Great Plains News Digest
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KANSAS
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US–Government Shutdown-Utility Freeze
Government shutdown threatens to delay home heating aid for millions of low-income families
SUMMARY: Millions of low-income families may face delays in receiving home heating aid due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The federally funded heating and cooling assistance program, known as LIHEAP, serves 5.9 million households. Many of these families are also at risk of losing federal food benefits. States like Pennsylvania and Minnesota have warned applicants about potential delays in receiving heating benefits this winter. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services blames the delay and government shutdown on congressional Democrats. As temperatures drop, advocates worry the delay could have serious impacts on vulnerable households.
WORDS: 1169 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 6:31 a.m. CST
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US–Government Shutdown-Head Start
Some Head Start preschools shutter as government shutdown continues
SUMMARY: The government shutdown is triggering a wave of closures of Head Start centers, leaving many working parents scrambling for child care and shutting some of the nation’s neediest children out of preschool. Dozens of centers are missing out on federal grant payments that were due to arrive Nov. 1. Some say they’ll close indefinitely, while others are staying afloat with emergency funding from local governments and school districts. The closures mean Head Start children — who come from low-income households, are homeless or are in foster care — are missing out on preschool. But they are missing the two meals a day they receive at school, plus therapy sessions vital to their development.
WORDS: 972 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 11:02 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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US–Government Shutdown-Utility Freeze
Government shutdown threatens to delay home heating aid for millions of low-income families
SUMMARY: Millions of low-income families may face delays in receiving home heating aid due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The federally funded heating and cooling assistance program, known as LIHEAP, serves 5.9 million households. Many of these families are also at risk of losing federal food benefits. States like Pennsylvania and Minnesota have warned applicants about potential delays in receiving heating benefits this winter. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services blames the delay and government shutdown on congressional Democrats. As temperatures drop, advocates worry the delay could have serious impacts on vulnerable households.
WORDS: 1169 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 6:31 a.m. CST
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US–Election 2025-What to Know
What’s on the ballot in the first general election since Donald Trump became president
SUMMARY: Donald Trump features prominently in state and local elections happening Tuesday, a year after he retook the White House. These elections are the first general contests of his second term. The results could either support or challenge his agenda. Key races include the governor’s seats in Virginia and New Jersey, the New York City mayoral race, and a California proposition on redistricting. More than half of the states have contests. The outcomes could indicate voter sentiment toward Trump’s presidency and influence future political strategies.
WORDS: 931 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 11:05 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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US–Government Shutdown-Head Start
Some Head Start preschools shutter as government shutdown continues
SUMMARY: The government shutdown is triggering a wave of closures of Head Start centers, leaving many working parents scrambling for child care and shutting some of the nation’s neediest children out of preschool. Dozens of centers are missing out on federal grant payments that were due to arrive Nov. 1. Some say they’ll close indefinitely, while others are staying afloat with emergency funding from local governments and school districts. The closures mean Head Start children — who come from low-income households, are homeless or are in foster care — are missing out on preschool. But they are missing the two meals a day they receive at school, plus therapy sessions vital to their development.
WORDS: 972 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 11:02 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Government Shutdown-Head Start
Some Head Start preschools shutter as government shutdown continues
SUMMARY: The government shutdown is triggering a wave of closures of Head Start centers, leaving many working parents scrambling for child care and shutting some of the nation’s neediest children out of preschool. Dozens of centers are missing out on federal grant payments that were due to arrive Nov. 1. Some say they’ll close indefinitely, while others are staying afloat with emergency funding from local governments and school districts. The closures mean Head Start children — who come from low-income households, are homeless or are in foster care — are missing out on preschool. But they are missing the two meals a day they receive at school, plus therapy sessions vital to their development.
WORDS: 972 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 11:02 p.m. CST
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US–Government Shutdown-Food Aid
Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded in November
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump’s administration says it will partially fund the SNAP food aid program in November after two federal judges required the payments to continue. That means grocery aid will resume for 1 in 8 Americans, though it has been delayed for millions already and the amount beneficiaries receive will be reduced. The U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier said it would not continue the funding in November due to the government shutdown. Two federal judges ruled last week that the government was required to keep the program running. But both gave the administration leeway to pay for it entirely or partially. It can take up two two weeks to load beneficiaries’ debit cards.
WORDS: 679 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 11:09 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKC–Tipoff-Teams To Watch
These teams that failed to make the 2025 NCAA Tournament could be dangerous this season
SUMMARY: One way to rebuild a team that failed to make the NCAA Tournament is to add a bunch of transfers with March Madness experience at their former schools. That’s the route Will Wade took once he took over NC State’s program. The Wolfpack added nine Division I transfers. Wade noted that six of his newcomers came from schools that won NCAA Tournament games last season. NC State heads our list of potentially dangerous teams that failed to reach the NCAA Tournament last season.
