Great Plains News Digest
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MISSOURI
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US–Army-Helicopter-Crash
Army identifies 4 soldiers killed in military helicopter crash in Washington state
SUMMARY: The Army has released the names of four soldiers killed when the military helicopter they were on crashed near a base in Washington state. The Army in a release Monday identified the victims as chief warrant officers Andrew Cully and Andrew Kraus, and sergeants Donavon Scott and Jadalyn Good. Cully was from Sparta, Missouri. Kraus was from Sanibel, Florida. Scott was from Tacoma, Washington, and Good was from Mount Vernon, Washington. Army officials have said the helicopter was on a routine flight training west of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The base is about 10 miles south of Tacoma. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
WORDS: 369 – MOVED: 09/22/2025 9:12 a.m. CDT
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US–US Steel-Granite City
The White House says it blocked US Steel’s decision to stop processing steel at Illinois plant
SUMMARY: The White House says it intervened to block a decision to stop processing raw steel at U.S. Steel’s Granite City Works plant in Illinois. In a statement, the White House said Monday that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick delivered the message that President Donald Trump would exercise his so-called “golden share” power. That provision was a key element in the Trump administration’s decision to allow Japan-based Nippon Steel to buy out U.S. Steel. It gives the federal government a say in certain decisions involving domestic steel production. Earlier this month, U.S. Steel said it would stop processing steel slabs at its Granite City Works. On Friday, U.S. Steel reversed course.
WORDS: 495 – MOVED: 09/22/2025 12:36 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Oklahoma-Tiger Caretaker Killed
Caretaker killed by tiger at wildlife preserve in southeastern Oklahoma
SUMMARY: An animal handler was killed by a tiger under his care at a preserve for big cats in southeastern Oklahoma. Growler Pines Tiger Preserve says in a statement that Ryan Easley died Saturday in “an accident” involving a tiger at the property near Hugo, not far from the Texas border. All tours have been canceled until further notice. The preserve’s website says it is a private facility where visitors can book tours to view tigers and see demonstrations on how the animals are trained and cared for.
WORDS: 159 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 8:39 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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FBC–T25-Indiana Answers
Impressive 63-10 rout over Illinois helps Indiana climb to No. 11, but will it silence the doubters?
SUMMARY: Indiana has spent coach Curt Cignetti’s entire two-year tenure hearing doubters question how good his Hoosiers really were. After making last year’s College Football Playoff with no wins over ranked teams and starting this season with victories over Old Dominion, Kennesaw State and Indiana State, the critics were back. On Saturday, the Hoosiers responded emphatically with a 63-10 rout of No. 9 Illinois — the program’s largest victory margin against a top-10 opponent. It was good enough to send the Hoosiers up eight spots to No. 11. The question is will it put an end to the nonbelievers?
WORDS: 840 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 1:44 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cubs-Reds
Surging Reds blank Cubs, move into tie for NL wild card spot
SUMMARY: The surging Cincinnati Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Sunday and moved into a tie with the New York Mets for the final wild card spot in the National League. The Reds have won a season-high five straight games and six of seven. The Mets lost to the Nationals earlier in the day. Sunday’s game was delayed one hour and 11 minutes by rain. Matt McLain doubled and scored on Gavin Lux’s two-out double to right, putting the Reds ahead 1-0 in the third.
WORDS: 324 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 4:31 p.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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BBO–Blue Jays-Royals
American League-best Blue Jays beat Royals 8-5 and clinch their 1st postseason berth since 2023
SUMMARY: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andres Gimenez drove in two runs apiece as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 8-5 Sunday and clinched a playoff berth. Toronto is the first team in the American League to secure a spot in the playoffs, returning to the postseason for the first time since 2023, and improved its AL-best and AL East-leading record to 90-66. Toronto starter Trey Yesavage worked four innings, allowing four runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two. Seranthony Dominguez (4-4) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win, and Jeff Hoffman recorded his 32nd save of the season.
