Great Plains News Digest
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KANSAS
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US–Aircraft Down-Lawsuit
Family of 1 of the 67 Washington plane crash victims sues the FAA, Army and American Airlines
SUMMARY: The family of one of the 67 people who were killed when an airliner collided with an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., in January is suing the government and the airlines involved. Other families will join the lawsuit later. The lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks to hold the Federal Aviation Administration, the Army, American Airlines and its regional partner, PSA Airlines, accountable for the the deadliest U.S. plane crash since 2001. The National Transportation Safety Board has already noted several likely contributing factors in the Jan. 29 crash, including that the helicopter was flying too high and the FAA’s failure to recognize an alarming pattern of close calls.
WORDS: 600 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 11:17 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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MN–Cannabis Law Interpretations
Cities test limits of Minnesota cannabis law, exposing legal gray areas
SUMMARY: There have been conflicting interpretations by Minnesota cities over local government authority of the state’s new cannabis law. Local governments by law can cap the number of cannabis retailers, place restrictions on where businesses are located and set hours of operation. Prohibition is a step too far. Cities are using the law’s language or finding areas not addressed by the law to achieve similar ends, raising questions that may end up being hashed out by judges or lawmakers. The state’s Office of Cannabis Management offers guidance, but has no legal authority to compel compliance. That leaves it up to individuals to challenge local ordinances in court or state lawmakers could update the language.
WORDS: 1209 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 1:57 p.m. CDT
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OR–Medicaid Cuts-Maternity Care
Rural hospitals in Oregon struggled to maintain maternity care even before Medicaid cuts
SUMMARY: Rural hospitals were already cutting their obstetrics programs before Republicans in Congress passed a bill to slash Medicaid funding. With roughly half of all Oregon births covered by Medicaid, hospital administrators say it is likely that more hospitals — already operating on thin margins — may follow suit. The result: More dangerous pregnancies and higher rates of maternal and infant mortality. One woman told InvestigateWest that she relocated to Idaho a week before a planned cesarean section in case she went into labor early and another woman says the loss of maternity services is a factor in considering whether to have any more children.
WORDS: 3015 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 3:13 p.m. CDT
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US–Minnesota Senator Arrested
Minnesota former state senator sentenced to 6 months for breaking into estranged stepmother’s house
SUMMARY: A former Minnesota state senator has been sentenced to six months for breaking into her estranged stepmother’s house. Nicole Mitchell will be allowed to serve her sentence on work release in Ramsey County, near her home in Woodbury. Mitchell resigned her Senate seat in July, a week after being convicted of burglary. She was arrested in the basement of her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes last year. Mitchell told police she went there because her stepmother refused to give her mementos. But she changed her story and told the jury she just wanted to check on the welfare of her stepmother.
WORDS: 569 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 12:23 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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US–Build-A-Bear Rising
Build-A-Bear continues to rack up market gains, despite tariffs and teetering mall traffic
SUMMARY: Tariffs and years of teetering mall traffic have roiled much of the toy industry. But Build-A-Bear investors are continuing to reap sizeable gains. Shares of the toy retailer, which specializes in plush animals that consumers can make in stores, are up more than 60% since the start of 2025. And the company’s profits have soared to record after record in recent quarters. St. Louis-based Build-A-Bear is not immune to U.S. President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs. But the company says it made efforts to reduce this exposure and anticipates strong consumer demand to boost profits for rest of the year.
WORDS: 652 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 2:08 p.m. CDT
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US–Education-School Closures
Districts around the US are mulling school closures as student enrollment falls
SUMMARY: Districts nationwide are weighing how many public schools they can keep open as enrollment drops due to shrinking budgets, the falling national birthrate and a growing school choice movement. The decisions are gut wrenching. It’s a financial strain to operate half-empty school buildings, but research shows kids and neighborhoods don’t always fare well after closures. Major school systems including Philadelphia, Boston, Houston and Norfolk, Virginia, are considering shuttering schools, while a public outcry over potential closures has stopped them — for now — in Seattle and San Francisco.
WORDS: 1041 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 11:01 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Severe Weather
Part of hospital’s roof ripped off and patients evacuated as damaging storms hit Oklahoma
SUMMARY: Officials say storms carrying heavy rain and damaging winds ripped part of the roof off a hospital in eastern Oklahoma, forcing some patients to be evacuated. Sequoyah County’s Emergency Management director says the Northeastern Health System hospital in Sallisaw had to evacuate around nine patients on Tuesday. Part of the facility was soaked from the heavy rain. The National Weather Service says severe storms hit parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas on Tuesday, with rainfall rates as high as 2 inches per hour in west-central Arkansas and LeFlore County, Oklahoma. No injuries had been reported in Sallisaw.
