Great Plains News Digest
To see stories that have already moved, please visit AP Newsroom. For text, photos, video, live and audio plans beyond the next 24 hours, please visit Coverage Plan
——————————-—
MINNESOTA
————-———————
REL-Houses of Worship-Attacks-Glance
A grim list: Some notable attacks on houses of worship around the world in recent years
SUMMARY: Houses of worship have faced various types of attacks throughout history, but such assaults are not relics of the past. There has been a series of high-profile deadly attacks in recent years. The targets include a synagogue in England, two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, and a Catholic church in the United States hosting a Mass for school children. Collectively, such attacks have intensified anxiety and outright fear among clergy and worshippers worldwide.
WORDS: 1111 – MOVED: 10/10/2025 6:08 a.m. CDT
——————————
REL–Houses of Worship-Under Attack
Fear and vigilance rise as attacks on houses of worship intensify worldwide
SUMMARY: Statistically, attending a weekly worship service is a remarkably safe thing to do. Global annual attendance totals many billions; the number of people killed in attacks on individual houses of worship in any given year is generally less than a few hundred. Yet recent high-profile deadly attacks have intensified anxiety and outright fear among clergy and worshippers worldwide. Just in the past six weeks there have been attacks on a synagogue in Manchester, England; a Michigan congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and a Catholic church in the United States hosting a Mass for school children.
WORDS: 1472 – MOVED: 10/10/2025 6:06 a.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
MISSOURI
————-———————
US–Dominion Voting-Sale
Former Republican election official buys Dominion Voting — a target of 2020 conspiracy theories
SUMMARY: Voting equipment company Dominion Voting Systems, a target of false conspiracy theories since the 2020 election, has been bought by a firm run by a former Republican elections official. KNOWiNK, a St. Louis-based provider of electronic poll books, announced the deal Thursday and said it was changing its name to Liberty Vote. Dominion’s former CEO confirmed the sale. In a statement, the new company vowed to follow the executive order Trump signed last spring seeking sweeping changes to election policies. While that might raise concerns in Democratic-leaning states, some election officials said that KNOWiNK had steered clear of 2020 conspiracy theories and acted like a typical, nonpartisan firm.
WORDS: 594 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 6:25 p.m. CDT
——————————
US–Executions-Glance
8 executions in October: Why the death penalty is being used more in the US this year
SUMMARY: The U.S. has seen 35 executions so far in 2025, with seven more scheduled for later this month. This year’s total already surpasses last year’s 25 executions and could be the highest since 2012. But that’s still far below the modern peak of 98 executions in 1999. Florida, Texas, Alabama, and South Carolina have carried out 76% of this year’s executions. Florida leads with 13 executions. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not commented on the reasons for the surge. But the increase comes as President Donald Trump has urged governors to expand their use of the death penalty.
WORDS: 949 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 2:56 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
NEBRASKA
————-———————
US–Air Force Employee-Classified Info
Retired US Army officer sentenced to nearly 6 years for sharing classified info on dating site
SUMMARY: A retired Army officer has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for conspiring to transmit classified information about Russia’s war with Ukraine on a foreign dating platform. David Slater was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Lincoln. He pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to disclose national defense information. Slater had top secret clearance at the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Prosecutors said he shared classified details about military targets and Russian capabilities with a coconspirator on the dating site. The coconspirator’s identity remains undisclosed.
WORDS: 331 – MOVED: 10/10/2025 10:53 a.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
NORTH DAKOTA
————-———————
US–Transgender Health-North Dakota
Judge upholds North Dakota’s ban on gender-affirming care for kids
SUMMARY: A North Dakota judge has upheld the state’s ban on gender-affirming care for kids. Judge Jackson Lofgren’s ruling Wednesday dealt a blow to families who have had to travel out of state to receive the medical treatments they said are crucial for their kids’ well-being. The Republican-controlled Legislature passed the ban in 2023, and then-Gov. Doug Burgum signed it into law. Supporters of the ban say it protects children from what they believe are irreversible effects of treatments and surgeries. Opponents say it harms transgender youth by denying them important medical care.
