Great Plains News Digest

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IOWA
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US–Powerball Jackpot
Powerball jackpot jumps to $1.7 billion after another night without a big winner
SUMMARY: The Powerball jackpot has jumped to an eye-popping $1.7 billion after yet another drawing passed without a big winner. The numbers selected Wednesday were: 3, 16, 29, 61 and 69, with the Powerball number being 22. Since May 31, there have been 41 straight drawings without a big winner. The next drawing will be Saturday night, with the prize expected to be the third-largest in U.S. lottery history. The prize amount is for a winner who chooses payment over 29 years through an annuity. A winner who opts for cash would receive an estimated $770.3 million. Powerball tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
WORDS: 214 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 9:16 a.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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US–Election-2026-Redistricting-Other-States
Where states stand in the battle for partisan advantage in US House redistricting maps
SUMMARY: Lawmakers in Missouri are the latest to try to draw a new U.S. House map for the 2026 election that could enhance the Republican Party’s numbers in Congress. A special session called by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe began Wednesday and will run at least a week. It’s a trend that began in Texas, at the behest of President Donald Trump, to try to keep GOP control of the House next year. California Democrats responded with their own map to help Democrats, though it still would require voter approval. Nationally, Democrats need to gain three seats next year to take control of the House.
WORDS: 1035 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 12:27 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–School Shooting-Minneapolis
VP Vance says meeting with families of victims from Minneapolis church shooting affected him deeply
SUMMARY: Vice President JD Vance has visited Minneapolis to meet with families affected by a deadly church shooting. Vance’s visit Wednesday came a week after the attack at Annunciation Catholic Church that left two schoolchildren dead and 21 people injured. Vance and second lady Usha Vance laid bouquets at a memorial outside the church. Vance also visited a hospital where the parents of one wounded child made a heartfelt plea for the vice president to use his position to find real solutions to the problem of gun violence. Vance later told reporters he would never forget this day.
WORDS: 823 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 11:38 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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US–Election 2026-Redistricting-What to Know
Missouri takes up Trump’s redistricting effort in Republican push to win more US House seats
SUMMARY: Missouri lawmakers are meeting in a special session to redraw the state’s U.S. House districts. The session that began Wednesday is part of President Donald Trump’s push to help Republicans retain control of Congress in next year’s elections. Missouri is the third state to pursue mid-decade redistricting for partisan advantage, following Texas and California. Republicans currently hold six of Missouri’s eight congressional seats. A revised map proposed by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe could give Republicans a chance to win seven seats in next year’s elections. More states may follow with their own redistricting efforts.
WORDS: 842 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 6:01 a.m. CDT
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US–Elections-Justice Department
Justice Department requests access to Dominion voting equipment used in Missouri in 2020
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Justice has requested access to voting equipment used in the 2020 election in two Missouri counties in what appears to be a wide-ranging effort to more closely monitor election processes around the country. A memo from the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities that was shared Wednesday with The Associated Press says a DOJ official in August contacted the county clerks and asked for access to their Dominion Voting Systems equipment. Both clerks declined, with one issuing a statement noting that state and federal law prohibits election officials from giving unauthorized access to election equipment. The unconventional requests signal how the DOJ is seeking a closer watch over how states run their elections.
WORDS: 891 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 6:32 p.m. CDT
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US–Election-2026-Redistricting-Other-States
Where states stand in the battle for partisan advantage in US House redistricting maps
SUMMARY: Lawmakers in Missouri are the latest to try to draw a new U.S. House map for the 2026 election that could enhance the Republican Party’s numbers in Congress. A special session called by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe began Wednesday and will run at least a week. It’s a trend that began in Texas, at the behest of President Donald Trump, to try to keep GOP control of the House next year. California Democrats responded with their own map to help Democrats, though it still would require voter approval. Nationally, Democrats need to gain three seats next year to take control of the House.
WORDS: 1035 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 12:27 p.m. CDT
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NORTH DAKOTA
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US–Public Lands-Mining
Republicans move to lift drilling and mining restrictions in Western states
SUMMARY: Republican lawmakers in Congress are moving to eliminate limits on energy development in several Western states. The move clears the way for President Donald Trump’s plans to sharply expand mining and drilling on public lands. House Republicans on Wednesday night voted to repeal development restrictions across large areas of Alaska, Montana and North Dakota. The repeals would reverse land use plans adopted in the closing days of former President Joe Biden’s administration that were meant to curb climate-warming fossil fuel emissions. Republicans want to create more jobs and revenue. Democrats had urged the rejection of the repeals. The Republican-majority Senate must still approve the House action.