WORDS: 258 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 7:05 p.m. CDT
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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US–South Dakota-Prison
South Dakota to replace one of the country’s oldest prisons
SUMMARY: The South Dakota Legislature voted in special session Tuesday to approve a new state prison to replace an overcrowded 140-year-old facility in Sioux Falls. The new $650 million facility, also in Sioux Falls, will have 1,500 beds and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the decade. Gov. Larry Rhoden signed the funding bill Tuesday night. It’s a victory for Rhoden, who has focused on replacing the prison since becoming governor. He assumed the office after former Gov. Kristi Noem departed for the Trump administration. Rhoden is expected to run for reelection in 2026.
WORDS: 450 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 11:42 a.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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FBC–T25-Big Ten’s Big Games
Big Game in the Big Ten: Will Oregon-Penn State game have CFP implications?
SUMMARY: Week Five in the Big Ten brings a big test at the top. The sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks visit No. 3 Penn State in the annual White Out game on Saturday. Of course a lot can happen between now and December, but barring a complete meltdown by either team, the game could have conference championship and College Football Playoff implications. There’s a lot of hoopla surrounding the game. It’s just the second White Out game involving Top 10 teams, the only other one was in 2018 was when No. 4 Ohio State beat the ninth-ranked hosts. ESPN’s Game Day will be on hand and there’s an effort to bring the biggest crowd ever to Beaver Stadium.
WORDS: 875 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 4:22 p.m. CDT
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BKC–Iowa St-Lipsey Injury
Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey sidelined for 4-6 weeks with knee injury
SUMMARY: Iowa State starting point guard Tamin Lipsey will miss four to six weeks after injuring his knee at practice. Lipsey sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. He could be back for the Cyclones’ opener against Fairleigh Dickinson on November 3. Lipsey is a fourth-year player from Ames and has started all 103 of his career games. He is the Cyclones’ all-time steals leader with 237. Last season, he averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game.
WORDS: 127 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 9:39 p.m. CDT
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FBC–T25-College Football Picks
College football picks: Punts trending toward record low as coaches get more aggressive on 4th down
SUMMARY: Football Bowl Subdivision teams are averaging 3.82 punts per game through Week 4 of the season. That figure on track to be the lowest since the NCAA began keeping the statistic in 1937. Punt attempts have decreased eight straight seasons, and the 2024 average of 4.06 was one full punt per game less than in 2015. The sport’s growing reliance on analytics has encouraged coaches to be aggressive on fourth down. Also, field goals from long distances are on the rise.
WORDS: 1244 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 12:21 p.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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FBN–On Football-Tuesday Takeaways
Loser of the Ravens-Chiefs matchup faces difficult road to Super Bowl contention
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens entered the season with Super Bowl-or-bust goals. One of them will be 1-3, unless they tie this week. Coming off a 38-30 loss at home to Detroit on Monday night, Baltimore will travel to Kansas City to face the Chiefs on Sunday in a matchup that’s critical for both teams. The 2001 New England Patriots are the only team to start 1-3 and win the Super Bowl. It’ll be a difficult challenge for the losing team to rebound.
WORDS: 763 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 3:38 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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FBC–T25-Big Ten’s Big Games
Big Game in the Big Ten: Will Oregon-Penn State game have CFP implications?
SUMMARY: Week Five in the Big Ten brings a big test at the top. The sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks visit No. 3 Penn State in the annual White Out game on Saturday. Of course a lot can happen between now and December, but barring a complete meltdown by either team, the game could have conference championship and College Football Playoff implications. There’s a lot of hoopla surrounding the game. It’s just the second White Out game involving Top 10 teams, the only other one was in 2018 was when No. 4 Ohio State beat the ninth-ranked hosts. ESPN’s Game Day will be on hand and there’s an effort to bring the biggest crowd ever to Beaver Stadium.
WORDS: 875 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 4:22 p.m. CDT
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BKL–Mercury-Lynx
Mercury snap back from 20-point deficit to beat Lynx 89-83 in OT and even WNBA semifinal series
SUMMARY: Satou Sabally scored 11 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter and Alyssa Thomas had 19 points and 13 assists to help the Phoenix Mercury erase a 20-point deficit and beat the Minnesota Lynx 89-83 in overtime. The WNBA semifinal series is tied at one game apiece. Sami Whitcomb’s 3-pointer for Phoenix with 4 seconds left in regulation evened the game at 79. Thomas had a three-point play with 3:32 left in the fourth quarter that ended a 33:28 stretch during which the Lynx had the lead. The Mercury host Game 3 of the best-of-five series on Friday night.
