Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Drug Ban-Kentucky
Beshear bans drug in Kentucky that’s being targeted by attorneys general across the nation
SUMMARY: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has taken emergency action to ban the sale of a synthetic drug known as “designer Xanax” in his state. The Democratic governor’s action came Monday after a request from his state’s Republican attorney general. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is leading a broader effort to combat the highly potent drug linked to dozens of overdose deaths last year in Kentucky. A coalition of 21 attorneys general has urged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to take emergency action banning the drug. They warn the dangerous drug is being passed off as prescription pills commonly used to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders and seizures.
WORDS: 556 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 5:51 p.m. CDT
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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 next year. That has sparked an uproar across multiple statehouses, with each major party considering redrawing maps in states that they control. Texas Democrats had left the state to halt a vote on redistricting. But they returned Monday, clearing a path for the Republican plan. In California, Democrats are moving 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: 962 – MOVED: 08/05/2025 7:01 p.m. CDT
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US–Missouri Attorney General
Former US Attorney Catherine Hanaway appointed as Missouri’s next attorney general
SUMMARY: Former U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway has been appointed as Missouri’s next attorney general. She takes over from Andrew Bailey, who is leaving for a position with the FBI. Hanaway emphasized a tough-on-crime approach as her appointment was announced Tuesday by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe. She has a long political background in Missouri. Hanaway led the Republican takeover of the Missouri House in the 2002 elections and served as the first woman House speaker. She was appointed in 2005 by President George W. Bush to serve as U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Missouri. She held that position for four years.
WORDS: 599 – MOVED: 08/19/2025 11:52 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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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 next year. That has sparked an uproar across multiple statehouses, with each major party considering redrawing maps in states that they control. Texas Democrats had left the state to halt a vote on redistricting. But they returned Monday, clearing a path for the Republican plan. In California, Democrats are moving 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: 962 – MOVED: 08/05/2025 7:01 p.m. CDT
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US–Missouri Attorney General FBI
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey resigns to take a top FBI position
SUMMARY: Missouri’s attorney general is resigning to take a leadership position with the FBI. Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey says Monday that he is resigning effective Sept. 8 and will serve as co-deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Bailey has been an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump. He pursued numerous lawsuits against former President Joe Biden’s administration and, more recently, has defended the state’s anti-abortion regulations in the face of a new constitutional amendment establishing reproductive rights. Bailey took office as an appointed attorney general in January 2023 and won election to a four-year term last November.
WORDS: 356 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 8:04 p.m. CDT
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US–Missouri Attorney General
Former US Attorney Catherine Hanaway appointed as Missouri’s next attorney general
SUMMARY: Former U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway has been appointed as Missouri’s next attorney general. She takes over from Andrew Bailey, who is leaving for a position with the FBI. Hanaway emphasized a tough-on-crime approach as her appointment was announced Tuesday by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe. She has a long political background in Missouri. Hanaway led the Republican takeover of the Missouri House in the 2002 elections and served as the first woman House speaker. She was appointed in 2005 by President George W. Bush to serve as U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Missouri. She held that position for four years.
WORDS: 599 – MOVED: 08/19/2025 11:52 a.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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US–Drug Ban-Kentucky
Beshear bans drug in Kentucky that’s being targeted by attorneys general across the nation
SUMMARY: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has taken emergency action to ban the sale of a synthetic drug known as “designer Xanax” in his state. The Democratic governor’s action came Monday after a request from his state’s Republican attorney general. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is leading a broader effort to combat the highly potent drug linked to dozens of overdose deaths last year in Kentucky. A coalition of 21 attorneys general has urged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to take emergency action banning the drug. They warn the dangerous drug is being passed off as prescription pills commonly used to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders and seizures.
WORDS: 556 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 5:51 p.m. CDT
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NORTH DAKOTA
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US–Drug Ban-Kentucky
Beshear bans drug in Kentucky that’s being targeted by attorneys general across the nation
SUMMARY: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has taken emergency action to ban the sale of a synthetic drug known as “designer Xanax” in his state. The Democratic governor’s action came Monday after a request from his state’s Republican attorney general. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is leading a broader effort to combat the highly potent drug linked to dozens of overdose deaths last year in Kentucky. A coalition of 21 attorneys general has urged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to take emergency action banning the drug. They warn the dangerous drug is being passed off as prescription pills commonly used to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders and seizures.
