Great Plains News Digest
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MINNESOTA
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US–Wild Foal Adoption
Rejected by his mother, a rare wild Asian horse foal finds a new mom in a grieving domestic mare
SUMMARY: A rare Przewalski’s horse foal named Marat is thriving at the Minnesota Zoo, thanks to an unusual surrogate. After falling critically ill shortly after birth, Marat recovered but was rejected by his mother. Zoo staff turned to Alice, a domestic pony who had recently lost her own foal. Alice accepted Marat and began nurturing him. Experts say this type of surrogacy is rare for wild horses. Przewalski’s horses are critically endangered, with fewer than 2,000 left worldwide. Zoo staff hope to integrate Marat into the adult herd soon, as every foal is vital to the species’ survival.
WORDS: 587 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 1:58 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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US–State Budget Uncertainty
States brace for impact as Trump’s big bill nears completion in Congress
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump’s tax cut bill could have large implications for states. The legislation nearing completion in Congress could reduce federal funding to states for Medicaid and food assistance programs. But in many states, it’s too late to do much about it this year. Tuesday marks the start of a new budget year in 46 states. Though a few are still working, many state legislatures already have adjourned and had to craft a budget without knowing whether their federal funding would be cut. Some states have set aside money as a precaution. Others are tentatively planning to return in special sessions.
WORDS: 1011 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 8:50 a.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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US–Congress-Nebraska-Bacon
Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon cites political dysfunction in deciding not to seek reelection
SUMMARY: Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska has announced he will not seek reelection next year. The 61-year-old Bacon announced Monday that he would not seek a sixth term in the U.S. House. Bacon recently indicated he was considering retiring from public service, saying he wanted to spend more time with family. But when pressed, he acknowledged that divisions within his own party contributed to his decision. The political climate is rapidly changing in Bacon’s district. It’s centered in Omaha and voters there recently rejected a fourth term for their Republican mayor in favor of her Democratic opponent.
WORDS: 760 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 10:07 a.m. CDT
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NORTH DAKOTA
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US–State Budget Uncertainty
States brace for impact as Trump’s big bill nears completion in Congress
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump’s tax cut bill could have large implications for states. The legislation nearing completion in Congress could reduce federal funding to states for Medicaid and food assistance programs. But in many states, it’s too late to do much about it this year. Tuesday marks the start of a new budget year in 46 states. Though a few are still working, many state legislatures already have adjourned and had to craft a budget without knowing whether their federal funding would be cut. Some states have set aside money as a precaution. Others are tentatively planning to return in special sessions.
WORDS: 1011 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 8:50 a.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-five men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S. Six other people are scheduled to be put to death in five states during the remainder of 2025. Alabama and Missouri recently set execution dates for August and October, respectively. Florida, Tennessee and Texas have also have executions scheduled later this year. So far this year, executions also have been carried out in Alabama, Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The most recent executions took place in Mississippi on June 25 and in Florida the day before. Twenty-five executions were also carried out last year and in 2018. Those are the highest totals since there were 28 in 2015.
WORDS: 738 – MOVED: 06/24/2025 5:33 p.m. CDT
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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US–Election 2026-South Dakota-Governor
US Rep. Dusty Johnson announces he’s entering race to become South Dakota governor
SUMMARY: South Dakota’s lone member of the U.S. House, Dusty Johnson, has announced that he is entering the race to become South Dakota governor in the 2026 election. Johnson was sharing his plans Monday at a Sioux Falls hotel. He has served in the House of Representatives since 2019, succeeding Kristi Noem’s congressional tenure. Johnson will fight in a crowded primary next June against a state representative and a businessman. He may also be challenged by current governor Larry Rhoden, who succeeded Noem in January after she joined Trump’s cabinet. Johnson first entered elected office in 2004 when he became the youngest public utilities commissioner in the country.
WORDS: 511 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 12:05 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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BBO–Royals-Mariners
Raleigh extends MLB lead with 33rd homer in Mariners’ win over Royals
SUMMARY: Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 33rd homer and Randy Arozarena connected twice as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2. Raleigh led off the seventh inning with a home run against reliever Daniel Lynch IV, prompting chants of “MVP! MVP!” from the home crowd. Arozarena hit his 100th career homer with a solo shot in the fourth to give Seattle its first run. In the fifth, he broke open the game with a three-run drive, his 10th of the season. It was the first multihomer game for Arozarena since July 20, 2024. Winning pitcher George Kirby allowed one run and three hits in six innings.
WORDS: 271 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 11:27 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BKL–WNBA All-Star Starters
Rookie Paige Bueckers named WNBA All-Star starter. Nneka Ogwumike selected for 10th time
SUMMARY: Paige Bueckers will play in her first WNBA All-Star Game while Nneka Ogwumike has earned her 10th selection. The league announced the remaining All-Star starters on Monday after Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier were named as team captains a day earlier for winning the fan vote. Bueckers will be the 10th rookie to start the game. The Dallas guard is ranked 11th in the league in scoring and sixth in assists to lead all rookies in both categories. She received the sixth most votes from the fans. Ogwumike, who stars for Seattle, is tied for the third-most All-Star appearances with Tamika Catchings and Brittney Griner.
WORDS: 384 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 4:42 p.m. CDT
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HKN–Free Agency
Back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Panthers re-sign Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad
SUMMARY: The Florida Panthers completed another hat trick less than two weeks since repeating as Stanley Cup champions. After Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett said they never wanted to leave South Florida, they got their wish. Days after locking up Bennett long term, the Panthers have agreed to re-sign Ekblad and Marchand, according to people familiar with the agreements. Ekblad agreed to an eight-year deal with an average value of $6.1 million, while Marchand agreed to a six-year deal.