WORDS: 533 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 9:08 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Rangers
Rangers eliminated from playoff chase with 8th straight loss, 4-1 to the Twins
SUMMARY: Zebby Matthews allowed his only run on a leadoff homer while pitching seven innings for the Minnesota Twins in a 4-1 win at Texas. The Rangers lost their eighth game in a row to fall to 79-78 and were eliminated from the playoff chase. Joc Pederson’s ninth homer of the season gave Texas the early lead Tuesday night. Matthews allowed only three singles after that and struck out six without a walk while matching the longest of his 25 career starts. The Rangers’ longest losing streak this season dropped them 5 1/2 games behind Houston for the last playoff spot with five games to play.
WORDS: 343 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 10:16 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Rangers-Infielders and DeGrom
Seager and Semien done for season for Rangers; deGrom will make his last scheduled start
SUMMARY: Corey Seager and Marcus Semien won’t try to return to play this week for the Texas Rangers, ending the fourth season together for middle infielders who have been sidelined since late August. Semien has been out since Aug. 22, when the second baseman fouled a pitch off his left foot. That was a week before shortstop Seager had an appendectomy. While Seager and Semien are done with the Rangers out of playoff contention, manager Bruce Bochy says Jacob deGrom will make his last scheduled start Wednesday against Minnesota. It will be deGrom’s 30th start this year after missing most of the past two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery.
WORDS: 552 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 6:39 p.m. CDT
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FBN–NFL-Ireland-Gaelic Games
What are Gaelic games and how are they producing NFL hopefuls in kicking and punting?
SUMMARY: Ireland will host its first NFL regular-season game Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park. The country has its own sports, called Gaelic games, with Gaelic football in particular featuring kicking skills that can transfer to American football via placekicking and punting. A growing number of Gaelic football players are giving American football a shot, either through college programs or the NFL’s international player pathway program. Here are some facts about Gaelic games and the players trying to reach the NFL.
WORDS: 901 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 12:17 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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FBN–On Football-Tuesday Takeaways
Loser of the Ravens-Chiefs matchup faces difficult road to Super Bowl contention
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens entered the season with Super Bowl-or-bust goals. One of them will be 1-3, unless they tie this week. Coming off a 38-30 loss at home to Detroit on Monday night, Baltimore will travel to Kansas City to face the Chiefs on Sunday in a matchup that’s critical for both teams. The 2001 New England Patriots are the only team to start 1-3 and win the Super Bowl. It’ll be a difficult challenge for the losing team to rebound.
WORDS: 763 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 3:38 p.m. CDT
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FBC–SEC Scheduling
SEC unveils league matchups for the next four seasons and keeps most rivalries intact
SUMMARY: The Southeastern Conference announced league matchups for the next four years and designated three annual opponents for each of its 16 teams. The nine-game slates retain several traditional rivalries and renew some old ones. And there are no more lengthy waits to play everyone. The new format begins next year and runs through 2029, with the SEC having the option to tweak it every four years to maintain competitive balance. Each team will play three opponents annually and rotate through the remaining 12. The setup ensures that rotating teams square off every other year and every team plays at every SEC venue at least once over a four-year span.
WORDS: 471 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 6:37 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Royals-Angels
Witt, Frazier and Perez power Royals to an 8-4 win over the Angels
SUMMARY: Bobby Witt Jr. and Adam Frazier each drove in two runs, Salvador Perez moved into second place on Kansas City’s career RBI list and the Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-4, shortly after being eliminated from postseason contention. The Royals (79-78) were knocked out of the race for an AL wild card with five games remaining in their regular season. Kansas City, which reached the playoffs last season, has failed to qualify for the postseason in nine of the last 10 seasons. Royals starter Cole Ragans (3-3) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out 10 over five innings in his second start since returning from the injured list with a left rotator cuff strain.
WORDS: 322 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 12:08 a.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Giants
Burleson hits go-ahead single in 9th, Donovan adds career-best 4 doubles, Cardinals beat Giants 9-8
SUMMARY: Alec Burleson hit a go-ahead RBI single with one out in the ninth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals rallied against San Francisco closer Ryan Walker for a 9-8 win over the Giants. Both teams were fighting to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, but San Francisco was eliminated. Brendan Donovan drove in the tying run against Walker (5-7) with his fourth double of the night after Victor Scott hit a leadoff single. Iván Herrera hit a three-run homer and Nolan Arenado a solo drive in the seventh as St. Louis pulled within 8-7. Matt Svanson (4-0) pitched the eighth for the win.