WORDS: 522 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 9:56 a.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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FBC–Army-Kansas St-Military
Army and Kansas State face off in football Saturday night with military pride on both their minds
SUMMARY: Army and Kansas State have a special connection, even though they’ve only played twice before in football. Kansas State is near Fort Riley, a historic military base. Many soldiers take classes at the university, and alumni often serve in the military. Army coach Jeff Monken is excited about the upcoming game, hoping for support from local soldiers. Kansas State celebrates “Fort Riley Day” during the game, featuring military displays and ceremonies. Both teams have something to prove on the field. Army’s challenging triple-option offense will test Kansas State’s discipline and execution.
WORDS: 780 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 1:24 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Angels-Royals
Jo Adell a one-man show for Angels in 4-3 win over Royals
SUMMARY: Jo Adell homered and drove in every run for the Los Angeles Angels in their 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Adell hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning for the second consecutive game. His three-run shot off reliever John Schreiber gave the Angels a 3-2 lead in this one. Yoán Moncada, aboard on a single when Adell went deep, doubled off Lucas Erceg in the eighth before scoring on Adell’s two-out single for a 4-3 advantage. Adell’s 33 homers and 90 RBIs are career highs. Reid Detmers struck out two in the ninth for his third save. Angels star Mike Trout sat out again after getting scratched from the lineup Tuesday night because of a skin infection on his left arm.
WORDS: 384 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 10:04 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Fox-NFL Sunday Pregame
Fox Sports’ NFL pregame show will head to Kansas City for Week 2 Super Bowl rematch
SUMMARY: Fox Sports’ “NFL Sunday” pregame show will go on the road for the Week 2 Super Bowl rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Fox’s pregame show on Sept. 14 will be two hours, starting at 11 a.m. EDT from KC Live! in the Kansas City Power & Light District. The crew of Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Rob Gronkowski and Jay Glazer will then head to Arrowhead Stadium for halftime and postgame segments the remainder of the day. Fox gets the Super Bowl rematch after having Super Bowl 59, when the Eagles rolled to a 40-22 victory. The NFL typically schedules the rematch on a different network than the one that had the Super Bowl.
WORDS: 134 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 8:39 a.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Brazil-Kelce-Swift
Travis Kelce on what’s changed since his engagement to Taylor Swift: ‘I got one more ring’
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs tight end and three-time Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce was asked in Brazil how his life has changed since he announced his engagement to Taylor Swift. Kelce’s response: “I got one more ring for it.” The Chiefs face the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday in Sao Paulo. Kelce said at a news conference Thursday that he loves “when the lights are bright.” He did not mention whether Swift would attend the game. Several Brazilian media outlets have reported that local TV stations are preparing for that possibility.
WORDS: 317 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 10:29 a.m. CDT
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FBC–Kansas-Missouri-Border War
Missouri and Kansas renew bitter Border War rivalry with historic roots dating to the 1850s
SUMMARY: Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz and Kansas coach Lance Leipold have been teaching their players about the history behind their rivalry, known as the Border War. The rivalry, which began in the 1850s and ‘60s over slavery issues, has been on hold since 2011. That’s when Missouri moved from the Big 12 to the SEC, adding to the tension. The teams will meet again on Saturday. The rivalry has a long history, with 120 matchups and some memorable games. Both coaches emphasize the importance of the rivalry but remind their teams to focus on the game itself. Kansas is off to a 2-0 start and Missouri is 1-0.
WORDS: 913 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 11:51 a.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Chargers Preview
Chiefs and Chargers clash in Brazil as NFL season kicks off
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for their season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil on Friday. The game in Sao Paulo marks the second NFL match in South America. The Chiefs, who lost the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles, aim to reclaim their status. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is determined to improve after not meeting his own standards last season. The Chargers, led by coach Jim Harbaugh, have lost seven straight games to the Chiefs. Field conditions at Arena Corinthians have been a concern, with players like Najee Harris preparing for slippery turf. The Chiefs will be missing key receiver Rashee Rice because of a suspension.
WORDS: 792 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 12:19 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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HKO–US Hockey Hall Of Fame
Joe Pavelski, Zach Parise and Scott Gomez headline the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2025
SUMMARY: Longtime NHL players Joe Pavelski, Zach Parise and Scott Gomez headline the United States Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2025. Olympic gold medal-winning women’s defender Tara Mounsey and photographer Bruce Bennett are also set to be enshrined at a ceremony in St. Paul, Minnesota. Gomez became the league’s first player from Alaska and won the Stanley Cup twice. He, Pavelski and Parise combined to play 53 seasons and all represented the U.S. at the Olympics. Mounsey helped the U.S. win the first women’s hockey gold medal at the Games in 1998 and was part of the team that reached the final in 2002.
