aboard died. Fisher’s lawyers say Boeing’s attempts to deflect liability in lawsuits despite NTSB investigation findings led to the pilot being sued by some passengers and caused him great distress. Boeing didn’t comment on the new lawsuit.
WORDS: 767 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 1:24 p.m. CST
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US–Trump-Education-States
Trump officials loosen strings on federal education money for Iowa. More states could follow
SUMMARY: The Trump administration is giving Iowa more power to decide how it spends its federal education money. Washington is signing off on a proposal that’s expected to be the first of many as conservative states apply for new spending freedom from the federal government. Iowa was the first state to apply for an exemption from certain spending rules after Education Secretary Linda McMahon invited states to request the flexibility last year. Such waivers have been offered for years but are finding new interest under President Donald Trump. Indiana and Oklahoma have made similar requests.
WORDS: 858 – MOVED: 01/07/2026 10:46 a.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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US–Minnesota-Craigslist Ad-Fact Check
A Craigslist ad seeking child actors for Minnesota day care center was posted as a prank
SUMMARY: As the Trump administration continues to investigate a series of alleged fraud schemes at Minnesota day care centers run by Somali residents, social media users are falsely citing a Craigslist ad as evidence of such deceit. But the ad was bait for a prank show. It is not proof of fraud in Minnesota. Posts sharing the ad gained tens of thousands of likes, shares and views on multiple platforms.
WORDS: 397 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 4:42 p.m. CST
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US–Election 2026-Walz
Gov. Tim Walz says he doesn’t know what future holds for him after abandoning reelection bid
SUMMARY: The political fortunes of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz were looking bright in the summer of 2024, when Kamala Harris chose him as her running mate. He was seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. But Walz, under fire for fraud in government programs, on Monday abandoned his quest for a third term as governor. Walz told reporters Tuesday he doesn’t know what his future holds. He said he expects to be tied up for the next year with trying to fight off the Trump administration’s targeting of Minnesota. He didn’t rule out a return to education someday, saying he was a “really good geography teacher.”
WORDS: 794 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 6:23 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Minnesota
Homeland Security plans 2,000 officers in Minnesota for its ‘largest immigration operation ever’
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security says it has launched in Minnesota what it’s calling the largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out by the agency. A U.S. official and a person briefed on the operation say about 2,000 federal agents and officers are expected to be deployed in the Minneapolis area. They spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the operation. Federal authorities say the move began over the weekend and targets alleged fraud involving Somali residents. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was seen participating in an arrest over the weekend as part of the crackdown.
WORDS: 922 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 3:16 p.m. CST
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US–Social Service Funds
Trump administration says it’s withholding social safety net money from 5 states over fraud concerns
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump’s administration is withholding funding to help needy families with children in five states governed by Democrats. Officials cited fraud concerns as a reason for the action targeting California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will require extra documentation to access the funds. Officials in the states say the administration is motivated by politics. The administration has not given details of the fraud claims. The programs are lifelines to some low-income families, helping with day care, cash assistance and job training. Gov. Kathy Hochul says New York is prepared to go to court to preserve the funding.
WORDS: 719 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 3:36 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Minnesota
ICE agent shoots and kills a woman during the Minneapolis immigration crackdown
SUMMARY: Authorities say a federal agent shot and killed a Minneapolis motorist when she allegedly tried to run over law enforcement officers during an immigration crackdown in the city. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement Wednesday that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot the woman in her vehicle in a residential neighborhood in Minneapolis. Video posted online showed the vehicle crashed in a residential neighborhood. The shooting drew throngs of angry protesters to the scene.
WORDS: 471 – MOVED: 01/07/2026 10:55 a.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKC–T25-Iowa-Minnesota
Langston Reynolds scores 22 as Gophers hold off No. 19 Iowa 70-67
SUMMARY: Langston Reynolds scored 22 points and Cade Tyson added 16 and Minnesota held off a rally to defeat No. 19 Iowa 70-67. Bennett Stirtz scored 21 points, all in the second half, as Iowa (12-3, 2-2 in the Big Ten) rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to take the lead in the final two minutes. Isaac Asuma hit a pair from the line with 16.5 seconds to play to give the Gophers a 70-67 lead. Iowa then got three good looks from the 3-point line in the final seconds but couldn’t hit the tying shot. Gophers fans stormed the court after the team’s second home win over a ranked team this season.
