Great Plains News Digest
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KANSAS
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US–Fly Factory-Texas
The US plans to begin breeding billions of flies to fight a pest. Here is how it will work
SUMMARY: The U.S. government is preparing to breed billions of flies and drop them from airplanes over Mexico and even southern Texas. It is a big part of the government’s plans for protecting the U.S. from the New World screwworm fly. The pest spawns flesh-eating larvae that could devastate the American beef industry, decimate wildlife and even kill household pets. The weird science worked decades ago to largely eradicate the fly from the U.S. It involves breeding male flies and sterilizing them. Once released, they mate with wild females, and the fly population drops. The U.S. hopes to have a fly factory up and running in southern Mexico by July 2026.
WORDS: 1001 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 10:51 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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BBO–Royals-Perez
Perez moves into 6th place on Royals hit list after Mariners’ Rodríguez loses the ball in the sun
SUMMARY: The late sunsets that accompany Seattle summers are revered by most locals, but the odds are Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez was not a fan during the fifth inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals. Rodríguez lost a flyball to center field from Royals catcher Salvador Perez in the twilight sky, and it turned into a two-run double. Rodríguez climbed the center field wall, trying to rob a home run, but he misjudged the ball and it bounced off the wall nearby.
WORDS: 171 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 10:55 p.m. CDT
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GLF–Ryder Cup-Woodland
Gary Woodland chosen as final assistant captain for US Ryder Cup team
SUMMARY: Gary Woodland will be going to his first Ryder Cup as an assistant captain for the American team. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley picked Woodland as his fifth and final vice captain for the Sept. 26-28 matches at Bethpage Black. Woodland’s only cup experience was playing in the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in 2019. That was the same year he won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Woodland joins Kevin Kisner, Brandt Snedeker, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson as Bradley’s assistants. They could take on an additional role if Bradley decides to become the first playing captain since 1963.
WORDS: 284 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 12:10 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BKL–WNBA-Commissioner’s Cup-Clark Out
Caitlin Clark’s groin strain sidelines her for Fever’s 3rd game in row, Commissioner’s Cup vs. Lynx
SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark was ruled out of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final with a strained groin in her third straight absence for the Indiana Fever. The Fever announced on their pregame injury report that Clark would sit against the Minnesota Lynx in the championship game of the league’s in-season tournament. The game does not count toward the regular-season standings. Clark missed five games earlier this season with a quadriceps strain. She never missed a game in college at Iowa or as a rookie with the Fever. Clark was recently named a captain for the WNBA All-Star Game.
WORDS: 289 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 1:56 p.m. CDT
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HKN–NHL Free Agency
Canucks re-sign Boeser, Rangers land Gavrikov and trade Miller to Carolina to open NHL free agency
SUMMARY: Brock Boeser stayed put in Vancouver. The New York Rangers landed free agency’s top defenseman in Vladislav Gavrikov and then traded K’Andre Miller to Carolina, where he signed an eight-year, $60 million contract. And Nikolaj Ehlers is taking his time before determining his future. What frenzy that took place with the multiple signings that occurred in opening the NHL’s signing period, was tempered with a free-agent class thinned by teams making pre-emptive moves to secure top talent. The Vegas Golden Knights landed the biggest prize in a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Mitch Marner on Monday. On the same day, the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers used “home Cup” advantage to re-sign defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Brad Marchand.
WORDS: 1161 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 8:39 a.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Marlins
Marlins extend winning streak to 8, 1 shy of club record, with a 2-0 victory over the Twins
SUMMARY: Kyle Stowers homered and the Miami Marlins stretched their winning streak to eight, one shy of the club record set in 2008, with a 2-0 win over the Minnesota Twins. Edward Cabrera (3-2) struck out six and only allowed two hits and one walk in seven innings, the longest start of the season by a Marlins pitcher. He struck out Byron Buxton to end the third for his 400th career strikeout, becoming the third-fastest to reach the mark in franchise history. Nick Fortes hit an RBI single down the left-field line in the eight inning for a two-run lead. Minnesota starter Joe Ryan (8-4) also went seven innings.
