Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Dying to Serve-Benefits-Backlog
Sen. Grassley calls delays at a benefits program for deceased officers ‘absolutely unacceptable’
SUMMARY: A powerful U.S. senator is calling on the Trump administration to fix a growing claims backlog at the program that promises benefits when police and firefighters die or become disabled in the line of duty. Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He says the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program is failing the families of deceased and disabled first responders and needs new leadership. He also says mismanagement has caused hardship for families, who experience yearslong delays in processing claims. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, he calls it “absolutely unacceptable.” The letter comes after The Associated Press reported that dozens of families are waiting five years or more to learn whether they qualify, with more being denied.
WORDS: 425 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 11:17 a.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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US–NTSB-Boeing
Systemic failures led to a door plug flying off a Boeing 737 Max, NTSB says
SUMMARY: The National Transportation Safety Board chairwoman says heroic actions by the crew aboard an Alaska Airlines flight ensured everyone survived last year when the door plug panel blew out of the plane. But Jennifer Homendy said Tuesday that the incident never should have happened. She says Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration could have done more to ensure the safety of the Boeing 737 Max. The NTSB had already revealed that bolts were never replaced after the door plug was removed during a repair. Homendy now says Boeing’s new CEO has made many safety improvements since last summer, but that more needs to be done.
WORDS: 1447 – MOVED: 06/23/2025 10:51 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–Minnesota-Lawmakers Shot
Minnesota lawmaker shot to death at home will lie in state at Capitol ahead of funeral
SUMMARY: Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, will lie in state in the state Capitol Rotunda on Friday, a day ahead of their funeral. Hortman will be the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans accorded the honor. The Hortmans were shot to death in their home in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park early on June 14 in what authorities say was a politically motivated killing. Before that, authorities say, the suspect, Vance Boelter, wounded another Democrat, Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, who lived a few miles away in Champlin.
WORDS: 861 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 8:00 a.m. CDT
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US-Trump-Electric Vehicle Charging-Lawsuit
Federal judge orders Trump administration to release EV charger funding in 14 states
SUMMARY: A federal judge has partially granted a preliminary injunction that sought to release funds for the build out of electric vehicle chargers in more than a dozen states. The decision comes after 16 states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration for blocking funding for EV chargers that was approved in 2021 under President Joe Biden. The judge has ordered that money be freed up in 14 of the states but not in D.C., Minnesota and Vermont. She says the Trump administration overstepped its constitutional authority when it froze the funding previously approved by Congress in 2021.
WORDS: 556 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 8:36 p.m. CDT
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US–Trump-Funding Cuts
Lawsuit challenges billions of dollars in Trump administration funding cuts
SUMMARY: Attorneys general from more than 20 states have filed a federal lawsuit challenging billions of dollars in cuts made by the Trump administration that would fund everything from crime prevention to food security. The lawsuit filed in Boston is asking a judge to limit the Trump administration from relying on a provision in the federal regulation to cut grants that don’t align with its priorities. Since January, the lawsuit argues, the federal Department of Government Efficiency has used that provision to cancel thousands of grants previously awarded to states and grantees.
WORDS: 691 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 2:31 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Executions-Glance
A look at the status of US executions in 2025
SUMMARY: Twenty-four men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S. Five other people are scheduled to be put to death in four states during the remainder of 2025. A Florida man was executed Tuesday evening, the seventh person put to death in the state this year. A Mississippi man is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday. So far this year, executions have been carried out in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. In addition to Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee and Texas have executions scheduled later this year. All of 2024 saw 25 executions, matching the number for 2018. Those were the highest totals since 28 executions in 2015.
WORDS: 543 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 5:33 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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BBO–Rays Moves
Rays recall rookie Chandler Simpson after a speedy splash in his big league debut
SUMMARY: The Tampa Bay Rays are recalling speedy rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson, who stole 19 bases in his first 35 major league games this season before a roster squeeze forced him back to Triple-A Durham. The return of Simpson comes after the Rays optioned center fielder Kameron Misner to Durham. Misner was hitting just .148 since May 1. The 24-year-old Simpson made his big league debut April 19. It was earlier than planned because of injuries in the Tampa Bay outfield. He returned to the minors after Josh Lowe and Jake Mangum returned from injuries.
WORDS: 222 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 4:44 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Merrifield-Retirement
Whit Merrifield retires after twice leading MLB in hits over his 9 seasons
SUMMARY: Whit Merrifield is retiring after a nine-season career that included twice leading the major leagues in hits and three trips to the All-Star Game. The 36-year-old posted on social media that the birth of his daughter last year played a role in the decision. Merrifield was granted free agency after finishing last season with Atlanta. The utilityman led the majors in stolen bases three times. Merrifield hit .280 with 218 steals in 1,147 games. He had 1,249 career hits.
