Great Plains News Digest
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IOWA
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US–Railroad Bridges
Aging U.S. railroad bridges are self-inspected and their findings are kept secret
SUMMARY: A new investigation reveals the risks of railroads policing their own bridges. The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University found railroads can withhold bridge inspection results from the public. Unlike highway bridges, which are inspected by government agencies that publish findings online, railroad bridges are inspected by railroads themselves. That means there is no public access to inspections and minimal federal oversight. This secrecy has contributed to missed warning signs, delayed repairs, and bridge collapse. Only six inspectors from the Federal Railroad Administration oversee 70,000 bridges.
WORDS: 1574 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 10:06 a.m. CDT
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US–Election 2028-Democrats-Iowa Caucus
Iowa Democrats consider bringing back lead off caucuses, even if it means going ‘rogue’ in 2028
SUMMARY: Iowa’s state party officials say it was a mistake that the party’s 2024 nominating calendar forced them to ditch the five-decade, first-in-the-nation caucus where community members publicly signal their support for a candidate. The state party’s criticism comes with an open threat of defying the national party’s orders in 2028 just days before national Democrats gather for their annual summer meeting. Iowa Democrats are looking to bring the once-competitive, rural and agricultural Midwest state back on the radar of a party questioning its values, direction and future leaders. In 2022, President Joe Biden forced a shake-up of the 2024 election calendar, moving South Carolina’s primary ahead of contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.
WORDS: 732 – MOVED: 08/21/2025 12:39 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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US–Target CEO
Target CEO to step down amid company struggles
SUMMARY: Target has named an insider as its next chief executive officer. The announced on Wednesday comes as the discount retailer tries to reverse a persistent sales malaise and to revive its reputation as the place to go for affordable but stylish products. Minneapolis-based Target said CEO Brian Cornell, who has led the company for 11 years, would step down on Feb. 1. The board of directors chose Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke to succeed him. Target has struggled to find its footing since inflation caused pinched shoppers to curtail their spending. Customers have complained of messy stores with merchandise that didn’t reflect the expensive-looking but budget-priced niche that earned the retailer the nickname “Tarzhay.”
WORDS: 1043 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 5:36 a.m. CDT
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OKLAHOMA
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US–Texas Floods-Camp Mystic
Parents of kids swept away in Texas floods beg lawmakers to protect future campers
SUMMARY: Parents of the 27 campers and counselors killed when floodwaters rushed through a girl’s summer camp in the Texas Hill Country pleaded with lawmakers to pass a bill that would boost camp safety. The bill would generally keep cabins out of flood plains, institute new requirements for emergency plans and mandate weather radios. Michael McCown said Wednesday that it would forever hurt his family that those protections weren’t in place for his 8-year-old daughter Linnie. She was among those killed in July at Camp Mystic. McCown told the lawmakers “do not let their deaths be in vain.”
WORDS: 672 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 4:26 p.m. CDT
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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US–Railroad Bridges
Aging U.S. railroad bridges are self-inspected and their findings are kept secret
SUMMARY: A new investigation reveals the risks of railroads policing their own bridges. The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University found railroads can withhold bridge inspection results from the public. Unlike highway bridges, which are inspected by government agencies that publish findings online, railroad bridges are inspected by railroads themselves. That means there is no public access to inspections and minimal federal oversight. This secrecy has contributed to missed warning signs, delayed repairs, and bridge collapse. Only six inspectors from the Federal Railroad Administration oversee 70,000 bridges.
WORDS: 1574 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 10:06 a.m. CDT
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SPORTS
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IOWA
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BKL–Fever-Clark
Caitlin Clark misses another practice as Fever call her prospect of return ‘status quo’
SUMMARY: Two-time All-Star guard Caitlin Clark has missed another practice with her injured right groin and coach Stephanie White still does not have a timetable for her star’s return. Clark has not played since hurting her groin in the final minute of a game July 15 at Connecticut. Three different muscle injuries this season have forced Clark to sit out 22 games including the last 13. White is simply hoping Clark returns for some of her team’s last nine regular-season games. White told reporters Wednesday that until Clark can practice, she won’t play. Indiana returns to action Friday night when Minnesota comes to town.
