Great Plains News Digest
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KANSAS
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US–Washington Midair Collision-Timeline
Timeline of the year since an Army helicopter and plane collided over Washington, DC
SUMMARY: A collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet killed 67 people near Washington, D.C. in January 2025. Investigators will describe in detail Tuesday the factors that they believe contributed to the deadliest plane crash on U.S. soil since 2001. The National Transportation Safety Board has already released a minute-by-minute description of the last moments before the collision. The NTSB will adopt recommendations designed to prevent any similar tragedies.
WORDS: 1507 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 11:01 p.m. CST
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US–Washington Midair Collision-Investigation-What to Know
Investigators will detail causes of the midair collision over Washington, DC, and recommend changes
SUMMARY: So many things went wrong last Jan. 29 to contribute to the collision between an airliner and a U.S. Army helicopter that killed 67 people that the National Transportation Safety Board isn’t likely to identify a single cause at its hearing. Instead, the investigators on Tuesday will detail all the things they found that played a role in the crash near Washington, D.C., and the board will recommend changes that should be made to help prevent a similar event from happening again. Family members of the victims hope those suggestions won’t be ignored the same way many past NTSB recommendations have been after other crashes.
WORDS: 1065 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 11:04 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Minnesota-Videos
Videos of deadly Minneapolis shooting contradict government statements
SUMMARY: Videos quickly emerged showing the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis protester by a Border Patrol agent that has been widely denounced as a case of excessive force carried out by untrained federal officers. The administration says it was a case of an armed man provoking violence. The Associated Press reviewed multiple bystander videos that show a Border Patrol agent shooting and killing 37-year-old Alex Pretti after a roughly 30-second scuffle on Saturday morning. The videos appear to contradict statements by the Trump administration, which said the shots were fired “defensively” against Pretti as he “approached” them with a gun. In the videos, Pretti is seen with only a phone in his hand.
WORDS: 823 – MOVED: 01/24/2026 7:18 p.m. CST
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Immigration Enforcement-Business Reaction
Minnesota CEOs issue joint letter urging de-escalation in Minnesota after shooting
SUMMARY: More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies signed an open letter posted on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website on Sunday calling for state, local and federal officials to work together, as businesses grapple with how to address tensions in the state and across the country following two fatal shootings by federal agents amid a massive immigration enforcement operation that has spurred protests. CEOs that signed the letter included 3M CEO William Brown, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry, General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening, Target incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke, UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Helmsley, and others. Over the past two weeks protesters have targeted some businesses they see as aiding federal immigration enforcement, including Minneapolis-based Target.
WORDS: 316 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 1:46 p.m. CST
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US–Congress-Noem-Impeachment
Moderate Sen. Jacky Rosen urges Noem’s impeachment as Dem fury grows over Minneapolis shooting
SUMMARY: Moderate Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is calling for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying that her “attempt to mislead the American public” about the fatal shooting of a 37 year-old protester in Minneapolis is “deeply shameful.” The call from the Nevada senator comes amid a growing fury from congressional Democrats who have also vowed to block funding for the Homeland Security Department. A Democratic House resolution to launch impeachment proceedings against Noem has the support of more than 100 Democrats, but few Senate Democrats have so far weighed in.
WORDS: 822 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 3:43 p.m. CST
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US–Trump-Minneapolis
Trump, unbowed by backlash to Minneapolis shooting, blames Democrats for ‘chaos’
SUMMARY: The fatal shooting of a Minneapolis protester by a federal immigration officer touched off a firestorm and prompted some fellow Republicans to question President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration crackdown, but the president on Sunday night doubled down and blamed Democratic officials. After remaining relatively quiet on Sunday, the Republican president in two lengthy social media posts said that Democrats had encouraged people to obstruct law enforcement operations. He also called on officials in Minnesota to work with immigration officers and “turn over” people who were in the U.S. illegally.
WORDS: 743 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 5:59 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Minnesota
Federal and state officials both claim moral high ground in immigration crackdown after shooting
SUMMARY: In dueling news conferences, federal and state officials offered starkly different messages about the immigration crackdown that has swept across Minneapolis and surrounding cities. Both sides claimed the moral high ground Sunday in the wake of another shooting death by federal agents. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz asked the public whether they wanted to support an all-powerful federal government that could menace, kill and kidnap citizens. At the same time, Border Patrol senior official Gregory Bovino turned blame for the shooting to Alex Pretti, the nurse who was killed, saying he chose to interfere with law enforcement officers.