WORDS: 322 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 8:34 p.m. CDT
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BKL–WNBA-Red Panda Injured
Popular unicycle performer Red Panda injured at halftime of WNBA game
SUMMARY: The popular halftime show performer who goes by Red Panda fell off her unicycle and crashed to the court during intermission of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night, unable to finish her show. There was no immediate word on the extent of her injuries. She was helped off the floor by wheelchair. Red Panda, whose name is Rong Niu, is Chinese American and her act is composed of her riding on her custom-built unicycle, which stretches about 8 feet above the court, and balancing custom-made bowls on her lower leg before flipping them atop her head.
WORDS: 169 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 8:40 p.m. CDT
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BKL–WNBA-Commissioner’s Cup
Missing Clark, Fever soar past Lynx 74-59 to win WNBA Commissioner’s Cup
SUMMARY: Natasha Howard had 16 points, 12 rebounds and four assists as the Indiana Fever defeated the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final. The Fever were missing All-Star guard Caitlin Clark, who has been sidelined since June 24 with a strained groin. That didn’t slow down the Fever, who overcame an early 13-point deficit with balanced scoring and a stout defensive performance against the team with the best record in the league. Minnesota had its worst offensive performance of the season, shooting 34.9% from the floor and making 4 of 16 3-pointers after averaging 9.4 3-pointers this season.
WORDS: 623 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 9:19 p.m. CDT
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BKL–WNBA Expansion-Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham is no fan of WNBA’s plans to add teams in Cleveland and Detroit
SUMMARY: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has raised concerns about the WNBA’s choice of markets for its three latest expansion teams. Cunningham said Tuesday that the league should listen to players about where they want to play. She says, “I don’t know how excited people are” about the possibility of going to Detroit or Cleveland. The league announced plans on Monday to add franchises in Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030. Cleveland and Detroit have already seen WNBA franchises come and go.
WORDS: 357 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 11:05 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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SOC–US-Drone
US coach Mauricio Pochettino makes light of unexpected drone: ‘It’s not the NASA here’
SUMMARY: U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino made light of an unexpected drone flying over his team’s training session ahead of a CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal against Guatemala. The U.S. Soccer Federation had three drones above Tuesday’s practice at the training facility next to Energizer Field and a fourth joined them. “If someone want some clips we can send. It’s not a problem,” Pochettino said. “We are not going to hide nothing. It’s not the NASA here. It is the national — men’s national team. No problem.”
WORDS: 173 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 6:12 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Pirates
Davis’ sacrifice fly in 8th gives Pirates 1-0 win over Cardinals as winning streak reaches 5 games
SUMMARY: Catcher Henry Davis drove in the game’s only run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and preserved the lead with a tag at the plate in the ninth, giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 win over St. Louis Cardinals 1-0 as Pirates ace Paul Skenes’ winless streak reached six starts. Pittsburgh’s Ke’Bryan Hayes led off the bottom of the eighth with a single off Phil Maton (1-3). Pinch-hitter Adam Frazier doubled to right and Hayes scored on Davis’ fly ball to center. St. Louis had runners on second and third with one out in the ninth when Victor Scott hit a slow chopper that first baseman Spencer Horwitz fielded and threw to Davis, who tagged Jose Fermin at the plate.
WORDS: 362 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 8:51 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Conteras
Cardinals’ Contreras sustains left hand contusion when hit by pitch from Pirates ace Skenes
SUMMARY: St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras sustained a left hand contusion after being hit by a pitch by Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes while leading off the fourth inning of Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to the Pirates. Contreras stayed in the game to run the bases and was thrown out at home plate by Pirates left fielder Tommy Pham to end the inning while trying to score from second base on Pedro Pages’ single. Contreras had X-rays on the hand, and they came back negative. He and Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said it is doubtful that the three-time All-Star will play in the teams’ series finale on Wednesday.
