Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Nebraska Explosion
Nebraska plant explosion killed 2 girls and an employee
SUMMARY: Officials have confirmed that two girls and a relative died in an explosion at a Nebraska biofuels plant. The children were waiting for an employee to finish work at Horizon Biofuels in Fremont when the blast occurred Tuesday. Fire crews battled smoldering flames and an unstable concrete structure. But responders were able to use heavy equipment to remove rubble in a portion of the building and recover the remains of all three individuals more than 24 hours after the explosion. Authorities believe a wood dust explosion in the plant’s elevator tower is likely to blame. The facility makes animal bedding and wood pellets. The company did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment.
WORDS: 462 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 9:07 a.m. CDT
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US–Trump-Hawley
Josh Hawley says he had ‘good chat’ with Trump after dustup over stock trading bill
SUMMARY: Josh Hawley is brushing off President Donald Trump’s quip that he’s a “second-tier” senator. The criticism came after the Missouri Republican’s proposal to ban stock trading by members of Congress — and the president and vice president — won bipartisan approval to advance in a committee vote. Hawley told Fox News it’s “not the worst thing” he’s ever been called, and said that he and the president “had a good chat” clearing up confusion over the bill. The misunderstanding, Hawley said late Wednesday, was that Trump would have to sell his Mar-a-Lago private club and other assets.
WORDS: 950 – MOVED: 07/31/2025 11:43 a.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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US–Aircraft Down-Investigation
NTSB finds Army chopper in fatal midair crash with plane was above altitude limit
SUMMARY: Investigators have found that a helicopter involved in a deadly crash with a passenger plane over Washington was flying above its height limit. The helicopter’s altitude-measuring instrument was also inaccurate. These findings were revealed during the first day of National Transportation Safety Board hearings. The crash, which occurred in January, killed 67 people. The board is examining how the Federal Aviation Administration and the Army may have contributed to the incident. The hearings will continue for three days, focusing on military helicopter routes, collision avoidance technology, and air traffic controller training at Ronald Reagan National Airport.
WORDS: 1598 – MOVED: 07/29/2025 11:04 p.m. CDT
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US–Aircraft-Down-Investigation
Military chopper traffic over Washington was a worry leading up to fatal midair crash, NTSB hears
SUMMARY: Federal investigators are hearing concerns about military helicopter traffic over Washington, especially at night. Aviators operating around the airport where an Army helicopter and a commercial airliner crashed this year have long worried about this issue. On Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board continued its inquiry into the January midair crash over the Potomac River that killed 67 people. Witnesses testified about air traffic control and the challenges of identifying aircraft at night. Concerns were raised about the Army and Air Force helicopters flying near Ronald Reagan National Airport. The board’s final report is expected next year.
WORDS: 1239 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 11:04 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–AP Poll-DEI
Fewer Americans see discrimination as anti-DEI push gains traction, AP-NORC poll shows
SUMMARY: A poll finds less than half of U.S. adults believe Black people face “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of discrimination. That’s a decline from the solid majority who thought Black people faced high levels of discrimination in early 2021, less than a year after racial reckoning protests in response to the police killing of George Floyd. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows significant numbers of Americans also think diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are backfiring against the groups they’re intended to help. The findings suggest Americans’ views on racial discrimination have shifted substantially since four years ago, when many companies launched efforts to promote diversity.
WORDS: 1050 – MOVED: 07/31/2025 6:49 a.m. CDT
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US–Delta Turbulence
Turbulence forces Delta flight to land and sends 25 people to hospitals
SUMMARY: Delta Air Lines says a flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was hit by serious turbulence, sending 25 people to hospitals and forcing the flight to divert to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The airline says that first responders met the flight Wednesday evening. One passenger said people who weren’t wearing seat belts were thrown about the cabin. The plane was carrying 275 customers and a 13-member crew. Delta says seven crew members were treated at hospitals and released, as were customers who shared their status with the airline. Delta is cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board on an investigation.
WORDS: 501 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 11:57 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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US–Election 2026-Texas Redistricting
Texas Republicans get a bigger House edge under a new map, meeting Trump’s goals
SUMMARY: Texas Republicans have proposed a new congressional map that creates five additional GOP-leaning districts as they brace for a challenging midterm election in 2026. The move aims to bolster their chances of maintaining control in the U.S. House. The redrawn map comes during a special legislative session called by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. President Donald Trump has urged Texas Republicans to reshape districts in the party’s favor. Some Democratic state lawmakers have talked of walking out of the special session to block action on redistricting, which has had mixed results in the past. Meanwhile, Democrats in California and New York are considering redrawing their districts to counter GOP efforts.
