Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Wintry Weather
Winter’s first big snowstorm hits the Northeast as schools close and traffic slows
SUMMARY: The first major winter storm has hit the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, covering the area with snow and ice. On Tuesday, roads became hazardous, travel was disrupted and schools closed. States like Massachusetts, Maine and New York faced significant snowfall. Hundreds of flights were delayed, and roads turned dangerous before sunrise. In West Virginia, a tractor-trailer driver was rescued from his cab after it dangled from a bridge for hours. The storm began as a weaker system over the central U.S. but has strengthened near the coast. Winter weather advisories remain in place, and residents are urged to delay travel.
WORDS: 709 – MOVED: 12/01/2025 11:17 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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US–Federal Enforcement-Minneapolis
Federal authorities plan operation in Minnesota focusing on Somali immigrants, AP source says
SUMMARY: Federal authorities are preparing an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, focusing on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S. The operation, which could begin soon, targets people in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area with final deportation orders. This move follows President Trump’s recent rhetoric about the Somali community, which has heightened tensions. The president said on Tuesday that he doesn’t want Somali immigrants in the U.S. because “they contribute nothing.” Minnesota has the largest Somali community in the nation. Many fled the civil war in Somalia and were drawn to the state’s welcoming programs. Community leaders worry the operation may lead to arrests of U.S. citizens and others lacking legal status.
WORDS: 1010 – MOVED: 12/02/2025 1:24 p.m. CST
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US–Commercial Driver’s Licenses-Immigrants
Crackdown on trucking schools shouldn’t disrupt industry. But scrutiny on immigrant drivers might
SUMMARY: Everything the Trump administration has done this year to strengthen and enforce the standards for truck drivers and the schools that train them after several deadly crashes may cause problems for some companies if immigrants continue to flee the profession rather than deal with the harassment and scrutiny. Trucking company owner Dave Atwal said he has lost drivers who are afraid to go on the road or can’t get their licenses renewed. But national trucking groups and experts believe the industry will largely be able to handle the load without major disruptions. Right now there are more drivers than needed in the midst of a prolonged drop in shipments because of the economic uncertainty over the past three years.
WORDS: 1186 – MOVED: 12/02/2025 5:30 p.m. CST
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US–Food Aid-SNAP
Trump administration threatens to withhold SNAP management funds from states that don’t share data
SUMMARY: The Trump administration says it will withhold funds for administering SNAP food aid in most Democratic-controlled states starting next week unless they provide data about those receiving the assistance. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Tuesday that the action is looming because those states are refusing to provide requested information about the recipients, including their names and immigration status. She says it’s necessary that states comply to root out fraud in the program. Democratic states have sued to block the requirement. About 42 million lower-income Americans rely on SNAP to help buy groceries. The USDA said it is targeting states’ administrative funds, not the benefits people receive.
WORDS: 875 – MOVED: 12/02/2025 2:05 p.m. CST
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Somalia-Trump-What to Know
What to know about Somalia as Trump wants Somalis in the US to leave
SUMMARY: U.S. President Donald Trump has called Somali immigrants living in the United States “garbage” and wants them to leave. He has claimed without offering evidence that “they contribute nothing.” The crude language came Tuesday after a person familiar with the planning said federal authorities were preparing an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota primarily focusing on Somali immigrants. Somalia is also one of the countries where the Trump administration this week paused all immigration applications. The Horn of Africa nation remains fragile after three decades of civil war and ongoing threats by al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabab. Climate change makes the country even more vulnerable.
WORDS: 655 – MOVED: 12/03/2025 11:37 a.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Wintry Weather
Winter’s first big snowstorm hits the Northeast as schools close and traffic slows
SUMMARY: The first major winter storm has hit the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, covering the area with snow and ice. On Tuesday, roads became hazardous, travel was disrupted and schools closed. States like Massachusetts, Maine and New York faced significant snowfall. Hundreds of flights were delayed, and roads turned dangerous before sunrise. In West Virginia, a tractor-trailer driver was rescued from his cab after it dangled from a bridge for hours. The storm began as a weaker system over the central U.S. but has strengthened near the coast. Winter weather advisories remain in place, and residents are urged to delay travel.
WORDS: 709 – MOVED: 12/01/2025 11:17 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKC–T25-Iowa-Michigan State
No. 7 Michigan St beats Iowa 71-52 to open defense of Big Ten title
SUMMARY: Coen Carr had nine of his 15 points in the second half after Jeremy Fears Jr. scored 10 of his 14 points in the first half, helping No. 7 Michigan State remain unbeaten with a 71-52 win over Iowa on Tuesday night in a Big Ten opener. The Spartans will play No. 4 Duke at home on Saturday. Michigan State is off to its best start in a decade and has three wins against AP Top 25 teams. The Hawkeyes were undefeated under first-year coach Ben McCollum until they ran into one of the hottest teams in college basketball.
WORDS: 342 – MOVED: 12/02/2025 8:11 p.m. CST
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KANSAS
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BKC–T25-Kansas-Peterson
No. 21 Kansas’ Darryn Peterson will miss his 7th straight game vs. No. 5 UConn with hamstring injury
SUMMARY: Darryn Peterson will not play for No. 21 Kansas against fifth-ranked UConn at Allen Fieldhouse. Jayhawks coach Bill Self announced the update before the game on Tuesday night. Self said in a social media post that the freshman still isn’t 100% and remains day to day. Peterson played the first two games of the season, a blowout of Green Bay and a loss at North Carolina. This will be his seventh game missed with an injured hamstring. Peterson was widely considered the nation’s No. 1 recruit coming out of high school. Many NBA mock drafts have pegged the guard as the first pick for the June draft.
WORDS: 235 – MOVED: 12/02/2025 12:01 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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SOF–AUSL Draft-Brady’s Niece
Tom Brady’s niece, former UCLA star shortstop Maya Brady, taken first in softball expansion draft
SUMMARY: Tom Brady’s niece, former UCLA star shortstop Maya Brady, was selected by the Oklahoma City Spark with the top pick in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s expansion and allocation drafts. The Cascade took former University of Oklahoma pitcher Sam Landry at No. 2. The Cascade picked former Oklahoma and Oklahoma State pitcher Kelly Maxwell as the top pick in the allocation draft. Former Sooner Kinzie Hansen went to the Spark at No. 2, and another former Oklahoma star, Jayda Coleman, went to the Talons at No. 3.
WORDS: 195 – MOVED: 12/02/2025 11:38 a.m. CST
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BKN–Thunder-Warriors
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 38 points as defending champion Thunder hold off Warriors 124-112
SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points and made a key 3-pointer with 3:34 left, Jalen Williams added 22 points and six assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder held off the determined Golden State Warriors 124-112. Chet Holmgren hit a go-ahead 3 from the top with 6:02 remaining and finished with 21 points and eight rebounds for the defending champions. Brandin Podziemski scored 17 points, Seth Curry added 14 in his Warriors debut with older brother Stephen Curry sidelined for a second straight game because a bruised left quadriceps and muscle strain sustained last Wednesday against Houston.
WORDS: 382 – MOVED: 12/03/2025 12:38 a.m. CST
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