Great Plains News Digest
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MINNESOTA
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Attorney
Government lawyer yanked from immigration detail in Minnesota after telling judge ‘this job sucks’
SUMMARY: A government lawyer who told a judge that her job “sucks” during a court hearing stemming from the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota has been removed from her Justice Department post. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. The person said Julie Le had been working for the Justice Department on a detail from another government agency, but the U.S. attorney in Minnesota ended her detail after her comments in court on Tuesday. A hearing transcript says Le told U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell that she wishes he could hold her in contempt of court so she could get “a full 24 hours of sleep.”
WORDS: 578 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 12:13 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Minnesota
Trump’s border czar is pulling 700 immigration officers out of Minnesota immediately
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump’s border czar says he is reducing the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota after state and local officials agreed to turn over arrested immigrants. Tom Homan says about 700 federal officers will be immediately withdrawn from the operation in Minnesota. That’s about a quarter of the federal officers currently deployed in the state. But he says the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota isn’t ending. Homan didn’t give a timeline of when that might happen following weeks of confrontations in Minnesota’s Twin Cities and two deadly shootings by federal officers.
WORDS: 938 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 8:18 a.m. CST
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US–Congress-Homeland Security
Democrats demand ‘dramatic changes’ for ICE, including masks, cameras and judicial warrants
SUMMARY: Democrats are threatening to block funding for the Homeland Security Department when it expires in two weeks unless there are “dramatic changes” and “real accountability” for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement agencies who are carrying out President Donald Trump’s campaign of federal immigration enforcement. Congress is discussing potential new rules for ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection after officers shot and killed two Minneapolis protesters in January. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated their party’s demands on Wednesday, with Schumer telling reporters that Congress must “rein in ICE in very serious ways, and end the violence.”
WORDS: 1294 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 6:06 a.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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ENT–Obit-Lamonte McLemore
LaMonte McLemore, singer and founding member of The 5th Dimension, dies at 90
SUMMARY: Singer LaMonte McLemore has died at age 90. He was a founding member of The 5th Dimension, known for their smooth pop and soul hits in the 1960s and ’70s. McLemore died Tuesday at his home in Las Vegas, surrounded by family. The 5th Dimension won six Grammy Awards, including record of the year twice for “Up, Up and Away” and “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.” McLemore also had a career as a sports and celebrity photographer. He served in the U.S. Navy and played baseball in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system before dedicating himself to music and photography.
WORDS: 672 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 4:50 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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FBN–Chiefs-Mahomes Father Arrest
Patrick Mahomes’ father arrested after authorities say he violated DWI probation
SUMMARY: The father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been arrested in Texas after authorities said he violated his probation from a conviction for driving while intoxicated. Authorities say Patrick “Pat” Mahomes Sr. was arrested Tuesday during a meeting with his probation officer after a warrant was obtained for a probation violation. He remained jailed in Tyler on Wednesday. The elder Mahomes pleaded guilty in August 2024 to a DWI charge and was sentenced to five years probation. According to a probation violation report, he had a high alcohol reading on his ankle monitor on Jan. 1. His attorney did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.
WORDS: 206 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 3:24 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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GLF–PGA-Clark
Health care executive Terry Clark is appointed CEO at the PGA of America
SUMMARY: Terry Clark has been appointed the next CEO at the PGA of America. Clark has spent 20 years at UnitedHealth Group and has been the chief marketing officer the last 12 years. He was serving as an independent director on the PGA’s board. Clark is replacing Derek Sprague, who resigned to handle health matters with his family in upstate New York. It’s the second time in the last three CEO hires the PGA chose an executive on its board. Clark takes over at a time when four C-suite executives at the PGA have moved on to other jobs.
WORDS: 388 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 10:31 a.m. CST
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OLY–HKW-US-Favorites
Favored or not, U.S. women seek to prove their potential on the ice as Olympic hockey play begins
SUMMARY: The Americans might be favored as the women’s hockey tournament is set to open at the Milan Cortina Games on Thursday. They also understand it’s up to them to prove it on the ice, especially against cross-border rival Canada. The U.S. features a collection of talent and youth that showed potential in sweeping Canada in a recent four-game Rivalry Series. And yet coach John Wroblewski said he still remembers how difficult its been to beat Canada in international play. The nations have split winning the past four world championships, and Canada is the defending Olympic champ after beating the U.S. at the 2022 Beijing Games.
