Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–United States-Syria-Troops
US Army names 2 Iowa National Guard members killed in attack in Syria
SUMMARY: The two Iowa National Guard members killed in a weekend attack that the U.S. military blamed on the Islamic State group in Syria have been identified. The U.S. Army named them Monday as 25-year-old Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and 29-year-old Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in their honor. A civilian working as a U.S. interpreter also was killed in the attack Saturday, and three other Iowa National Guard were wounded. A Syrian official says the assailant had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago and recently was reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with IS. The gunman was killed.
WORDS: 904 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 11:09 a.m. CST
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KANSAS
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US–Aviation Safety , KILL
STORY REMOVED: US–Aviation Safety
SUMMARY: The Associated Press has withdrawn its story about aviation safety. The AP will publish a corrected version of the story. In the initial story published Dec. 15, 2025, the AP erroneously reported that Sen. Ted Cruz was threatening another federal government shutdown if new restrictions on military flights are not approved by the end of January. Cruz says he will try to get the restrictions passed before the end of January as part of any appropriations measure.
WORDS: 81 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 3:16 p.m. CST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/STORYREMOVEDUSAviationSafety/ec6bfdb0964498fa61bcd6b0478be023/text
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US–Aviation Safety
Sen. Cruz wants restrictions on military flights approved soon to prevent another midair collision
SUMMARY: Republican Sen. Ted Cruz wants restrictions on military flights approved before government funding runs out at the end of next month to prevent another midair collision like the one near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people in January. Cruz and Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell urged Congress Monday to strip provisions from a massive defense bill that would allow military aircraft to get a waiver to return to operating without broadcasting their precise location, just as they were before the Jan. 29 crash. If the defense bill passes as written, Cruz said it is crucial to get the reforms he proposed approved as soon as possible.
WORDS: 652 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 6:26 p.m. CST
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NORTH DAKOTA
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SD–South Dakota-Police Video
Police video in South Dakota: Public pays for costs but cannot see footage
SUMMARY: State laws in South Dakota provide law enforcement agencies and prosecutors with near-complete discretion on whether to release to the public a wide variety of police records — including videos. The state’s open-records law is commonly used to deny the release of information and thereby avoid public scrutiny of their actions and interactions with the public. The executive director of the South Dakota NewsMedia Association said the state’s public record laws are among the weakest in the nation. South Dakota NewsWatch requested video from eight agencies of officer-involved-shootings. All requests were denied, citing state law. An online search turned up only a few instances where law enforcement footage was released.
WORDS: 1487 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 1:42 p.m. CST
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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SD–South Dakota-Police Video
Police video in South Dakota: Public pays for costs but cannot see footage
SUMMARY: State laws in South Dakota provide law enforcement agencies and prosecutors with near-complete discretion on whether to release to the public a wide variety of police records — including videos. The state’s open-records law is commonly used to deny the release of information and thereby avoid public scrutiny of their actions and interactions with the public. The executive director of the South Dakota NewsMedia Association said the state’s public record laws are among the weakest in the nation. South Dakota NewsWatch requested video from eight agencies of officer-involved-shootings. All requests were denied, citing state law. An online search turned up only a few instances where law enforcement footage was released.
WORDS: 1487 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 1:42 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKW–Player of the Week
AP women’s basketball player of the week is No. 2 Texas’ Madison Booker
SUMMARY: The Associated Press national player of the week in women’s basketball for Week 6 is No. 2 Texas’ Madison Booker. She became the fifth player in Texas history to record a triple-double when she had 28 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Addy Brown of No. 10 Iowa State was runner-up. She helped the Cyclones stay unbeaten.
WORDS: 287 – MOVED: 12/16/2025 11:30 a.m. CST
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KANSAS
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FBN–Chiefs Analysis
Chiefs face uncertain future as Patrick Mahomes has ACL surgery
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs face the rest of the season without Patrick Mahomes, who had surgery Monday night to repair a torn ACL. The injury happened in a loss to the Chargers, ending the Chiefs’ playoff hopes. The team now faces uncertainty about the future. Key questions include Mahomes’ recovery, Travis Kelce’s potential retirement and coach Andy Reid’s plans. The Chiefs also need to address roster gaps, especially at wide receiver, running back and defensive end. Their rush defense has been strong, but the offense needs improvement. The Chiefs will play the Titans next, with draft positioning in mind.
WORDS: 801 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 2:17 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Mahomes
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes undergoes ACL surgery in Dallas, begins long road to recovery
SUMMARY: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has undergone surgery in Dallas to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. The team said in a statement that Mahomes had the operation Monday night and will begin the long rehabilitation process immediately. The procedure was performed by Dr. Dan Cooper, a highly regarded orthopedist and the team physician of the Dallas Cowboys. Mahomes tore the ligament when he was spun to the ground in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Most players are able to return to the field in six to 12 months after an ACL repair, which means Mahomes should be back at some point next season.
WORDS: 633 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 12:52 p.m. CST
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BKC–Player Of The Week
Kansas’ Melvin Council Jr. named AP men’s college basketball player of the week
SUMMARY: Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. is The Associated Press men’s college basketball national player of the week for Week 6. That comes after Council had career highs of 36 points and nine 3-pointers to help the 17th-ranked Jayhawks beat N.C. State 77-76 in overtime on the road. Brayden Burries was runner-up after helping No. 1 Arizona rally past Alabama. BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort and Indiana’s Lamar Wilkerson were honorable mentions. The week also included Radford’s Dennis Parker Jr. scoring a school- and conference-record 53 points in a win against Coppin State.
