Great Plains News Digest
The following AP stories are planned for today or have moved. For text, photos, video, live and audio plans beyond the next 24 hours, please visit Coverage Plan.
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IOWA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–CHILD TESTIMONY-IOWA
Iowa considers whether to change constitution to address how traumatized witnesses testify in court
SUMMARY: Iowa’s top prosecutor is proposing an amendment to the state constitution to solve what one lawmaker called an “interesting conundrum.” Lawmakers have been weighing the constitutional right of a person to confront accusers in the courtroom against the desire to protect traumatized children and vulnerable people. Some worry the proposal could hinder the rights of the accused mounting a defense. The Iowa House approved the measure last week and it passed the Senate in March. Both legislative chambers would need to approve the measure again in 2027 or 2028 to put it before voters in November 2028. The amendment would say that constitutional right “may be limited by law” for witnesses under 18 and with mental illness or intellectual disability.
WORDS: 1029 – MOVED: 04/21/2025 12:33 p.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d85cc8982508414a8e95290fbfcaa7d5&mediaType=text
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US–ROAD DIETS
Trump’s transportation officials buck a long-held practice of using ‘road diets’ to slow speeders
SUMMARY: Removing lanes to slow down speeding drivers is a long-embraced strategy for improving safety on city streets. The practice known as road diets has proven to reduce accidents. Now President Donald Trump’s administration is heading in another direction. The Transportation Department’s new criteria for a federal road safety grant says plans to reduce traffic lanes will be viewed less favorably. The DOT now claims road diets can lead to crashes, erratic maneuvers and a false sense of security putting everyone at risk. Critics fear encouraging drivers to go as fast as they want on neighborhood streets could backfire.
WORDS: 1032 – MOVED: 04/21/2025 10:10 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2486cac519fdc56348532717e43dc81d&mediaType=text
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KANSAS – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–MEASLES OUTBREAK-EXPLAINER
Montana has a measles outbreak with its first cases in 35 years. Here’s what you should know
SUMMARY: Montana is the ninth U.S. state with a measles outbreak. The U.S. has 800 measles cases as of Friday. Texas is up to nearly 600 of those cases. Two children and an adult have died from measles-related illnesses. Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Mexico have active measles outbreaks. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is prevented by vaccines. Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.
WORDS: 1567 – MOVED: 04/21/2025 12:38 p.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e904ec9781f1d164c73afe4ab71774fe&mediaType=text
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US–ROAD DIETS
Trump’s transportation officials buck a long-held practice of using ‘road diets’ to slow speeders
SUMMARY: Removing lanes to slow down speeding drivers is a long-embraced strategy for improving safety on city streets. The practice known as road diets has proven to reduce accidents. Now President Donald Trump’s administration is heading in another direction. The Transportation Department’s new criteria for a federal road safety grant says plans to reduce traffic lanes will be viewed less favorably. The DOT now claims road diets can lead to crashes, erratic maneuvers and a false sense of security putting everyone at risk. Critics fear encouraging drivers to go as fast as they want on neighborhood streets could backfire.
WORDS: 1032 – MOVED: 04/21/2025 10:10 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2486cac519fdc56348532717e43dc81d&mediaType=text
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MINNESOTA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–SUPREME COURT-GUNS
US Supreme Court won’t revive a Minnesota ban on gun-carry permits for young adults
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from Minnesota asking to revive the state’s ban on gun-carry permits for young adults. The justices on Monday also left in place a ban on guns at the University of Michigan, declining to hear an appeal from a man who argued he has a right to be armed on campus. Taken together, the actions reflect the high court’s apparent lack of appetite for cases that further explore the constitutional right to “keep and bear arms.” The court has repeatedly turned away gun cases since its 2022 ruling that expanded gun rights and a clarifying 2024 decision that upheld a federal gun control law.
WORDS: 253 – MOVED: 04/21/2025 11:39 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:26b9c4a6bb685d675e7adf6cd5eaf23c&mediaType=text
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US–TARIFFS-SECONDHAND CLOTHING
Secondhand stores are poised to benefit if US tariffs drive up new clothing costs
SUMMARY: Stores selling secondhand clothing, shoes and accessories are poised to benefit from the Trump administration’s trade war even as global businesses race to avoid potential damage. President Donald Trump’s tariffs are expected to drive up new clothing costs since nearly all shoes and apparel sold in the U.S. are imports. Higher prices may send shoppers to online resale sites and consignment stores in search of deals or to turn wardrobes into cash. Pre-owned items cost less than new merchandise and only would be subject to tariffs if coming from outside the U.S. Popular resale platforms Rebag and Poshmark are preparing for more business with expansion and marketing plans.
