Great Plains News Digest
The following AP stories are planned for today or have moved. For text, photos, video, live and audio plans beyond the next 24 hours, please visit Coverage Plan.
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IOWA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–IMMIGRATION-ARRESTS-IOWA SHERIFF
Iowa sheriff who won’t join immigration enforcement program heeds risk of ‘sanctuary’ status
SUMMARY: An Iowa sheriff is warning his county may be publicly shamed by the Trump administration for insufficiently backing the president’s immigration agenda. Dubuque County Sheriff Joe Kennedy says he is “more than happy” to help but he doesn’t want to get stuck paying for immigration enforcement and he wants to retain enough jail space for other responsibilities. President Donald Trump ordered a list by May 28 of “sanctuary” jurisdictions that don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities but didn’t elaborate on the criteria. Kennedy has made clear that his reluctance to enforce immigration law is not about politics.
WORDS: 787 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 10:58 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d5c35a6dabbf54b00daf75130fa915d8&mediaType=text
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IOWA – UPCOMING – SPORTS
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BKL–DREAM-FEVER
DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever return to action Tuesday when they host the Atlanta Dream. It’s the first in a two-game set between the teams during a three-day span. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING; 300 words, with photos. Game time is 7 p.m. ET.
UPCOMING: By 05/20/2025 6:00 p.m. CDT, Text
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KANSAS – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–SEVERE WEATHER-NOAA CUTS
More tornadoes and fewer meteorologists make for a dangerous mix that’s worrying US officials
SUMMARY: As tornadoes popped up from Kansas to Kentucky, a depleted National Weather Service was in scramble mode. The weather office in Jackson, Kentucky, where deadly storms hit, has been closing nightly due to lack of staffing in the wake of government cuts. But the agency had staffers working on overtime Friday night to stay on top of deadly storms. The U.S. is on track to have its second-busiest tornado year ever, and some former weather service veterans worry that overworked meteorologists and violent weather are a dangerous combination.
WORDS: 1038 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 10:13 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9ec14130bd238d46048a2c2ea4cc8311&mediaType=text
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US–SEVERE-WEATHER
More severe weather pummels the central US as thousands recover from deadly tornadoes
SUMMARY: Another round of tornadoes has struck the central U.S. after four days of tornadoes, thunderstorms and heavy rain killed more than two dozen people. At least four tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma and Nebraska on Monday evening, thousands lost power in several states and homes were destroyed. The National Weather Service says the region can expect even more dangerous weather. Worst hit is Kentucky, where residents around the city of London were trying to clean up three days after a storm arrived near midnight. London’s airport is a beehive of activity as people pick up water, food, diapers and other supplies.
WORDS: 1033 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 12:25 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c523eab4670e39455e9b8700268ed2a9&mediaType=text
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KANSAS – UPCOMING – NEWS
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US KANSAS TROOPER’S KILLING-PAROLE
DESCRIPTION: TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas’ parole board has reversed its decision to release a man convicted of killing a state Highway Patrol trooper in 1978 after criticism of the decision prompted the governor to call for the board to reconsider. By John Hanna. 450 words by 2:30 p.m. Central. With AP Photos NY311, NY311h, NY312.
UPCOMING: By 05/20/2025 2:30 p.m. CDT, Photo, Text
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MINNESOTA – UPCOMING – SPORTS
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BBO–GUARDIANS-TWINS GAME 1
DESCRIPTION: MINNEAPOLIS — The Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins resume their game suspended the night before in the fourth inning. By Patrick Donnelly. 300 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 05/20/2025 5:10 p.m. CDT, Text
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BBO–GUARDIANS-TWINS GAME 2
DESCRIPTION: MINNEAPOLIS — Cleveland plays Minnesota at Target Field. By Patrick Donnelly. 300 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 05/20/2025 6:40 p.m. CDT, Text
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HKW–PWHL-FINALS
DESCRIPTION: OTTAWA — The defending Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost open the best-of-five PWHL Finals series at the Ottawa Charge on Tuesday night. UPCOMING: 150 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 05/20/2025 8:30 p.m. CDT, Text
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MISSOURI – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–TEXAS PLANT-CHLORINE LEAK
Chlorine leak at a Texas chemical plant prompts officials to ask residents to stay inside
SUMMARY: A chlorine leak at a Texas chemical plant prompted officials to ask residents in two Texas cities near the facility to shelter in place. Brazosport CAER, an organization that provides communication between residents and petrochemical industries in the area, says chlorine gas was released around 9 a.m. Tuesday from a plant in Freeport that is owned by Missouri-based Olin Corp. Officials say the leak was stopped around 9:45 a.m. The request to shelter in place was lifted around 10:40 a.m. It was not immediately known if there were any injuries due to the leak at the plant about 60 miles south of Houston. Olin says it’s investigating the leak’s cause.