WORDS: 432 – MOVED: 12/16/2025 11:03 a.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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FBN–Vikings-Greenard
Vikings edge rusher Greenard to have season-ending shoulder surgery after making Pro Bowl last year
SUMMARY: Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard will have season-ending surgery on a left shoulder injury he aggravated in the game at Dallas on Sunday night. Coach Kevin O’Connell announced the news on Monday. The Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention before their 34-26 victory over the Cowboys. Greenard missed two games last month with the injury before returning for the last two games. The 2024 Pro Bowl pick had a sack and three hits on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before he was hurt in the fourth quarter. O’Connell called the 28-year-old Greenard a “foundational player.”
WORDS: 199 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 3:38 p.m. CST
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BBO–Twins-Bell
Twins add first baseman Josh Bell with agreement on $7 million contract, AP source says
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins and durable slugger Josh Bell have agreed on a one-year, $7 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because completion of the deal was pending a standard physical exam. Bell will make $5.5 million in 2026, with a $250,000 signing bonus and a mutual option for 2027. The mutual option only becomes guaranteed if both sides exercise it. If the Twins decline, Bell gets a $1.25 million buyout. Bell batted .237 with 22 home runs and 63 RBIs for Washington last season.
WORDS: 513 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 10:13 a.m. CST
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FBN–Vikings Analysis
Eliminated Vikings aiming for smooth landing with McCarthy to finish turbulent season
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Vikings have enjoyed consecutive promising performances by quarterback J.J. McCarthy as they aim for a smooth finish despite already being eliminated from playoff contention at 6-8. McCarthy has posted a 100-plus passer rating in each of the last two games. He threw for a career-high 250 yards in the 34-26 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The Vikings largely leaned on running plays and lower-risk passes to beat the Washington Commanders the week before. They turned McCarthy loose on Sunday for a personal-best 10.4 yards per attempt.
WORDS: 957 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 6:05 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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FBN–Chiefs Analysis
Chiefs face uncertain future as Patrick Mahomes has ACL surgery
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs face the rest of the season without Patrick Mahomes, who had surgery Monday night to repair a torn ACL. The injury happened in a loss to the Chargers, ending the Chiefs’ playoff hopes. The team now faces uncertainty about the future. Key questions include Mahomes’ recovery, Travis Kelce’s potential retirement and coach Andy Reid’s plans. The Chiefs also need to address roster gaps, especially at wide receiver, running back and defensive end. Their rush defense has been strong, but the offense needs improvement. The Chiefs will play the Titans next, with draft positioning in mind.
WORDS: 801 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 2:17 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Mahomes
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes undergoes ACL surgery in Dallas, begins long road to recovery
SUMMARY: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has undergone surgery in Dallas to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. The team said in a statement that Mahomes had the operation Monday night and will begin the long rehabilitation process immediately. The procedure was performed by Dr. Dan Cooper, a highly regarded orthopedist and the team physician of the Dallas Cowboys. Mahomes tore the ligament when he was spun to the ground in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Most players are able to return to the field in six to 12 months after an ACL repair, which means Mahomes should be back at some point next season.
WORDS: 633 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 12:52 p.m. CST
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HKN–Predators-Blues
Forsberg’s hat trick leads Predators to a 5-2 victory over Blues
SUMMARY: Filip Forsberg scored his 12th career hat trick, leading the Nashville Predators to a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Monday night. Forsberg scored in the each of first two periods before adding an empty-net goal in the third with 3:51 remaining. Michael Bunting and Reid Schaefer also scored for Nashville, and Juuse Saros stopped 20 shots. Roman Josi and Ryan O’Reilly added two assists each. Dalibor Dvorsky scored both goals for St. Louis. Joel Hofer finished with 21 saves for the Blues, who have lost three of their last four games.
WORDS: 238 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 9:55 p.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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FBC–Transfer Portal Roundup
Oft-injured Florida QB DJ Lagway entering transfer portal amid coaching change
SUMMARY: Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is entering the transfer portal. Lagway announced his intentions on social media. The oft-injured Lagway completed 63% of his passes this season for 2,264 yards with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He missed most of the offseason program while recovering from core-muscle surgery, a sore throwing arm and a strained calf. Two other quarterbacks also revealed Monday they are moving on. According to multiple media outlets, Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola plans to enter the portal. And Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby announced on social media he is entering the portal.
WORDS: 565 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 9:44 a.m. CST
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US–NCAA-Redshirt-Lawsuit
Vanderbilt’s Langston Patterson among 5 seeking injunction to play 2026 season
SUMMARY: Five college football players at power-conference schools asked a federal judge on Monday for a preliminary injunction to play a fifth year next season. All five have competed four seasons in four years without taking a redshirt: Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson; kicker Nathanial Vakos, tight end Lance Mason and long snapper Nick Levy of Wisconsin; and Nebraska long snapper Kevin Gallic. U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell granted an injunction nearly a year ago that allowed Diego Pavia to play this season. Pavia finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up leading Vanderbilt to a 10-2 record.
WORDS: 638 – MOVED: 12/15/2025 3:53 p.m. CST
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BKC–Player Of The Week
Kansas’ Melvin Council Jr. named AP men’s college basketball player of the week
SUMMARY: Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. is The Associated Press men’s college basketball national player of the week for Week 6. That comes after Council had career highs of 36 points and nine 3-pointers to help the 17th-ranked Jayhawks beat N.C. State 77-76 in overtime on the road. Brayden Burries was runner-up after helping No. 1 Arizona rally past Alabama. BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort and Indiana’s Lamar Wilkerson were honorable mentions. The week also included Radford’s Dennis Parker Jr. scoring a school- and conference-record 53 points in a win against Coppin State.
WORDS: 432 – MOVED: 12/16/2025 11:03 a.m. CST
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