Great Plains News Digest
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MINNESOTA
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US–Election 2028-Democrats-Takeaways
Takeaways from AP report on Democrats already lining up for the 2028 presidential race
SUMMARY: Democrats’ political jockeying for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out earlier, with more frequency and with less pretense than ever before. It’s only 2025, but several potential candidates are already taking steps to get to know voters in the states that will matter most in the nomination process. And with no clear Democratic front-runner, upwards of 30 high-profile Democrats could ultimately enter the 2028 primary.
WORDS: 848 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 11:03 p.m. CDT
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US–Election 2028-Democrats
‘Who’s got next?’ Democrats already lining up for 2028 presidential race in early voting states
SUMMARY: The voters in early presidential nominating states are used to seeing contenders months or even years before most of the country. But the political jockeying in 2025 for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out earlier, with more frequency and with less pretense than ever before. While the first presidential primary votes won’t be cast for another two and a half years, three Democratic presidential prospects are scheduled to campaign in South Carolina for 10 days this month. Nearly a half dozen others have made recent pilgrimages to South Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa. This week, both Kentucy Gov. Andy Beshear and Rep. Ro Khanna will be in South Carolina.
WORDS: 1446 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 11:03 p.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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US–Air Force Employee-Classified Info
Retired Army officer pleads guilty to sharing classified info on Russia-Ukraine war on dating site
SUMMARY: A retired Army officer who worked as a civilian Air Force employee has pleaded guilty to conspiring to share classified information about Russia’s war with Ukraine. David Slater admitted that he transmitted national defense secrets through a foreign dating platform to someone claiming to be a woman in Ukraine. Slater worked at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and had access to top-secret information. Sentencing is set for Oct. 8. Prosecutors and his attorneys agreed that he should serve about six to seven years in prison, though the judge will ultimately decide.
WORDS: 538 – MOVED: 07/14/2025 12:00 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKL–Bueckers-Clark Matchup
Clark, Fever get best of Bueckers, Wings in first pro matchup of WNBA stars
SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers each produced remarkably efficient stat lines in their first professional matchup. The ultimate result wasn’t nearly as close. Clark helped Indiana dominate the second quarter as the Fever ran away from the Dallas Wings 102-83. Clark had 14 points and a season-high 13 assists in just 25 minutes. Bueckers wound up with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes. It was a head-to-head matchup that lived up to the hype of the past two No. 1 overall picks squaring off.
WORDS: 658 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 3:40 p.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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BBO–Cardinals Moves
Cards activate Iván Herrera from 10-day injured list, place Lars Nootbaar on IL
SUMMARY: The St. Louis Cardinals activated Iván Herrera from the 10-day injured list before the series finale against the Atlanta Braves. In a corresponding move, the Cardinals placed outfielder Lars Nootbaar on the 10-day IL with a left rib injury. Herrera hasn’t appeared in the lineup since June 19 when he strained his hamstring rounding first base after a hit in the first game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.
WORDS: 161 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 1:34 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Mets-Royals
Nick Loftin hits second game-winner in less than a week, Royals beat Mets 3-2 to avoid 3-game sweep
SUMMARY: Nick Loftin secures a 3-2 win for the Kansas City Royals over the New York Mets on Sunday with a walk-off single. Loftin drove in Tyler Tolbert, who had singled and stolen second base. This marks Loftin’s second game-winning hit in a week. Royals rookie Noah Cameron impressed with 6 2/3 scoreless innings and eight strikeouts. The Mets tied the game in the ninth with key hits from Ronny Mauricio and Jeff McNeil but fell short. The Mets struggled offensively, going 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Sean Manaea took the loss despite striking out seven over 3 1/3 innings in his season debut for New York.
WORDS: 361 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 4:40 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BKL–Bueckers-Clark Matchup
Clark, Fever get best of Bueckers, Wings in first pro matchup of WNBA stars
SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers each produced remarkably efficient stat lines in their first professional matchup. The ultimate result wasn’t nearly as close. Clark helped Indiana dominate the second quarter as the Fever ran away from the Dallas Wings 102-83. Clark had 14 points and a season-high 13 assists in just 25 minutes. Bueckers wound up with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes. It was a head-to-head matchup that lived up to the hype of the past two No. 1 overall picks squaring off.
WORDS: 658 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 3:40 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Pirates-Twins
Pirates slip past Twins for 2-1 victory to end 8-game skid
SUMMARY: Spencer Horwitz had a bases-loaded RBI ground out in the ninth inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates ended an eight-game slide by beating the Minnesota Twins 2-1. Isiah Kiner-Falefa tied a career high with four hits for Pittsburgh. Ke’Bryan Hayes singled with one out in the ninth off Twins closer Jhoan Duran. Pinch-hitter Oneil Cruz had an infield single and Kiner-Falefa singled to load the bases. Horwitz hit a sharp grounder that second baseman Brooks Lee dove to his right to stop. Looking to start a double play, Lee couldn’t cleanly get the ball out of his glove and had to settle for a force out at first allowing Hayes to score.