WORDS: 229 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 9:40 p.m. CDT
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BKL–WNBA Expansion-Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham is no fan of WNBA’s plans to add teams in Cleveland and Detroit
SUMMARY: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has raised concerns about the WNBA’s choice of markets for its three latest expansion teams. Cunningham said Tuesday that the league should listen to players about where they want to play. She says, “I don’t know how excited people are” about the possibility of going to Detroit or Cleveland. The league announced plans on Monday to add franchises in Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030. Cleveland and Detroit have already seen WNBA franchises come and go.
WORDS: 357 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 11:05 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Royals-Perez
Perez moves into 6th place on Royals hit list after Mariners’ Rodríguez loses the ball in the sun
SUMMARY: The late sunsets that accompany Seattle summers are revered by most locals, but the odds are Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez was not a fan during the fifth inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals. Rodríguez lost a flyball to center field from Royals catcher Salvador Perez in the twilight sky, and it turned into a two-run double. Rodríguez climbed the center field wall, trying to rob a home run, but he misjudged the ball and it bounced off the wall nearby.
WORDS: 171 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 10:55 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Royals-Mariners
Perez’s 2-run double keys Royals over Mariners 6-3 for 2nd win in 10 games
SUMMARY: Salvador Perez hit a pivotal two-run double in the fifth inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Seattle Mariners 6-3 for just their second win in 10 games. Perez lofted a fly ball off Emerson Hancock that center fielder Julio Rodríguez lost in the twilight sky and dropped for a two-run double. Rodríguez climbed the center-field wall, trying to rob a home run, but he misjudged the ball and it bounced to the wall as the Royals took a 5-1 lead. Ben Williamson hit an RBI double in the bottom half and scored on J.P. Crawford’s single off Michael Lorenzen.
WORDS: 296 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 11:55 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Injuries
Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado not in Cardinals’ lineup against Pirates
SUMMARY: First baseman Willson Contreras and third baseman Nolan Arenado are out of the St. Louis Cardinals’ lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Contreras sustained a left hand contusion during Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to the Pirates when hit by a pitch from Paul Skenes. Arenado will miss a second straight game Wednesday with a jammed right middle finger. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Wednesday that he is hopeful Contreras and Arenado can play Friday when St. Louis opens a three-game series against the National League Central-leading Cubs in Chicago.
WORDS: 162 – MOVED: 07/02/2025 10:54 a.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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US–NCAA Settlement
NCAA’s House settlement era begins, shaking up college athletics as some schools opt out
SUMMARY: The NCAA’s House settlement era has launched, with athletic programs across the country free to start paying millions to their athletes in the biggest change in the history of college athletics. It’s the death of the NCAA’s longstanding amateur model, certain to cause headaches and disputes among powerhouse and small-time programs alike. Scattered among them, however, is a handful of schools that have decided to wait it out at least a year and see how things develop, including legal risks and Title IX concerns. Call them the opt-outs. The deadline for schools to opt out was Monday.
WORDS: 819 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 5:28 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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BKN–Thunder-Williams
Jalen Williams has wrist surgery; Thunder All-Star expected back for start of season
SUMMARY: Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star guard/forward Jalen Williams has undergone surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist. The team announced Tuesday that he will be re-evaluated in about 12 weeks. Thunder general manager Sam Presti says he expects Williams to be ready for the regular season. Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists last season and earned All-NBA and All-Defensive honors. Despite his injury, he played all 23 postseason games and helped the Thunder win their first NBA title, including a 40-point performance in Game 5 of the Finals.
WORDS: 212 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 3:32 p.m. CDT
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BKN–Free Agency
Myles Turner will join Bucks, who waive Damian Lillard, AP source says, in a free agency surprise
SUMMARY: Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year deal to join the Milwaukee Bucks, who waived nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard to make the acquisition happen, according to a person with knowledge of the moves. Turner is agreeing to a deal that ends with a player option, after spending the entirety of his first 10 seasons with the Indiana Pacers. The remaining $112.6 million owed to Lillard will be paid out over the next five seasons via the NBA’s stretch provision, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither move was announced by the clubs involved. In both cases, Achilles tendon injuries played a role in the surprising moves.
WORDS: 1053 – MOVED: 07/01/2025 11:12 a.m. CDT
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