Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Immigration-Des-Moines-Superintendent
Former Iowa superintendent expected to plead guilty to falsely claiming US citizenship
SUMMARY: Former Des Moines superintendent Ian Roberts is set to appear before a federal judge and is expected to plead guilty to charges of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms. Roberts is originally from Guyana and initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has change-of-plea hearing on Thursday. The charges could lead to 20 years in prison. He also could be deported. Roberts was targeted by federal immigration agents and arrested in September. Authorities found a loaded handgun and cash in his vehicle. Roberts was an educator and administrator for two decades in districts across the U.S. His arrest stunned the Des Moines community.
WORDS: 695 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 2:08 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Des-Moines-Superintendent
Former Iowa superintendent expected to plead guilty to falsely claiming he was a US citizen
SUMMARY: The former Des Moines superintendent is expected to plead guilty in federal court. Ian Roberts is charged with falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms. Roberts is originally from Guyana and initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is expected to plead guilty Thursday to both counts after entering into an agreement with prosecutors that was released Wednesday. The charges could lead to 20 years in prison. He also could be deported. Roberts was targeted by federal immigration agents and arrested in September. Authorities found a loaded handgun and cash in his vehicle. Roberts was an educator and administrator for two decades in districts across the U.S.
WORDS: 603 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 11:02 p.m. CST
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MINNESOTA
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US–Election 2026-Democrats-Immigration
Minneapolis turmoil has Democrats scrambling to figure out political strategy on immigration
SUMMARY: Democrats are rethinking their midterm election strategy due to the controversial immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The killing of Renee Good by federal agents has sparked outrage, but the party is divided on how to respond. Some are calling to abolish ICE, echoing “defund the police” rhetoric from President Donald Trump’s first term. Others are proposing legislation to curb alleged abuse, which activists criticize as insufficient. The party faces pressure to balance immigration issues with core messages on health care and affordability. Republicans, meanwhile, feel confident in their stance on immigration and crime.
WORDS: 1025 – MOVED: 01/20/2026 11:03 p.m. CST
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US–Mining-Boundary Waters
House Republicans vote to lift 20-year ban on mining near pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area
SUMMARY: Congressional Republicans have moved closer to lifting a 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a premier destination for outdoors lovers in remote northeastern Minnesota. The Biden administration barred mining on about 225,500 acres in the Superior National Forest in 2023 to protect the canoe area from pollution. U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber of Minnesota introduced a resolution this month to repeal the moratorium. The House approved it on a 214-208 vote Wednesday. It is not clear whether or when the Senate may take it up. A subsidiary of a Chilean mining company is exploring opening a copper mine in the national forest. Conservationists say that could damage the fragile watershed.
WORDS: 815 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 3:52 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Minnesota-Economy
Minneapolis businesses struggle during Trump’s immigration enforcement surge
SUMMARY: Business in Minnesota has taken a hit as President Donald Trump’s administration carries out an immigration sweep that has spurred protests. Some staff and customers are staying home out of fear of immigration enforcement officers. And protesters are targeting businesses they see as aiding federal immigration enforcement. Countless stores have temporarily closed, canceled events or reduced hours. Some hotels that housed federal immigration officers and saw protests have stopped accepting reservations altogether. Minneapolis-based Target Corp. also has seen protests. The state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities cited devastating economic impacts in a lawsuit imploring a federal judge to halt the immigration operations.
WORDS: 1245 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 3:02 p.m. CST
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US–Immigration-Enforcement
Immigration enforcement arrives in Maine as a court freezes restrictions on tactics in Minnesota
SUMMARY: Maine has become the latest target in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement wave. The Department of Homeland Security named the enforcement operation Catch of the Day, an apparent play on the state’s seafood industry. Maine has relatively few residents who are in the United States illegally but has a notable presence of refugees in its largest cities. An appeals court on Wednesday suspended a decision that prohibited federal officers from using tear gas or pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minnesota. The government persuaded the court to freeze a judge’s ruling while it pursues an appeal.
WORDS: 907 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 12:05 a.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Military
Army orders military police to get ready for a possible Minneapolis deployment, AP source says
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army has ordered several dozen additional active-duty soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minneapolis if needed amid protests over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown. That’s according to a defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday. Members of an Army military police brigade stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina have been given prepare-to-deploy orders. But the official says such standby orders are issued regularly and they don’t necessarily mean the troops would end up going. About 1,500 active-duty soldiers from the Army’s 11th Airborne Division based in Alaska also received similar standby orders. President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act before walking that back.