WORDS: 1186 – MOVED: 04/21/2025 4:46 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0d6de65d89435b96fc396e53a77381f5&mediaType=text
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MINNESOTA – UPCOMING – SPORTS
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FBO–WOMEN’S FLAG FOOTBALL
DESCRIPTION: ROSEVILLE, Minn. — With flag football on the Olympics lineup in Los Angeles in 2028 and heavy backing from the NFL to grow this brand of the game, there’s been a surge of interest by collegiate women in joining a team. By Dave Campbell. 600 words.
UPCOMING: By 04/21/2025 4:00 p.m. CDT, Text, Photo
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HKN–FACEOFF
DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights relied on their depth to win the Stanley Cup two years ago. Based on Vegas’ 4-2 Game 1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, that appears to be the Golden Knights’ path to another possible Cup. That is one of three series that head to the second game of the first round of the NHL playoffs. By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos, by 7 p.m. EDT
UPCOMING: By 04/21/2025 6:00 p.m. CDT, Text
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MISSOURI – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–ROAD DIETS
Trump’s transportation officials buck a long-held practice of using ‘road diets’ to slow speeders
SUMMARY: Removing lanes to slow down speeding drivers is a long-embraced strategy for improving safety on city streets. The practice known as road diets has proven to reduce accidents. Now President Donald Trump’s administration is heading in another direction. The Transportation Department’s new criteria for a federal road safety grant says plans to reduce traffic lanes will be viewed less favorably. The DOT now claims road diets can lead to crashes, erratic maneuvers and a false sense of security putting everyone at risk. Critics fear encouraging drivers to go as fast as they want on neighborhood streets could backfire.
WORDS: 1032 – MOVED: 04/21/2025 10:10 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2486cac519fdc56348532717e43dc81d&mediaType=text
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MISSOURI – UPCOMING – SPORTS
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BBO–CARDINALS-BRAVES
DESCRIPTION: St. Louis plays Atlanta at Truist Park. 150 words, more on merit.
UPCOMING: By 04/21/2025 6:15 p.m. CDT, Text
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HKN–BLUES-JETS
DESCRIPTION: WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The St. Louis Blues play Winnipeg in the second game of their first-round playoff series. Game starts 6:30 p.m. Central. 450 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 04/21/2025 9:00 p.m. CDT, Text
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NEBRASKA – UPCOMING – NEWS
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NEBRASKA GOP-LAWSUIT
DESCRIPTION: OMAHA, Neb. — The Nebraska Republican Party is weighing its options after a jury awarded a 2020 Republican legislative candidate $500,000 in her defamation lawsuit against the party. Janet Palmtag sued her own party after it sent out campaign mailers in October 2020 that falsely claimed Palmtag — a lifelong Nebraska Republican — had been charged with mishandling business trust accounts and had lost her Iowa real estate license. The mailers were intended to bolster support for Palmtag’s political oppenent and fellow Republican, then-state Sen. Julie Slama, who had been appointed by former Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts. By Margery A. Beck. UPCOMING: About 500 words by 3 p.m. CST.
UPCOMING: By 04/21/2025 3:00 p.m. CDT, Text, Photo
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OKLAHOMA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–MEASLES OUTBREAK-EXPLAINER
Montana has a measles outbreak with its first cases in 35 years. Here’s what you should know
SUMMARY: Montana is the ninth U.S. state with a measles outbreak. The U.S. has 800 measles cases as of Friday. Texas is up to nearly 600 of those cases. Two children and an adult have died from measles-related illnesses. Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Mexico have active measles outbreaks. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is prevented by vaccines. Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.
WORDS: 1567 – MOVED: 04/21/2025 12:38 p.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e904ec9781f1d164c73afe4ab71774fe&mediaType=text
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SOUTH DAKOTA – UPCOMING – SPORTS
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FBO–WOMEN’S FLAG FOOTBALL
DESCRIPTION: ROSEVILLE, Minn. — With flag football on the Olympics lineup in Los Angeles in 2028 and heavy backing from the NFL to grow this brand of the game, there’s been a surge of interest by collegiate women in joining a team. By Dave Campbell. 600 words.
UPCOMING: By 04/21/2025 4:00 p.m. CDT, Text, Photo
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