WORDS: 1032 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 9:59 a.m. CDT
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US–Trump-Hawley
Trump calls GOP’s Hawley ‘second tier’ senator after bill to ban stock trades in government advances
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has lashed out at Sen. Josh Hawley after the Republican’s proposal to ban stock trading by members of Congress — and the president and vice president — advanced in a committee vote. It’s the second time in as many days that Trump laid into senators in his own party. A day earlier, Trump tore into veteran GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa over an obscure Senate procedure. Hawley’s stock trade legislation with the panel’s top Democrat sailed out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on a bipartisan vote. Trump called Hawley a “second-tier Senator” after the vote.
WORDS: 808 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 6:39 p.m. CDT
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US–Trump-Hawley
Josh Hawley says he had ‘good chat’ with Trump after dustup over stock trading bill
SUMMARY: Josh Hawley is brushing off President Donald Trump’s quip that he’s a “second-tier” senator. The criticism came after the Missouri Republican’s proposal to ban stock trading by members of Congress — and the president and vice president — won bipartisan approval to advance in a committee vote. Hawley told Fox News it’s “not the worst thing” he’s ever been called, and said that he and the president “had a good chat” clearing up confusion over the bill. The misunderstanding, Hawley said late Wednesday, was that Trump would have to sell his Mar-a-Lago private club and other assets.
WORDS: 950 – MOVED: 07/31/2025 11:43 a.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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US–Nebraska Explosion
Nebraska plant explosion killed 2 girls and an employee
SUMMARY: Officials have confirmed that two girls and a relative died in an explosion at a Nebraska biofuels plant. The children were waiting for an employee to finish work at Horizon Biofuels in Fremont when the blast occurred Tuesday. Fire crews battled smoldering flames and an unstable concrete structure. But responders were able to use heavy equipment to remove rubble in a portion of the building and recover the remains of all three individuals more than 24 hours after the explosion. Authorities believe a wood dust explosion in the plant’s elevator tower is likely to blame. The facility makes animal bedding and wood pellets. The company did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment.
WORDS: 462 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 9:07 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-six men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S. Ten other people are scheduled to be put to death in seven states during the remainder of 2025. The next scheduled execution is in Florida, when a man who killed his wife and two children is set to be put to death Thursday. Alabama, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas and Utah also have scheduled executions for later this year. Executions have been carried out this year in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The number of executions this year exceeds the 25 executions carried out last year and in 2018.
WORDS: 1241 – MOVED: 07/25/2025 5:15 p.m. CDT
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US–Arkansas Hikers Killed
An Arkansas teacher is charged in the killing of a couple who were hiking with their children
SUMMARY: A man newly hired as a schoolteacher in Arkansas has been arrested in the killings of a couple in front of their children at Devil’s Den State Park. Arkansas State Police arrested the suspect at a barbershop in Springdale, Arkansas, on Wednesday and charged him with two counts of capital murder. Police have not mentioned a possible motive. Clinton David Brink and Cristen Amanda Brink were found dead Saturday on a walking trail at Devil’s Den. The Springdale district said the man was hired for the upcoming school year and had not yet met any families or students at the school.
WORDS: 830 – MOVED: 07/31/2025 12:27 a.m. CDT
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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US–Arkansas Hikers Killed
Arkansas police arrest man in Devil’s Den park killings after dayslong search, finding him nearby
SUMMARY: Officials say a 28-year-old Arkansas man has been arrested in the killings of a married couple in front of their children at Devil’s Den State Park over the weekend. Arkansas State Police arrested the man from Springdale on Wednesday and charged him with two counts of capital murder. Police did not mention a possible motive. Clinton David Brink and Cristen Amanda Brink were found dead Saturday on a walking trail at Devil’s Den. Authorities have said their young daughters were not hurt and are being cared for by family members.
WORDS: 638 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 3:46 p.m. CDT
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US–Trump-Republican Tributes
All the ways Republicans want to honor Trump, from the $100 bill to Mount Rushmore
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump’s name and image will never be forgotten should congressional Republicans have a say in the matter. Future generations of Americans could get a $100 bill with Trump’s portrait on it. They could catch a show at the Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts, now commonly known as the Kennedy Center. And one day they could see Trump’s image engraved in Mount Rushmore next to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. All would be possible under bills Republican lawmakers have sponsored this year. Trump is six months into his second term, but some Republicans aren’t waiting to see how it plays out. Democrats say House Republicans “continue to embarrass themselves.”
WORDS: 1065 – MOVED: 07/31/2025 6:05 a.m. CDT
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US–Arkansas Hikers Killed
An Arkansas teacher is charged in the killing of a couple who were hiking with their children
SUMMARY: A man newly hired as a schoolteacher in Arkansas has been arrested in the killings of a couple in front of their children at Devil’s Den State Park. Arkansas State Police arrested the suspect at a barbershop in Springdale, Arkansas, on Wednesday and charged him with two counts of capital murder. Police have not mentioned a possible motive. Clinton David Brink and Cristen Amanda Brink were found dead Saturday on a walking trail at Devil’s Den. The Springdale district said the man was hired for the upcoming school year and had not yet met any families or students at the school.