WORDS: 420 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 8:55 p.m. CST
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US–Vance
Vance heads to Minneapolis and says ‘far left’ should stop resisting immigration enforcement
SUMMARY: Vice President JD Vance is blaming what he calls the “far left” for turmoil surrounding the White House’s deportation campaign. Vance is set to visit Minnesota later Thursday. But first he stopped in Ohio, his home state, where he criticized opposition to the administration’s immigration enforcement. The vice president will meet in Minneapolis with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Protests have erupted in the city after an agent fatally shot Renee Good this month. Vance has defended that agent and said Good’s death was a “tragedy of her own making.” Vance also is praising the arrest of protesters who disrupted a weekend church service in Minnesota.
WORDS: 390 – MOVED: 01/22/2026 10:44 a.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement-Boy Detained
Federal officers detain a 5-year-old boy who school official says was used as ‘bait’
SUMMARY: Federal agents have detained a 5-year-old boy and his father in Minnesota, taking them to a detention facility in Texas. School officials and the family’s lawyer say this is part of the ongoing immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities. Zena Stenvik, the school superintendent in the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights, says the boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, was “essentially” used “as bait” to apprehend his father, who is pursuing an asylum claim in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security says the operation targeted the father, not the child. It’s not clear if the father asked for his son to be taken into custody with him. Liam is the district’s fourth student who has been detained recently.
WORDS: 628 – MOVED: 01/22/2026 8:57 a.m. CST
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US–Immigration Enforcement
Attorney general announces the arrest of at least 2 people involved in a Minnesota church protest
SUMMARY: Attorney General Pam Bondi says a woman who led an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church has been arrested. Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in a post on X on Thursday. On Sunday, protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor. Bondi said later a second person was also arrested. The group interrupted services by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to the 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis this month. Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and prominent local activist, had called for the pastor affiliated with ICE to resign.
WORDS: 1131 – MOVED: 01/22/2026 8:41 a.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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US–Statehouse Harassment Missouri
Missouri lawmaker reprimanded for sexually vulgar text sent during redistricting protest
SUMMARY: A Missouri lawmaker has been formally reprimanded for sending a sexually vulgar text to a fellow House member. Democratic state Rep. Jeremy Dean was protesting a redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump when he sent the message to a Republican lawmaker last September. On Thursday, colleagues barred him from serving on House committees and ordered him to stay at least 50 feet away from the targeted lawmaker. Dean acknowledged the text was inappropriate and apologized. He is among at least 157 state lawmakers across the U.S. who have been accused of sexual misconduct or harassment since 2017, according to an Associated Press tally.
WORDS: 507 – MOVED: 01/22/2026 11:14 a.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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NE–Youth Treatment-Facility Moves
Nebraska planning to move boys from troubled Kearney youth center to Omaha
SUMMARY: State leaders in Nebraska plan to move boys from Kearney’s youth treatment center to a youth prison in Omaha after allegations of sexual abuse. The move is part of a broader plan to shuffle in-custody youth. Officials say the changes will better serve teens and save money. However, some, like Douglas County Public Defender Tom Riley, express concerns about maintaining appropriate programming. The plan requires legislative approval and involves moving youth among various facilities. Nebraska’s child welfare watchdog continues to investigate the abuse allegations. The state hopes to implement the changes by the end of the year.
WORDS: 939 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 2:55 p.m. CST
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US–Crime Rates-2025 Drop
Homicide rate declines sharply in dozens of US cities, a new report shows
SUMMARY: A report issued by the Council on Criminal Justice is showing a 21% decrease in the homicide rate from 2024 to 2025, based on data collected from 35 American cities. That’s about 922 fewer homicides last year amid decreases in 31 of the cities studied. The report was released on Thursday. Experts said they’re seeing other cities and states around the country reporting similar declines in homicides and other crimes. Elected officials at all levels — both Democrats and Republicans — have been touting the steep declines and claiming credit. But the experts caution it’s too early to understand why the declines are happening and how long that will last.
WORDS: 735 – MOVED: 01/22/2026 4:03 a.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Winter Weather-By The Numbers
Millions of Americans prepare for potentially catastrophic ice storm. Here’s what the numbers show
SUMMARY: Millions of Americans are bracing for a potentially catastrophic ice storm from New Mexico to the Carolinas. Forecasters say it could crush trees, power lines, and cause power outages for days. Big cities including Washington, D.C. and New York City might see enough snow to make travel nearly impossible. About 150 million people on Thursday were under winter weather watches or warnings of extreme cold. The storm is expected to begin Friday and continue through the weekend, as an atmospheric river of moisture could pull precipitation across Texas and other Gulf Coast states.