WORDS: 285 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 11:21 a.m. CDT
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BBO–White Sox-Twins
Taylor hits 2-run double in ninth to lead White Sox to 4-3 comeback win over Twins
SUMMARY: Brooks Baldwin had an RBI single and Michael A. Taylor followed with a go-ahead two-run double as the Chicago White Sox rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Wednesday night for their fourth straight win.Baldwin’s hit pulled the White Sox to 3-2 with Andrew Benitendi advancing to third.. After Baldwin stole second, Taylor pulled a ball down the left field line to give the White Sox their first lead of the night. Edgar Quero had a solo homer in the second and then scored in the ninth on Baldwin’s single against Justin Topa (1-5). Grant Taylor (1-4) pitched 1 1/3 innings to get the win, and Jordan Leasure got the last three outs for his sixth save.
WORDS: 309 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 9:59 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Draft Retention
NFL draft retention rates reveal the best and worst teams at keeping picks
SUMMARY: Building a successful NFL team through the draft is crucial, but it’s not easy. Teams aim to get cost-controlled young players but the draft can be unpredictable. Some first-round picks fail, while later-round gems shine. Evaluating drafts immediately is tricky, as it often takes time to see results. According to Sportradar, 55% of players drafted from 2021-24 remain on their original teams. Some teams, like the Bengals, Chiefs, and Lions, have retained a high percentage of their picks, contributing to their success. Others, like the Vikings, Patriots, and Titans, have struggled with retention but have found ways to adapt.
WORDS: 1357 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 12:35 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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FBC–Army-Kansas St-Military
Army and Kansas State face off in football Saturday night with military pride on both their minds
SUMMARY: Army and Kansas State have a special connection, even though they’ve only played twice before in football. Kansas State is near Fort Riley, a historic military base. Many soldiers take classes at the university, and alumni often serve in the military. Army coach Jeff Monken is excited about the upcoming game, hoping for support from local soldiers. Kansas State celebrates “Fort Riley Day” during the game, featuring military displays and ceremonies. Both teams have something to prove on the field. Army’s challenging triple-option offense will test Kansas State’s discipline and execution.
WORDS: 780 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 1:24 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Brazil-Chargers
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh say he’s excited about the opportunity to play on ‘a world stage’
SUMMARY: Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday he wasn’t thinking of the challenges of starting the season in Brazil when he learned Los Angeles would be making the long trip to face the Kansas City Chiefs. Harbaugh said he was excited and considered it an honor to be selected to play the game. Sao Paulo is hosting only its second NFL game, one of a record-high seven international league games this season, including the first-ever stops in Berlin, Dublin and Madrid.
WORDS: 531 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 4:41 p.m. CDT
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BBO-Athletics-Cardinals
Contreras drives in 4 runs in the Cardinals’ 5-1 win over the Athletics
SUMMARY: Willson Contreras had three hits and four RBIs, Nolan Gorman homered and Matthew Liberatore pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 5-1 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday night. Liberatore (7-11) struck out seven. JoJo Romero got the final four outs for his seventh save. Gorman hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his 14th of the season. He also had two singles. Contreras opened the scoring in the third with a two-run single off Jeffrey Springs (10-10) that right fielder Brent Rooker misjudged or couldn’t see. In the eighth, Contreras added a two-run triple to left. Nick Kurtz hit an opposite-field home run for the A’s in the eighth, his 28th of the year.
WORDS: 218 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 9:29 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Angels-Royals
Jo Adell a one-man show for Angels in 4-3 win over Royals
SUMMARY: Jo Adell homered and drove in every run for the Los Angeles Angels in their 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Adell hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning for the second consecutive game. His three-run shot off reliever John Schreiber gave the Angels a 3-2 lead in this one. Yoán Moncada, aboard on a single when Adell went deep, doubled off Lucas Erceg in the eighth before scoring on Adell’s two-out single for a 4-3 advantage. Adell’s 33 homers and 90 RBIs are career highs. Reid Detmers struck out two in the ninth for his third save. Angels star Mike Trout sat out again after getting scratched from the lineup Tuesday night because of a skin infection on his left arm.
WORDS: 384 – MOVED: 09/03/2025 10:04 p.m. CDT
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FBO–Brazil-Recovering Team
After deadly bus crash, Brazilian football team rebuilding and drawing inspiration from NFL
SUMMARY: The Coritiba Crocodiles are a Brazilian team that plays American-style tackle football and they’re in the midst of a season that’s about more than just competition on the field. The team is still rebuilding after a September 2024 bus crash that killed three players, including the team captain. The Crocodiles were founded in 2003 and are three-time Brazilian champions in a competition that involves teams from the Amazon to the country’s impoverished Northeast region. The NFL has been shooting a documentary about the recovering Crocodiles since the beginning of the year.
