Great Plains News Digest
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KANSAS
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US-Election-2026-Redistricting-Other States
What states are doing in the battle over congressional maps as Texas pursues plan Trump sought
SUMMARY: Texas Republicans and President Donald Trump are pushing to redraw congressional maps to secure more GOP seats in the U.S. House. That has sparked a fierce battle across multiple statehouses, with each major party considering redrawing maps that they control. Texas Democrats left the state to halt a vote on redistricting. They have said they will return provided California Democrats move forward with their own new maps. Missouri, New York, Wisconsin, Maryland, Florida, Ohio and Indiana are also responding in various ways, highlighting the growing national conflict over gerrymandering and redistricting strategies.
WORDS: 1026 – MOVED: 08/05/2025 7:01 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–Minnesota Lawmakers Shot
Upgraded charges filed against Minnesota man accused of killing lawmaker, wounding another
SUMMARY: A Minnesota man accused of killing a top Democratic state lawmaker and wounding another is now facing new and upgraded state charges. A new indictment was announced Thursday, just a week after Vance Boelter pleaded not guilty to separate charges in federal court. Boelter now faces state charges including two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder and charges of impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the charges reflect the weight of the crimes Boelter is accused of. But the state case will continue to take a backseat to the federal case against Boelter in which he could face the death penalty.
WORDS: 810 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 5:06 p.m. CDT
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US–UnitedHealth-Stock
UnitedHealth Group shares climb as Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway discloses stake in the insurer
SUMMARY: Shares of UnitedHealth Group are surging before the market open Friday as Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed that it recently purchased shares of the beleaguered insurer. Berkshire Hathaway bought around 5 million shares of UnitedHealth last quarter, according to a regulatory filing. The stock was valued at about $1.57 billion.
WORDS: 511 – MOVED: 08/15/2025 6:46 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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Food-Frozen Drinks Guide
Milkshakes, malts, concretes, frappes and more: A (delicious) guide to frozen drinks
SUMMARY: It’s summer, the time for cold, creamy, brain-freezing frozen drinks. Frozen drinks look different depending on where you are. The most iconic is the milkshake. It’s typically a smooth blend of ice cream and milk, sometimes with other flavorings or fruit thrown in. Malts are essentially milkshakes plus a scoop of malted milk powder. That gives the drink a nostalgic, toasted, almost nutty flavor. Or consider the frappe. In Massachusetts, it’s what most of us would call a milkshake. And it’s pronounced “frap.” But there’s another kind of frappe popularized by chains like Starbucks. Think icy, blended lattes, often topped with whipped cream. And those are pronounced “frap-pays.”
WORDS: 1186 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 9:33 a.m. CDT
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US–Election 2026-Redistricting
California pushes partisan plan for new Democratic districts to counter Texas in fight for US House
SUMMARY: California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a special election for Nov. 4 to approve redrawn districts. The move aims to gain five more U.S. House seats for Democrats. It’s a response to a similar Republican effort in Texas, led by President Donald Trump. The nation’s two most populous states have emerged as the center of a partisan turf war in the House that could spiral into other states. Newsom launched the campaign Thursday in Los Angeles, framing it as a battle against Trump and for democracy. California’s new map would only take effect if a Republican state proceeds with redistricting. Some opposition has already emerged, with potential lawsuits and criticism from Republicans.
WORDS: 865 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 1:47 p.m. CDT
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US–Election 2026-Redistricting
Texas Republicans announce another redistricting session. California Democrats will counter
SUMMARY: Texas Republicans have ended a legislative session without approving new congressional maps but are ready for another to satisfy President Donald Trump’s wishes for redistricting that bolsters their party. Democrats blocked the plan by leaving the state during a special session that Republicans adjourned on Friday. Gov. Greg Abbott called another special session about an hour later. Meanwhile, California Democrats are preparing a proposal to counter Republican gains in Texas. The redistricting battle has become a national issue, with both states at the forefront. California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a special election to approve redrawn districts, aiming to increase Democratic seats in the U.S. House.
