Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Satanic Religious Discrimination-Iowa
Satanic Temple accuses Iowa officials of religious discrimination
SUMMARY: The Satanic Temple’s leader in Iowa is accusing state officials of religious discrimination against the group. The civil rights complaint filed Tuesday says the Satanic Temple was denied access to the state Capitol building for a December holiday display and event. The group’s holiday observances garnered national attention in 2023 after a Mississippi man destroyed their display in the Iowa Statehouse alongside a Christmas tree and other religious holiday installations. The organization’s application for a display and event in December 2024 was denied. The group says the decision violated its constitutional rights and Iowa civil rights law.
WORDS: 516 – MOVED: 06/10/2025 12:09 p.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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US–Measles Outbreak-Explainer
Measles outbreaks in Michigan and Pennsylvania end, while Texas logs just 4 new cases
SUMMARY: The U.S. is up to 1,168 confirmed measles cases this year. Texas added four cases in the last week, which shows continued slowing in its outbreak. Health officials in Pennsylvania and Michigan declared their outbreaks over. Two elementary school-aged children and an adult have died from measles-related illnesses this year. Other states with active outbreaks include Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Ohio. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.
WORDS: 1488 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 1:40 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US-XGR–Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota budget deal cuts health care for adults who entered the US illegally
SUMMARY: Adults living in the U.S. illegally will be excluded from a state-run health care program under a budget deal that the Minnesota Legislature convened to pass in a special session Monday. Repealing a 2023 state law that made them eligible for the MinnesotaCare program was the top priority for Republicans in the difficult negotiations that produced the budget agreement. The change is expected to affect about 17,000 residents. The compromise was a bitter pill for Democrats to accept. After an emotional near four-hour debate, the House voted 68-65 to send the bill to the Senate, where it passed XX-XX.
WORDS: 618 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 3:09 p.m. CDT
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US–Dominion-Lindell
Election conspiracy theorist sticks by false 2020 claims in defamation trial
SUMMARY: One of the nation’s most prominent election conspiracy theorists, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, is sticking by his false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Lindell testified Monday during a defamation trial over statements he made about a former official for a leading voting equipment company. Lindell denied making any statements he knew to be false about Eric Coomer, the former product strategy and security director for Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems. Lindell accused Coomer of being “a part of the biggest crime this world has ever seen.” Coomer said his career and life have been destroyed by statements Lindell made about him.
WORDS: 725 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 8:55 p.m. CDT
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US–National Guard Protests-Civil Rights
National Guard troops in LA, the latest in long history of deployments during civil rights protests
SUMMARY: Los Angeles residents and experts say the National Guard’s presence in Los Angeles in response to immigration protests is reminiscent of a long-standing dynamic in the state and around the country. President Donald Trump deployed the troops on Saturday. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom says Trump’s move was “purposely inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.” Throughout history, the National Guard has been called to settle unrest. But on other occasions, sitting presidents have called the National Guard to protect protesters demanding racial equality from violent crackdowns by local law enforcement or vigilantes.
WORDS: 1161 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 2:50 p.m. CDT
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NORTH DAKOTA
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US–Measles Outbreak-Explainer
Measles outbreaks in Michigan and Pennsylvania end, while Texas logs just 4 new cases
SUMMARY: The U.S. is up to 1,168 confirmed measles cases this year. Texas added four cases in the last week, which shows continued slowing in its outbreak. Health officials in Pennsylvania and Michigan declared their outbreaks over. Two elementary school-aged children and an adult have died from measles-related illnesses this year. Other states with active outbreaks include Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Ohio. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.
WORDS: 1488 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 1:40 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Measles Outbreak-Explainer
Measles outbreaks in Michigan and Pennsylvania end, while Texas logs just 4 new cases
SUMMARY: The U.S. is up to 1,168 confirmed measles cases this year. Texas added four cases in the last week, which shows continued slowing in its outbreak. Health officials in Pennsylvania and Michigan declared their outbreaks over. Two elementary school-aged children and an adult have died from measles-related illnesses this year. Other states with active outbreaks include Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Ohio. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.
WORDS: 1488 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 1:40 p.m. CDT
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US–Oklahoma Execution-Hanson
Oklahoma judge stays execution of a man set to receive lethal injection this week
SUMMARY: An Oklahoma judge has granted a temporary stay of execution to a man whose transfer to death row was expedited by the Trump administration. A district judge in Oklahoma County granted the stay on Monday. John Fitzgerald Hanson was scheduled to die by lethal injection Thursday for killing a Tulsa woman in 1999. Hanson’s lawyers have argued that he did not receive a fair clemency hearing by the state’s five-member Pardon and Parole Board last month. They claim one member of the board was biased because he worked for the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office when time Hanson was being prosecuted.
WORDS: 336 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 5:20 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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SOC–WCup-Host Cities-Fans
World Cup host city organizers acknowledge immigration crackdown may impact next year’s tournament
SUMMARY: Philadelphia’s host city executive for the 2026 World Cup says organizers accept that an immigration crackdown by the U.S. federal government may be among the outside events that impact next year’s tournament. At a gathering of the 11 U.S. host city leaders on Monday, Meg Kane said, “We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made.” The World Cup will be played at 16 stadiums in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year, a tournament expanded to 48 nations and 104 games.