WORDS: 1407 – MOVED: 01/24/2026 11:01 p.m. CST
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US–Congress-Budget
Democrats vow to oppose homeland security funds after Minnesota shooting as shutdown risk grows
SUMMARY: Democratic senators are vowing to oppose a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security following the shooting death of a man in Minnesota. And that opposition increases the prospect of a partial government shutdown by week’s end. Six of the 12 annual spending bills for the current budget year have been signed into law. Six more await Senate action. If senators fail to act by midnight Friday, funding for agencies covered under those remaining six bills will lapse. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says what’s happening in Minnesota is “appalling” and he’s pledging that Democrats will block a funding package that includes homeland security money.
WORDS: 1301 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 11:32 a.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement-Republicans
Republican calls are growing for a deeper investigation into the fatal Minneapolis shooting
SUMMARY: A growing number of Republicans are pressing for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a man in Minneapolis. And those calls are a sign that the accounting of events by President Donald Trump’s administration may face bipartisan scrutiny. The killing of Alex Pretti has also raised uncomfortable questions about the GOP’s core positions on issues ranging from gun ownership to states’ rights and trust in the federal government. Administration officials are firm in their defense of the hard-line immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis and they fault Democrats in the state along with local law enforcement for not working with them.
WORDS: 1376 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 10:03 a.m. CST
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US–Election 2026-Decision Notes-Minnesota
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Minnesota’s special legislative elections
SUMMARY: Two Minnesota special elections in heavily Democratic Twin Cities-area state legislative districts will decide control of the state’s House of Representatives for the third time in less than a year. Republicans hold a 67-65 advantage in the chamber after two Democratic representatives were elected to other offices in November. The chamber has operated under a power-sharing agreement between the two parties for much of the last year. Tuesday’s contests take place just days after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a man in Minneapolis, sparking protests and renewed calls for federal immigration officers to leave the state.
WORDS: 939 – MOVED: 01/26/2026 6:04 a.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement
A federal judge hears arguments on Minnesota’s immigration crackdown after fatal shootings
SUMMARY: A federal judge began hearing arguments on whether to pause an immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The hearing Monday follows the fatal shootings of two people by government officers in Minneapolis. The state and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security two weeks ago. They want to restore conditions before the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge began in December. Minnesota’s Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison plans to attend the hearing. Justice Department attorneys have called the lawsuit legally frivolous. The case could have implications for other states facing similar immigration enforcement operations.
WORDS: 830 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 11:11 p.m. CST
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US-Immigration-Enforcement-Minnesota-GOP-Governor
Minnesota GOP gubernatorial candidate drops out, citing opposition to federal ‘retribution’
SUMMARY: Republican candidate for Minnesota governor Chris Madel has ended his campaign in a surprise video announcement. Madel is a Minneapolis attorney and the lawyer for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot and killed Renee Good earlier this month. The move on Monday comes amid growing calls from Republicans to investigate federal immigration tactics in Minnesota after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday. Madel says that while he supports the goal of deporting “the worst of the worst,” he thinks President Donald Trump’s administration’s immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities has gone too far and is an “unmitigated disaster.”
WORDS: 627 – MOVED: 01/26/2026 11:36 a.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement-The Latest
The Latest: Judge considers legality of Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis
SUMMARY: A federal judge is hearing arguments on whether she should at least temporarily halt the immigration crackdown in Minnesota that has led to the fatal shootings of two people by government officers. The state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul sued the Department of Homeland Security earlier this month, five days after Renee Good was shot by an Immigration and Customs officer. The shooting of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol officer on Saturday has only added urgency to the case.
WORDS: 2517 – MOVED: 01/26/2026 7:12 a.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Winter Weather
Massive winter storm dumps sleet, freezing rain and snow around much of US
SUMMARY: A massive winter storm has dumped sleet, freezing rain and snow across much of the U.S., halting air and road traffic and sending temperatures plunging. In the Southeast, branches and power lines snapped Sunday under the weight of ice, and hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were without electricity. Heavy snow was falling from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast. In New York, communities near Canada saw record-breaking subzero temperatures and arctic air was set to spread widely over much of the country. The ice, snow and bitter cold were expected to continue Monday.
WORDS: 1057 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 7:52 a.m. CST
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US–Rare Earth-US Investment
Trump administration invests in another US rare earth miner to loosen China’s grip on supply
SUMMARY: The U.S. is taking a minority stake in an Oklahoma rare earth miner, the latest government investment in the sector as it seeks to minimize its reliance on imports of a material used prevalently in smartphones, robotics, electric vehicles and many other high tech products. China processes more than 90% of the world’s critical minerals and has used its dominance in the market to gain leverage in the trade war with Washington. USA Rare Earth said Monday that the U.S. Commerce Department is investing $1.6 billion in the company to advance work on a mine in Texas and to build a magnet manufacturing facility in Oklahoma.