WORDS: 735 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 12:42 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Lewis
Twins bring Royce Lewis back from injured list to start series vs. Marlins
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins have reinstated third baseman Royce Lewis from the injured list after a 15-game absence because of a recurrence of the hamstring strain that delayed his season debut. Lewis joined the Twins for the start of a three-game series at Miami. He hurt his left hamstring while running out a grounder in the ninth inning of a game on June 13. This was a less severe strain than the one he suffered late in spring training. That injury sidelined him for seven weeks and cost him the first 35 games of the season.
WORDS: 289 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 11:44 a.m. CDT
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BKL–Around the WNBA
New York Liberty return home struggling after disappointing road trip
SUMMARY: The New York Liberty return home after a disappointing road trip that saw them drop three of their four games. Help is on the way, though, as Leonie Fiebich will return from playing in the EuroBasket tournament for Germany. That will give New York back one of its two missing starters. Jonquel Jones is still recovering from a sprained ankle and is out for a few more weeks. The team has really missed the two starters as its defense has struggled lately, giving up at least 89 points in three of the four road contests — including all three defeats.
WORDS: 451 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 11:54 a.m. CDT
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HKN–NHL Free Agency
Canucks re-sign Boeser, Rangers land Gavrikov and Devils keep goalie Allen as NHL free agency opens
SUMMARY: The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed forward Brock Boeser to a seven-year, $50.75 million contract. The deal was announced shortly after the NHL’s free agency period began on Tuesday. Boeser, a six-time 20-goal scorer, was one of the top free agents available in a limited talent pool. The New York Rangers signed defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year deal. The The New Jersey Devils thinned an already small pool of free agent goalies by re-signing Jake Allen to a five-year, $9 million contract. Numerous teams spent the lead up to free agency securing players by taking advantage of a record $7.5 million jump in the NHL’s salary cap.
WORDS: 824 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 8:39 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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SOC–Aaronson Brothers
Years after learning soccer in their basement, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson both play for US
SUMMARY: Brenden and Paxten Aaronson play on better soccer fields these days than the New Jersey basement where their mom and dad put in special lights and padding to minimize damage, becoming the fourth set of brothers to start the same game for the United States. The 24-year-old Brenden already is a veteran of one World Cup, appearing as a substitute in all four U.S. matches at Qatar three years ago, Paxten, who turns 22 in August, hopes to make the World Cup roster for the first time when the U.S. co-hosts next year’s tournament.
WORDS: 926 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 1:57 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Pirates
Heaney takes no-hitter into 6th and Pirates stay hot with 7-0 win over Cardinals
SUMMARY: Andrew Heaney carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Spencer Horwitz powered Pittsburgh’s offense as the Pirates cruised past the St. Louis Cardinals 7-0 to match a season high with their fourth straight victory. Heaney allowed three hits and struck out seven on 95 pitches through 6 2/3 innings. After a 71-minute rain delay, he walked Brendan Donovan to start the game before retiring the next 16 batters. Victor Scott II spoiled the no-hit bid with a two-out single in the sixth. The last-place Pirates have outscored their past four opponents 37-4, including a lopsided three-game sweep of the Mets over the weekend. Horwitz hit a leadoff homer against Erick Fedde and finished with three RBIs.
WORDS: 345 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 9:29 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Royals-Mariners
Raleigh extends MLB lead with 33rd homer in Mariners’ win over Royals
SUMMARY: Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 33rd homer and Randy Arozarena connected twice as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2. Raleigh led off the seventh inning with a home run against reliever Daniel Lynch IV, prompting chants of “MVP! MVP!” from the home crowd. Arozarena hit his 100th career homer with a solo shot in the fourth to give Seattle its first run. In the fifth, he broke open the game with a three-run drive, his 10th of the season. It was the first multihomer game for Arozarena since July 20, 2024. Winning pitcher George Kirby allowed one run and three hits in six innings.
WORDS: 271 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 11:27 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–Thunder-Presti
Thunder general manager Sam Presti lauds ‘homegrown’ NBA championship team
SUMMARY: Sam Presti put Oklahoma City’s first NBA championship team together in an unconventional way. The Thunder general manager didn’t make any splashy trades or break the bank in free agency. He didn’t replace the coach with a bigger name during the rebuild to get the team over the top. He relied on good-old-fashioned internal development, with a few strategic additions sprinkled in. It worked. Somehow, Oklahoma City claimed the title with the same coach and many of the same players who won 24 games four years ago. Oklahoma City became the youngest team to win a title since 1977.
WORDS: 683 – MOVED: 06/30/2025 2:20 p.m. CDT
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BKN–Thunder-Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander agrees to massive 4-year extension with NBA champion Thunder, AP source says
SUMMARY: A person with knowledge of the deal says Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has agreed to a four-year contract extension. The deal ensures he stays with the NBA champions through the 2030-31 season. The reigning league MVP and Finals MVP will finish his current contract before the supermax extension starts in 2027. Based on salary cap projections, he could earn up to $79 million in the final season, setting a record for the highest single-season salary in NBA history. Gilgeous-Alexander recently led the Thunder to their first NBA championship, capping a historic season as the league’s scoring champion with a 68-14 record.
WORDS: 571 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 10:12 a.m. CDT
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