WORDS: 859 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 11:09 p.m. CDT
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US-Election-2026-Redistricting-Other States
What states are doing in the battle over congressional maps as Texas pursues plan Trump sought
SUMMARY: Texas Republicans and President Donald Trump are pushing to redraw congressional maps to secure more GOP seats in the U.S. House. That has sparked a fierce battle across multiple statehouses, with each major party considering redrawing maps that they control. Texas Democrats left the state to halt a vote on redistricting. They have said they will return provided California Democrats move forward with their own new maps. Missouri, New York, Wisconsin, Maryland, Florida, Ohio and Indiana are also responding in various ways, highlighting the growing national conflict over gerrymandering and redistricting strategies.
WORDS: 1026 – MOVED: 08/05/2025 7:01 p.m. CDT
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US–Stimulus Checks-Fact Focus
FACT FOCUS: No, taxpayers will not receive new stimulus checks this summer
SUMMARY: Rumors spreading on social media claim the U.S. government will soon be issuing stimulus checks to taxpayers in certain income brackets. But for now it’s only wishful thinking. Congress has not passed legislation to authorize such payments. And the IRS says no new stimulus checks will be distributed in the coming weeks. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri last month introduced a bill that would send tax rebates to qualified taxpayers using revenue from tariffs instituted by President Donald Trump. Hawley’s bill has not passed the Senate or the House.
WORDS: 518 – MOVED: 08/15/2025 12:53 p.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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US–Berkshire Hathaway Investments
Warren Buffett’s company reveals new investments in Nucor, UnitedHealth and two big homebuilders
SUMMARY: Berkshire Hathaway revealed four new investments Thursday in steelmaker Nucor, insurer UnitedHealth and two of the nation’s biggest homebuilders — Lennar and DR Horton — but only one of the investments was big enough to ensure that legendary investor Warren Buffett may have handled them. Buffett, who plans to retire as CEO at the end of the year after six decades of building Berkshire, handles all of the conglomerate’s biggest investments worth $1 billion or more. Three of the new investments disclosed Thursday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission are worth less than that, so they could be the ideas of one of Berkshire’s two other investment managers.
WORDS: 437 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 4:00 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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FBC–AP All-Time All-America
100 years of AP All-America football teams: Here’s who we think are the best of the best
SUMMARY: Ohio State and Pittsburgh each placed three players on The Associated Press All-Time All-America football team and four other schools have two players each on the first team. The unveiling of the all-time team is part of the news organization’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the AP All-America team. The Big Ten led all conferences with seven selections, two more than the Southeastern Conference. A panel of 12 AP sports writers who cover college football selected the all-time team. It cannot be considered definitive. There have been far more great players over the last century than spots available.
WORDS: 1025 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 11:05 a.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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FBC–AP All-Time All-America
100 years of AP All-America football teams: Here’s who we think are the best of the best
SUMMARY: Ohio State and Pittsburgh each placed three players on The Associated Press All-Time All-America football team and four other schools have two players each on the first team. The unveiling of the all-time team is part of the news organization’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the AP All-America team. The Big Ten led all conferences with seven selections, two more than the Southeastern Conference. A panel of 12 AP sports writers who cover college football selected the all-time team. It cannot be considered definitive. There have been far more great players over the last century than spots available.
WORDS: 1025 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 11:05 a.m. CDT
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FBN–Patriots-Vikings Practice-QBs
Maye and McCarthy show progress in Patriots-Vikings joint practices
SUMMARY: The top quarterbacks in last year’s NFL draft accounted for six of the top 12 picks, and they had a wide range of results in their rookie year, from award-winning to not applicable. Drake Maye had a bumpy debut while the New England Patriots went 4-13. J.J. McCarthy didn’t play at all for the Minnesota Vikings after a season-ending knee injury. The bright side for both players was plenty of room for real progress. That became a bit easier to envision this week during joint practices between the Patriots and Vikings. McCarthy stole the show on Thursday with a series of head-turning throws.
WORDS: 694 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 6:09 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Tigers-Twins
Keith scores on sacrifice fly in 11th, Tigers rally to top Twins 4-3
SUMMARY: Colt Keith scored on Gleyber Torres’ sacrifice fly in the 11th inning and the Detroit Tigers overcame an early three-run deficit to beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Thursday night. Riley Greene hit his team-leading 28th home run to help Detroit win for the fourth time in five games and fifth in seven. Starting at second base in the 11th inning, Keith advanced to third on a wild pitch by Erasmo Ramírez (0-1) and scored on a Torres’ sacrifice fly. Rafael Montero (1-1) got the final four outs for the Tigers. Detroit starter Tarik Skubal overcame a shaky third inning to get through seven innings, allowing three runs.