WORDS: 556 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 5:51 p.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Drug Ban-Kentucky
Beshear bans drug in Kentucky that’s being targeted by attorneys general across the nation
SUMMARY: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has taken emergency action to ban the sale of a synthetic drug known as “designer Xanax” in his state. The Democratic governor’s action came Monday after a request from his state’s Republican attorney general. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is leading a broader effort to combat the highly potent drug linked to dozens of overdose deaths last year in Kentucky. A coalition of 21 attorneys general has urged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to take emergency action banning the drug. They warn the dangerous drug is being passed off as prescription pills commonly used to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders and seizures.
WORDS: 556 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 5:51 p.m. CDT
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US–Oklahoma-Teacher Test
Oklahoma ideology test for teachers from New York and California draws criticism
SUMMARY: Oklahoma will require applicants for teaching jobs from California and New York to pass an exam that the state’s top education official says is designed to safeguard against “radical leftist ideology.” Opponents decry the exam as a “MAGA loyalty test.” Ryan Walters, the state public schools superintendent, said Monday that any teacher coming from the two blue states will be required to pass Oklahoma’s PragerU assessment test before getting a certification. PragerU is short for Prager University and promotes itself as a leading conservative nonprofit. State education officials say the 50-question test is finalized and will be rolling out “very soon.”
WORDS: 721 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 6:27 p.m. CDT
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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US–Drug Ban-Kentucky
Beshear bans drug in Kentucky that’s being targeted by attorneys general across the nation
SUMMARY: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has taken emergency action to ban the sale of a synthetic drug known as “designer Xanax” in his state. The Democratic governor’s action came Monday after a request from his state’s Republican attorney general. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is leading a broader effort to combat the highly potent drug linked to dozens of overdose deaths last year in Kentucky. A coalition of 21 attorneys general has urged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to take emergency action banning the drug. They warn the dangerous drug is being passed off as prescription pills commonly used to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders and seizures.
WORDS: 556 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 5:51 p.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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GYM-USA-Gymnastics-Abuse-Takeaways
Takeaways from AP’s reporting on coach accused of abuse at renowned US gymnastics academy
SUMMARY: A coach at a center in Iowa that has trained Olympic champions is facing allegations that he abused young female gymnasts and secretly photographed others undressing at a prior job in Mississippi. Sean Gardner, who coached at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, has been temporarily barred from all contact with USA Gymnastics since July 2022 due to unspecified allegations of misconduct. He has not been charged criminally while a police investigation continues. But three years after abuse allegations were reported to police and he was removed from USA Gymnastics, the FBI arrested him last week on a federal child pornography charge. He has been ordered detained pending further proceedings in Mississippi.
WORDS: 911 – MOVED: 08/19/2025 10:44 a.m. CDT
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GYM-USA-Gymnastics-Abuse Inquiry
Years after abuse reports, ex-coach at renowned US gymnastics academy is arrested by FBI
SUMMARY: A coach at a center in Iowa that has trained Olympic champions is facing allegations that he abused young female gymnasts and secretly photographed others undressing at a prior job in Mississippi. Sean Gardner, who coached at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, has been temporarily barred from all contact with USA Gymnastics since July 2022 due to unspecified allegations of misconduct. He has not been charged criminally while a police investigation continues. But three years after abuse allegations were reported to police and he was removed from USA Gymnastics, the FBI arrested him last week on a federal child pornography charge. He has been ordered detained pending further proceedings in Mississippi.
WORDS: 2034 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 11:07 p.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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BBO–Royals-Perez
Royals’ Salvador Perez out with illness in series opener against Rangers
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Royals have scratched catcher Salvador Perez from the starting lineup against the Texas Rangers due to illness. Perez was set to catch for starter Michael Wacha and bat fifth in the opener of the four-game series. On Monday night, Luke Maile will take his place behind the plate and bat eighth. Perez, a nine-time All-Star, is hitting .244 with 22 homers and 70 RBIs this season. Maile, now the primary backup after Freddy Fermin was traded, has appeared in 11 games, hitting .250 with a homer and two RBIs.
WORDS: 141 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 4:34 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Moves
Chiefs place Felix Anudike-Uzomah on injured reserve, ending the 2023 first-round pick’s season
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs have placed defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah on injured reserve, ending his season. Anudike-Uzomah, a 2023 first-round pick, has struggled to meet expectations after a strong college career at Kansas State. Coach Andy Reid expressed disappointment, noting Anudike-Uzomah’s hard work. The Chiefs also waived running back Elijah Young and signed defensive end Owen Carney and linebacker Xander Mueller. In positive injury news, Marquise Brown returned to practice after an ankle injury. The Chiefs are preparing for their regular-season opener against the Chargers on Sept. 5.
