Great Plains News Digest
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MINNESOTA
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US–Immigration-ICE-Congress Visits
Judge is asked for emergency hearing after Congress members blocked from ICE facility in Minneapolis
SUMMARY: Plaintiffs’ attorneys are asking a federal judge to intervene after three Democratic members of Congress were blocked from visiting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Minnesota over the weekend. The lawyers on Monday asked U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington, D.C., for an emergency hearing. They say the Trump administration secretly reimposed a policy limiting Congress members’ access to immigration detention facilities a day after Renee Good’s fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. Last month, Cobb temporarily blocked ICE from enforcing policies limiting Congress members’ access to immigration detention facilities.
WORDS: 562 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 12:54 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement-Minnesota
New video shows the minutes before immigration officer fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis
SUMMARY: A new video reveals the moments before a federal immigration officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted the video on Sunday. It shows officers and vehicles on a snowy street as a car horn blares. Renee Good, the woman inside a red SUV, presses the horn. After a minute, she moves the SUV slightly and appears to wave for other vehicles to pass her. A dark truck with flashing lights pulls up near her SUV. Officers exit and approach her car, and the video goes dark. Another video shows Good reversing and turning the wheel before gunshots are heard.
WORDS: 404 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 4:40 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration Arrest Warrants What to Know
What to know about the warrants most immigration agents use to make arrests
SUMMARY: The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics are sparking debate over federal agents’ authority to enter private property. There have been arrests in recent months at day care centers, apartments and medical buildings. On Sunday, agents forcibly entered a Minneapolis home to make an arrest. Legal experts question the use of administrative warrants for these arrests on private property, since those legal documents don’t authorize entry into private residences. Only criminal warrants, signed by a judge, allow such actions. “Know-your-rights” campaigns are educating people on these legal distinctions.
WORDS: 1215 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 6:10 p.m. CST
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US–Trump-Clean Energy
Court says Trump admin illegally blocked billions in clean energy grants to Democratic states
SUMMARY: A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration acted illegally when it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for projects in states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. The grants supported hundreds of clean energy projects in 16 states, including battery plants, hydrogen technology projects, upgrades to the electric grid and efforts to capture carbon dioxide emissions. The Energy Department said the projects were terminated after a review determined they did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs or were not economically viable. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said the administration’s actions violated the Constitution’s equal protection requirements.
WORDS: 639 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 4:25 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement
Minnesota and the Twin Cities sue the federal government to stop the immigration crackdown
SUMMARY: The state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are suing the federal government to stop an enforcement surge by Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE officer. The state and cities filed a lawsuit in federal court on Monday, along with a request for a temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement action or limit the operation. The Department of Homeland Security says it’s surging more than 2,000 immigration officers into Minnesota, and that it has made more than 2,000 arrests in the city since the push began last month.
WORDS: 829 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 2:25 p.m. CST
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US-Immigration-Enforcement-Oregon-Shooting
FBI says it has found no video of Border Patrol agent shooting 2 people in Oregon
SUMMARY: The FBI says in a court document that it has found no surveillance or other video of a Border Patrol agent shooting and wounding two people in a pickup truck during an immigration enforcement operation in Portland, Oregon, last week. Agents told investigators that one of their colleagues opened fire Thursday after the driver put the truck in reverse and slammed into an unoccupied car the agents had rented. The truck then pulled forward, and the agents said they feared for their own safety and that of the public. The driver, Luis David Nino-Moncada, made a federal court appearance Monday on charges of aggravated assault of an officer and damaging federal property.
WORDS: 696 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 5:01 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Wisconsin
Wisconsin Gov. Evers questions his lieutenant governor’s immigration enforcement proposal
SUMMARY: Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is questioning whether a proposal from his own lieutenant governor to ban federal immigration enforcement actions around courthouses, schools and other locations can, or should, be done. Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez is running for governor after Evers decided against seeking a third term. Rodriguez proposed Monday that civil immigration enforcement actions in Wisconsin should be banned around courthouses, hospitals and health clinics, licensed child care centers and day cares, schools and institutions of higher learning, domestic violence shelters and places of worship. Rodriguez said exceptions would be made for a judicial warrant or an immediate threat to public safety.
WORDS: 494 – MOVED: 01/13/2026 5:02 a.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement
Tensions flare in Minnesota as protesters and federal agents repeatedly square off
SUMMARY: Days of demonstrations against immigration agents and a new lawsuit have left Minnesota tense. Federal authorities used tear gas on Monday to break up crowds of whistle-blowing activists. The state, joined by Minneapolis and St. Paul, sued the Trump administration Monday to halt or limit the enforcement surge that led to the fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security has pledged to send thousands of immigration officers into Minnesota in what Immigration and Customs Enforcement has called its largest enforcement operation ever. Homeland Security says it has made more than 2,000 arrests there since December.