WORDS: 252 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 3:27 p.m. CDT
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FBC–T25-Iowa St-Kansas St-Ireland
Farmageddon? More like ‘Farm O’Gedden’ as No. 22 Iowa State and No. 17 Kansas State clash in Dublin
SUMMARY: Iowa State and Kansas State are set to face off in a Big 12 showdown on Saturday, but this time it’s happening in Dublin, Ireland. Known as “Farmageddon,” this game could influence the conference championship in December. Both teams see it as a unique opportunity. Iowa State aims for a second straight Big 12 title game, while Kansas State seeks a return after four years. Both teams bring back key players, including standout quarterbacks. Fans have been arriving in Dublin, ready for a mix of fun and competition.
WORDS: 800 – MOVED: 08/21/2025 12:05 p.m. CDT
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GYM–USA Gymnastics-Abuse Inquiry
Gymnast who sparked FBI sex abuse inquiry into coach tells AP she’s proud to come forward
SUMMARY: A gymnast whose report of sexual abuse against her former coach led to his arrest and an FBI investigation into potential misconduct at gyms in three states says she’s proud she made a difference. Finley Weldon spoke in an interview with The Associated Press about her role in exposing the allegations against Sean Gardner, her coach at a renowned academy in Iowa until 2021. The 18-year-old Iowa State University freshman says she “felt like I needed to speak out to stop it from happening to other little girls, so they didn’t have to go through what I went through.” Weldon says she’s going public because she’s proud to have come forward. The FBI arrested Gardner last week.
WORDS: 1312 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 11:04 p.m. CDT
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KANSAS
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FBN–Chiefs-49ers Trade
49ers trade for Chiefs receiver Skyy Moore, AP source says
SUMMARY: The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to acquire receiver Skyy Moore from the Kansas City Chiefs. The teams will swap sixth- and seventh-round picks in 2027. The trade, announced Wednesday, depends on Moore passing a physical. Moore, drafted by Kansas City in 2022, has struggled with injuries and performance. He had 43 catches for 494 yards and one touchdown in 36 games. The 49ers need healthy receivers, with several players, including Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, dealing with injuries. Coach Kyle Shanahan also mentioned that Demarcus Robinson faces a suspension.
WORDS: 330 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 7:31 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Marlins
Alcántara works 7 sharp innings, Acosta homers for 1st career hit, Marlins beat Cardinals 6-2
SUMMARY: Sandy Alcántara pitched two-run ball for seven innings, rookie Máximo Acosta homered for his career hit and the Miami Marlins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2. Heriberto Hernández had three hits and two RBIs and Troy Johnston singled twice for the Marlins, who avoided a three-game series sweep. Alcántara (7-11) scattered five hits and struck out a season-high nine. It was the 29-year-old right-hander’s third outing of the season that lasted seven innings. Willson Contreras hit his 17th homer of the season in the sixth inning for the Cardinals.
WORDS: 345 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 8:42 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Rangers-Royals
Kyle Higashioka has a 3-run double in the 9th to help the Rangers beat the Royals 6-3
SUMMARY: Kyle Higashioka had a three-run double in the ninth inning after a two-out error by Vinnie Pasquantino, and the Texas Rangers rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3 on Wednesday night. Wyatt Langford drew a two-out walk from Sam Long (1-3) and Corey Seager was safe when Pasquantino misplayed his slow roller at first. Marcus Semien reached on an infield hit before Higashioka doubled down the left-field line. Hoby Milner (2-3) got the final four outs for the win.
WORDS: 348 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 10:04 p.m. CDT
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FBC–T25-Iowa St-Kansas St-Ireland
Farmageddon? More like ‘Farm O’Gedden’ as No. 22 Iowa State and No. 17 Kansas State clash in Dublin
SUMMARY: Iowa State and Kansas State are set to face off in a Big 12 showdown on Saturday, but this time it’s happening in Dublin, Ireland. Known as “Farmageddon,” this game could influence the conference championship in December. Both teams see it as a unique opportunity. Iowa State aims for a second straight Big 12 title game, while Kansas State seeks a return after four years. Both teams bring back key players, including standout quarterbacks. Fans have been arriving in Dublin, ready for a mix of fun and competition.