WORDS: 410 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 4:41 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Rangers-Royals
Royals get homers from Yastrzemski, Pasquantino and Garcia in 4-3 win over Rangers
SUMMARY: Mike Yastrzemski, Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia homered to power the Kansas City Royals past the Texas Rangers 4-3. Michael Wacha allowed two runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings for the win. He struck out three, walked none and permitted two earned runs or fewer for the seventh straight start. Carlos Estévez set a career high with his American League-leading 32nd save. Yastrzemski’s shot to right-center was the 10th leadoff homer of his career and third with the Royals, matching a franchise record for any month. Kansas City acquired Yastrzemski from San Francisco at the July 31 trade deadline. Pasquantino hit a two-run drive to give the Royals a 3-1 lead in the third.
WORDS: 328 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 9:59 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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FBN–Vikings-Jefferson
Jefferson returns to practice with Vikings in latest ramp-up of hamstring for regular season
SUMMARY: Justin Jefferson has rejoined the Minnesota Vikings for practice after a mild hamstring strain kept him out for three-plus weeks. He participated in a light session Monday to mark the latest step in his recovery. Jefferson suffered the injury during the second practice of training camp on July 24. The Vikings have been cautious with his return considering his past hamstring injury and importance to the team. Coach Kevin O’Connell praised Jefferson’s recovery effort. The Vikings will miss wide receiver Jordan Addison for the first three games because of a suspension. Jalen Nailor is also sidelined with a hand injury.
WORDS: 538 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 3:24 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Prove-It Players
NFL stars under pressure: Which players have the most to prove this season?
SUMMARY: Several big-name NFL players are under pressure this season, with their futures and their teams’ success on the line. New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is on his third team in five years. Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, who signed a massive contract, has struggled with injuries. Young quarterbacks such as Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy, Indianapolis’ Anthony Richardson, Carolina’s Bryce Young and Chicago’s Caleb Williams are also in the spotlight. It’s not just quarterbacks feeling the heat; players such as Buffalo’s James Cook and San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey need to prove themselves because of injuries or big contracts.
WORDS: 1359 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 11:23 p.m. CDT
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BKL–Around the WNBA
WNBA postseason race heats up with teams jockeying for playoff position behind Minnesota
SUMMARY: With less than a month left in the WNBA regular season, the Minnesota Lynx have a firm lock on the top seed in the playoffs. The rest of the postseason picture is still up in the air, with more than half the league jockeying for positioning. Minnesota has looked like the best team all season even with star forward Napheesa Collier sidelined with a right ankle sprain. The Lynx have won five straight heading into Tuesday night’s game at New York. The Lynx look in great shape to have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, which could be key since they lost a decisive Game 5 in overtime to the Liberty in the WNBA Finals last year.
WORDS: 574 – MOVED: 08/19/2025 11:49 a.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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BBO–Royals-Perez
Royals’ Salvador Perez out with illness in series opener against Rangers
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Royals have scratched catcher Salvador Perez from the starting lineup against the Texas Rangers due to illness. Perez was set to catch for starter Michael Wacha and bat fifth in the opener of the four-game series. On Monday night, Luke Maile will take his place behind the plate and bat eighth. Perez, a nine-time All-Star, is hitting .244 with 22 homers and 70 RBIs this season. Maile, now the primary backup after Freddy Fermin was traded, has appeared in 11 games, hitting .250 with a homer and two RBIs.
WORDS: 141 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 4:34 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Moves
Chiefs place Felix Anudike-Uzomah on injured reserve, ending the 2023 first-round pick’s season
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Chiefs have placed defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah on injured reserve, ending his season. Anudike-Uzomah, a 2023 first-round pick, has struggled to meet expectations after a strong college career at Kansas State. Coach Andy Reid expressed disappointment, noting Anudike-Uzomah’s hard work. The Chiefs also waived running back Elijah Young and signed defensive end Owen Carney and linebacker Xander Mueller. In positive injury news, Marquise Brown returned to practice after an ankle injury. The Chiefs are preparing for their regular-season opener against the Chargers on Sept. 5.
WORDS: 410 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 4:41 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Marlins
Cardinals snap 5-game losing streak with 8-3 win over Marlins
SUMMARY: Alec Burleson went 3 for 4, including the go-ahead single in the seventh inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals ended their five-game losing streak with an 8-3 win against the Miami Marlins. Right fielder Dane Myers was unable to make a routine catch at the warning track in the seventh, which put a runner in scoring position for the Cardinals. Burleson’s RBI single sent Iván Herrera home for a 4-3 lead. St. Louis added another run on a single by Pedro Pagés. The Marlins were undone by two errors, three unearned runs, four wild pitches and five walks allowed. Nolan Gorman hit a two-run homer for the Cardinals to make it 8-3.