WORDS: 587 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 10:28 a.m. CDT
——————————
US–Public Lands-Mining
Republicans vote to roll back Biden-era restrictions on mining and drilling in 3 Western states
SUMMARY: Senate Republicans have voted to roll back restrictions on mining and drilling in federal land in three Western states. The moves advance President Donald Trump’s ambitions to expand energy production from public lands. Senators voted this week to repeal land management plans adopted during the Biden administration for areas in Alaska, Montana and North Dakota. The House approved the repeals last month. Trump is expected to sign the measures, which will boost a proposed road through an Alaska wilderness to allow copper mining and support coal leases in Montana’s Powder River Basin. Critics say the GOP agenda will drive up energy prices and harm the environment.
WORDS: 779 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 4:45 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
OKLAHOMA
————-———————
US–National Guard Cities-Oklahoma Governor
Oklahoma’s GOP governor opposes sending out-of-state troops to states that don’t welcome them
SUMMARY: Oklahoma’s Republican governor is opposing part of President Donald Trump’s use of National Guard in cities. Kevin Stitt says the president should not send out-of-state Guard members into places where the governors don’t want them. Most GOP attorneys general, including Oklahoma’s, have taken Trump’s side in court battles over deployments in Chicago and Portland, Oregon. Stitt serves as chair of the National Governors Association, which some key Democratic governors have threatened to leave over its silence on the issue. His statement as a sitting Republican official posed a rare rebuke of Trump’s push to send National Guard troops to cities in states where Democrats are in charge.
WORDS: 641 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 2:47 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————
SPORTS
——————————
——————————-—
IOWA
————-———————
BKW–Big 12 Preseason Poll
TCU’s addition of Olivia Miles lifts defending Big 12 champs to top of preseason poll
SUMMARY: TCU’s offseason addition of Olivia Miles helped put the Horned Frogs atop the Big 12 women’s basketball preseason poll for the first time in program history despite the loss of Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince off the school’s first Elite Eight team. Miles played four seasons at Notre Dame and is the latest transfer to boost the hopes of the Frogs under coach Mark Campbell. He brought in Prince from Oregon in 2023 and Van Lith from LSU last year. The Horned Frogs finished their first 30-win season at 34-4. They won the regular season and conference tournament titles.
WORDS: 386 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 6:41 p.m. CDT
——————————
BKC–Big Ten-Media Day
Four coaches new to the Big Ten look to get their programs back on track
SUMMARY: Dusty May led Michigan to a Big Ten Tournament championship and an appearance in the Sweet 16 last season, his first as coach of the Wolverines. It was a stunning achievement for a program that finished last in the conference the previous season. Four coaches new to the Big Ten this season — Indiana’s Darian DeVries, Iowa’s Ben McCollum, Buzz Williams at Maryland and Niko Medved at Minnesota — will try to replicate May’s first-year success story. May said Thursday at Big Ten media day that the new coaches are all proven winners at their previous programs and don not need his advice.
WORDS: 672 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 5:52 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
KANSAS
————-———————
FBN–Lions-Chiefs Preview Capsule
Lions try to extend winning streak to 5 as they visit Chiefs on Sunday night
SUMMARY: The Lions will be going for their fifth straight win when they visit the Chiefs on Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City is coming off a last-minute loss to the Jaguars in Jacksonville on Monday night. The Lions and Chiefs have played infrequently over the years with Kansas City holding a 9-6 advantage, but Detroit won the last meeting in 2023 at Arrowhead. The Lions are led by running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, while Kansas City’s pass offense has finally started to hit its stride over the past few weeks. Patrick Mahomes threw for 318 yards in the loss to the Jaguars.