WORDS: 370 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 4:07 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Cardinals Moves
Cards activate Iván Herrera from 10-day injured list, place Lars Nootbaar on IL
SUMMARY: The St. Louis Cardinals activated Iván Herrera from the 10-day injured list before the series finale against the Atlanta Braves. In a corresponding move, the Cardinals placed outfielder Lars Nootbaar on the 10-day IL with a left rib injury. Herrera hasn’t appeared in the lineup since June 19 when he strained his hamstring rounding first base after a hit in the first game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.
WORDS: 161 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 1:34 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Mets-Royals
Nick Loftin hits second game-winner in less than a week, Royals beat Mets 3-2 to avoid 3-game sweep
SUMMARY: Nick Loftin secures a 3-2 win for the Kansas City Royals over the New York Mets on Sunday with a walk-off single. Loftin drove in Tyler Tolbert, who had singled and stolen second base. This marks Loftin’s second game-winning hit in a week. Royals rookie Noah Cameron impressed with 6 2/3 scoreless innings and eight strikeouts. The Mets tied the game in the ninth with key hits from Ronny Mauricio and Jeff McNeil but fell short. The Mets struggled offensively, going 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Sean Manaea took the loss despite striking out seven over 3 1/3 innings in his season debut for New York.
WORDS: 361 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 4:40 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Braves-Cardinals
Fermín hits first major league homer to break tie in the Cardinals’ victory over the Braves
SUMMARY: José Fermín hit his first major league home run to break a sixth-inning tie in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on a soggy Sunday. In his 159th career plate appearance, the 26-year-old Fermín smacked a sinker over the left-field fence off Jesse Chavez (0-1) with Mason Wynn on base to cap the scoring. Two rain delays totaled 4 hours, 2 minutes. The game lasted 2:38. The Braves added a run off Gordon Graceffo (3-0) in the seventh. Graceffo threw 1 2/3 innings. Ryan Helsley pitched the ninth for his 19th save.
WORDS: 366 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 8:07 p.m. CDT
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FBC–SEC Media Days
The SEC and Big Ten are currently at a standstill over the College Football Playoff format
SUMMARY: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC and Big Ten have not agreed on a College Football Playoff format beyond this season. Sankey noted frequent discussions with Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti but highlighted differing views on playoff allocations. The current 12-team playoff guarantees spots for the five highest-ranked conference champions. Sankey emphasized collaboration but stated changes could proceed without unanimous agreement. The CFP contract allows the SEC and Big Ten to propose and impose changes if aligned.
WORDS: 433 – MOVED: 07/14/2025 12:58 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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GLF–Scottish Open
Chris Gotterup outlasts Rory McIlroy to win Scottish Open and head to Portrush
SUMMARY: Chris Gotterup gets to spend an extra week on links golf after winning the biggest title of his career. Gotterup held his nerve against Rory McIlroy to win the Scottish Open. The victory gives him one of three spots in the British Open next week. Gotterup shot 66 and finished two clear of McIlroy and Marco Penge. It’s his second career title. He came over to play the Scottish Open and had a flight booked to California for the next stop. Now it’s a short hop over the Irish Sea to play his first British Open after a big win.
WORDS: 898 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 2:09 p.m. CDT
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GLF–LIV Golf Andalucia
American Talor Gooch wins LIV Golf Andalucia at Valderrama
SUMMARY: American Talor Gooch won LIV Golf Andalucia on Sunday for his second LIV Golf title in three visits to Valderrama and fourth overall on the Saudi-funded tour. Gooch closed with a 1-under 70 to finish at 8 under, a stroke ahead of Spanish star Jon Rahm (65). Rahm led Legion XIII to its third team title of the season. Gooch has a record 13 trophies – four regular-season individual wins, seven regular-season team wins, one team championship in 2022 with 4Aces and one individual championship in 2023. Abraham Ancer was third at 5 under after a 66. Bryson DeChambeau closed with a 74 to tie for 30th at 3 over.
WORDS: 124 – MOVED: 07/13/2025 5:14 p.m. CDT
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FBC–SEC Media Days
The SEC and Big Ten are currently at a standstill over the College Football Playoff format
SUMMARY: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC and Big Ten have not agreed on a College Football Playoff format beyond this season. Sankey noted frequent discussions with Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti but highlighted differing views on playoff allocations. The current 12-team playoff guarantees spots for the five highest-ranked conference champions. Sankey emphasized collaboration but stated changes could proceed without unanimous agreement. The CFP contract allows the SEC and Big Ten to propose and impose changes if aligned.
WORDS: 433 – MOVED: 07/14/2025 12:58 p.m. CDT
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