WORDS: 800 – MOVED: 08/21/2025 12:05 p.m. CDT
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MINNESOTA
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FBN–Jets-Trades
Jets trade for nose tackle Phillips from Vikings, AP source says, after acquiring Briggs from Browns
SUMMARY: A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press the New York Jets have agreed to trade for veteran nose tackle Harrison Phillips from the Minnesota Vikings. This move aims to bolster their defensive line. The Jets are sending sixth-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027 to the Vikings. In return, the Vikings are trading a 2027 seventh-rounder along with Phillips. The trade is pending Phillips’ physical. ESPN and NFL Network first reported the trade Wednesday night. This deal came a few hours after the Jets acquired defensive tackle Jowon Briggs from Cleveland.
WORDS: 465 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 6:26 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Athletics-Twins
Langeliers hits a 2-run home run in the 10th inning to lift the A’s past the Twins, 4-2
SUMMARY: Shea Langeliers hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning and the Athletics beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Wednesday night. Langeliers hit a 401-foot shot to right-center off Génesis Cabrera (0-1) with automatic runner Nick Kurtz on second. The Athletics finished 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position. Michael Kelly (3-2) got the final two outs in the ninth for the victory, and Tyler Ferguson worked the 10th for his second save. The Athletics opened the scoring in the second on Darell Hernáiz’s sacrifice fly, and made it 2-0 in the fourth on Tyler Soderstrom’s 23rd home run. Minnesota tied it in the fifth on Trevor Larnach’s RBI single and Brooks Lee’s run-scoring double to center.
WORDS: 222 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 10:25 p.m. CDT
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MISSOURI
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FBN–Chiefs-49ers Trade
49ers trade for Chiefs receiver Skyy Moore, AP source says
SUMMARY: The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to acquire receiver Skyy Moore from the Kansas City Chiefs. The teams will swap sixth- and seventh-round picks in 2027. The trade, announced Wednesday, depends on Moore passing a physical. Moore, drafted by Kansas City in 2022, has struggled with injuries and performance. He had 43 catches for 494 yards and one touchdown in 36 games. The 49ers need healthy receivers, with several players, including Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, dealing with injuries. Coach Kyle Shanahan also mentioned that Demarcus Robinson faces a suspension.
WORDS: 330 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 7:31 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Cardinals-Marlins
Alcántara works 7 sharp innings, Acosta homers for 1st career hit, Marlins beat Cardinals 6-2
SUMMARY: Sandy Alcántara pitched two-run ball for seven innings, rookie Máximo Acosta homered for his career hit and the Miami Marlins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2. Heriberto Hernández had three hits and two RBIs and Troy Johnston singled twice for the Marlins, who avoided a three-game series sweep. Alcántara (7-11) scattered five hits and struck out a season-high nine. It was the 29-year-old right-hander’s third outing of the season that lasted seven innings. Willson Contreras hit his 17th homer of the season in the sixth inning for the Cardinals.
WORDS: 345 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 8:42 p.m. CDT
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BBO–Rangers-Royals
Kyle Higashioka has a 3-run double in the 9th to help the Rangers beat the Royals 6-3
SUMMARY: Kyle Higashioka had a three-run double in the ninth inning after a two-out error by Vinnie Pasquantino, and the Texas Rangers rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3 on Wednesday night. Wyatt Langford drew a two-out walk from Sam Long (1-3) and Corey Seager was safe when Pasquantino misplayed his slow roller at first. Marcus Semien reached on an infield hit before Higashioka doubled down the left-field line. Hoby Milner (2-3) got the final four outs for the win.
WORDS: 348 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 10:04 p.m. CDT
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FBN–Chiefs-Reid-Bullet
Bullet was fired into Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s office last spring while he was there, report says
SUMMARY: The Kansas City Star reports a bullet was fired into Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s office at the team’s practice facility last year while he was inside. The Star, citing multiple sources, reports Reid was working alone in his office in early May 2024 when a bullet fired from outside the building broke through glass and left a hole through the window and blinds. It got lodged in a wall between his bathroom and the entry door to his office. The team installed bulletproof glass soon afterward. The Star reports two more bullets hit the facility. A Chiefs spokesman declined comment to the AP on Wednesday night.
WORDS: 296 – MOVED: 08/20/2025 10:10 p.m. CDT
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