WORDS: 1154 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 11:03 p.m. CST
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKC–Murray State-Drake
Quinn’s 34 lead Drake over Murray State 101-90
SUMMARY: The Drake Bulldogs defeated the Murray State Racers 101-90 on Wednesday led by Jalen Quinn’s 34 points. The Bulldogs are now 10-10 on the season, while the Racers dropped to 16-4.
WORDS: 158 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 9:47 p.m. CST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/QuinnsleadDrakeoverMurrayState/f1e7610c9ab541cfaf0e7dc17c9bd01f/text
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MINNESOTA
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US–Election 2026-Minnesota-Tafoya
From the NFL sidelines to a US Senate race: Michele Tafoya’s new play
SUMMARY: Former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya has launched her campaign for the U.S. Senate. She hopes to win the Republican nomination for the Minnesota seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. Tafoya announced her candidacy Wednesday in a video posted on social media. She emphasized her knowledge of leadership from her years covering football. Tafoya has been active in Minnesota Republican politics and is best known for her work as a sideline reporter for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Other Republicans in the race include former NBA player Royce White, military veterans Adam Schwarze and Tom Weiler, and former Minnesota GOP Chair David Hann.
WORDS: 509 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 8:35 a.m. CST
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BBO–Red Sox-Twins Trade
Twins acquire infielder Tristan Gray in trade with Red Sox for minor league catcher
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins have acquired infielder Tristan Gray in a trade with the Boston Red Sox for minor league catcher Nate Baez. The 29-year-old Gray hit .231 in 30 games for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. He was dealt to the Red Sox in November. Gray has appeared in 47 major league games with at least 10 starts at each infield position. The Twins are his seventh organization in two years. His departure cleared a 40-man roster spot with the Red Sox for newly signed starting pitcher Ranger Suárez. The Twins designated infielder Vidal Bruján for release or assignment.
WORDS: 191 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 1:46 p.m. CST
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FBN–Vikings-Flores
Vikings sign defensive coordinator Brian Flores to contract extension after successful 3-year run
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Vikings have signed Brian Flores to a contract extension that ensures the defensive coordinator will return for the 2026 season if he is not hired as a head coach. The Vikings have allowed an average of 19.2 points in Flores’ first three seasons as defensive coordinator, the second-fewest in the NFL. The Vikings allowed an average of only 105.4 rushing yards per games from 2023 to ’25, the fifth-fewest in the league, including a league-low 3.9 yards per rush. The Vikings’ 147 plays of 20 or more yards allowed the last three years lead the league.
WORDS: 302 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 7:25 p.m. CST
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Cardinals-Molina
Ex-catcher Yadier Molina returns to the Cardinals as a special assistant to the front office
SUMMARY: Yadier Molina is rejoining the St. Louis Cardinals as a special assistant to the general manager. The longtime catcher will offer insights on the club’s catching program, game strategy, and daily operations. The Cardinals announced his new role on Wednesday. Molina, 43, anchored World Series championship teams in 2006 and 2011. He is the only player in baseball history to catch over 2,000 games with one club. After retiring in 2022, Molina quickly moved into coaching, achieving success in Puerto Rico and Venezuela. The Cardinals are excited to welcome him back to the organization.
WORDS: 259 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 2:01 p.m. CST
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BBO–MLB-ABC Games
ABC to air 3 regular-season MLB games, including Yankees vs. Red Sox
SUMMARY: ESPN has announced that three regular-season weekend baseball games will air on ABC this year. The San Francisco Giants will host the Chicago Cubs on June 14. Two weeks later, the New York Yankees will face the Boston Red Sox. ABC will air another rivalry on August 16 when the Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals. The games on ABC are part of ESPN’s three-year rights agreement with Major League Baseball that takes effect this season. ABC previously aired games during the wild-card round, but those move to NBC and Peacock.
WORDS: 142 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 2:32 p.m. CST
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US–Sports Betting Missouri
Missouri considers a ban on college athlete prop bets after NCAA basketball betting scandal
SUMMARY: Missouri gambling regulators are considering new restrictions on bets related to college athletes’ performance. The move by the Missouri Gaming Commission comes one week after the NCAA urged state gambling boards to ban college athlete prop bets because of recent scandals. Prop bets focus on individual player performances, like points scored in basketball or passing yards in football. The NCAA argues these bets are vulnerable to manipulation. Last week, over two dozen people were indicted for allegedly trying to rig college basketball games. Missouri already prohibits prop bets on athletes playing in games involving Missouri colleges, but it allows them for all other games.