WORDS: 1213 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 5:04 a.m. CDT
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FBN–Fox-NFL Sunday Pregame
Fox Sports’ NFL pregame show will head to Kansas City for Week 2 Super Bowl rematch
SUMMARY: Fox Sports’ “NFL Sunday” pregame show will go on the road for the Week 2 Super Bowl rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Fox’s pregame show on Sept. 14 will be two hours, starting at 11 a.m. EDT from KC Live! in the Kansas City Power & Light District. The crew of Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Rob Gronkowski and Jay Glazer will then head to Arrowhead Stadium for halftime and postgame segments the remainder of the day. Fox gets the Super Bowl rematch after having Super Bowl 59, when the Eagles rolled to a 40-22 victory. The NFL typically schedules the rematch on a different network than the one that had the Super Bowl.
WORDS: 134 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 8:39 a.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Brazil-Kelce-Swift
Travis Kelce on what’s changed since his engagement to Taylor Swift: ‘I got one more ring’
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs tight end and three-time Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce was asked in Brazil how his life has changed since he announced his engagement to Taylor Swift. Kelce’s response: “I got one more ring for it.” The Chiefs face the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday in Sao Paulo. Kelce said at a news conference Thursday that he loves “when the lights are bright.” He did not mention whether Swift would attend the game. Several Brazilian media outlets have reported that local TV stations are preparing for that possibility.
WORDS: 317 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 10:29 a.m. CDT
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FBC–Kansas-Missouri-Border War
Missouri and Kansas renew bitter Border War rivalry with historic roots dating to the 1850s
SUMMARY: Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz and Kansas coach Lance Leipold have been teaching their players about the history behind their rivalry, known as the Border War. The rivalry, which began in the 1850s and ‘60s over slavery issues, has been on hold since 2011. That’s when Missouri moved from the Big 12 to the SEC, adding to the tension. The teams will meet again on Saturday. The rivalry has a long history, with 120 matchups and some memorable games. Both coaches emphasize the importance of the rivalry but remind their teams to focus on the game itself. Kansas is off to a 2-0 start and Missouri is 1-0.
WORDS: 913 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 11:51 a.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Chargers Preview
Chiefs and Chargers clash in Brazil as NFL season kicks off
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for their season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil on Friday. The game in Sao Paulo marks the second NFL match in South America. The Chiefs, who lost the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles, aim to reclaim their status. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is determined to improve after not meeting his own standards last season. The Chargers, led by coach Jim Harbaugh, have lost seven straight games to the Chiefs. Field conditions at Arena Corinthians have been a concern, with players like Najee Harris preparing for slippery turf. The Chiefs will be missing key receiver Rashee Rice because of a suspension.
WORDS: 792 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 12:19 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Draft Retention
NFL draft retention rates reveal the best and worst teams at keeping picks
SUMMARY: Building a successful NFL team through the draft is crucial, but it’s not easy. Teams aim to get cost-controlled young players but the draft can be unpredictable. Some first-round picks fail, while later-round gems shine. Evaluating drafts immediately is tricky, as it often takes time to see results. According to Sportradar, 55% of players drafted from 2021-24 remain on their original teams. Some teams, like the Bengals, Chiefs, and Lions, have retained a high percentage of their picks, contributing to their success. Others, like the Vikings, Patriots, and Titans, have struggled with retention but have found ways to adapt.
WORDS: 1357 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 12:35 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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FBN–Buccaneers-Baker’s Team
Buccaneers allowed Baker Mayfield to be himself and he’s turned into a top quarterback
SUMMARY: Baker Mayfield came to Tampa Bay two years ago to compete with an unproven quarterback for a shot to replace Tom Brady. Expectations for the former No. 1 overall pick were low after he was traded from one team and waived by another. But Mayfield still had confidence in himself and the Buccaneers felt he had a chance to live up to his potential. The move paid off. Mayfield has developed into one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, elevating his game on the field and becoming a team leader in the locker room.
WORDS: 819 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 1:06 a.m. CDT
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WRE–Real American Freestyle Plans
Real American Freestyle wrestling will hold RAF2 at Penn State
SUMMARY: Real American Freestyle wrestling has announced its second event will be at Penn State’s Rec Hall. RAF2 is scheduled for Nov. 8 in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State has a strong wrestling tradition, with coach Cael Sanderson leading the Nittany Lions to numerous national titles. Real American Freestyle wrestlers Bo Nickal, Aaron Brooks and Beau Bartlett are all Penn State alumni. RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein said the choice of venue was natural, highlighting the school’s wrestling legacy. Fox Nation will stream the event, following its coverage of the inaugural matches in Cleveland.
WORDS: 275 – MOVED: 09/04/2025 10:29 a.m. CDT
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