WORDS: 830 – MOVED: 07/31/2025 12:27 a.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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KANSAS
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BBO–Braves-Royals
Perez’s single in 10th lifts Royals over Braves 1-0. KC ties record by using 9 pitchers in shutout
SUMMARY: Salvador Perez drove in MJ Melendez with a single in the 10th inning, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 1-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. The Royals matched a major league record by using nine pitchers in the shutout. Sam Long, the last reliever for Kansas City, escaped a jam in the 10th inning to keep the game scoreless. Joey Wentz, pitching near his high school, allowed just one hit over 6 2/3 innings for Atlanta. The Royals’ bullpen proved to be his match, with Angel Zerpa starting on no rest. The only other club to use nine pitchers in a shutout was Cleveland, which also did it in a 10-inning game in 2016.
WORDS: 391 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 4:11 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Royals-Reliever Shutout
Nine pitchers, one shutout: How the Royals made history against the Braves with a 1-0 victory
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Royals have made history by using nine relievers to achieve a 1-0 shutout against the Atlanta Braves. That ties a major league record set by Cleveland in 2016. Sam Long secured the win by escaping a jam in the 10th inning. Salvador Perez then hit a single to score MJ Melendez for the victory. Injuries to the starting rotation forced Royals manager Matt Quatraro to rely on the bullpen, which delivered an outstanding performance. They combined to allow five hits and one walk while striking out 10.
WORDS: 747 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 5:07 p.m. CDT
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US–Presidential Fitness Test
Trump plans to revive the Presidential Fitness Test for American schoolchildren
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump plans to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test for American schoolchildren. The program was created in 1966 and had children run and perform situps, pullups or pushups and a sit-and-reach test. It changed in 2012 to focus more on individual health than athletic feats. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump wants to promote healthy active lifestyles for future generations. Trump plans to sign an order later Thursday reestablishing the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. He’ll be joined at the White House event by a number of prominent athletes, including some who’ve faced controversy.
WORDS: 602 – MOVED: 07/31/2025 9:56 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BBO–Red Sox-Bregman
Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman sits against Twins to rest previously injured quad
SUMMARY: Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman sat out Boston’s game Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins to rest the right quadriceps he strained earlier this season. Red Sox manager Alex Cora characterized the move as a precaution, with the third baseman expected back in the lineup Friday against Houston. Cora says “he feels good with the quad, but a bit tired.” Abraham Toro started in Bregman’s place Wednesday at Minnesota. With Boston off on Thursday, the move gives Bregman two days of rest.
WORDS: 145 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 1:12 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Red Sox-Twins
Jarren Duran’s 4 RBIs, Bello’s one-run outing give Boston 13-1 win over Twins in series finale
SUMMARY: Jarren Duran went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs, Trevor Story hit his second homer in as many games, and the Red Sox earned a series win with a 13-1 victory at Minnesota. Red Sox starter Brayan Bello yielded one earned run on five hits in seven innings with four strikeouts. The Dominican right-hander has recorded a quality start in nine of his past 10 outings. Boston finished the month of July 17-7 and has the American League’s fifth-best record at 59-51. Minnesota is 4-8 since the All-Star break and sits fourth in the AL Central.
WORDS: 343 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 3:07 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Correa
Twins shortstop Correa says talk of return to Houston isn’t ‘serious’
SUMMARY: Carlos Correa says discussions about a trade from Minnesota back to Houston before Thursday’s trade deadline aren’t serious,”but he didn’t rule out the possibility of returning to the city where he won a World Series. The three-time All-Star shortstop has a no-trade clause in the six-year, $200 million contract he signed with the Twins in 2023, so he’d need to sign off on any deal between. Correa said he’s been in frequent communication with Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey and manager Rocco Baldelli. After trading starter Chris Paddack to Detroit on Tuesday, the Twins have indicated they plan to keep shedding contracts at this year’s deadline.