WORDS: 261 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 11:46 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e97af1dedd86ea0a2cdb8b0bd803ab19&mediaType=text
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US–MISSISSIPPI-WAITING ON FEMA
While Trump overhauls FEMA, Mississippi tornado survivors await assistance
SUMMARY: Mississippi’s request for federal disaster assistance is pending more than two months after 18 tornadoes ripped through the state. The delays could provide a glimpse into what’s in store for communities around the country as the summer storm season arrives and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is mired in turmoil. And hurricane season is just around the corner. The emergency management director in one of the state’s hardest-hit counties says debris removal operations have ground to a halt and people who lost their homes aren’t getting the help they need.
WORDS: 1009 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 11:04 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:00c644598b4f4693c116b9eb5eae3bae&mediaType=text
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US–SEVERE WEATHER-NOAA CUTS
More tornadoes and fewer meteorologists make for a dangerous mix that’s worrying US officials
SUMMARY: As tornadoes popped up from Kansas to Kentucky, a depleted National Weather Service was in scramble mode. The weather office in Jackson, Kentucky, where deadly storms hit, has been closing nightly due to lack of staffing in the wake of government cuts. But the agency had staffers working on overtime Friday night to stay on top of deadly storms. The U.S. is on track to have its second-busiest tornado year ever, and some former weather service veterans worry that overworked meteorologists and violent weather are a dangerous combination.
WORDS: 1038 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 10:13 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9ec14130bd238d46048a2c2ea4cc8311&mediaType=text
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US–SEVERE-WEATHER
More severe weather pummels the central US as thousands recover from deadly tornadoes
SUMMARY: Another round of tornadoes has struck the central U.S. after four days of tornadoes, thunderstorms and heavy rain killed more than two dozen people. At least four tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma and Nebraska on Monday evening, thousands lost power in several states and homes were destroyed. The National Weather Service says the region can expect even more dangerous weather. Worst hit is Kentucky, where residents around the city of London were trying to clean up three days after a storm arrived near midnight. London’s airport is a beehive of activity as people pick up water, food, diapers and other supplies.
WORDS: 1033 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 12:25 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c523eab4670e39455e9b8700268ed2a9&mediaType=text
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MISSOURI – UPCOMING – NEWS
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US MISSOURI GOVERNOR-BOND-MEMORIAL
DESCRIPTION: A state memorial service was being held Tuesday for former Missouri Gov. Kit Bond, who died last week at age 86.
UPCOMING: By 05/20/2025 1:00 p.m. CDT, Photo, Text
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MISSOURI – UPCOMING – SPORTS
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BBO–TIGERS-CARDINALS
DESCRIPTION: ST. LOUIS — Detroit plays St. Louis at Busch Stadium. By David Solomon. UPCOMING 300 words, photos. Game starts 6:45 p.m. CDT.
UPCOMING: By 05/20/2025 6:45 p.m. CDT, Text
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BBO–ROYALS-GIANTS
DESCRIPTION: Kansas City plays San Francisco at Oracle Park. By Josh Dubow. 300 words, more on merit.