WORDS: 333 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 4:25 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Giants
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs beat the Giants 22-9 for their first win this season
SUMMARY: Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the New York Giants 22-9 to pick up their first win of the season. Mahomes was 22 of 37 for 224 yards and a touchdown pass to Tyquan Thornton. His vintage performance slinging the ball around helped the Chiefs avoid what would’ve been their first 0-3 start since 2011. Russell Wilson threw two interceptions as the Giants fell to 0-3. Fans chanted for Jaxson Dart, but the first-round pick got only a handful of snaps with Wilson attempting his team’s every pass.
WORDS: 675 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 10:32 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Giants-Thomas Returns
Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas makes his season debut against Chiefs
SUMMARY: Standout left tackle Andrew Thomas made his season debut for the New York Giants in their Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s his first NFL action in more than 11 months. Thomas had not played since injuring his right foot Oct. 13 and undergoing surgery. The 26-year-old began training camp on the physically unable to perform list with the Giants hopeful he could play Week 1. Rehabbing and ramping up wound up taking longer than that, and James Hudson started the first two games in Thomas’ absence.
WORDS: 275 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 6:01 p.m. CDT
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CAR–NASCAR-Title Turnaround
Team Penske turns the tables on Joe Gibbs Racing in 2nd-round opener of NASCAR Cup playoffs
SUMMARY: Joe Gibbs Racing has two drivers feuding, but another pair of teammates were the primary concern after the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. While the JGR Toyotas were struggling and spinning each other Sunday on the 1.058-mile oval, the Team Penske Fords of Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano were dominating at a track with similarities to the 1-mile layout at the championship venue where Penske has won three consecutive titles, Phoenix Raceway.
WORDS: 1063 – MOVED: 09/22/2025 12:49 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BBO–Guardians-Twins
Twins stop Guardians’ 10-game win streak, keep Cleveland from tying for AL Central lead with 6-2 win
SUMMARY: Brooks Lee hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth, pinch-hitter Royce Lewis had a three-run shot in the seventh and the Minnesota Twins ended the Cleveland Guardians’ 10-game winning streak with a 6-2 victory on Sunday. The Guardians lost for only the fourth time in 20 games and missed a chance to pull even with Detroit in the AL Central after the Braves finished off a sweep of the Tigers with a 6-2 victory. Cleveland will host Detroit for three games beginning Tuesday.
WORDS: 387 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 4:19 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Vikings-Defense-Rodgers
Isaiah Rodgers races into Vikings record book with pair of defensive touchdowns vs. Bengals
SUMMARY: Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers became the first player in team history with two defensive touchdowns in the same game. He scored on an 87-yard interception return and a 66-yard fumble return in the first half of a 48-10 win over Cincinnati. Rodgers forced three of the four turnovers by the Bengals. The last NFL player with two defensive touchdowns in the same game was Indianapolis cornerback Kenny Moore with a pair of interception return scores against Carolina in 2023. Rodgers became the 11th player in the Super Bowl era with interception and fumble return TDs in the same game.
WORDS: 588 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 2:07 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Bengals-Record Loss
Bengals set dubious franchise record for most lopsided loss in 38-point drubbing by Vikings
SUMMARY: The Cincinnati Bengals have suffered their most lopsided loss in franchise history. They were beaten 48-10 by the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The Bengals fell behind by 45 points before a meaningless touchdown pass from Jake Browning to Drew Sample in the fourth quarter for the 38-point final margin. That was one point worse than four previous defeats for Cincinnati. The Bengals also matched the largest halftime deficit in franchise history by trailing the Vikings 34-3. They had four of their five turnovers in the first half. Cincinnati lost quarterback Joe Burrow to a toe injury last week.
WORDS: 283 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 3:59 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Bengals-Vikings
Vikings sail past bumbling Bengals 48-10 in Wentz’s debut behind pair of TDs on D by Isaiah Rodgers
SUMMARY: Isaiah Rodgers helped make Carson Wentz’s debut at quarterback for Minnesota a rousing success. Rodgers set a Vikings record with two defensive touchdowns and forced three of Cincinnati’s five turnovers in a 48-10 romp that was the worst loss in Bengals history. Jordan Mason rushed for 116 yards and two scores, Will Reichard made a 62-yard field goal for the longest in Vikings history as the first half ended. Wentz threw for two scores over three quarters. Jake Browning was intercepted twice in a rough start for the Bengals without Joe Burrow in their first game since his toe surgery.