WORDS: 745 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 1:21 p.m. CDT
——————————
FBN–Chiefs-Jones
Chris Jones owns up to mistake in Chiefs’ loss to Jaguars: ‘It’s a teaching point for me,’ he says
SUMMARY: Chris Jones has owned up to his mistake in the Chiefs’ loss to Jacksonville. The All-Pro defensive tackle thought Trevor Lawrence was down and stopped on the play when the quarterback scrambled to his feet and scored the winning touchdown with 23 seconds left, giving the Jaguars a 31-28 victory. Jones called it a teaching moment and emphasized the importance of playing until the whistle. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo noted the team got caught up in the moment. Jones has faced criticism but says he grades himself differently. Chiefs players, including Patrick Mahomes, have defended him this week.
WORDS: 622 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 1:39 p.m. CDT
——————————
FBC–T25-Kansas-Texas Tech Preview
No. 9 Texas Tech playing 1st game as top 10 team since 2013 in Big 12 home opener against Kansas
SUMMARY: Texas Tech is getting ready to play its first game as an AP top 10 team since 2013. Coach Joey McGuire still doesn’t believe the ninth-ranked and 5-0 Red Raiders have played to their full potential. They have scored a lot of points and not given up many, but are the Big 12’s most penalized team. They play their conference homer opener and reach the midpoint of their regular season Saturday night against 4-2 Kansas. Despite being penalized more than 76 yards per game, Tech is second among FBS teams averaging 48.6 points a game, and fourth giving up only 11.2 points per game.
WORDS: 793 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 5:16 p.m. CDT
——————————
BKW–Big 12 Preseason Poll
TCU’s addition of Olivia Miles lifts defending Big 12 champs to top of preseason poll
SUMMARY: TCU’s offseason addition of Olivia Miles helped put the Horned Frogs atop the Big 12 women’s basketball preseason poll for the first time in program history despite the loss of Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince off the school’s first Elite Eight team. Miles played four seasons at Notre Dame and is the latest transfer to boost the hopes of the Frogs under coach Mark Campbell. He brought in Prince from Oregon in 2023 and Van Lith from LSU last year. The Horned Frogs finished their first 30-win season at 34-4. They won the regular season and conference tournament titles.
WORDS: 386 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 6:41 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
MINNESOTA
————-———————
FBN–Vikings-Bye
Vikings keep the development process for recovering J.J. McCarthy in motion during the bye week
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Vikings welcomed their time off from a much-needed bye week after a two-game trip to Europe amid an early season surge of injuries. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy didn’t get a break. He has been entrenched at the practice facility trying to get back up to speed after missing the last three games with a sprained ankle. Carson Wentz capably steered the Vikings to two victories in McCarthy’s absence. Coach Kevin O’Connell has avoided definitive answers when asked recently about the short-term plan, but made it sound like his protege will be on the field on Oct. 19 when Minnesota hosts Philadelphia.
WORDS: 824 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 6:57 p.m. CDT
——————————
BKC–Big Ten-Media Day
Four coaches new to the Big Ten look to get their programs back on track
SUMMARY: Dusty May led Michigan to a Big Ten Tournament championship and an appearance in the Sweet 16 last season, his first as coach of the Wolverines. It was a stunning achievement for a program that finished last in the conference the previous season. Four coaches new to the Big Ten this season — Indiana’s Darian DeVries, Iowa’s Ben McCollum, Buzz Williams at Maryland and Niko Medved at Minnesota — will try to replicate May’s first-year success story. May said Thursday at Big Ten media day that the new coaches are all proven winners at their previous programs and don not need his advice.
WORDS: 672 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 5:52 p.m. CDT
——————————
HKN–Wild-Blues
Hartman scores twice, Gustavsson makes 27 saves in Wild’s 5-0 win over Blues in opener
SUMMARY: Ryan Hartman scored twice, Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves for his 12th NHL shutout and the Minnesota Wild beat the St. Louis Blues 5-0 on Thursday night in the opener for both teams. Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek and Marco Rossi also scored, and Kirill Kaprizov had three assists in his first game since signing an eight-year, $136 million contract. Gustavsson played days after agreeing to a five-year, $34 million contract extension. Hartman also had two assists.