WORDS: 369 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 5:56 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Rays-Royals
Jansen has HR and 3 RBIs, Bradley pitches 6 2/3 scoreless innings as the Rays beat Royals 5-1
SUMMARY: Danny Jansen hit a two-run home run and finished with three RBIs, Taj Bradley pitched two-hit ball for 6 2/3 scoreless innings and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1. Yandy Díaz and Jonathan Aranda each had three hits for the Rays. José Caballero hit a two-out single in the second inning, and two pitches later Jansen followed with a homer that gave Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead. Bradley (5-5) didn’t allow a base runner until John Rave drew a one-out walk in the sixth. After Kyle Isbel flied out, Jonathan India hit a ground rule double to break up the no-hit bid before Bradley got Bobby Witt Jr. to line out and end the threat. The Royals have lost eight straight at home.
WORDS: 327 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 9:16 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-UK Game Plan
Kansas City Chiefs’ strategy to expand UK fandom: cultural connections and mascot diplomacy
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs executives recently visited London after the team added the UK to its list of countries in the NFL’s global markets program. They met with league officials and local marketing agencies to get input about winning over British fans. Among the takeaways was targeting the teenage to 24 audience. It helps to have star players and Super Bowl success. The Chiefs will open their season in Brazil on Sept. 5 when they face the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo. That’s the first of seven international NFL games in 2025, the most ever in one season. Three games will be in London.
WORDS: 1031 – MOVED: 06/25/2025 12:20 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BKN–Timberwolves-Sale
NBA owners unanimously approve $1.5B sale of Wolves, WNBA’s Lynx from Taylor to Lore-Rodriguez group
SUMMARY: The $1.5 billion sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves from Glen Taylor to an investment group led by e-commerce entrepreneur Marc Lore and former baseball star Alex Rodriguez has gained unanimous approval by NBA owners more than four years after the deal was reached. The transfer that Taylor tried to stop last year includes the four-time WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx. Taylor is 83. The Minnesota native owned the Timberwolves for 31 seasons after buying them for $88 million after a deal to move them to New Orleans fell through. The estimated value of the Timberwolves has doubled since the initial agreement.
WORDS: 1047 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 4:06 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Mariners-Twins
Rodríguez sacrifice fly in 9th lifts Mariners over Twins 6-5 for 8th win in 11 games
SUMMARY: Julio Rodríguez drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning after Jhoan Duran hit a pair of batters with pitches, lifting the Seattle Mariners over the Minnesota Twins 6-5 for their eighth win in 11 games. Minnesota, which fell behind 5-0 before tying the score in the fourth, has lost five straight and 15 of 18. Andrés Muñoz pitched a perfect eighth. Matt Brash a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save since 2023. Donovan Solano and Young had two hits apiece for the Mariners, who were hit by pitches three times.
WORDS: 297 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 9:33 p.m. CDT
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BKL–Lynx-Mystics
Austin scores 19, Mystics finish strong to hand Lynx second loss 68-64
SUMMARY: Shakira Austin scored 19 points and the Washington Mystics scored the last six points of the game to hand the Minnesota Lynx, without All-Star Napheesa Collier, their second loss, 68-64. Austin’s putback tied the game at 64 with 32 seconds left. After a timeout to advance the ball, Bridget Carleton’s inbounds pass went off Courtney Williams’ hands, Sug Sutton scooped up the loose ball and raced in for the winning basket. Sonia Citron secured the win with two free throws with 6.4 seconds remaining. Washington didn’t make a basket after the 5:12 mark when Kiki Iriafen’s short jumper on the baseline gave Washington a 62-61 lead until Austin’s tying basket. Alanna Smith scored a career-high 26 points for Minnesota. Collier missed her second-straight game with a lower back injury.
WORDS: 261 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 9:43 p.m. CDT
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HKW–PWHL Draft
Sirens stock up on offense in PWHL draft. Choose Kaltounkova at No. 1, trade up to pick O’Brien 3rd
SUMMARY: The New York Sirens began restocking their expansion-depleted roster by making a big splash at the top of the order in the first round of the PWHL draft. Minutes after selecting Colgate forward Kristyna Kaltounkova with the No. 1 pick, Sirens general manager Pascal Daoust made a trade with the Toronto Sceptres to acquire the No. 3 pick and choose Wisconsin’s center Casey O’Brien. Daoust traded top defenseman Ella Shelton to acquire Toronto’s first and fourth-round pick, which was 27th overall. The two forwards fill a major offensive hole after New York lost two of their three leading scorers — Alex Carpenter and Jessie Eldridge — as well as starting goalie Corinne Schroeder to Seattle.