WORDS: 761 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 3:39 p.m. CDT
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BKL—Mercury-Lynx
Williams scores 23 as Lynx win Game 1 of semifinals over Mercury 82-69
SUMMARY: Courtney Williams scored a game-high 23 points, Kayla McBride scored 21, and Napheesa Collier added 18 points and nine rebounds as the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx defeated the Phoenix Mercury 82-69 on Sunday in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinal series. The Lynx trailed by as many as nine and faced a seven-point deficit at halftime. As Phoenix threatened to even the game down the stretch, it was Williams and McBride making big shots to keep the Mercury at bay. Game 2 is Tuesday in Minneapolis before the teams head to Phoenix for Game 3 on Friday. Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 22 points and Alyssa Thomas had 18. Mercury leading scorer Satou Sabally was held to just 10 points.
WORDS: 503 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 6:03 p.m. CDT
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FBN–On Football-Backup QBs
Backup quarterbacks Carson Wentz, Marcus Mariota and Mac Jones had success in Week 3
SUMMARY: Backup quarterbacks had a big day Sunday. Carson Wentz and Marcus Mariota were sharp in leading their teams to lopsided wins as fill-in starters. Mac Jones overcame a costly turnover and engineered a game-winning final drive. Wentz was 14 of 20 for 173 yards and two touchdowns in Minnesota’s 48-10 rout over Cincinnati. Mariota was 15 of 21 for 207 yards and one TD, and also ran for 40 yards and a score in Washington’s 41-24 win against Las Vegas. Jones completed 27 of 41 passes for 284 yards with one TD and one interception in San Francisco’s 16-15 win.
WORDS: 1101 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 11:18 p.m. CDT
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BKL–Fever-Aces
Kelsey Mitchell scores 34 points, leads Fever to Game 1 upset win over Aces, 89-73
SUMMARY: Kelsey Mitchell scored a playoff-career high 34 points and the Indiana Fever beat the Las Vegas Aces 89-73 on Sunday in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinal series. After seeing their double-digit lead shrink to three points with 2:51 left in the third, the Fever closed the quarter on an 11-0 run to extend their advantage to 14 points, seizing control of the game and never looking back. Mitchell, who finished fifth in MVP voting with 93 points, scored 17 points in the first half, setting the tone for the Fever’s offense. The victory spoiled A’ja Wilson’s celebration for becoming the WNBA’s first player to win four MVPs in her career. The 29-year-old, who was also named the AP Player of the Year, finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
WORDS: 504 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 4:08 p.m. CDT
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FBN–NFL-Ireland
Dublin braces for influx of Americans as Steelers-Vikings play Ireland’s 1st regular-season NFL game
SUMMARY: Ireland has sent quite a few of its people to America over the years. The United States will be returning the favor this week. The Steelers-Vikings matchup at Croke Park in Dublin is expected to draw a larger-than-usual chunk of U.S.-based fans compared to other international games. It will be the first NFL regular-season game in Ireland, and all sides are hopeful it could lead to more. That would be good news for fans in the states, who have shown massive interest in this one. The NFL says there’s been a higher proportion of U.S. interest in this one compared to games in other markets.
WORDS: 840 – MOVED: 09/22/2025 12:20 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Brewers-Cardinals
Brewers clinch NL Central despite 5-1 loss to Herrera and the Cardinals
SUMMARY: Iván Herrera hit a two-run homer, José Fermín drove in three runs and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 on Sunday. The Brewers still clinched the NL Central title, but they had to wait until the Chicago Cubs’ 1-0 loss at Cincinnati ended less than a half-hour later. Matthew Liberatore (8-12) held Milwaukee’s lineup in check, striking out six in five innings while allowing just one run. Matt Svanson, Ryan Fernandez and Riley O’Brien combined for four scoreless innings of relief. St. Louis recorded only three hits, but also drew seven walks.