WORDS: 809 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 12:43 p.m. CST
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BKC–St. Thomas-South Dakota State
Minessale’s 26 help St. Thomas beat South Dakota State 77-62
SUMMARY: Led by Nolan Minessale’s 26 points, the Saint Thomas Tommies defeated the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 77-62 on Wednesday. The Tommies improved to 19-6 with the victory and the Jackrabbits fell to 11-13.
WORDS: 136 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 8:27 p.m. CST
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BKC–T25-Michigan St-Minnesota
Minnesota upsets No. 10 Michigan State 76-73, fending off late Spartans surge to stop 7-game skid
SUMMARY: Jaylen Crocker-Johnson had 22 points and seven rebounds to help Minnesota fend off a late surge by 10th-ranked Michigan State and secure a 76-73 upset. Cade Tyson scored 17 points and Langston Reynolds added 14 points and eight assists for the Gophers. Minnesota broke a seven-game losing streak despite being outscored 22-9 over the final four minutes. Coen Carr had 10 of his 16 points for the Spartans in the last three minutes. His layup with 34 seconds cut the lead to 72-68, their closest margin since 7-3. Trey Fort’s catch-and-shoot corner 3-pointer made it 73-71 with 20 seconds remaining.
WORDS: 380 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 8:52 p.m. CST
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BKN–Timberwolves-Raptors
Edwards scores 30 points as Timberwolves rally for 5th win in six games, beat Raptors 128-126
SUMMARY: Anthony Edwards scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, Bones Hyland had 20 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame an 18-point deficit to beat the Toronto Raptors 128-126. Jaden McDaniels scored 19 points, Naz Reid and Julius Randle each had 17 and Donte DiVincenzo added 15 as the Timberwolves won for the fifth time in six games. Rudy Gobert had 10 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota. Brandon Ingram scored 25 points, Immanuel Quickley had 23 and Scottie Barnes had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors.
WORDS: 317 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 9:15 p.m. CST
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HKN–Wild-Predators
Boldy nets early hat trick and Spurgeon scores in OT as Wild beat Predators 6-5
SUMMARY: Matt Boldy scored three times in the first 13 minutes and assisted on Jared Spurgeon’s goal with 45.1 seconds left on the clock in overtime to lead the Minnesota Wild to a 6-5 victory over the Nashville Predators. Yakov Trenin and Vladimir Tarasenko also scored and Filip Gustavsson made 30 saves for the Wild, who have won five straight games. Steven Stamkos had a goal and two assists for Nashville, which is 2-0-3 in its last five. Filip Forsberg, Luke Evangelista, Erik Haula and Roman Josi also scored. Ryan O’Reilly had three assists and Juuse Saros stopped 38 shots. All three games between the teams this season have gone to overtime.
WORDS: 330 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 10:24 p.m. CST
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BKC–T25-Michigan State-Fears
Izzo says he might bench Spartans star Fears after technical in loss to Gophers raises more concern
SUMMARY: Michigan State coach Tom Izzo says he might have to bench star Jeremy Fears to get him to clean up his conduct on the court. Izzo discussed the issue of Fears being labeled as a dirty player after the 10th-ranked Spartans lost 76-73 at Minnesota. The subject was raised recently by Michigan coach Dusty May and made relevant again after Fears received a pivotal technical foul in the second half for kicking at the groin area of Gophers guard Langston Reynolds. Fears finished with 10 points after totaling 60 in two games last week.
WORDS: 791 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 11:28 p.m. CST
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BKN–Bulls-Timberwolves Trade
Timberwolves acquire Ayo Dosunmu for scoring depth in trade-deadline deal with Bulls, AP source says
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired guard Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls. The move adds a proven scorer to bolster their depth for the stretch run in the stacked Western Conference playoffs race. A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed the details to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because it had not yet been finalized by the NBA with the deadline approaching. Minnesota agreed to send 2024 first-round draft pick Rob Dillingham, deep reserve Leonard Miller and four second-round draft picks to Chicago for Dosunmu and forward Julian Phillips.
