Great Plains News Digest
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MISSOURI
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US–Drone Deliveries
Delivery drones may soon take off in the US. Here’s why
SUMMARY: Delivery drones are supposed to be fast, yet the long-promised technology has been slow to take off in the United States. More than six years after the Federal Aviation Administration approved the first commercial home deliveries with drones, the service still is confined to a handful of suburbs. That could soon change. The FAA proposed a new rule last week that would make it easier for companies to fly drones outside of an operator’s line of sight. A handful of companies do that now, but they had to obtain waivers. Walmart, Amazon, DoorDash and the drone companies they work with say they are preparing to make drone-based deliveries available to millions more U.S. households.
WORDS: 1275 – MOVED: 08/11/2025 7:28 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Heritage Heist-New Mexico Pueblo
Investigators search for Native American items stolen decades ago in New Mexico
SUMMARY: Investigators with a Native American community in New Mexico are trying to crack a cold case, one irreplaceable item at a time. It’s been 40 years since federal authorities busted a ring of thieves who burglarized numerous adobe homes in the tribe’s ceremonial village. War shields, traditional clothing, blankets and pottery vessels were stolen. The thieves were arrested and punished but, inexplicably, authorities never pursued recovery of the stolen items. Now, a team at Santa Ana Pueblo is combing auction sites, art galleries and social media for fresh leads. For the pueblo, the items aren’t pieces of art to be collected, traded or sold. They’re living, breathing elements of culture that must be returned home.
WORDS: 1257 – MOVED: 08/12/2025 7:04 a.m. CDT
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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SD–Water Study
Water supplies not meeting demand in South Dakota’s Black Hills region, study says
SUMMARY: A new in-depth federal hydrology study of the entire Black Hills region indicates that some of the aquifers that supply water to this growing region of western South Dakota are not keeping up with demand. The study of water availability in six bedrock aquifers in the Black Hills was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey and published on July 30. The report showed that water use within some of the six “sub-aquifers” in the Black Hills is outpacing the rate at which the aquifers are refilling. The new USGS report adds further fuel to ongoing efforts to build a $2 billion pipeline from the Missouri River to numerous destinations in western South Dakota.
WORDS: 917 – MOVED: 08/11/2025 3:35 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKL–Fever-Clark
Caitlin Clark making progress in recovery from groin injury but still not practicing with Fever
SUMMARY: Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White said Monday that All-Star guard Caitlin Clark is progressing from an injured right groin but still is not practicing. Clark has not played since suffering the injury in the final minute of an 85-77 victory over Connecticut on July 15. Team officials have already ruled her out of Tuesday’s matchup against rookie Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. There is still no timetable for when one of the league’s most popular players could return. Clark began full-court running last week. Indiana is 10-9 without Clark including a 6-2 mark over the last eight games
WORDS: 382 – MOVED: 08/11/2025 5:53 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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BBO–Twins-Yankees
Warren pitches 6 2/3 innings to lead the Yankees to 6-2 win over the Twins
SUMMARY: Will Warren gave up three hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings to become the first New York Yankees starting pitcher to get an out in the seventh inning in a month in a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. Warren (7-5), who allowed homers to Byron Buxton and Trevor Larnach, struck out seven and walked none before Luke Weaver and David Bednar finished off New York’s 23rd win in its last 30 regular-season meetings with Minnesota. Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton, Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered for the Yankees. Zebby Matthews (3-4) took the loss.
WORDS: 343 – MOVED: 08/11/2025 8:44 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Twins-Buxton
Twins reinstate Byron Buxton from injured list to start series vs. Yankees
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins reinstated center fielder Byron Buxton from the 10-day injured list. He homered in his first game back after missing 13 with an injury. He rejoined the Twins to start a three-game series against the New York Yankees and was leading off. Buxton still leads the team with a .282 batting average, 68 runs, 23 homers and 59 RBIs in 85 games. He also has stolen 17 bases in 17 attempts and is on pace for the second-most games in his 11-year major league career.
WORDS: 312 – MOVED: 08/11/2025 12:21 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Astros-Correa & Bregman
Correa plays 1st game in Houston since trade as Bregman visits for 1st time since joining Red Sox
SUMMARY: Carlos Correa has made a triumphant return to the Houston Astros after a trade from the Minnesota Twins. Meanwhile, Alex Bregman is visiting Daikin Park for the first time as a Boston Red Sox player. Houston manager Joe Espada says both players have been incredible for the organization. Bregman, drafted by the Astros in 2015, spent nine seasons in Houston, helping the team achieve significant success. Correa, who waived his no-trade clause to return, is back after playing for the Twins since 2022. He’s feeling rejuvenated and is now playing third base. Both players express excitement about their new roles and opportunities.