WORDS: 366 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 12:09 a.m. CDT
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FBC–T25-College Football Picks
College football picks: Punts trending toward record low as coaches get more aggressive on 4th down
SUMMARY: Football Bowl Subdivision teams are averaging 3.82 punts per game through Week 4 of the season. That figure on track to be the lowest since the NCAA began keeping the statistic in 1937. Punt attempts have decreased eight straight seasons, and the 2024 average of 4.06 was one full punt per game less than in 2015. The sport’s growing reliance on analytics has encouraged coaches to be aggressive on fourth down. Also, field goals from long distances are on the rise.
WORDS: 1244 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 12:21 p.m. CDT
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FBC–T25-Notre Dame-Running Hard
No. 22 Notre Dame content to grind it out with backfield tandem of Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love
SUMMARY: Notre Dame Running back Jeremiyah Love garners attention with his strong stats and highlight-reel hurdles. Jadarian Price appears more comfortable doing the dirty work. Together, the two old-school backfield mates have produced one of the top ground games in the Football Bowl Subdivision as No. 22 Notre Dame tries to right its season. They expect to be busy again Saturday when the Fighting Irish attempt to climb back to .500 during a visit to Arkansas.
WORDS: 739 – MOVED: 09/24/2025 12:33 p.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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FBC–NCAA-Jersey Ad Patches
Sponsor patches on college uniforms would raise millions but some ADs are in wait-and-see mode
SUMMARY: The leader of a major college athletics multimedia rights holder believes sponsor patches will soon appear on team jerseys. Schools are under pressure to find new revenue sources in this era of revenue-sharing with athletes. Learfield President and CEO Cole Gahagan says power conference schools could earn hundreds of millions once NCAA approval is granted. Sponsor patches are common in international soccer and major U.S. sports leagues. The NCAA’s recent decision to allow ads on football fields makes uniform patches seem inevitable. Apparel contract exclusivity could be a potential holdup.
WORDS: 760 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 1:53 p.m. CDT
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FBC–T25-Big Ten’s Big Games
Big Game in the Big Ten: Will Oregon-Penn State game have CFP implications?
SUMMARY: Week Five in the Big Ten brings a big test at the top. The sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks visit No. 3 Penn State in the annual White Out game on Saturday. Of course a lot can happen between now and December, but barring a complete meltdown by either team, the game could have conference championship and College Football Playoff implications. There’s a lot of hoopla surrounding the game. It’s just the second White Out game involving Top 10 teams, the only other one was in 2018 was when No. 4 Ohio State beat the ninth-ranked hosts. ESPN’s Game Day will be on hand and there’s an effort to bring the biggest crowd ever to Beaver Stadium.
WORDS: 875 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 4:22 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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FBC–T25-Oklahoma-Mateer
Oklahoma QB John Mateer to undergo surgery on throwing hand; expected to return this season
SUMMARY: Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, one of the nation’s top players, will have surgery to repair an injury to his throwing hand. Coach Brent Venables says Mateer, a transfer from Washington State, will undergo surgery on Wednesday. Mateer has led the Sooners to wins over Top 25 teams Michigan and Auburn. He ranks second nationally with 351.3 yards of total offense per game. Mateer was injured in the first quarter of Saturday’s win over Auburn but played the entire game. Michael Hawkins Jr. will start against Kent State while Mateer recovers.
WORDS: 449 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 3:33 p.m. CDT
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FBC–Oklahoma State-Gundy
Oklahoma State fires football coach Mike Gundy after 20-plus years
SUMMARY: Mike Gundy, one of college football’s most colorful coaches over the last two decades, has been fired by Oklahoma State. Gundy, who played quarterback at the school in the late 1980s, had a career record of 170-90 at his alma mater. He posted winning records every season from 2006 to 2023 but had losing records in his final two years. Gundy became head coach in 2005 and helped the Cowboys compete with better-funded programs. However, the team struggled recently, losing 11 of their last 12 games. Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg says “we are grateful for all he did to raise the standard.”
WORDS: 1002 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 12:31 p.m. CDT
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FBC–SEC Scheduling
SEC unveils league matchups for the next four seasons and keeps most rivalries intact
SUMMARY: The Southeastern Conference announced league matchups for the next four years and designated three annual opponents for each of its 16 teams. The nine-game slates retain several traditional rivalries and renew some old ones. And there are no more lengthy waits to play everyone. The new format begins next year and runs through 2029, with the SEC having the option to tweak it every four years to maintain competitive balance. Each team will play three opponents annually and rotate through the remaining 12. The setup ensures that rotating teams square off every other year and every team plays at every SEC venue at least once over a four-year span.
WORDS: 471 – MOVED: 09/23/2025 6:37 p.m. CDT
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