Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Election 2025-Decision Notes-Iowa
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Iowa’s state Senate special election
SUMMARY: Voters in a Democratic-leaning West Des Moines-area district will pick a new state senator Tuesday in a special election that could allow Iowa Republicans to regain a supermajority in the chamber. Democrat Renee Hardman and Republican Lucas Loftin are the nominees to replace three-term Democratic state Sen. Claire Celsi, who died Oct. 6. Republicans hold a lopsided 33-16 advantage in the state Senate, one seat shy of the 34 needed for a supermajority. Iowa Democrats broke the GOP’s lock on the chamber in an August special election.
WORDS: 647 – MOVED: 12/29/2025 6:01 a.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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US–Winter Weather
Winter storm sweeps across US with snow, ice and severe weather
SUMMARY: A powerful winter storm driven by a rapidly intensifying cyclone is sweeping east from the Plains, bringing heavy snow, ice and rain to much of the country. Forecasters warned of possible blizzard conditions and whiteouts in parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, where snowfall could exceed a foot and reach 2 feet near Lake Superior. The system is expected to deliver freezing rain in New England, thunderstorms across the South and East, and widespread strong winds. The storm follows some flight disruptions during the busy holiday travel period.
WORDS: 723 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 8:34 a.m. CST
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US–Winter Weather
Winter storm brings blizzard conditions and dangerous wind chills to the Midwest
SUMMARY: A powerful winter storm is moving northeast, bringing snow, ice, rain, and strong winds. The National Weather Service warns of blizzard conditions and treacherous travel. Snow and winds spread across the Upper Midwest with two feet of snow falling in at least one location in Michigan. Dangerous wind chills are expected in North Dakota and Minnesota. Meanwhile, the South is experiencing severe thunderstorms and a sharp cold front, ending record warmth. Temperatures in cities like Atlanta and Dallas are set to drop significantly by Tuesday. The storm is intensifying as it moves east.
WORDS: 693 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 10:54 p.m. CST
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NORTH DAKOTA
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US–Winter Weather
Winter storm sweeps across US with snow, ice and severe weather
SUMMARY: A powerful winter storm driven by a rapidly intensifying cyclone is sweeping east from the Plains, bringing heavy snow, ice and rain to much of the country. Forecasters warned of possible blizzard conditions and whiteouts in parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, where snowfall could exceed a foot and reach 2 feet near Lake Superior. The system is expected to deliver freezing rain in New England, thunderstorms across the South and East, and widespread strong winds. The storm follows some flight disruptions during the busy holiday travel period.
WORDS: 723 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 8:34 a.m. CST
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US–Winter Weather
Winter storm brings blizzard conditions and dangerous wind chills to the Midwest
SUMMARY: A powerful winter storm is moving northeast, bringing snow, ice, rain, and strong winds. The National Weather Service warns of blizzard conditions and treacherous travel. Snow and winds spread across the Upper Midwest with two feet of snow falling in at least one location in Michigan. Dangerous wind chills are expected in North Dakota and Minnesota. Meanwhile, the South is experiencing severe thunderstorms and a sharp cold front, ending record warmth. Temperatures in cities like Atlanta and Dallas are set to drop significantly by Tuesday. The storm is intensifying as it moves east.
WORDS: 693 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 10:54 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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BKC–Louisiana-Monroe-Kansas State
Haggerty erupts for 23 second-half points as Kansas State takes down Louisiana-Monroe, 94-85
SUMMARY: PJ Haggerty scored 23 of his 24 points in the second half as Kansas State held on to defeat Louisiana-Monroe, 94-85 on Sunday. Haggerty, who was third in the nation in scoring (22.8 points per game) entering the game, was 0-for-6 from the field in the first half. He went 7-for-10 (9-for-9 on free throws) the rest of the way to earn his ninth 20-point game of the year. He also grabbed eight rebounds to pace K-State. Nate Johnson added 14 points and Abdi Bashir Jr. scored 11 for the Wildcats (9-4) as they finished their non-conference slate on a four-game winning streak. The Warhawks (3-11) were led by Krystian Lewis (25 points) and Lavell Brodnex (21 points, eight rebounds), and MJ Russell chipped in with 17 points.