WORDS: 1024 – MOVED: 08/11/2025 5:58 p.m. CDT
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BKN–NBA-Schedule
Thunder headlining NBA’s opening night, Christmas schedule for this season
SUMMARY: The Oklahoma City Thunder felt slighted last season when they were left off the NBA’s Christmas schedule. That won’t be an issue this year. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the NBA champion Thunder will be working at home for Christmas this season, playing host to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs as part of the league’s annual Dec. 25 quintupleheader. The other Christmas games, released by the NBA on Tuesday: Cleveland at New York, Houston at LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and Dallas visiting Golden State, and Minnesota playing at Denver.
WORDS: 658 – MOVED: 08/12/2025 7:35 a.m. CDT
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BKL–Around the WNBA
WNBA ratings and attendance are still strong despite top stars missing games with injuries
SUMMARY: Even with many of its top stars sidelined, the WNBA has still had strong ratings and attendance numbers this season. Injuries have kept Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier and Angel Reese out, but that hasn’t dampened fan interest. ESPN games are up slightly over last season and games on ABC are up 17%. Attendance has also still been strong, thanks to the addition of the Golden State Valkyries, who have sold out all of their home games. Still, it’s not all been rosy with negative attention coming with a number of sex toys being thrown on the court at various arenas.
WORDS: 594 – MOVED: 08/12/2025 12:31 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Royals-Lugo Contract
Details of Seth Lugo’s $46 million, 2-year contract with the Kansas City Royals for 2026 and 2027
SUMMARY: Seth Lugo contract details
WORDS: 87 – MOVED: 08/11/2025 2:33 p.m. CDT
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BBO-Rockies-Cardinals
Donovan’s two-run double in the eighth inning secures Cardinals’ win over Rockies
SUMMARY: Brendan Donovan hit a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning, Miles Mikolas didn’t give up a hit through 5 1/3 innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals sent the Colorado Rockies to their eighth straight loss, 3-2. Juan Mejia (1-1) failed to hold a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning, while Kyle Leahy (3-1) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings after Mikolas went 6 2/3 innings, his longest outing of the season. Alec Burleson drove in a run for St. Louis in the third inning. Warming Bernabel and Brenton Doyle drove in runs in the seventh inning to give the Rockies a 2-1 lead.
WORDS: 341 – MOVED: 08/11/2025 9:25 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Nationals-Royals
Perez and Isbel 2-run homers in the 6th inning power the Royals to a 7-4 win over the Nationals
SUMMARY: Salvadore Perez and Kyle Isbel hit two-run homers in the sixth inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Washington Nationals 7-4 on Monday night. Perez homered off rookie Cade Cavalli after Maikel Garcia drew a leadoff walk, tying the game at 4. Adam Frazier singled, chasing Cavalli, and Jackson Rutledge (1-2) entered and retired Randal Grichuk on a double-play grounder. Nick Loftin had a two-out single before scoring on Isbel’s fourth homer. Perez’s homer was his 21st. Kansas City won the opener of a 10-game homestand and moved to 59-60 on the season.
WORDS: 357 – MOVED: 08/11/2025 9:48 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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FBC–Pick Six-Impact Transfers
Miami’s Carson Beck and Oklahoma’s John Mateer head list of prominent players switching schools
SUMMARY: Carson Beck made a significant move by transferring from Georgia to Miami after an injury ended his 2024 season early. Beck, once considered a likely first-round pick in the 2025 draft, decided to return to college instead. The quarterback follows Cam Ward, who also transferred to Miami and was drafted first overall by the Tennessee Titans. Beck is one of many prominent players who are getting used to their new schools as the season arrives.
WORDS: 830 – MOVED: 08/11/2025 10:18 p.m. CDT
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BKN–NBA-Schedule
Thunder headlining NBA’s opening night, Christmas schedule for this season
SUMMARY: The Oklahoma City Thunder felt slighted last season when they were left off the NBA’s Christmas schedule. That won’t be an issue this year. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the NBA champion Thunder will be working at home for Christmas this season, playing host to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs as part of the league’s annual Dec. 25 quintupleheader. The other Christmas games, released by the NBA on Tuesday: Cleveland at New York, Houston at LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and Dallas visiting Golden State, and Minnesota playing at Denver.
WORDS: 658 – MOVED: 08/12/2025 7:35 a.m. CDT
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