Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Trump-Farm Aid
Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration
SUMMARY: Farmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a $12 billion package that President Donald Trump announced earlier this month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the figures Wednesday for how much aid per acre farmers can plan on for each row crop. The details arrived after most farmers have already met with their bankers to arrange financing for next year’s crops and placed orders for the seed and fertilizer they will need. But officials have promised that the payments should arrive by the end of February. Farmers say the aid won’t solve all their problems as they continue to deal with soaring costs.
WORDS: 897 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 2:57 p.m. CST
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KANSAS
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US–Trump-Farm Aid
Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration
SUMMARY: Farmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a $12 billion package that President Donald Trump announced earlier this month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the figures Wednesday for how much aid per acre farmers can plan on for each row crop. The details arrived after most farmers have already met with their bankers to arrange financing for next year’s crops and placed orders for the seed and fertilizer they will need. But officials have promised that the payments should arrive by the end of February. Farmers say the aid won’t solve all their problems as they continue to deal with soaring costs.
WORDS: 897 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 2:57 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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US–Trump-Farm Aid
Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration
SUMMARY: Farmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a $12 billion package that President Donald Trump announced earlier this month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the figures Wednesday for how much aid per acre farmers can plan on for each row crop. The details arrived after most farmers have already met with their bankers to arrange financing for next year’s crops and placed orders for the seed and fertilizer they will need. But officials have promised that the payments should arrive by the end of February. Farmers say the aid won’t solve all their problems as they continue to deal with soaring costs.
WORDS: 897 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 2:57 p.m. CST
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US-Child-Care-Fraud-Minnesota-What to Know
What to know about Trump administration freezing federal child care funds
SUMMARY: The Trump administration has frozen child care funds to all states after allegations of fraud at Minnesota day care centers run by Somali residents. States will have to provide more verification for the child care centers that receive funds from the Child Care and Development Fund, according to a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson. Minnesota will have to provide additional verification on top of the new requirements for centers that are suspected of fraud. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has accused President Donald Trump of weaponizing the allegations for political gains. Trump has targeted the Somali diaspora in the state.
WORDS: 958 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 3:13 p.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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US–Trump-Farm Aid
Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration
SUMMARY: Farmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a $12 billion package that President Donald Trump announced earlier this month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the figures Wednesday for how much aid per acre farmers can plan on for each row crop. The details arrived after most farmers have already met with their bankers to arrange financing for next year’s crops and placed orders for the seed and fertilizer they will need. But officials have promised that the payments should arrive by the end of February. Farmers say the aid won’t solve all their problems as they continue to deal with soaring costs.
WORDS: 897 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 2:57 p.m. CST
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NORTH DAKOTA
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US–Trump-Farm Aid
Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration
SUMMARY: Farmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a $12 billion package that President Donald Trump announced earlier this month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the figures Wednesday for how much aid per acre farmers can plan on for each row crop. The details arrived after most farmers have already met with their bankers to arrange financing for next year’s crops and placed orders for the seed and fertilizer they will need. But officials have promised that the payments should arrive by the end of February. Farmers say the aid won’t solve all their problems as they continue to deal with soaring costs.
WORDS: 897 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 2:57 p.m. CST
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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US–Trump-Farm Aid
Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration
SUMMARY: Farmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a $12 billion package that President Donald Trump announced earlier this month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the figures Wednesday for how much aid per acre farmers can plan on for each row crop. The details arrived after most farmers have already met with their bankers to arrange financing for next year’s crops and placed orders for the seed and fertilizer they will need. But officials have promised that the payments should arrive by the end of February. Farmers say the aid won’t solve all their problems as they continue to deal with soaring costs.
WORDS: 897 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 2:57 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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FBC–ReliaQuest Bowl-Quirky TD
Vanderbilt punter’s illegal kick sets up Iowa for an easy touchdown in ReliaQuest Bowl
SUMMARY: Iowa scored late in first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl as the result of a quirky play involving an illegal kick by the Vanderbilt punter. On fourth down at the Vandy 15, punter Nick Haberer took the snap and began moving toward the line of scrimmage. He stepped over the 15 before sending a punt 53 yards out of bounds at the Iowa 32. Haberer was flagged for an illegal kick, and the 5-yard penalty from the spot of the foul gave the Hawkeyes possession at the Vandy 10. Reece Vander Zee caught a touchdown pass from Mark Gronowski on the next play.