WORDS: 321 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 9:26 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Rangers-Royals
Royals get homers from Yastrzemski, Pasquantino and Garcia in 4-3 win over Rangers
SUMMARY: Mike Yastrzemski, Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia homered to power the Kansas City Royals past the Texas Rangers 4-3. Michael Wacha allowed two runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings for the win. He struck out three, walked none and permitted two earned runs or fewer for the seventh straight start. Carlos Estévez set a career high with his American League-leading 32nd save. Yastrzemski’s shot to right-center was the 10th leadoff homer of his career and third with the Royals, matching a franchise record for any month. Kansas City acquired Yastrzemski from San Francisco at the July 31 trade deadline. Pasquantino hit a two-run drive to give the Royals a 3-1 lead in the third.
WORDS: 328 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 9:59 p.m. CDT
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NEBRASKA
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BKC–Omaha-Mayar
Omaha basketball player Deng Mayar drowns in a Utah reservoir
SUMMARY: Omaha basketball player Deng Mayar has drowned in a Utah reservoir. Herriman police said the 22-year-old Mayar died at Blackridge Reservoir on Saturday after going underwater about 35 yards from shore. Police had responded to a 911 call reporting two people in distress at the reservoir. Twenty-one-year-old Sa Mafutaga made it to shore and then went back into the water to try to rescue Mayar. Bystanders entered the water to aid Mafutaga, who was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital. The report said Mafutaga is expected to recover. Mayar’s body was recovered from the reservoir by authorities.
WORDS: 204 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 10:22 a.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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FBC–T25-Oklahoma-Press Conferences
Oklahoma sells fan access to postgame press conferences
SUMMARY: Oklahoma is offering fans a chance to attend postgame press conferences. It’s one of the “Sooner Magic Memories” offerings the program has created to give fans greater access this season. The cost for two people to sit in on the media session after the Oklahoma-Michigan non-conference showdown on Sept. 6 is $692.11. The cost for the Southeastern Conference home opener Sept. 20 against Auburn is $576.86. Those numbers might seem steep, but the cost for the Illinois State season opener on Aug. 30 is $461.61 — and it’s already sold out.
WORDS: 290 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 5:18 p.m. CDT
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FBC–2-Point Conversions
College football coaches are going for two and converting at the highest rate since the 1970s
SUMMARY: Brent Venables’ decision in the Armed Forces Bowl last December highlights a growing trend in college football. Oklahoma scored a late touchdown against Navy, cutting the deficit to 21-20. Instead of kicking for overtime, Venables opted for a two-point conversion. Though the attempt failed, Venables remained confident in his choice. Last season, teams converted 226 two-point attempts, the most since 1970. Analytics and new overtime rules have increased these attempts, and practice has helped make them more successful. Coaches like Venables and Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi use analytics to guide decisions, but ultimately rely on instinct during games.
WORDS: 984 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 3:41 p.m. CDT
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WRE–Real American Freestyle-Takedown
Real American Freestyle announces apparel partnership with Takedown, talks with Gable Steveson
SUMMARY: Real American Freestyle wrestling has announced a partnership with Takedown apparel and is in talks with Gable Steveson for a possible rematch with Wyatt Hendrickson. Hendrickson, who defeated Steveson to win the 285-pound national title in March, will headline Real American Freestyle’s inaugural event on August 30 in Cleveland. Hendrickson’s victory over Olympic gold medalist Steveson ended his 70-match win streak. The partnership with Takedown introduces Real American Freestyle’s first official apparel collection. Takedown CEO Dustin Kawa says both brands share a commitment to the sport and the community.
WORDS: 359 – MOVED: 08/19/2025 10:23 a.m. CDT
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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BKC–Omaha-Mayar
Omaha basketball player Deng Mayar drowns in a Utah reservoir
SUMMARY: Omaha basketball player Deng Mayar has drowned in a Utah reservoir. Herriman police said the 22-year-old Mayar died at Blackridge Reservoir on Saturday after going underwater about 35 yards from shore. Police had responded to a 911 call reporting two people in distress at the reservoir. Twenty-one-year-old Sa Mafutaga made it to shore and then went back into the water to try to rescue Mayar. Bystanders entered the water to aid Mafutaga, who was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital. The report said Mafutaga is expected to recover. Mayar’s body was recovered from the reservoir by authorities.
WORDS: 204 – MOVED: 08/18/2025 10:22 a.m. CDT
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