Great Plains News Digest
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MINNESOTA
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US–Election 2026-Minnesota-Governor
Walz, Democrats’ 2024 VP pick, drops bid for third term as Minnesota governor; Klobuchar considers
SUMMARY: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is ending his bid for a third term as governor amid President Donald Trump’s relentless focus on a fraud investigation into child care programs in the state. Less than four months after announcing his reelection campaign, Walz said Monday that the issue and Republican attacks make it too hard to serve full-time as governor and be a candidate for another term. A person close to Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she’s considering running for governor. Around a dozen Republicans are already in the race. Walz helped enact a sweeping liberal agenda in Minnesota despite a closely divided legislature. The state leans Democratic, but Trump in 2024 narrowed the GOP’s usual vote deficit.
WORDS: 1165 – MOVED: 01/05/2026 8:10 a.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKW–T25-Baylor-Iowa St
Taliah Scott’s late shot lifts No. 22 Baylor over No. 10 Iowa State 72-70
SUMMARY: Taliah Scott hit the winning shot with 2.9 seconds left and scored all 21 of her points in the second half, leading No. 22 Baylor past No. 10 Iowa State 72-70. It was the Cyclones’ first loss this season. Scott got a wide-open look from the left elbow and a pass to Audi Crooks in the post was knocked away on Iowa State’s last possession. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs had 12 of her 13 points in the first quarter and matched her career high with 20 rebounds for Baylor. Jayda Williams scored a career-high 28 points and Crooks had 26 for Iowa State.
WORDS: 359 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 4:44 p.m. CST
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BKC–Indiana State-Drake
Quinn’s 18 help Drake take down Indiana State 74-72
SUMMARY: Led by Jalen Quinn’s 18 points, the Drake Bulldogs defeated the Indiana State Sycamores 74-72 on Sunday. The Bulldogs are now 8-7 on the season, while the Sycamores moved to 8-8.
WORDS: 183 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 5:22 p.m. CST
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BKC–Northern Iowa-Evansville
Schwieger scores 14 as Northern Iowa defeats Evansville 62-48
SUMMARY: Led by Ben Schwieger’s 14 points, the Northern Iowa Panthers defeated the Evansville Purple Aces 62-48 on Sunday. The Panthers moved to 12-3 with the win and the Purple Aces fell to 4-12.
WORDS: 169 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 5:41 p.m. CST
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FBC–Iowa-Wetjen-Jet Award
Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen is the repeat winner of the Jet Award as the top return specialist in the nation
SUMMARY: Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen was named winner of the Jet Award as the top return specialist in college football for the second straight year. He is the first repeat winner in the 15-year history of the award. He led the nation in total punt and kickoff return yards. He ran back 21 punts for 563 yards and 16 kickoffs for 476 yards. His four special teams returns for touchdowns also led the country. He was the first player in the nation since at least 2009 to score a rushing, receiving, kickoff return and punt return touchdown in the same season.
WORDS: 232 – MOVED: 01/05/2026 10:54 a.m. CST
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FBC–Transfer Portal Roundup
QB Rocco Becht following Matt Campbell to Penn State with Grunkemeyer reportedly heading to Va. Tech
SUMMARY: Rocco Becht has announced he will follow coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions a veteran quarterback to replace Ethan Grunkemeyer. Becht stated his decision in a social media post late Sunday. Multiple media outlets report Grunkemeyer will reunite with James Franklin at Virginia Tech. Grunkemeyer started seven games after Drew Allar was injured. Those transfers follow Drew Mestemaker’s weekend decision to join Eric Morris at Oklahoma State.
WORDS: 523 – MOVED: 01/05/2026 10:44 a.m. CST
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KANSAS
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BBO–Royals-Quatraro
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro agrees to 3-year contract extension though 2029
SUMMARY: Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro has agreed to a three-year contract extension though 2029. His deal includes a team option for 2030. Quatraro replaced Mike Matheny after the 2022 season and has led the Royals to a 224-262 record in three years. Kansas City improved from 56-106 during Quatraro’s first season to 86-76 in 2024, and the Royals then went 82-80 last year for their first consecutive winning seasons since 2013-15. Quatraro finished second to Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt in 2024 AL Manager of the Year voting.
WORDS: 111 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 1:35 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Raiders
Daniel Carlson hits 60-yard field goal to lift Raiders over Chiefs, 14-12
SUMMARY: Daniel Carlson made a career-long 60-yard field goal with eight seconds left to give the Las Vegas Raiders a 14-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. This win ended the Raiders’ 10-game losing streak. Carlson outperformed Harrison Butker, who also made four field goals. The Raiders secured their first victory over the Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Ashton Jeanty rushed for 87 yards. The Raiders already had the top pick in the NFL draft after the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys. The future of Raiders coach Pete Carroll remains uncertain.