WORDS: 165 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 12:49 p.m. CST
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BKW–T25-Iowa State-Houston
Audi Crooks has 5th straight game of at least 30 points in No. 10 Iowa State’s 80-62 win vs. Houston
SUMMARY: Audi Crooks had 35 points and 13 rebounds, Jada Williams added 16 points and a career-high 14 assists and No. 10 Iowa State beat Houston 80-62. Williams and Crooks combined for 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting in the first half as the Cyclones built a 45-31 halftime lead. Crooks finished 17 of 21 from the field. She scored at least 30 for the fifth straight game, and double-figures for the 80th straight game, the longest active streak in the nation. Briana Peguero scored 14 and Jade Jones added 11 points off the bench for Houston.
WORDS: 314 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 3:05 p.m. CST
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FBC–T25-ReliaQuest Bowl
Iowa holds off Vanderbilt’s comeback bid for 34-27 victory in the ReliaQuest Bowl
SUMMARY: Mark Gronowski threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another to lead Iowa to a 34-27 win over No. 13 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Gronowski was 16-of-22 passing for 212 yards, throwing touchdowns passes of 10 and 21 yards to Reece Vander Zee and DJ Vonnahme, respectively, as Iowa got out to a 21-3 lead early in the third quarter. Vanderbilt rallied behind Diego Pavia. The Heisman Trophy runner-up threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Tre Richardson and a 16-yarder to Joseph McVay to pull the Commodores within 24-17.
WORDS: 390 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 3:14 p.m. CST
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KANSAS
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FBN–NFL-Christmas-Ratings
Lions-Vikings Christmas game on Netflix sets NFL streaming record, averaging 27.5M viewers
SUMMARY: Two of the NFL’s three Christmas Day games set viewership records. The Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings game on Netflix became the most-streamed NFL game in U.S. history. The Denver Broncos-Kansas City Chiefs game set a record for Amazon Prime Video. Nielsen reports the Vikings’ 23-10 victory over the Lions averaged 27.5 million U.S. viewers. The Broncos’ 20-13 win over the Chiefs had a 21.06 million average on Prime Video. The Cowboys-Commanders game averaged 19.9 million. Netflix’s “NFL Christmas Gameday” drew over 632 million social impressions globally, with Snoop Dogg’s halftime show being a major highlight.
WORDS: 340 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 3:29 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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FBN–NFL-Christmas-Ratings
Lions-Vikings Christmas game on Netflix sets NFL streaming record, averaging 27.5M viewers
SUMMARY: Two of the NFL’s three Christmas Day games set viewership records. The Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings game on Netflix became the most-streamed NFL game in U.S. history. The Denver Broncos-Kansas City Chiefs game set a record for Amazon Prime Video. Nielsen reports the Vikings’ 23-10 victory over the Lions averaged 27.5 million U.S. viewers. The Broncos’ 20-13 win over the Chiefs had a 21.06 million average on Prime Video. The Cowboys-Commanders game averaged 19.9 million. Netflix’s “NFL Christmas Gameday” drew over 632 million social impressions globally, with Snoop Dogg’s halftime show being a major highlight.
WORDS: 340 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 3:29 p.m. CST
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BKN–Timberwolves-Hawks
Johnson scores 34 points as Hawks roll past Timberwolves 126-102 to end 7-game losing streak
SUMMARY: Jalen Johnson scored 34 points and the Atlanta Hawks overcame Anthony Edwards’ 30 points for Minnesota to beat the Timberwolves 126-102 and end a seven-game losing streak. Atlanta took control by outscoring Minnesota 37-23 in the second quarter to lead 70-49 at halftime. Johnson added 10 rebounds and six assists. The Hawks claimed their first win since beating Philadelphia 120-117 on Dec. 14 and improved to 6-11 at home. The Hawks were bolstered by the return of Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 16 points in 17 minutes off the bench after missing 10 games with an illness.
WORDS: 313 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 4:25 p.m. CST
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FBN–Vikings-McCarthy
Vikes’ McCarthy returns to practice, with progress on hand injury giving him chance to play vs. Pack
SUMMARY: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has returned to practice with his injured throwing hand improving enough to give him an opportunity to play the final game of the season. McCarthy suffered a hairline fracture in his right hand during Minnesota’s win over the New York Giants on Dec. 21. He was sidelined just before halftime of that game and held out during the victory over the Detroit Lions last Thursday. The Vikings host the Green Bay Packers this Sunday in a matchup with no impact on the playoffs. McCarthy has started nine games this season after missing his rookie year.