WORDS: 605 – MOVED: 01/13/2026 12:01 a.m. CST
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US–Trump-Immigration-Somalia
Trump is ending protected immigration status for Somalis, long a target of his anti-immigrant barbs
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump’s administration is ending temporary protected status for immigrants from Somalia. That’s according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The secretary said in a statement Tuesday that conditions in the horn of Africa nation, one of the world’s poorest, no longer meet the standards of the program. The move affects hundreds of Somalis in the U.S. under TPS, and it comes amid Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, where many Somalis live. Their existing protections expire March 17. Trump has called Somalis “garbage” and said they “come from hell” and “contribute nothing.” Congress created TPS in 1990, and Somalia has been designated as a TPS nation since 1991.
WORDS: 460 – MOVED: 01/13/2026 11:50 a.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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US–St Louis-Monkey Business
Monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis and AI is complicating efforts to capture them
SUMMARY: Multiple monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis. And AI generated images are complicating the effort to find them. The Vervet monkeys were first spotted Thursday near a park in the northern part of the city. Health Department spokesperson Willie Springer said the discovery has prompted “rumor after rumor.” People have reported capturing the monkeys, even posting fake pictures online to bolster the claim. But Springer said that as of Monday, the monkeys remained at large. It’s unclear who owns the monkeys, how they got loose or exactly how many there are.
WORDS: 245 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 12:26 p.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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US–Nebraska Lawmaker-Harassment
Tearful Nebraska state Sen. McKeon resigns amid accusations of inappropriate behavior
SUMMARY: State Sen. Dan McKeon has resigned from the Nebraska Legislature amid allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a woman who works for another lawmaker. On Tuesday, McKeon apologized on the legislative floor just before a debate on his expulsion was set to begin. He admitted his actions were careless and expressed regret. The resignation follows a unanimous vote by the Executive Board to forward a motion to expel him. An investigation found McKeon had a history of inappropriate comments and violated the Legislature’s workplace harassment policy. McKeon also faces a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace in the case.
WORDS: 682 – MOVED: 01/13/2026 11:15 a.m. CST
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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US–Nevada-Nathan Chasing Horse Trial
‘Dances with Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse standing child sex abuse trial in Las Vegas
SUMMARY: The trial for Nathan Chasing Horse, the former actor in “Dances with Wolves,” begins Tuesday with jury selection. He’s accused of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls in a case that sent shock waves through Indian Country. Prosecutors allege he used his reputation as a medicine man to take advantage of his victims, who came to him for healing. There have been many setbacks and delays, but the case finally proceeded to trial after prosecutors said he recorded himself sexually abusing a girl younger than 14. They said the videos were found on cellphones in a locked safe in the house he shared with five wives. He has pleaded not guilty.
WORDS: 578 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 11:05 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKC–Player of the Week
Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd named AP men’s college basketball player of the week
SUMMARY: Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd is The Associated Press men’s college basketball national player of the week for Week 10. That comes after he helped the Badgers beat UCLA and then-unbeaten Michigan. Richie Saunders of No. 11 BYU was the runner-up after his big outputs in wins against Arizona State and Utah. UConn’s Silas Demary Jr., Miami’s Tre Donaldson and No. 2 Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson earned honorable mentions. Hofstra guard Cruz Davis is a player to watch as one of the nation’s leading scorers.
WORDS: 372 – MOVED: 01/13/2026 10:44 a.m. CST
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KANSAS
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BKC–Kansas City-Menzies
Kansas City will part ways with Marvin Menzies after he finishes his 4th season with the Roos
SUMMARY: Marvin Menzies will not return as the men’s basketball coach at Kansas City after his fourth season. The school announced this decision on Monday and has started a search for his replacement. The Roos have struggled this season, holding a 4-14 record. Menzies, who previously led New Mexico State to five NCAA tourneys, was hired by Kansas City before the 2022-23 season. He achieved a 16-16 record in his second year, but the team is just 17-34 over the past season-plus. Menzies has a career record of 290-230 as a Division I head coach.
WORDS: 194 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 1:57 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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BKN–Timberwolves-Gobert Suspension
Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert to serve 1-game suspension against Bucks, triggered by flagrant foul total
SUMMARY: Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has received a one-game suspension due to the number of flagrant fouls he has accumulated this season. The NBA announced Gobert must serve his suspension on Tuesday when the Timberwolves visit the Milwaukee Bucks. Gobert received a level 1 flagrant call during the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s 104-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. That gave him six flagrant foul points for the season. NBA rules say a player receives an automatic suspension after a game in which his season flagrant foul point total exceeds five.
WORDS: 342 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 2:21 p.m. CST
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SOC–MLS-Minnesota-Knowles
Cameron Knowles promoted to coach of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United
SUMMARY: Cameron Knowles has been promoted to coach of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United. This change comes after Eric Ramsay left for West Bromwich Albion in England’s second-tier League Championship. Knowles played as a defender in MLS from 2005 to 2011 with Salt Lake, Portland, and Montreal. He became a Portland assistant from 2012 to 2017 and its reserve team coach from 2018 to 2021. He joined Minnesota as a video analyst and was briefly interim coach in January 2024. He had been serving as an assistant under Ramsay.