WORDS: 476 – MOVED: 01/26/2026 8:50 a.m. CST
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US–Winter Weather
Northeast sees more snow from the tail end of a colossal winter storm, at least 18 deaths reported
SUMMARY: The Northeastern U.S. is getting the last brunt of a massive winter storm that dumped snow, sleet and ice across much of the southern and eastern U.S. over the weekend. The colossal storm halted air and road traffic in many areas and sent temperatures plunging. At least 18 weather-related deaths have been reported. As the work week began, the heaviest snow fell from New York northward into New England. That’s after heavy ice snapped branches and power lines in the South, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without electricity. In the meantime, arctic air was spreading in behind the storm and some communities in New York saw record-breaking subzero temperatures.
WORDS: 922 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 11:01 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKW–T25-Ohio State-Iowa
No. 10 Iowa extends winning streak to eight with 91-70 win over No. 12 Ohio State
SUMMARY: Freshman Addie Deal had a season-high 20 points, Hannah Stuelke had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Ava Heiden had 18 points as No. 10 Iowa defeated No. 12 Ohio State 91-70 on Sunday. The Hawkeyes (18-2, 9-0 Big Ten), playing their third consecutive game against a ranked team, stayed at the top of the Big Ten standings with UCLA and extended their winning streak to eight while snapping the seven-game winning streak of the Buckeyes (18-3, 7-2). Jaloni Cambridge led Ohio State with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Chance Gray had 16 points and Ava Watson had 10.
WORDS: 386 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 3:02 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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BKN–Warriors-Kuminga
Warriors sideline Kuminga with bone bruise and knee hyperextension, will re-evaluate in coming days
SUMMARY: Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga will be sidelined again with a bone bruise and a hyperextended left knee. The Warriors said a re-evaluation date on Kuminga’s condition would be determined “in the coming days.” The injury forced the disgruntled fifth-year player out of Golden State’s most recent game on Thursday at Dallas. He had an MRI on Friday. The team announced the update on Sunday before playing at Minnesota. The game against the Timberwolves was rescheduled from the day before following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers to prioritize community safety.
WORDS: 250 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 4:19 p.m. CST
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BKN–Warriors-Timberwolves
Curry scores 26 points, Warriors hand Timberwolves their 5th straight loss
SUMMARY: Stephen Curry scored 26 points to lead the Golden State Warriors past Minnesota 111-85 in the fifth straight loss for the Timberwolves and their longest skid in more than three years. Curry added seven assists and four of his team’s season-high 20 steals. Moses Moody had 19 points and eight rebounds as the Warriors moved within 1 1/2 games of the Timberwolves for seventh place in the Western Conference. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 32 points and 11 rebounds after the game was postponed a day following the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man by federal immigration officers.
WORDS: 329 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 7:32 p.m. CST
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BKN–Warriors-Timberwolves-Minneapolis Reax
T-wolves and Warriors return to play in ‘bizarre, sad’ game with grieving Minneapolis on their minds
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors have returned to the court after their game was postponed following the fatal shooting of a man in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was clearly and deeply moved by the situation as he expressed on behalf of the organization his heartbreak for the community’s collective fear and pain from the ongoing crackdown. The Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Alex Pretti prior to the national anthem. Warriors coach Steve Kerr also shared his sadness and said he felt a “pall that’s been cast over the city.”
WORDS: 1115 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 6:32 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKW–T25-Oklahoma-Auburn
Chavez scores 18 points and No. 16 Oklahoma women finish strong to hold off Auburn 72-65
SUMMARY: Aaliyah Chavez scored 18 points and No. 16 Oklahoma avoided a big upset, defeating Auburn 72-65. The Sooners, coming off a 94-82 overtime win over No. 2 South Carolina on Thursday, were locked in a battle with the unranked Tigers until finishing the game with a 13-6 run over the final minutes. Auburn’s A’riel Jackson scored seven points early in the fourth quarter and Harissoum Coulibaly’s layup tied the score at 57 with six minutes remaining. Another Coulibaly layup tied it at 59 with 4:50 remaining but the Tigers managed only six points the rest of the game. Sahara Williams and Raegan Beers scored 13 points each for Oklahoma. Jackson scored a game-high 19 points off the bench for Auburn.
WORDS: 344 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 3:38 p.m. CST
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BKN–Raptors-Thunder
Quickley posts 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead Raptors past Thunder 103-101 in 4th straight win
SUMMARY: Immanuel Quickley had 23 points and 11 rebounds to help the Toronto Raptors beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-101. R.J. Barrett scored 14 points, and Scottie Barnes added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points for the Thunder, marking his 117th consecutive game with at least 20 points. Oklahoma City was missing several key players due to injuries. Toronto led 64-60 at halftime. Quickley sealed the victory with two free throws in the final seconds.
WORDS: 347 – MOVED: 01/25/2026 8:56 p.m. CST
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