WORDS: 544 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 2:30 p.m. CST
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FBN–Packers-Ridder
Packers sign Ridder to practice squad and remain noncommittal on plans for regular-season finale
SUMMARY: Green Bay signed quarterback Desmond Ridder to its practice squad Wednesday as the Packers remained quiet on how they’d approach their final regular-season game with their playoff seeding already determined. Packers quarterbacks Jordan Love and Malik Willis practiced Wednesday on a limited basis. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Love remains in concussion protocol. The Packers (9-6-1) are locked into the NFC’s No. 7 playoff seed for a third straight year by losing 41-24 to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. They close the regular season Sunday at Minnesota (8-8).
WORDS: 491 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 1:11 p.m. CST
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FBN–Packers-Diggs
Packers claim Trevon Diggs one day after Cowboys waived the veteran cornerback
SUMMARY: The Green Bay Packers have claimed Trevon Diggs a day after the Dallas Cowboys waived the 2021 All-Pro cornerback. This move enables Green Bay to boost its injury-riddled secondary by taking a chance on a two-time Pro Bowl selection seeking a career reset. Diggs had an NFL-leading 11 interceptions and earned All-Pro honors with Dallas in 2021. He earned a second Pro Bowl selection the following year. But his production dipped from there as he dealt with two major knee surgeries.
WORDS: 624 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 4:46 p.m. CST
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BKN–Timberwolves-Edwards Leaves
‘Ant-Man’ Edwards leaves bench late in loss for 2nd early exit from a Timberwolves game in 1 week
SUMMARY: For the second time in one week, Anthony Edwards didn’t stick around for the end of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ game. This time, the exit was his decision. Edwards left the Minnesota bench and the court during a timeout late in the Timberwolves’ 126-102 loss at the Atlanta Hawks. Edwards apparently disagreed with coach Chris Finch pulling his starters with the Hawks leading 109-80. Edwards tossed his towel and left the bench. Edwards did not speak with reporters after the game. Finch says “Ant-Man” should have remained on the bench to support his teammates.
WORDS: 244 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 5:55 p.m. CST
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HKN–Wild-Sharks
Celebrini celebrates Team Canada selection by leading Sharks past Wild 4-3 in shootout
SUMMARY: Macklin Celebrini had a goal and an assist hours after being selected to play for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Minnesota Wild 4–3 in a shootout. Celebrini and William Eklund scored for the Sharks in the tiebreaker, while Minnesota failed to convert on either of its two attempts. San Jose has won three straight following a three-game slide. Igor Chernyshov had a goal and two assists, and Jeff Skinner also scored for the Sharks. The 19-year-old Celebrini got his 40th assist of the season, passing Mikko Rantanen for second-most in the NHL. Yaroslav Askarov finished with 20 saves. Vladimir Tarasenko, Marcus Foligno and Mats Zuccarello scored for the Wild, who are 2-0-1 on their seven-game trip.
WORDS: 247 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 6:29 p.m. CST
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HKO–World Junior
Sweden beats US 6-3 in world junior hockey group finale. Canada tops Finland 7-4
SUMMARY: Lucas Pettersson and Eddie Genborg each scored twice and Sweden beat the United States 6-3 on Wednesday night in the world junior hockey championship to complete group play unbeaten. Casper Juustovaara opened the scoring in the first period on a deflection, and the Swedes led 5-1 in the second period in the Group A finale. Ivar Stenberg scored in the third, and Love Harenstam made 28 saves. In the quarterfinals Friday, Sweden will face Latvia, and the second-place Americans will play Finland, a 7-4 loser to Canada later Wednesday night in the Group B finale in Minneapolis. Canada will play Slovakia, and Czechia will meet Switzerland. Chase Reid, Will Zellers and Teddy Stiga scored for the United States.
WORDS: 393 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 8:02 p.m. CST
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BKL–Unrivaled-Collier
Napheesa Collier will have surgery on both ankles and be sidelined for four to six months
SUMMARY: Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier will have surgery on both ankles and is expected to be sidelined four to six months, including the upcoming Unrivaled season. The 3-on-3 women’s basketball league made the announcement Thursday. Collier had been rehabbing ankle injuries suffered during the WNBA season. She said last month she was working back to full strength so she could be available for Unrivaled’s second season, which begins Monday. She suffered a sprained right ankle during an August game and missed several weeks. She then hurt her left ankle in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals.