WORDS: 383 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 3:56 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Blue Jays Clinch
Blue Jays are 1st AL team to clinch playoff spot; best record in league, East title still in play
SUMMARY: The Toronto Blue Jays became the first American League team to secure a spot in the postseason with an 8-5 win over the Kansas City Royals. The AL-best and AL East-leading Blue Jays locked up a playoff spot with a week remaining in the regular season after a less-than-stellar start of 16-20 in early May and trailing by as many as eight games in the division in late May. This is Toronto’s third playoff berth in four years and fourth in six seasons. They missed the postseason in 2021 and 2024. Playoff success has been elusive for the Blue Jays, who haven’t won a postseason game since 2016. They are trying to win their first division title since 2015.
WORDS: 518 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 5:33 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Blue Jays-Royals
American League-best Blue Jays beat Royals 8-5 and clinch their 1st postseason berth since 2023
SUMMARY: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andres Gimenez drove in two runs apiece as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 8-5 Sunday and clinched a playoff berth. Toronto is the first team in the American League to secure a spot in the playoffs, returning to the postseason for the first time since 2023, and improved its AL-best and AL East-leading record to 90-66. Toronto starter Trey Yesavage worked four innings, allowing four runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two. Seranthony Dominguez (4-4) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win, and Jeff Hoffman recorded his 32nd save of the season.
WORDS: 333 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 4:25 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Brewers Clinch
Brewers celebrate 3rd straight NL Central title, driven by underdog status
SUMMARY: The Milwaukee Brewers have won their third straight NL Central Division title. The Brewers lost 5-1 in St. Louis on Sunday, but clinched the title courtesy of the Cubs’ 1-0 loss in Cincinnati. Carrying the best record in baseball, the Brewers won their fourth division title in the past five seasons and yet feel like the underdogs as the playoffs loom. Since 2018, the Brewers have lost in the wild-card round four times, in the division series once and in the NL Championship Series once. The franchise’s only pennant came in 1982.
WORDS: 756 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 5:46 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Giants
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs beat the Giants 22-9 for their first win this season
SUMMARY: Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the New York Giants 22-9 to pick up their first win of the season. Mahomes was 22 of 37 for 224 yards and a touchdown pass to Tyquan Thornton. His vintage performance slinging the ball around helped the Chiefs avoid what would’ve been their first 0-3 start since 2011. Russell Wilson threw two interceptions as the Giants fell to 0-3. Fans chanted for Jaxson Dart, but the first-round pick got only a handful of snaps with Wilson attempting his team’s every pass.
WORDS: 675 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 10:32 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Giants-Thomas Returns
Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas makes his season debut against Chiefs
SUMMARY: Standout left tackle Andrew Thomas made his season debut for the New York Giants in their Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s his first NFL action in more than 11 months. Thomas had not played since injuring his right foot Oct. 13 and undergoing surgery. The 26-year-old began training camp on the physically unable to perform list with the Giants hopeful he could play Week 1. Rehabbing and ramping up wound up taking longer than that, and James Hudson started the first two games in Thomas’ absence.
WORDS: 275 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 6:01 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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FBC–T25-AP Poll-Bracket Watch
Texas and Oklahoma would meet again in CFP’s first round on mock bracket based on AP Top 25 poll
SUMMARY: The Red River Rivalry would be played a second time this season with Texas visiting Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff if the bracket were based on the new Associated Press Top 25 poll. The teams earning top-four seeds and first-round byes would remain the same as last week but in a different order. Ohio State would continue to be No. 1 followed by No. 2 Miami, No. 3 Penn State and No. 4 LSU. Oklahoma and Texas Tech are on the bracket for the first time this season and Illinois and Iowa State are off.
WORDS: 543 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 1:47 p.m. CDT
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FBC–T25-College Football Poll
Miami jumps to No. 2 behind Ohio State in AP Top 25, Oklahoma into top 10
SUMMARY: Miami jumped LSU and Penn State into the No. 2 spot behind Ohio State in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll. Oklahoma is in the top 10 for the first time in two years and Indiana and Texas Tech made big moves after lopsided wins over ranked opponents. Miami has its highest ranking since 2017. Penn State, which had been No. 2 since the preseason, was idle and slipped to No. 3. LSU fell one spot to No. 4 after an easy win. Georgia, Oregon, Oklahoma, Florida State, Texas A&M and Texas round out the top 10.
WORDS: 784 – MOVED: 09/21/2025 1:04 p.m. CDT
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