WORDS: 597 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 3:33 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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HKW–PWHL-Expansion Draft
Seattle fills out forward group, while Vancouver emphasizes defense following PWHL expansion draft
SUMMARY: Forward Hannah Bilka was reunited in Seattle with former Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight in the PWHL’s expansion draft. Seattle and fellow league newcomer Vancouver took distinct approaches in continuing to build their respective identities during the seven-round draft. Seattle GM Meghan Turner split her picks in selecting three forwards and four defensemen. Meanwhile, Vancouver GM Cara Gardner Morey chose five forwards and two defensemen, starting with the opening selection of Ottawa defenseman Ashton Bell. The expansion draft followed the PWHL’s five-day exclusive signing period in which both teams signed their allowed maximum of five players.
WORDS: 712 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 9:13 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Woods Richardson
Twins recall right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson for injury-thinned rotation
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins recalled right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson to start the opener of a three-game series against Texas following two injury setbacks for their starting pitching. Woods Richardson began the season in the rotation and went 2-2 with a 5.02 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings. He was sent down to Triple-A St. Paul on May 15 and made three starts for the Saints. The Twins lost starters Pablo López and Zebby Matthews to shoulder injuries last week. Woods Richardson went 5-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 28 starts last season as a rookie for the Twins.
WORDS: 224 – MOVED: 06/10/2025 11:13 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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HKN–Capitals-Oshie Retires
T.J. Oshie, US Olympic star in Sochi and Capitals Stanley Cup champion, announces he’s retiring
SUMMARY: T.J. Oshie, who scored four shootout goals for the U.S. to beat host Russia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018, announced Monday he is retiring after playing 16 NHL seasons. Oshie shared his news in front of hundreds of fans gathered at the fountains at Washington Harbour in Georgetown, seven years to the day of one of the most memorable Cup celebrations in hockey history when he and several teammates jumped into the fountains and took a dip. President of hockey operations Brian MacLellan, general manager Chris Patrick, coach Spencer Carbery and longtime teammates Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson came out to support Oshie as he called it a career.
WORDS: 734 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 5:03 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Blue Jays-Cardinals
Kirk and Clase lead Blue Jays past Cardinals 5-4 in 10 innings
SUMMARY: Alejandro Kirk homered and had four hits, including a go-ahead double in the 10th inning as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied last in a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Kirk opened the 10th with a double off Phil Maton to score automatic runner Addison Barger from second base. Jeff Hoffman then pitched a 1-2-3 inning for his 16th save in 19 opportunities, helping the Blue Jays win for the 10th time in 12 games. After blowing a three-run lead in the eighth, Toronto tied it at 4 in the ninth when No. 9 batter Jonatan Clase hit his first home run this year and the second of his career — a one-out shot off Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.
WORDS: 369 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 10:53 p.m. CDT
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SOC–WCup-Host Cities-Fans
World Cup host city organizers acknowledge immigration crackdown may impact next year’s tournament
SUMMARY: Philadelphia’s host city executive for the 2026 World Cup says organizers accept that an immigration crackdown by the U.S. federal government may be among the outside events that impact next year’s tournament. At a gathering of the 11 U.S. host city leaders on Monday, Meg Kane said, “We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made.” The World Cup will be played at 16 stadiums in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year, a tournament expanded to 48 nations and 104 games.
WORDS: 597 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 3:33 p.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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BBC–CWS-Best of West
College World Series will feature some Pac-12 nostalgia. ‘This is for the West,’ UCLA coach says
SUMMARY: The ghosts of the old Pac-12 will be lurking at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, this weekend when the College World Series begins. Oregon State, UCLA and Arizona will be back in the city where they combined for eight of the 24 national baseball championships won by the conference. UCLA coach John Savage said this CWS is for the West. The Pac-12 went all but dormant last July when 10 of its members dispersed to other conferences.
WORDS: 843 – MOVED: 06/09/2025 3:58 p.m. CDT
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BOX–Alvarez-Crawford
Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford to fight in Las Vegas for unified super middleweight title
SUMMARY: Boxing’s most-anticipated fight in years, Canelo Alvarez against Terence Crawford, will be in Las Vegas on Sept. 13 after much speculation that it would take place in Saudi Arabia. The fight for the unified super middleweight championship is part of Alvarez’s reported $400 million, minimum four-fight deal with Riyadh Season. One of those fights can be in another location. Las Vegas has become the boxing home for the Mexican champion. Riyadh Season is working with UFC CEO Dana White to promote the fight. This is White’s first foray into boxing as part of an effort to become a major player in the sport.
WORDS: 275 – MOVED: 06/10/2025 11:28 a.m. CDT
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BBC–College World Series Capsules
Breaking down the teams playing for national championship at the College World Series
SUMMARY: The College World Series opens Friday with two games at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. The first game pits Coastal Carolina against Arizona in the afternoon and Louisville and Oregon State at night. Saturday’s opener matches Murray State and UCLA in the afternoon and LSU and Arkansas at night.
WORDS: 2931 – MOVED: 06/10/2025 11:33 a.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–NBA Finals Guide
NBA Finals guide: When the games are, how to watch, what the odds are
SUMMARY: It’s another practice day in the NBA Finals on Tuesday, with the teams in Indianapolis and tied at a game apiece headed into Game 3 on Wednesday night. Oklahoma City struck back in Game 2 on Sunday night, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 34 points to go along with eight assists in a 123-107 win over Indiana — tying the title series at 1-1.
WORDS: 951 – MOVED: 06/01/2025 8:57 a.m. CDT
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