WORDS: 855 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 5:33 p.m. CDT
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BKL–Liberty-Stewart Injury
Liberty star Breanna Stewart has bone bruise in her right knee and is out indefinitely
SUMMARY: New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart has a bone bruise in her right knee, and the team has no timetable for her return. Coach Sandy Brondello says the team wants “to make sure she’s right for the playoffs.” She says the Liberty hope Stewart returns before that. A two-time MVP, Stewart was hurt early in the Liberty’s 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night. Stewart seemed to injure the leg while running up the court and exited about 3 1/2 minutes into the game. She went to the locker room and never returned to the bench. A seven-time All-Star, Stewart is averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
WORDS: 180 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 8:55 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Phillies Trade
Phillies acquire hard-throwing closer Jhoan Duran in trade with Twins
SUMMARY: The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired Jhoan Duran, trading two top prospects to the Minnesota Twins for the hard-throwing closer. Duran has 16 saves and a 2.01 ERA in 49 appearances this season, striking out 53 in 49 1/3 innings. Catcher Eduardo Tait and right-hander Mick Abel were shipped off to Minnesota in the deal. Philadelphia is competing with the New York Mets for the NL East title. The Phillies won the division last year before they were eliminated by the Mets in their NL Division Series.
WORDS: 618 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 6:10 p.m. CDT
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BKL–Liberty-Lynx
Collier scores 30, McBride 24 as Lynx beat Liberty 100-93 in Finals rematch
SUMMARY: Napheesa Collier had 30 points and nine rebounds, Kayla McBride added 24 points, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the short-handed New York Liberty 100-93 in a rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals. Collier went 11 of 16 from the field to record her fifth 30-point game this season. Sabrina Ionescu countered with 31 points for New York, which did not have star Breanna Stewart due to a bone bruise in her right knee.
WORDS: 290 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 9:34 p.m. CDT
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BBO–MLB-Trade-Deadline
Suárez to Mariners, Durán to Phillies as MLB trade market heats up before Thursday’s deadline
SUMMARY: Slugger Eugenio Suarez is headed to the Seattle Mariners and flame-throwing reliever Jhoan Duran has been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies during a busy Wednesday ahead of Major League Baseball’s trade deadline on Thursday. Suarez hit 36 homers for the D-backs this season while Duran is one of MLB’s elite relievers. In other deals, the New York Yankees acquired veteran outfielder Austin Slater while the New York Mets added relievers Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers. There are several prominent players available before the deadline, including Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan and Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller.
WORDS: 846 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 5:29 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Braves-Royals
Perez’s single in 10th lifts Royals over Braves 1-0. KC ties record by using 9 pitchers in shutout
SUMMARY: Salvador Perez drove in MJ Melendez with a single in the 10th inning, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 1-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. The Royals matched a major league record by using nine pitchers in the shutout. Sam Long, the last reliever for Kansas City, escaped a jam in the 10th inning to keep the game scoreless. Joey Wentz, pitching near his high school, allowed just one hit over 6 2/3 innings for Atlanta. The Royals’ bullpen proved to be his match, with Angel Zerpa starting on no rest. The only other club to use nine pitchers in a shutout was Cleveland, which also did it in a 10-inning game in 2016.
WORDS: 391 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 4:11 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Royals-Reliever Shutout
Nine pitchers, one shutout: How the Royals made history against the Braves with a 1-0 victory
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Royals have made history by using nine relievers to achieve a 1-0 shutout against the Atlanta Braves. That ties a major league record set by Cleveland in 2016. Sam Long secured the win by escaping a jam in the 10th inning. Salvador Perez then hit a single to score MJ Melendez for the victory. Injuries to the starting rotation forced Royals manager Matt Quatraro to rely on the bullpen, which delivered an outstanding performance. They combined to allow five hits and one walk while striking out 10.
WORDS: 747 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 5:07 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Marlins-Cardinals
Sánchez hits 2-run HR, Quantrill pitches 5 innings as Marlins beat Cardinals 2-0
SUMMARY: Jesús Sánchez hit a two-run homer in the third inning, Cal Quantrill pitched five innings and the Miami Marlins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 on Wednesday night. The Marlins have won 10 of 13 overall and 17 of their last 22 on the road. Quantrill (4-8) gave up three hits and two walks and struck out three. After Tyler Phillips threw 2 1/2 innings of relief, Ronny Henriquez came on with runners at first and second with one out in the eighth and struck out Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado. Calvin Faucher pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 10th save. In the third, Xavier Edwards singled and — two pitches later — Sánchez hit a fly ball off Miles Mikolas (6-8) over the wall in center.
WORDS: 244 – MOVED: 07/30/2025 9:51 p.m. CDT
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US–Presidential Fitness Test
Trump plans to revive the Presidential Fitness Test for American schoolchildren
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump plans to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test for American schoolchildren. The program was created in 1966 and had children run and perform situps, pullups or pushups and a sit-and-reach test. It changed in 2012 to focus more on individual health than athletic feats. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump wants to promote healthy active lifestyles for future generations. Trump plans to sign an order later Thursday reestablishing the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. He’ll be joined at the White House event by a number of prominent athletes, including some who’ve faced controversy.
WORDS: 602 – MOVED: 07/31/2025 9:56 a.m. CDT
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