WORDS: 99 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 3:43 p.m. CST
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HKN–Devils-Wild
Jesper Bratt, Ondrej Palat each score 2 goals as Devils beat Wild 5-2 to snap four-game skid
SUMMARY: Jesper Bratt and Ondrej Palat each scored twice and the New Jersey Devils beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 to snap a four-game skid. Dawson Mercer had a goal and an assist for New Jersey, and Nico Hischier and Dougie Hamilton each had two assists. Jacob Markstrom finished with 20 saves. Ryan Hartman and Marcus Foligno scored for the Wild, and Jesper Wallstedt had 24 saves. Minnesota lost in regulation for just the second time in 10 games (4-2-4) and third in the last 18 (11-3-4). This was the third time Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes faced his two younger brothers, Devils center Jack Hughes and defenseman Luke Hughes, in an NHL game. The previous two times were when Quinn Hughes played for Vancouver.
WORDS: 355 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 9:53 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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BKC–Kansas City-Menzies
Kansas City will part ways with Marvin Menzies after he finishes his 4th season with the Roos
SUMMARY: Marvin Menzies will not return as the men’s basketball coach at Kansas City after his fourth season. The school announced this decision on Monday and has started a search for his replacement. The Roos have struggled this season, holding a 4-14 record. Menzies, who previously led New Mexico State to five NCAA tourneys, was hired by Kansas City before the 2022-23 season. He achieved a 16-16 record in his second year, but the team is just 17-34 over the past season-plus. Menzies has a career record of 290-230 as a Division I head coach.
WORDS: 194 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 1:57 p.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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FBC–Transfer Portal Roundup
Dylan Raiola announces transfer from Nebraska to Oregon, Jordan Seaton says Colorado chapter closing
SUMMARY: Quarterback Dylan Raiola has announced on social media he intends to transfer from Nebraska to Oregon. Raiola was the highest-ranked recruit to sign with Nebraska and started 22 games over two seasons. He broke his leg against Southern California on Nov. 1 and missed the Cornhuskers’ last four games. Oregon’s quarterback room for 2026 remains unsettled even with the addition of Raiola as Dante Moore decides whether he will enter the NFL draft. Moore said Friday after a 56-22 loss to No. 1 Indiana in a College Football Playoff semifinal that he was uncertain on his future. On Monday night, Colorado’s left tackle Jordan Seaton announced he was closing the chapter on his time with the Buffaloes.
WORDS: 467 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 10:54 a.m. CST
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OLY–Obit-Hartung
Jim Hartung, who helped lead U.S. men’s gymnastics team to 1984 Olympic gold, dies at 65
SUMMARY: Jim Hartung, a two-time U.S. Olympian who helped lead the Americans to their first and only gold medal in the men’s sport in 1984, has died. He was 65. The University of Nebraska announced Hartung died Saturday night. No cause of death was given. Hartung had been a Cornhuskers assistant coach for 19 years. Hartung was a member of the 1980 Olympic team but did not compete because of the boycott of the Moscow Games. In 1984 in Los Angeles he teamed with Bart Conner, Tim Daggett, Mitch Gaylord, Scott Johnson and Peter Vidmar to win gold.
WORDS: 304 – MOVED: 01/13/2026 7:58 a.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Los Angeles Olympics
Here’s how to register for a chance to buy tickets to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
SUMMARY: Registration opens this week for a chance to buy tickets to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Fans can sign up starting Wednesday to be entered into a lottery for a time slot to purchase tickets. Those who live near Los Angeles and Oklahoma City, which is hosting two events, will be able to access the first time slots. The 2028 Olympics will be the largest games in history, with more than 11,000 athletes across 51 sports. LA28 has said it will release 14 million tickets for the Olympics and Paralympics, which would set a record, surpassing the 12 million sold for the Paris Olympics.
WORDS: 431 – MOVED: 01/12/2026 1:27 p.m. CST
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SOF–AUSL Expansion
Chicago among 5 Athletes Unlimited Softball League franchise locations announced for 2026 season
SUMMARY: The Athletes Unlimited Softball League has announced the locations of five franchises for the upcoming season. The teams include the Carolina Blaze, Chicago Bandits, Portland Cascade, Texas Volts, and Utah Talons. The Oklahoma City Spark was previously announced. The season will start June 9. Kim Ng, the AUSL commissioner, says these cities represent a major chapter in the league’s growth. The Bandits will play in Chicago, while the Cascade will be based in Portland. The Talons, Blaze, and Volts will play in Salt Lake City, Durham, North Carolina, and Round Rock, Texas, respectively. Ng hints at more expansion in the future.
WORDS: 491 – MOVED: 01/13/2026 11:24 a.m. CST
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