WORDS: 180 – MOVED: 01/01/2026 9:39 a.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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FBN–NFL-Christmas-Ratings
Lions-Vikings Christmas game on Netflix sets NFL streaming record, averaging 27.5M viewers
SUMMARY: Two of the NFL’s three Christmas Day games set viewership records. The Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings game on Netflix became the most-streamed NFL game in U.S. history. The Denver Broncos-Kansas City Chiefs game set a record for Amazon Prime Video. Nielsen reports the Vikings’ 23-10 victory over the Lions averaged 27.5 million U.S. viewers. The Broncos’ 20-13 win over the Chiefs had a 21.06 million average on Prime Video. The Cowboys-Commanders game averaged 19.9 million. Netflix’s “NFL Christmas Gameday” drew over 632 million social impressions globally, with Snoop Dogg’s halftime show being a major highlight.
WORDS: 340 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 3:29 p.m. CST
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BKC–Saint Joseph’s-Saint Louis
Avila’s 20 lead Saint Louis past Saint Joseph’s 102-79
SUMMARY: Led by Robbie Avila’s 20 points, the Saint Louis Billikens defeated the Saint Joseph’s Hawks 102-79 in an Atlantic 10 Conference opener. Saint Louis has won seven in a row. The Hawks were led by Jaiden Glover, who finished with 23 points.
WORDS: 214 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 5:43 p.m. CST
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HKN–Blues-Avalanche
MacKinnon scores 400th goal and Nichushkin nets hat trick as Avalanche rout Blues 6-1
SUMMARY: Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, including his 400th career goal, and Valeri Nichushkin netted his second NHL hat trick as the Colorado Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 6-1 for their ninth straight win. MacKinnon became the third player in franchise history to reach 400 goals and first to score them all for the Avalanche since the team moved to Colorado from Quebec. MacKinnon, who added two assists, leads the NHL with 34 goals. Nichushkin scored twice during a four-goal barrage in the first 4:39 of the game and finished with three goals. Brock Nelson scored later on a power play for Colorado, and Mackenzie Blackwood turned away 12 shots.
WORDS: 355 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 11:07 p.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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FBC–Las Vegas Bowl
Devon Dampier leads No. 15 Utah past Nebraska in Las Vegas Bowl, 44-22
SUMMARY: Devon Dampier threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 148 yards and three scores, and No. 15 Utah won the Las Vegas Bowl in Morgan Scalley’s first game as coach, beating Nebraska 44-22 on Wednesday in the Las Vegas Bowl. Scalley was expected to be the Utes’ coach beginning after this game, but Michigan hired Kyle Whittingham on Friday, prompting a quicker change. For Dampier, the question now is whether the junior will return to Salt Lake City or enter the transfer portal. It was an audition for Nebraska freshman quarterback TJ Lateef, who passed for 182 yards and had a touchdown each throwing and running. Utah (11-2) reached 11 victories for the fourth time. Nebraska finished 7-6.
WORDS: 623 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 6:13 p.m. CST
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NORTH DAKOTA
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HKO–World Junior
Sweden beats US 6-3 in world junior hockey group finale. Canada tops Finland 7-4
SUMMARY: Lucas Pettersson and Eddie Genborg each scored twice and Sweden beat the United States 6-3 on Wednesday night in the world junior hockey championship to complete group play unbeaten. Casper Juustovaara opened the scoring in the first period on a deflection, and the Swedes led 5-1 in the second period in the Group A finale. Ivar Stenberg scored in the third, and Love Harenstam made 28 saves. In the quarterfinals Friday, Sweden will face Latvia, and the second-place Americans will play Finland, a 7-4 loser to Canada later Wednesday night in the Group B finale in Minneapolis. Canada will play Slovakia, and Czechia will meet Switzerland. Chase Reid, Will Zellers and Teddy Stiga scored for the United States.
WORDS: 393 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 8:02 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKC–Rice-Tulsa
Lawal scores 25 as Tulsa downs Rice 97-48
SUMMARY: Jaylen Lawal scored 25 points off of the bench to help lead the Tulsa Golden Hurricane past the Rice Owls 97-48. David Green added 19 points for Tulsa, which has won 10 in a row.
WORDS: 206 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 4:12 p.m. CST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/LawalscoresasTulsadownsRice/5d1d68d3087742b1a424cdf8aef867d1/text
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BKN–Trail Blazers-Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 30 points as Thunder top Trail Blazers 124-95
SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points in three quarters and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Portland Trail Blazers 124-95 for their third straight win. Ajay Mitchell scored 17 points off the bench, and Jalen Williams had 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Chet Holmgren added 12 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high six blocks for Oklahoma City, which converted 25 Portland turnovers into 28 points. Gilgeous-Alexander scored at least 20 points for the 105th consecutive game. Mitchell made all four of his field goal attempts and all eight free throws. Sidy Cissoko scored 19 points for Portland.
WORDS: 304 – MOVED: 12/31/2025 9:54 p.m. CST
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