WORDS: 930 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 6:41 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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BKC–Denver-St. Thomas
Janowski scores 31, St. Thomas beats Denver 92-88
SUMMARY: Led by Nick Janowski’s 31 points, the St. Thomas Tommies defeated the Denver Pioneers 92-88. Zane Nelson led the way for the Pioneers with 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists. St. Thomas has won six straight games.
WORDS: 131 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 2:56 p.m. CST
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OLY–SPD-Speedskating-US Trials
Jordan Stolz starts but doesn’t race the 1,500 after being fastest at 500 at the US Olympic trials
SUMMARY: Star speedskater Jordan Stolz figures some extra rest is more important than competing in an event he didn’t need to with an Olympic berth already assured. So after finishing first in the 500 meters at the U.S. trials Sunday, he has decided to just line up at the start of the 1,500 meters instead of actually racing. Stolz already was prequalified for the Milan Cortina Olympics in four events based on World Cup results: 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters, plus the mass start. That means he only needed to participate at the trials in each of those races to make his spots official for the Feb. 6-22 Winter Games.
WORDS: 697 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 2:58 p.m. CST
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FBN–Vikings-Jefferson-1000 Yards
Vikings get Justin Jefferson past the 1,000-yard mark in the final game of a trying season
SUMMARY: Justin Jefferson finally passed the 1,000-yard mark in the last game of the season for the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson hit the milestone on his fifth catch on Sunday against the rival Green Bay Packers after a simple hitch route he turned into a 17-yard gain. The four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver has reached 1,000 yards in each of his six NFL seasons. The only other players in league history to do so were Randy Moss and Mike Evans. Jefferson already has the most receiving yardage all time over a player’s first six years.
WORDS: 343 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 1:24 p.m. CST
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HKW–Frost-Victoire
Marie-Philip Poulin scores twice as Victoire rally to beat the Frost 3-2 in overtime
SUMMARY: Abby Roque tied it with 29 seconds left with goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens off for an extra attacker, Marie-Philip Poulin scored her second goal of the game 3:12 into overtime and the Montreal Victoire beat the Minnesota Frost 3-2 on Sunday. Poulin skated through the defense and beat goalie Maddie Rooney with a backhander in front of a capacity crowd of 10,172 at Place Bell. Poulin also assisted on Roque’s goal, and Ann-Renée Desbiens made 19 saves. Montreal snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 3-2-0-4. Kendall Coyne Schofield scored her PWHL-leading eighth goal to give Minnesota the lead with 1:50 left. Mae Batherson also scored for Minnesota, and Rooney made 35 saves. The Frost are 4-1-2-3.
WORDS: 197 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 4:21 p.m. CST
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FBN–Packers-Vikings
Vikings cruise past resting Packers 16-3 for 5th straight win as McCarthy exits again with injury
SUMMARY: J.J. McCarthy had a productive first half before he was injured again, fullback C.J. Ham rushed for a short touchdown, and the Minnesota Vikings finished a frustrating season by beating the resting Green Bay Packers 16-3. Green Bay was locked into the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs and had nothing to play for. McCarthy went 14 for 23 for 182 yards passing. He pulled himself out after his first throw of the third quarter so the athletic training staff could examine his right hand and did not return. The Vikings closed the season with five straight wins to finish 9-8.
WORDS: 759 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 3:08 p.m. CST
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FBN–Vikings McCarthy
McCarthy gives Vikings another mixed-bag performance in season finale, including another injury exit
SUMMARY: The final game of J.J. McCarthy’s first year as the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback was a fitting end to his roller-coaster season. There was some good, some bad and more injury concerns that leave the Vikings continuing to wonder if he’s their franchise quarterback. McCarthy completed 14 of 23 passes for 182 yards in just over a half as the Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers 16-3. The second-year quarterback pulled himself out of the game early in the third quarter after his throwing hand that was diagnosed recently with a hairline fracture worsened.
WORDS: 693 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 5:58 p.m. CST
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BKN–Timberwolves-Wizards
Anthony Edwards scores 35 points as Timberwolves rip Wizards, 141-115
SUMMARY: Anthony Edwards scored 35 points, Julius Randle added 22, and the Minnesota Timberwolves completed a season sweep of the Washington Wizards with a 141-115 rout. CJ McCollum had 20 points to lead Washington, which at 9-25 has the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. Rudy Gobert had 18 points and 14 rebounds for his 15th double-double of the season for Minnesota, which outscored Washington 76-48 in the paint. Minnesota had its third 140-plus-point game of the season, while the Wizards allowed 140-plus for the fourth time.