WORDS: 187 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 9:43 p.m. CDT
——————————
HKN–HKN-Burns At 40
What’s in Burns’ backpack? Maybe the secret to Avalanche defenseman soon playing in 1,500th NHL game
SUMMARY: Brent Burns continues to remain youthful in his 22nd NHL season and first with the Colorado Avalanche. The 40-year-old defenseman is slated to play in his 1,500th game on Saturday against Dallas. Burns has not missed a game since 2013, marking 927 consecutive games, the fourth-longest streak in NHL history. Known for his heavy backpack filled with recovery tools, Burns is a lively presence in the locker room, always chatting and sharing wisdom. He joined the Avalanche to chase his first Stanley Cup title. It’s a similar late-career run that led to Hall of Famer Ray Bourque’s only title in 2001 with Colorado.
WORDS: 977 – MOVED: 10/10/2025 11:53 a.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
MISSOURI
————-———————
FBN–Lions-Chiefs Preview Capsule
Lions try to extend winning streak to 5 as they visit Chiefs on Sunday night
SUMMARY: The Lions will be going for their fifth straight win when they visit the Chiefs on Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City is coming off a last-minute loss to the Jaguars in Jacksonville on Monday night. The Lions and Chiefs have played infrequently over the years with Kansas City holding a 9-6 advantage, but Detroit won the last meeting in 2023 at Arrowhead. The Lions are led by running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, while Kansas City’s pass offense has finally started to hit its stride over the past few weeks. Patrick Mahomes threw for 318 yards in the loss to the Jaguars.
WORDS: 745 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 1:21 p.m. CDT
——————————
FBN–Chiefs-Jones
Chris Jones owns up to mistake in Chiefs’ loss to Jaguars: ‘It’s a teaching point for me,’ he says
SUMMARY: Chris Jones has owned up to his mistake in the Chiefs’ loss to Jacksonville. The All-Pro defensive tackle thought Trevor Lawrence was down and stopped on the play when the quarterback scrambled to his feet and scored the winning touchdown with 23 seconds left, giving the Jaguars a 31-28 victory. Jones called it a teaching moment and emphasized the importance of playing until the whistle. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo noted the team got caught up in the moment. Jones has faced criticism but says he grades himself differently. Chiefs players, including Patrick Mahomes, have defended him this week.
WORDS: 622 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 1:39 p.m. CDT
——————————
HKN–Wild-Blues
Hartman scores twice, Gustavsson makes 27 saves in Wild’s 5-0 win over Blues in opener
SUMMARY: Ryan Hartman scored twice, Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves for his 12th NHL shutout and the Minnesota Wild beat the St. Louis Blues 5-0 on Thursday night in the opener for both teams. Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek and Marco Rossi also scored, and Kirill Kaprizov had three assists in his first game since signing an eight-year, $136 million contract. Gustavsson played days after agreeing to a five-year, $34 million contract extension. Hartman also had two assists.
WORDS: 187 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 9:43 p.m. CDT
——————————
FBN–Pro Picks-Week 6
Pro Picks: Chiefs will beat the Lions in a marquee matchup that still could be a Super Bowl preview
SUMMARY: A Lions-Chiefs matchup was considered a potential Super Bowl preview when the schedule came out. It still could be considering the state of the AFC. Jared Goff leads a dynamic Lions offense against Patrick Mahomes and the inconsistent Chiefs on Sunday night in Kansas City in one of the biggest games in Week 6. Detroit rebounded from a lopsided loss to Green Bay in Week 1 to win four in a row. The Chiefs were on the right track with two straight wins after opening 0-2 but gave up a final-minute score to lose to Jacksonville on Monday night.