WORDS: 915 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 9:33 p.m. CST
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KANSAS
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SOC–NWSL Roundup
Kansas City Current close out record-setting season with 2-1 win over San Diego Wave
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Current closed out their record-breaking regular season with a 2-1 home win over the San Diego Wave on Sunday and the team now heads into the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs as the top seed. The regular season finale, known as Decision Day, saw all but one of the league’s games played simultaneously. The results set the seeding for the playoffs, with eight of the NWSL’s 14 teams advancing to the postseason. The Current will face Gotham in the quarterfinals, which start next season.
WORDS: 807 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 8:10 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Bills
Allen has 3 TDs and Bills use sturdy defense to top Mahomes and Chiefs 28-21
SUMMARY: Josh Allen had a touchdown pass and two TD runs to outduel Patrick Mahomes and the Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28-21 in a rematch of last season’s AFC championship game. James Cook had 114 yards rushing and Buffalo’s defense did the rest in harassing Mahomes, who was sacked three times, hit 15 more and finished with the worst completion percentage of his career. The game was decided in the final 17 seconds when Mahomes threw three straight incompletions from Buffalo’s 40. Buffalo improved to 6-2, while Kansas City dropped to 5-4.
WORDS: 948 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 6:43 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Mahomes Struggles
Patrick Mahomes has one of his worst passing performances in Chiefs’ 28-21 loss to Bills
SUMMARY: Patrick Mahomes wasn’t in the mood to look too far ahead following one of the worst passing performances of his career in Kansas City’s 28-21 loss to Buffalo. And that was especially true when the topic came to the potential of another rematch against the Bills in the playoffs. Mahomes said the Chiefs have to get there first. Mahomes finished 15 of 34 for 250 yards while completing fewer than 50% of attempts for the first time in his nine-year career. And the Chiefs dropped to 5-4 in entering their bye week. The Chiefs have lost five straight regular-season meetings against Buffalo.
WORDS: 777 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 9:31 p.m. CST
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BKC–Tipoff-Teams To Watch
These teams that failed to make the 2025 NCAA Tournament could be dangerous this season
SUMMARY: One way to rebuild a team that failed to make the NCAA Tournament is to add a bunch of transfers with March Madness experience at their former schools. That’s the route Will Wade took once he took over NC State’s program. The Wolfpack added nine Division I transfers. Wade noted that six of his newcomers came from schools that won NCAA Tournament games last season. NC State heads our list of potentially dangerous teams that failed to reach the NCAA Tournament last season.
WORDS: 915 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 9:33 p.m. CST
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BBO–Free Agents
Michael King, Michael Lorenzen and Mitch Garver become free agents after mutual options are declined
SUMMARY: Pitchers Michael King and Michael Lorenzen along with catcher Mitch Garver have become free agents after their mutual options for 2026 were declined. King had a one-year contract with San Diego, going 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA this year. Lorenzen signed with Kansas City last offseason and had a 7-11 record and a 4.64 ERA. Garver joined Seattle in December 2023 and hit .209 with nine homers this year. A total of 140 players have become free agents following the World Series, with nearly 60 more potentially joining them by Thursday, depending on option decisions.
WORDS: 477 – MOVED: 11/03/2025 10:46 a.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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FBN–Lions-Goff Struggles
Lions QB Jared Goff takes his share of blame for Detroit’s loss to the Vikings
SUMMARY: Jared Goff knows he didn’t have a great game. The Detroit Lions quarterback wasn’t about to let coach Dan Campbell shoulder all the blame for Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. On paper, Goff’s numbers weren’t bad. He completed 25 of 37 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. But he took a season-high five sacks, and the Lions went just 5 of 17 on third down. Detroit’s running game also struggled, leaving Goff in third-and-long situations against the Vikings’ strong pass rush.
WORDS: 650 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 4:45 p.m. CST
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BKN–Timberwolves-Edwards
Timberwolves clear Anthony Edwards for contact activity on court, still out vs. Nets
SUMMARY: Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been cleared for contact activities on the court. The three-time All-Star is not quite ready for game action one week after he strained his right hamstring. The Timberwolves announced that Edwards would remain out for their game at Brooklyn on Monday as he continues to progress through his rehabilitation program. Minnesota plays at New York on Wednesday and hosts Utah on Friday, followed by back-to-back road games at Sacramento on Sunday and Utah next Monday. Edwards was injured about three minutes into the team’s home opener on Oct. 26 against Indiana.
WORDS: 139 – MOVED: 11/03/2025 10:17 a.m. CST
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FBN–Vikings-Lions
J.J. McCarthy throws for 2 TDs and runs for a score in his return as Vikings beat Lions 27-24
SUMMARY: J.J. McCarthy threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score in his return from an ankle injury, leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 27-24 win over the Detroit Lions. McCarthy sealed the victory by throwing a 16-yard pass to Jalen Nailor on third-and-5 from the Minnesota 28, a play that allowed Minnesota to run out the clock. He threw both of his scoring passes in the first quarter and his 9-yard run midway through the third gave the Vikings a 24-14 lead. Jared Goff threw a touchdown pass to Jameson Williams as the Lions tried to rally, but they kicked off and didn’t get the ball back.