UPCOMING: By 05/20/2025 8:45 p.m. CDT, Text
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NEBRASKA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–SEVERE WEATHER-NOAA CUTS
More tornadoes and fewer meteorologists make for a dangerous mix that’s worrying US officials
SUMMARY: As tornadoes popped up from Kansas to Kentucky, a depleted National Weather Service was in scramble mode. The weather office in Jackson, Kentucky, where deadly storms hit, has been closing nightly due to lack of staffing in the wake of government cuts. But the agency had staffers working on overtime Friday night to stay on top of deadly storms. The U.S. is on track to have its second-busiest tornado year ever, and some former weather service veterans worry that overworked meteorologists and violent weather are a dangerous combination.
WORDS: 1038 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 10:13 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9ec14130bd238d46048a2c2ea4cc8311&mediaType=text
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US–SEVERE-WEATHER
More severe weather pummels the central US as thousands recover from deadly tornadoes
SUMMARY: Another round of tornadoes has struck the central U.S. after four days of tornadoes, thunderstorms and heavy rain killed more than two dozen people. At least four tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma and Nebraska on Monday evening, thousands lost power in several states and homes were destroyed. The National Weather Service says the region can expect even more dangerous weather. Worst hit is Kentucky, where residents around the city of London were trying to clean up three days after a storm arrived near midnight. London’s airport is a beehive of activity as people pick up water, food, diapers and other supplies.
WORDS: 1033 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 12:25 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c523eab4670e39455e9b8700268ed2a9&mediaType=text
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OKLAHOMA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–CONGRESS-TAX CUTS
Trump on Capitol Hill implores divided Republicans to unify behind his big tax cuts bill
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has implored House Republicans on Capitol Hill to drop their fights over his big tax cuts bill. He spoke privately for at least an hour trying to unite House Republicans on the multitrillion-dollar package that is at risk of collapsing before planned votes this week. Trump was upbeat afterward, saying there was “unity.” But negotiations are slogging along. It’s not at all clear the package, with its sweeping tax breaks and cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and green energy programs, has the support needed. With all Democrats opposed, the Republicans can handle only a few defections from their slim House majority.
WORDS: 1061 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 11:44 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ebc172c76ac51434e9bfa28d867bd9a0&mediaType=text
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US–SEVERE WEATHER-NOAA CUTS
More tornadoes and fewer meteorologists make for a dangerous mix that’s worrying US officials
SUMMARY: As tornadoes popped up from Kansas to Kentucky, a depleted National Weather Service was in scramble mode. The weather office in Jackson, Kentucky, where deadly storms hit, has been closing nightly due to lack of staffing in the wake of government cuts. But the agency had staffers working on overtime Friday night to stay on top of deadly storms. The U.S. is on track to have its second-busiest tornado year ever, and some former weather service veterans worry that overworked meteorologists and violent weather are a dangerous combination.
WORDS: 1038 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 10:13 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9ec14130bd238d46048a2c2ea4cc8311&mediaType=text
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US–EXECUTIONS-GLANCE
A look at the status of US executions in 2025
SUMMARY: Seventeen men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S., and 11 other people are scheduled to be put to death in eight states during the remainder of 2025. Glen Rogers died by lethal injection in Florida on Thursday and Benjamin Ritchie died early Tuesday in Indiana. Executions are scheduled in Texas later Tuesday and in Tennessee on May 22. Other states with scheduled executions this year are Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Carolina, though Ohio’s governor has been routinely postponing the actions as their dates near.
WORDS: 1178 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 8:07 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:18805a290e5f7822c854ab0305a09a1b&mediaType=text
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US–SEVERE-WEATHER
More severe weather pummels the central US as thousands recover from deadly tornadoes
SUMMARY: Another round of tornadoes has struck the central U.S. after four days of tornadoes, thunderstorms and heavy rain killed more than two dozen people. At least four tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma and Nebraska on Monday evening, thousands lost power in several states and homes were destroyed. The National Weather Service says the region can expect even more dangerous weather. Worst hit is Kentucky, where residents around the city of London were trying to clean up three days after a storm arrived near midnight. London’s airport is a beehive of activity as people pick up water, food, diapers and other supplies.
WORDS: 1033 – MOVED: 05/20/2025 12:25 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c523eab4670e39455e9b8700268ed2a9&mediaType=text
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