WORDS: 1387 – MOVED: 10/08/2025 3:22 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
NEBRASKA
————-———————
BKC–Big Ten-Media Day
Four coaches new to the Big Ten look to get their programs back on track
SUMMARY: Dusty May led Michigan to a Big Ten Tournament championship and an appearance in the Sweet 16 last season, his first as coach of the Wolverines. It was a stunning achievement for a program that finished last in the conference the previous season. Four coaches new to the Big Ten this season — Indiana’s Darian DeVries, Iowa’s Ben McCollum, Buzz Williams at Maryland and Niko Medved at Minnesota — will try to replicate May’s first-year success story. May said Thursday at Big Ten media day that the new coaches are all proven winners at their previous programs and don not need his advice.
WORDS: 672 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 5:52 p.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
NORTH DAKOTA
————-———————
HKN–Jets-Toews Return
Jonathan Toews returns to NHL with hometown Jets after being out 2 seasons with long COVID
SUMMARY: The spotlight was on Jonathan Toews when the Winnipeg Jets skated onto the ice for their opener against Dallas. The Winnipeg-born Toews received a loud, long cheer from the sold-out crowd when he was introduced before the Jets’ 5-4 loss on Thursday night. The 37-year-old was playing his first NHL game since April 13, 2023, with the Chicago Blackhawks. He logged 18:19 of ice time in his 1,068th career regular-season game and had one shot on goal. The three-time Stanley Cup champion and former Chicago captain missed the past two seasons for health reasons related to Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and long COVID-19.
WORDS: 536 – MOVED: 10/10/2025 12:10 a.m. CDT
——————————
——————————-—
OKLAHOMA
————-———————
FBC–T25-Oklahoma-Venables Rebounds
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables leads Sooners to No. 6 ranking after team finished 6-7 last year
SUMMARY: Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has turned things around after a tough season last year. The Sooners are now ranked sixth and are in the College Football Playoff hunt. They have the nation’s best defense in several categories. Venables is calling the defensive plays this season, and the team has allowed only 36 points through five games. Oklahoma leads the nation in total defense, surrendering only 193 yards per game. On offense, the Sooners brought in new talent, including quarterback John Mateer, who has impressed despite a recent injury. Venables praises the team’s chemistry and determination.
WORDS: 783 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 10:23 a.m. CDT
——————————
BKW–Big 12 Preseason Poll
TCU’s addition of Olivia Miles lifts defending Big 12 champs to top of preseason poll
SUMMARY: TCU’s offseason addition of Olivia Miles helped put the Horned Frogs atop the Big 12 women’s basketball preseason poll for the first time in program history despite the loss of Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince off the school’s first Elite Eight team. Miles played four seasons at Notre Dame and is the latest transfer to boost the hopes of the Frogs under coach Mark Campbell. He brought in Prince from Oregon in 2023 and Van Lith from LSU last year. The Horned Frogs finished their first 30-win season at 34-4. They won the regular season and conference tournament titles.
WORDS: 386 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 6:41 p.m. CDT
——————————
FBC–T25-Oklahoma-Mateer
Oklahoma QB John Mateer upgraded to probable for Saturday’s game against Texas
SUMMARY: Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer’s status has been upgraded to probable for the Sooners’ game Saturday against Texas. Mateer injured his right hand during a win over Auburn on September 20. He played three quarters with the injury and scored a crucial touchdown. Mateer had surgery during Oklahoma’s off week and missed last week’s game against Kent State. Michael Hawkins Jr. stepped in and led the Sooners to a 44-0 victory. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Mateer hasn’t practiced against the first-string defense since the injury. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said he was preparing for Mateer, calling him a dynamic player.
WORDS: 305 – MOVED: 10/09/2025 7:58 p.m. CDT
——————————
If you have a coverage enquiry, please contact Editorial Support (available 24/7) via editorialsupport@ap.org
<END>