WORDS: 410 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 9:34 p.m. CST
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KANSAS
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BKC-T25–TCU-Kansas
Kansas erases 16-point deficit, beats TCU 104-100 in overtime
SUMMARY: Darryn Peterson scored 32 points, including three crucial free throws in regulation to the tie the game, and No. 22 Kansas erased a double-digit deficit to outlast TCU 104-100 in overtime. Kansas (11-4, 1-1 Big 12) trailed by 16 points midway through the second half, but cut the TCU lead to three with 34 seconds left in regulation. Kansas held the lead throughout overtime and ultimately secured the game at the free-throw line, converting 9 of 11. Melvin Council Jr. had 18 points for Kansas. Liutauras Lelevicius led the Horned Frogs with a career-high 23 points.
WORDS: 336 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 11:18 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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BKC–T25-Iowa-Minnesota
Langston Reynolds scores 22 as Gophers hold off No. 19 Iowa 70-67
SUMMARY: Langston Reynolds scored 22 points and Cade Tyson added 16 and Minnesota held off a rally to defeat No. 19 Iowa 70-67. Bennett Stirtz scored 21 points, all in the second half, as Iowa (12-3, 2-2 in the Big Ten) rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to take the lead in the final two minutes. Isaac Asuma hit a pair from the line with 16.5 seconds to play to give the Gophers a 70-67 lead. Iowa then got three good looks from the 3-point line in the final seconds but couldn’t hit the tying shot. Gophers fans stormed the court after the team’s second home win over a ranked team this season.
WORDS: 410 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 9:34 p.m. CST
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BKN–Heat-Timberwolves
Edwards has 26 points to help Wolves beat Heat 122-94
SUMMARY: Anthony Edwards scored 26 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Miami Heat for the second time in four days, 122-94. Edwards, listed as questionable on the pregame injury report with a foot injury, connected on a team-high five 3-pointers and was 5 for 6 at the free-throw line. Jaden McDaniels added 19 points for the Wolves, while Rudy Gobert had 13 points and 17 rebounds, and Julius Randle had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Miami leading scorer Norman Powell finished with 21 points. Tyler Herro scored 17 points in his return after missing the last 11 games with a toe injury.
WORDS: 312 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 9:36 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Cardinals-Guardians Trade
Cardinals acquire reliever Justin Bruihl from Guardians for cash
SUMMARY: Left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl’s brief stay with the Cleveland Guardians ended Tuesday when the St. Louis Cardinals acquired him in exchange for cash. Cleveland acquired Bruihl from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash on Dec. 17 but designated him for assignment three days later. The 28-year-old Bruihl went 0-0 with a 5.27 earned run average in 15 games for Toronto last season. He owns a 2-2 record and 4.72 ERA in 94 career appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2021-23), Colorado Rockies (2023), Pittsburgh Pirates (2024) and Toronto.
WORDS: 133 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 2:33 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–Thunder Struggles
Defending champion Thunder figuring things out after 6-6 stretch follows 24-1 start
SUMMARY: The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, started this season with a 24-1 record after winning the NBA title last season. That matched the best 25-game start in league history. However, they’ve faced challenges recently, including losses to the Spurs and a humbling defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Despite a 30-7 record, the team has gone 6-6 since their strong start. Coach Mark Daigneault sees value in these tests, emphasizing resilience and improvement. The Thunder remain the league’s best, leading in net and defensive ratings, despite injuries and lineup changes.
WORDS: 726 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 12:44 p.m. CST
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FBC–Transfer Portal Roundup
Florida lands Georgia Tech QB Aaron Philo and Auburn gets South Florida QB Byrum Brown
SUMMARY: Florida and Auburn have new quarterbacks to pair with new head coaches. Georgia Tech’s Aaron Philo announced his commitment to the Gators and will follow former Yellow Jackets offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner from Atlanta to Gainesville. Philo is expected to compete with redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. for the starting job to replace departed DJ Lagway. South Florida’s Byrum Brown, meanwhile, announced he is following former Bulls coach Alex Golesh to Auburn. Brown reposted on his Instagram account an On3 post announcing that the quarterback is making the move.
WORDS: 626 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 10:07 a.m. CST
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BKC–T25-UCF-Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State tops No. 25 UCF 87-76
SUMMARY: Parsa Fallah scored 24 points and Kanye Clary added 18 and nine rebounds to help Oklahoma State defeat No. 25 UCF 87-76. Anthony Roy added 15 points, including four 3-pointers, for Oklahoma State (13-2, 1-1 Big 12). Oklahoma State was 10 of 19 on 3-pointers and 27 for 35 from the free-throw line to help fuel the win. Riley Kugel scored 15 points and Jamichael Stillwell added 13 for UCF (12-2, 1-1), which won 11 straight and entered the AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll for the first time since 2019.
WORDS: 323 – MOVED: 01/06/2026 10:05 p.m. CST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/OklahomaStatetopsNoUCF/23f0a66d7d345a0d07ec1f741019f97c/text
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