WORDS: 682 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 3:34 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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SOC–NWSL Roundup
Kansas City Current close out record-setting season with 2-1 win over San Diego Wave
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Current closed out their record-breaking regular season with a 2-1 home win over the San Diego Wave on Sunday and the team now heads into the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs as the top seed. The regular season finale, known as Decision Day, saw all but one of the league’s games played simultaneously. The results set the seeding for the playoffs, with eight of the NWSL’s 14 teams advancing to the postseason. The Current will face Gotham in the quarterfinals, which start next season.
WORDS: 807 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 8:10 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Bills
Allen has 3 TDs and Bills use sturdy defense to top Mahomes and Chiefs 28-21
SUMMARY: Josh Allen had a touchdown pass and two TD runs to outduel Patrick Mahomes and the Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28-21 in a rematch of last season’s AFC championship game. James Cook had 114 yards rushing and Buffalo’s defense did the rest in harassing Mahomes, who was sacked three times, hit 15 more and finished with the worst completion percentage of his career. The game was decided in the final 17 seconds when Mahomes threw three straight incompletions from Buffalo’s 40. Buffalo improved to 6-2, while Kansas City dropped to 5-4.
WORDS: 948 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 6:43 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Mahomes Struggles
Patrick Mahomes has one of his worst passing performances in Chiefs’ 28-21 loss to Bills
SUMMARY: Patrick Mahomes wasn’t in the mood to look too far ahead following one of the worst passing performances of his career in Kansas City’s 28-21 loss to Buffalo. And that was especially true when the topic came to the potential of another rematch against the Bills in the playoffs. Mahomes said the Chiefs have to get there first. Mahomes finished 15 of 34 for 250 yards while completing fewer than 50% of attempts for the first time in his nine-year career. And the Chiefs dropped to 5-4 in entering their bye week. The Chiefs have lost five straight regular-season meetings against Buffalo.
WORDS: 777 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 9:31 p.m. CST
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BBO–Gold Gloves
Ian Happ wins again as the Chicago Cubs earn a major league-high 3 Gold Glove awards
SUMMARY: The Chicago Cubs had a major league-high three Gold Glove winners this year, with Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner all taking home baseball’s most famous fielding honor. It was the first Gold Glove for Crow-Armstrong, part of a breakout season for the All-Star center fielder. Happ won for the fourth consecutive year in left field, and it was the second Gold Glove for Hoerner at second base. Kansas City, Boston and San Francisco each had two winners. Eight players earned the award for the first time. Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia of the Royals became the first shortstop-third baseman teammates to win in the same season since J.J. Hardy and Manny Machado for the Orioles in 2013.
WORDS: 520 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 9:00 p.m. CST
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BBO–Free Agents
Michael King, Michael Lorenzen and Mitch Garver become free agents after mutual options are declined
SUMMARY: Pitchers Michael King and Michael Lorenzen along with catcher Mitch Garver have become free agents after their mutual options for 2026 were declined. King had a one-year contract with San Diego, going 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA this year. Lorenzen signed with Kansas City last offseason and had a 7-11 record and a 4.64 ERA. Garver joined Seattle in December 2023 and hit .209 with nine homers this year. A total of 140 players have become free agents following the World Series, with nearly 60 more potentially joining them by Thursday, depending on option decisions.
WORDS: 477 – MOVED: 11/03/2025 10:46 a.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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FBC–Nebraska-Raiola Injury
Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola will miss the rest of the season with an injury to his lower right leg
SUMMARY: Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola will miss the rest of the season due to a lower right leg injury. Coach Matt Rhule announced this on Sunday. Raiola was injured during the Cornhuskers’ 21-17 loss to Southern California. Freshman TJ Lateef took over for the final four possessions and is expected to start against UCLA on Saturday night. Raiola, who has started 22 straight games, has completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was hurt while being sacked and fumbled with Nebraska leading 14-6. Despite wanting to return, medical staff advised against it.
WORDS: 274 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 2:22 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–Pelicans-Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 30 points to help keep Thunder unbeaten, Pelicans winless
SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 137-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Thunder improved to 7-0. Gilgeous-Alexander hit 8 of 14 field goals and all 13 of his free throws in 30 minutes. Isaiah Hartenstein added 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder. Oklahoma City shot 56% from the field and had eight players score in double figures. Despite missing key players, Oklahoma City held a 36-point lead in the fourth quarter. Zion Williamson scored 20 points for New Orleans, which fell to 0-6.
WORDS: 405 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 5:11 p.m. CST
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BKN-Gilgeous-Alexander-Home-Burglary
NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says ‘loved ones are safe’ following Oklahoma home break-in
SUMMARY: The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says he and his family are safe following a break-in at his Oklahoma City-area home last week. After the Thunder’s game Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans, Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters: “Long story short, everybody’s safe, and that’s all that really matters in the whole thing.” Police in the small enclave of Nichols Hills have not released any new information since the reported burglary last Thursday. A telephone message left Sunday with Nichols Hills Police Chief Steven Cox was not immediately returned. The break-in mirrored a slew of burglaries at the homes of well-known professional athletes across the U.S. in recent months.
WORDS: 334 – MOVED: 11/02/2025 6:50 p.m. CST
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