WORDS: 334 – MOVED: 02/05/2026 10:39 a.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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HKN–Blues-Devils Bjugstad Trade
Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad in a trade with the Blues before the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze
SUMMARY: The New Jersey Devils acquired forward Nick Bjugstad in a trade with the St. Louis Blues. They sent a conditional fourth-round pick and minor-leaguer Thomas Bordeleau. It will be the last of the three fourth-rounders New Jersey currently has among its own, Dallas’ and Winnipeg’s. Bjugstad has seven points in 35 games this season after signing with St. Louis as a free agent. The Devils getting him is the start of them using the salary cap space cleared by sending winger Ondrej Palat to the New York Islanders.
WORDS: 148 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 3:08 p.m. CST
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FBN–Chiefs-Mahomes Father Arrest
Patrick Mahomes’ father arrested after authorities say he violated DWI probation
SUMMARY: The father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been arrested in Texas after authorities said he violated his probation from a conviction for driving while intoxicated. Authorities say Patrick “Pat” Mahomes Sr. was arrested Tuesday during a meeting with his probation officer after a warrant was obtained for a probation violation. He remained jailed in Tyler on Wednesday. The elder Mahomes pleaded guilty in August 2024 to a DWI charge and was sentenced to five years probation. According to a probation violation report, he had a high alcohol reading on his ankle monitor on Jan. 1. His attorney did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.
WORDS: 206 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 3:24 p.m. CST
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HKN–Blues-Stars
Robertson gets 200th goal, Benn scores 2 and Stars top Blues 5-4 for 6th straight win
SUMMARY: Dallas captain Jamie Benn snapped a 15-game goal drought by scoring twice, including the game-winner with 23 seconds left, and had an assist as the Stars beat the St. Louis Blues 5-4. The Stars take a season-best six-game winning streak into the Olympic break. Jason Robertson became the first player from the NHL’s 2017 draft class to score 200 career goals and also had an assist. Matt Duchene also had a goal and an assist. Robertson scored his 32nd goal this season in the first period. Jordan Kyrou had a goal and an assist for the Blues, who won only once in their last nine games before the break.
WORDS: 354 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 11:40 p.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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FBC–Signing Day
College football’s February signing period is quiet for most schools. Penn State is an exception
SUMMARY: College football’s February signing period is pretty much an afterthought for most schools nowadays. But it meant plenty to new Penn State coach Matt Campbell. Penn State signed only two high school recruits during the December signing period because the Nittany Lions hadn’t yet hired Campbell away from Iowa State. That left Campbell quite busy trying to put together a freshman class while also working the transfer portal and hiring his staff. Penn State now has an incoming freshman class of 15 recruits. Most of them originally signed with Iowa State before following Campbell to his new school.
WORDS: 541 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 3:34 p.m. CST
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BKW–T25-Nebraska-Michigan
Syla Swords scores 28, No. 8 Michigan beats Nebraska ahead of Big Ten showdown against No. 2 UCLA
SUMMARY: Syla Swords scored 28 and Olivia Olson had 21 points to help No. 8 Michigan pull away and beat Nebraska 88-76. The Wolverines went on a 15-6 run to take a nine-point lead early in the fourth quarter and turned what was a closely contested game into a double-digit victory. Michigan has won a school-record nine straight Big Ten games. That streak that will be put to a test Sunday at home against UCLA, the second-ranked team in The Associated Press women’s college basketball poll. Nebraska’s Britt Prince and Amiah Hargrove scored 16 each.
WORDS: 361 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 7:58 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–Thunder-76ers Trade
76ers send former promising prospect McCain to Thunder for 4 draft picks, including 1st-rounder
SUMMARY: The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired Jared McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2026 first-round draft pick and three second-round picks. The 21-year-old McCain was the 16th overall pick in the 2024 draft. He averaged 6.6 points in 37 games this season. McCain had a promising start last season before a knee injury. He averaged 15.3 points in 23 games and was a fan favorite, partly due to his TikTok fame. He goes to a Thunder team reeling from the loss of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to an abdominal strain that will sideline him until after the All-Star break.