WORDS: 299 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 9:43 p.m. CDT
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BKL–Lynx-Supporting Cast
Lynx getting along just fine while Collier recovers, with Carrington making seamless arrival
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Lynx haven’t missed a beat since falling one game short of a WNBA championship last year. Their recent acquisition of DiJonai Carrington has helped reinforce their depth and bolster their defense while superstar Napheesa Collier recovers from a sprained right ankle. Carrington came earlier this month in a trade with the Dallas Wings. She played previously for the Connecticut Sun where she was a teammate of current Lynx players Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman. Carrington has 40 points, 12 rebounds and six steals off the bench in three games since her arrival. They lead the league at 27-5.
WORDS: 670 – MOVED: 08/15/2025 12:05 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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FBN–Chiefs-Rice Hearing
Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice’s disciplinary hearing set for Sept. 30, AP source says
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will have a disciplinary hearing with the NFL on Sept. 30 in New York. A person with knowledge of the schedule confirmed the date to The Associated Press. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the details haven’t been announced, said Sue L. Robinson is scheduled to hear Rice’s case. Robinson is a former U.S. district judge who serves as the disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFL Players Association. It’s the second time under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement that the league and the players’ union haven’t agreed on length of discipline, sending the case to Robinson. She presided over Deshaun Watson’s case in 2022.
WORDS: 232 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 3:29 p.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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FBC–AP All-Time All-America
100 years of AP All-America football teams: Here’s who we think are the best of the best
SUMMARY: Ohio State and Pittsburgh each placed three players on The Associated Press All-Time All-America football team and four other schools have two players each on the first team. The unveiling of the all-time team is part of the news organization’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the AP All-America team. The Big Ten led all conferences with seven selections, two more than the Southeastern Conference. A panel of 12 AP sports writers who cover college football selected the all-time team. It cannot be considered definitive. There have been far more great players over the last century than spots available.
WORDS: 1025 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 11:05 a.m. CDT
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NORTH DAKOTA
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FBC–Pick Six-Small-College Stars
Bryce Lance believes he still has more to offer North Dakota State after championship season
SUMMARY: Bryce Lance could have cited plenty of reasons if he had chosen to leave North Dakota State for a Football Bowl Subdivision program for his senior season. Lance decided he had more a compelling case to stick around. The younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance is back at North Dakota State after helping the Bison win the 2024 FCS title while catching 17 touchdown passes to lead all Football Championship Subdivision players. He heads our list of players to watch from outside the FBS programs.
WORDS: 889 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 4:31 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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FBC–AP All-Time All-America
100 years of AP All-America football teams: Here’s who we think are the best of the best
SUMMARY: Ohio State and Pittsburgh each placed three players on The Associated Press All-Time All-America football team and four other schools have two players each on the first team. The unveiling of the all-time team is part of the news organization’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the AP All-America team. The Big Ten led all conferences with seven selections, two more than the Southeastern Conference. A panel of 12 AP sports writers who cover college football selected the all-time team. It cannot be considered definitive. There have been far more great players over the last century than spots available.
WORDS: 1025 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 11:05 a.m. CDT
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GLF–US Amateur
John Daly II, Niall Shiels Donegan advance to US Amateur quarterfinals
SUMMARY: John Daly II and Niall Shiels Donegan each won two matches Thursday at The Olympic Club to advance to the U.S. Amateur quarterfinals as more top-ranked players dropped out. Daly, the son of two-time major champion John Daly, beat Nate Smith 2 and 1 in the morning in the round of 32, then topped Daniel Bennett of South Africa 3 and 2 in the afternoon in the round of 16. Daly, a senior-to-be at Arkansas, set up a match with Mason Howell. Donegan had two 1-up victories, topping ninth-ranked Christiaan Maas of South Africa and fourth-ranked Preston Stout, the Oklahoma State junior who was the stroke-play medalist. Donegan plays under the Scottish flag and lives in the Bay Area. He’ll face Jacob Modleski.
WORDS: 431 – MOVED: 08/14/2025 4:50 p.m. CDT
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