WORDS: 286 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 3:31 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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BKC–North Central (MN)-St. Thomas
Minessale scores 22, St. Thomas defeats D-III North Central (MN) 105-59
SUMMARY: Led by Nolan Minessale’s 22 points, the St. Thomas Tommies defeated the Division-III North Central (MN) Rams 105-59. Jermaine Coleman and Carter Bjerke scored 14 points apiece for St. Thomas. Elijah Smith led North Central with nine points. The Tommies are now 11-4 on the season.
WORDS: 115 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 3:22 p.m. CST
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HKO-World-Junior
Pettersson’s 2-goal third period helps Sweden outlast Switzerland 4-2
SUMMARY: Lucas Pettersson netted two third-period goals to lead Sweden over Switzerland 4-2 in preliminary play of the World Junior Championships on Sunday.
WORDS: 219 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 3:55 p.m. CST
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HKO-World-Junior-Finland-Latvia
Hemming scores twice as Finland pummels Latvia 8-0 in World Junior Championship
SUMMARY: Emil Hemming scored twice as Finland dominated Latvia 8-0 in preliminary-round play at the World Junior Championship on Sunday.
WORDS: 235 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 6:09 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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BKC–Principia-Saint Louis
Brown’s 15 lead Saint Louis over Division-III Principia 114-33
SUMMARY: Led by Dion Brown’s 15 points, the Saint Louis Billikens defeated the Division-III Principia Panthers 114-33. Kellen Thames scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Saint Louis. Caleb White led Principia with 10 points. The Billikens are now 12-1 on the season.
WORDS: 187 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 4:49 p.m. CST
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NORTH DAKOTA
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BKC–Dakota State-North Dakota
Bothun’s 15 help North Dakota knock off Dakota State 88-56
SUMMARY: Led by Matthew Bothun’s 15 points, the North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks defeated the Dakota State Trojans 88-56. Marley Curtis and Zach Kraft added 11 points apiece for North Dakota. Lukas Morgan finished with 13 points and Tyler Beckwith added 11 points for Dakota State, a member of the NAIA. The Fightin’ Hawks are now 6-10 on the season.
WORDS: 134 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 4:52 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–76ers-Thunder
Holmgren scores 29, Thunder end 2-game skid with a 129-104 win over the 76ers
SUMMARY: Chet Holmgren had 29 points and nine rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away in the second half for a 129-104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, ending a two-game skid. Holmgren made 12 of 17 shots, including 2 of 4 from 3-point-range, for Oklahoma City (27-5), which was coming off consecutive losses to the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder shot 50 for 87 (57%). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 points, five assists and two steals, and Jalen Williams added 14 points and six assists for the NBA-leading Thunder (27-5). Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points, Quentin Grimes had 13 and former Oklahoma City star Paul George added 12 for Philadelphia
WORDS: 323 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 5:16 p.m. CST
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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BKC–Mount Marty-South Dakota
Bruns scores 23 as South Dakota defeats NAIA-member Mount Marty 85-61
SUMMARY: Led by Isaac Bruns’ 23 points, the South Dakota Coyotes defeated the Mount Marty Lancers 85-61. Jordan Crawford added 17 points and eight rebounds for South Dakota. Sutton Arend led NAIA-member Mount Marty with 17 points and seven rebounds. The Coyotes are now 8-7 on the season.
WORDS: 124 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 3:48 p.m. CST
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BKC–Dakota State-North Dakota
Bothun’s 15 help North Dakota knock off Dakota State 88-56
SUMMARY: Led by Matthew Bothun’s 15 points, the North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks defeated the Dakota State Trojans 88-56. Marley Curtis and Zach Kraft added 11 points apiece for North Dakota. Lukas Morgan finished with 13 points and Tyler Beckwith added 11 points for Dakota State, a member of the NAIA. The Fightin’ Hawks are now 6-10 on the season.
WORDS: 134 – MOVED: 12/28/2025 4:52 p.m. CST
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