WORDS: 251 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 1:42 p.m. CST
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BKC–T25-BYU-Oklahoma St
Roy scores 30 and Oklahoma State overcomes big game from Dybantsa to beat No. 16 BYU 99-92
SUMMARY: Anthony Roy scored a season-high 30 points, leading Oklahoma State to a 99-92 victory over 16th-ranked BYU. Cowboys fans stormed the court after the win. Freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa impressed with 36 points and seven rebounds for the Cougars. Oklahoma State’s Jaylen Curry had 18 points and Vyctorius Miller added 14. The Cowboys secured their second consecutive victory. BYU has dropped three games in a row after taking its first loss against an unranked team this season. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with Oklahoma State pulling ahead late.
WORDS: 374 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 10:52 p.m. CST
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BKC–Oklahoma-Kentucky
Otega Oweh goes for 20-plus again and Kentucky defeats Oklahoma 94-78
SUMMARY: Otega Oweh matched his season-high with 24 points, Brandon Garrison had 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, and Kentucky defeated Oklahoma 94-78. Oweh has scored 20-plus points in eight of 10 conference games. Oweh scored seven points early in the second half and the Wildcats pushed their 11-point halftime lead to 55-36 after about 3 1/2 minutes. Kentucky led by at least 10 points until a dunk by Oklahoma’s Mohamed Wague made it 82-74 with three minutes to go. The Sooners did not make another basket and the Wildcats scored the next eight points to regain command. Xzayvier Brown scored 21 points for Oklahoma.
WORDS: 351 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 10:59 p.m. CST
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BKN–Thunder-Gilgeous-Alexander
Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined until after All-Star break with abdominal strain
SUMMARY: The Oklahoma City Thunder have announced that reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be out until after the All-Star break due to an abdominal strain. He suffered the injury during Tuesday’s win over the Orlando Magic. This means the guard will miss the All-Star games on February 15. The Thunder, leading the league with a 40-11 record, face a significant loss. Gilgeous-Alexander is the league’s No. 2 scorer and has a streak of 121 consecutive games with at least 20 points. Other key players are also out due to injuries.
WORDS: 507 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 2:19 p.m. CST
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BKN–Thunder-Spurs
Johnson, Wembanyama lead Spurs to 4th win over OKC, beating the injury-depleted Thunder 116-106
SUMMARY: Keldon Johnson scored 25 points, Victor Wembanyama had 22 points and 14 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs never trailed in a 116-106 victory over injury-depleted Oklahoma City, beating the reigning NBA champion Thunder for a fourth time this season. De’Aaron Fox had 15 points and 10 assists, rookie forward Carter Bryant matched a season high with 11 points and San Antonio won its second straight. The Spurs (34-16) closed within five games of the Western Conference-leading Thunder (40-12). Reigning MVP and All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the game with an abdominal strain. The Thunder were without their entire regular starting lineup on the second night of a back-to-back.
WORDS: 327 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 11:24 p.m. CST
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BKC–T25-Oklahoma St-Derogatory Chants
BYU coach says ‘F The Mormons’ chants at Oklahoma St. show there’s ‘too much hate in the world’
SUMMARY: A BYU sports team was the target of a derogatory chant in an opponent’s venue for at least the fourth time in a year and the Big 12 again announced that the conference is looking into the matter. BYU men’s basketball coach Kevin Young said after a 99-92 loss at Oklahoma State on Wednesday night that he heard “F The Mormons” chants coming out of the student section. Colorado and Arizona issued apologies for the same chants heard during football games last season. So did Arizona after a basketball game last season.
WORDS: 528 – MOVED: 02/05/2026 10:22 a.m. CST
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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BKC–St. Thomas-South Dakota State
Minessale’s 26 help St. Thomas beat South Dakota State 77-62
SUMMARY: Led by Nolan Minessale’s 26 points, the Saint Thomas Tommies defeated the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 77-62 on Wednesday. The Tommies improved to 19-6 with the victory and the Jackrabbits fell to 11-13.
WORDS: 136 – MOVED: 02/04/2026 8:27 p.m. CST
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