WORDS: 1078 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 4:40 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Rays Moves
Rays recall rookie Chandler Simpson after a speedy splash in his big league debut
SUMMARY: The Tampa Bay Rays are recalling speedy rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson, who stole 19 bases in his first 35 major league games this season before a roster squeeze forced him back to Triple-A Durham. The return of Simpson comes after the Rays optioned center fielder Kameron Misner to Durham. Misner was hitting just .148 since May 1. The 24-year-old Simpson made his big league debut April 19. It was earlier than planned because of injuries in the Tampa Bay outfield. He returned to the minors after Josh Lowe and Jake Mangum returned from injuries.
WORDS: 222 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 4:44 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Merrifield-Retirement
Whit Merrifield retires after twice leading MLB in hits over his 9 seasons
SUMMARY: Whit Merrifield is retiring after a nine-season career that included twice leading the major leagues in hits and three trips to the All-Star Game. The 36-year-old posted on social media that the birth of his daughter last year played a role in the decision. Merrifield was granted free agency after finishing last season with Atlanta. The utilityman led the majors in stolen bases three times. Merrifield hit .280 with 218 steals in 1,147 games. He had 1,249 career hits.
WORDS: 369 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 5:56 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Rays-Royals
Jansen has HR and 3 RBIs, Bradley pitches 6 2/3 scoreless innings as the Rays beat Royals 5-1
SUMMARY: Danny Jansen hit a two-run home run and finished with three RBIs, Taj Bradley pitched two-hit ball for 6 2/3 scoreless innings and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1. Yandy Díaz and Jonathan Aranda each had three hits for the Rays. José Caballero hit a two-out single in the second inning, and two pitches later Jansen followed with a homer that gave Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead. Bradley (5-5) didn’t allow a base runner until John Rave drew a one-out walk in the sixth. After Kyle Isbel flied out, Jonathan India hit a ground rule double to break up the no-hit bid before Bradley got Bobby Witt Jr. to line out and end the threat. The Royals have lost eight straight at home.
WORDS: 327 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 9:16 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cubs-Cardinals
Masyn Winn homers, drives in 4 as Cardinals edge Cubs 8-7
SUMMARY: Masyn Winn homered, drove in four runs and scored twice to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-7 win over the Chicago Cub, their seventh win their last eight games. Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out one and walking one. Steven Matz (4-2) went 1 1/3 innings of relief and Ryan Helsley earned his 15th save in 20 tries. The Cubs lost their third straight, tying a season high. Cubs starter Jameson Taillon (7-5) allowed eight runs on eight hits.
WORDS: 369 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 9:33 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-UK Game Plan
Kansas City Chiefs’ strategy to expand UK fandom: cultural connections and mascot diplomacy
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs executives recently visited London after the team added the UK to its list of countries in the NFL’s global markets program. They met with league officials and local marketing agencies to get input about winning over British fans. Among the takeaways was targeting the teenage to 24 audience. It helps to have star players and Super Bowl success. The Chiefs will open their season in Brazil on Sept. 5 when they face the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo. That’s the first of seven international NFL games in 2025, the most ever in one season. Three games will be in London.
WORDS: 1031 – MOVED: 06/25/2025 12:20 a.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–NBA Finals-Ratings
NBA hits 5 billion social views during Finals. OKC’s Game 7 win draws top finals audience in 6 years
SUMMARY: The NBA generated more than 5 billion views across social media platforms during this season’s NBA Finals, up 215% from last season’s title series. That figure, released Tuesday, follows a 10% leap in overall viewership for ESPN and ABC during the 34 games they carried in this year’s playoffs as opposed to their numbers from a year ago. Oklahoma City’s 103-91 victory over Indiana in Game 7 was the most-watched NBA Finals game in six years. Sunday night’s game averaged 16.53 million on ABC and ESPN+ according to preliminary ratings data from Nielsen.
WORDS: 245 – MOVED: 06/23/2025 5:04 p.m. CDT
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BKN—Thunder Parade
Oklahoma City Thunder fans celebrate NBA title with a parade after years of heartbreak
SUMMARY: Oklahoma City’s unwavering fans finally got to celebrate a championship after several close calls and heartbreaking moments the past two decades. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers on Sunday to clinch the NBA title, and the city held a parade downtown to honor its first major professional championship. The Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in time for the 2008-09 season, and the Thunder became contenders with young stars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. They finally broke through with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and All-Star selection Jalen Williams.
WORDS: 532 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 8:05 a.m. CDT
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BKN–NBA Draft-Heat
NBA draft night fashion to meet blistering New York heat, as players know suits will get sweaty
SUMMARY: NBA draft night is all about getting dressed up, with players donning their finest suits for the walk on stage after their name is called. The weather in New York is better suited for shorts and flip-flops. With temperatures soaring to 100 degrees in the city on Tuesday, players knew their nice attire on draft night Wednesday was going to get a little uncomfortable. Little relief is expected is expected Wednesday, so players were glad that most of their time would be spent indoors. But even just a few minutes felt like too much.
WORDS: 824 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 4:28 p.m. CDT
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