WORDS: 629 – MOVED: 01/22/2026 9:06 a.m. CST
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NEBRASKA
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BKC–Xavier-Creighton
Dix’s 19, Swartz’s game-winner lead Creighton over Xavier, 94-93
SUMMARY: Josh Dix scored 19 points to lead the Creighton Bluejays and Austin Swartz hit the game-winning jump shot with one second left as the Bluejays beat the Xavier Musketeers 94-93. Swartz missed what would have been the tying free throw, came up with the rebound and hit a medium-range bank shot for the win. Tre Carroll led Xavier with 29 points.
WORDS: 214 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 8:51 p.m. CST
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BKW–T25-Nebraska-Wisconsin
Uchenna scores 22, Daniels adds 19 and Wisconsin women top No. 24 Nebraska 63-60
SUMMARY: Gift Uchenna had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Kyrah Daniels added 19 points, and Wisconsin defeated No. 24 Nebraska 63-60. Daniels hit a 3-pointer to tie the score at 60 with 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter and the go-ahead free throw 50 seconds later. After a Nebraska turnover, Uchenna’s layup made it 63-60 with 53 seconds left and neither team scored again. The Cornhuskers led by five points with 3:45 remaining in the game but made only 1 of 7 shots the rest of the way and 2 of their last 12. Wisconsin improved to 11-1 at home.
WORDS: 291 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 8:56 p.m. CST
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BKC–Nebraska-Frager
No. 7 Nebraska’s Braden Frager sprains his left ankle, misses second half against Washington
SUMMARY: Nebraska guard Braden Frager sprained his left ankle in the first half against Washington and was on the bench in a walking boot in the second half. Coach Fred Hoiberg said Frager’s status was uncertain for Saturday’s game at Minnesota. Frager is the Cornhuskers’ second-leading scorer at 13.3 points per game. He came down awkwardly during a scramble for the ball under the basket. Frager plays 25 minutes per game off the bench and has been one of the breakout stars as the Huskers have gotten off to a 19-0 start and extended their win streak to 23 games.
WORDS: 275 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 9:31 p.m. CST
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BKC–T25-Washington-Nebraska
No. 7 Nebraska beats Washington 76-66 to extend its winning streak to 23 games
SUMMARY: Pryce Sandfort scored 23 points to lead No. 7 Nebraska past Washington 76-66, extending the unbeaten Cornhuskers’ winning streak to 23 games. The Huskers are 19-0 and alone in first place in the Big Ten at 8-0. The Huskers earned their highest ranking in program history this week and were in control throughout against injury-plagued Washington. Sandfort had his third straight game with at least 20 points. Sam Hoiberg added 14 points. Hannes Steinbach had his 11th double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Huskies.
WORDS: 337 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 10:09 p.m. CST
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OKLAHOMA
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BKC–Memphis-Tulsa
Tulsa takes down Memphis 83-66
SUMMARY: Led by Miles Barnstable’s 17 points, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane defeated the Memphis Tigers 83-66 on Wednesday. The Golden Hurricane are now 16-3 with the win and the Tigers fell to 9-9.
WORDS: 139 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 9:49 p.m. CST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TulsatakesdownMemphis/46f4c3723d0c40c4bdb9af8a627a46a7/text
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BKN–Bucks-Porter
Bucks coach Rivers says Kevin Porter Jr. ‘is not going to play anytime soon’ due to oblique strain
SUMMARY: Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers says Kevin Porter Jr. is “not going to play anytime soon” from an oblique strain that made him unavailable for a Wednesday night game with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Rivers didn’t specify a potential return date for Porter. Rivers said he believes the injury happened “three or four games ago” and that Porter had attempted to play through it. Porter has averaged 16.8 points, five rebounds and a team-high 7.4 assists over 28 games this season. He ranks second on the team in scoring.
WORDS: 233 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 7:25 p.m. CST
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BKN–Thunder-Bucks
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 40 points as short-handed Thunder roll past Bucks 122-102
SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder withstood multiple injury-related absences to trounce the Milwaukee Bucks 122-102. The Thunder won for the seventh time in eight games despite playing without the injured Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins and Jaylin Williams. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 16 of 19 from the floor. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists.
WORDS: 388 – MOVED: 01/21/2026 11:11 p.m. CST
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BKN–Bucks-Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo says lack of chemistry has contributed to Bucks’ recent blowout losses
SUMMARY: Giannis Antetokounmpo says chemistry issues may be contributing to the Milwaukee Bucks’ recent penchant for lopsided losses. The Bucks fell 122-102 on Wednesday night to an Oklahoma City team that was missing a handful of rotation players due to injuries. The Bucks have lost four of their last five. Each of their last three losses was decided by at least 18 points. Milwaukee’s string of nine straight playoff appearances is in jeopardy midway through the season. The Bucks are 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. They haven’t won more than two straight games at any point this season.
WORDS: 537 – MOVED: 01/22/2026 1:12 a.m. CST
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