WORDS: 325 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 7:31 p.m. CST
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HKO–World Junior
Czechia beats Canada 6-4 in world junior hockey to set up all-European final with Sweden
SUMMARY: Tomas Poletin scored on a deflection off his skate with 1:14 left and Czechia beat Canada 6-4 on Sunday night to advance to face Sweden in the first all-European world junior hockey final since 2016. Earlier, Anton Frondell scored in the eighth round of a shootout to give Sweden a 4-3 victory over Finland. The final is Monday night. In the last all-European final, Finland beat Russia 4-3 in overtime in Helsinki in 2016. Czechia and Sweden are each trying to win their third title. Czechia won in 2000 and 2001, and Sweden in 1981 and 2012. Poletin scored 1:27 after Porter Martone tied it for 20-time champion Canada. Vojtech Cihar scored twice for Czechia.
WORDS: 605 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 7:11 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Royals-Quatraro
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro agrees to 3-year contract extension though 2029
SUMMARY: Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro has agreed to a three-year contract extension though 2029. His deal includes a team option for 2030. Quatraro replaced Mike Matheny after the 2022 season and has led the Royals to a 224-262 record in three years. Kansas City improved from 56-106 during Quatraro’s first season to 86-76 in 2024, and the Royals then went 82-80 last year for their first consecutive winning seasons since 2013-15. Quatraro finished second to Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt in 2024 AL Manager of the Year voting.
WORDS: 111 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 1:35 p.m. CST
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BKC–New Mexico State-Missouri State
Williams’ 32 lead Missouri State past New Mexico State 89-82
SUMMARY: The Missouri State Bears defeated the New Mexico State Aggies 89-82 on Sunday led by Kobi Williams’ 32 points. The Bears moved to 9-5 with the win and the Aggies dropped to 8-5.
WORDS: 185 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 4:36 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Raiders
Daniel Carlson hits 60-yard field goal to lift Raiders over Chiefs, 14-12
SUMMARY: Daniel Carlson made a career-long 60-yard field goal with eight seconds left to give the Las Vegas Raiders a 14-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. This win ended the Raiders’ 10-game losing streak. Carlson outperformed Harrison Butker, who also made four field goals. The Raiders secured their first victory over the Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Ashton Jeanty rushed for 87 yards. The Raiders already had the top pick in the NFL draft after the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys. The future of Raiders coach Pete Carroll remains uncertain.
WORDS: 930 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 6:41 p.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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FBC–Iowa-Wetjen-Jet Award
Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen is the repeat winner of the Jet Award as the top return specialist in the nation
SUMMARY: Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen was named winner of the Jet Award as the top return specialist in college football for the second straight year. He is the first repeat winner in the 15-year history of the award. He led the nation in total punt and kickoff return yards. He ran back 21 punts for 563 yards and 16 kickoffs for 476 yards. His four special teams returns for touchdowns also led the country. He was the first player in the nation since at least 2009 to score a rushing, receiving, kickoff return and punt return touchdown in the same season.
WORDS: 232 – MOVED: 01/05/2026 10:54 a.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKC–Tulsa-North Texas
Stevenson scores 21 in North Texas’ 72-67 victory against Tulsa
SUMMARY: Led by Je’Shawn Stevenson’s 21 points, the North Texas Mean Green defeated the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 72-67 on Sunday. The Mean Green are now 10-5 with the victory and the Golden Hurricane dropped to 13-2.
WORDS: 162 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 5:43 p.m. CST
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BKN–Thunder-Suns
Devin Booker hits a 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left to lift Suns over NBA-best Thunder 108-105
SUMMARY: Devin Booker hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds remaining, Jordan Goodwin scored 26 points with a career-high eight 3-pointers and the Phoenix Suns beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-105. Booker took the late inbounds pass and drilled the long 3-pointer over Alex Caruso, shaking a season-long slump from long range. Ajay Mitchell missed a corner 3 at the buzzer that would have tied. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 25 points. The Suns — who trailed by 18 in the second quarter — won despite coughing up a late four-point lead.
WORDS: 358 – MOVED: 01/04/2026 9:57 p.m. CST
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FBC–Transfer Portal Roundup
QB Rocco Becht following Matt Campbell to Penn State with Grunkemeyer reportedly heading to Va. Tech
SUMMARY: Rocco Becht has announced he will follow coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions a veteran quarterback to replace Ethan Grunkemeyer. Becht stated his decision in a social media post late Sunday. Multiple media outlets report Grunkemeyer will reunite with James Franklin at Virginia Tech. Grunkemeyer started seven games after Drew Allar was injured. Those transfers follow Drew Mestemaker’s weekend decision to join Eric Morris at Oklahoma State.
WORDS: 523 – MOVED: 01/05/2026 10:44 a.m. CST
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