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–ELECTION 2026-IOWA-GOVERNOR
Surprise open governor’s seat in Iowa signals competitive GOP primary, glimmer of hope for Democrats
SUMMARY: Iowa looked a lot different in 2010, when Republican Kim Reynolds was first elected to statewide office. Reynolds’ surprise announcement last week that she won’t seek a third term as governor after nearly a decade in the office set Des Moines abuzz with who might jump into a newly wide open primary race, the first for Iowa Republicans since 2010. Reynolds is the first eligible incumbent governor in the U.S. to opt out of a 2026 race, leaving Iowa suddenly headed toward a political shake-up in a midterm election year. Some Democrats feel a glimmer of hope they can make inroads after years of total Republican control.
WORDS: 868 – MOVED: 04/18/2025 6:09 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5df02df6b8e1e1ee18340d49925d66df&mediaType=text
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KANSAS – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–MEASLES OUTBREAK-EXPLAINER
Michigan and Pennsylvania join six other states with measles outbreaks. Here’s what to know
SUMMARY: Michigan and Pennsylvania officials confirmed measles outbreaks this week. U.S. measles cases topped 700 as of Friday, and two children and an adult have died. New Mexico, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas also 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, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.
WORDS: 1662 – MOVED: 04/18/2025 10:31 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e904ec9781f1d164c73afe4ab71774fe&mediaType=text
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MINNESOTA – UPCOMING – SPORTS
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BBO–TWINS-BRAVES
FORMATS: Text
1. WITH: BBO–TWINS-BRAVES
2. DESCRIPTION: Minnesota plays Atlanta at Truist Park. 150 words, more on merit.
3. UPCOMING: By 04/18/2025 6:15 p.m. CDT
4. WITH: BBO–TWINS-BRAVES
5. DESCRIPTION: ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves, in last place in the NL East, will look for better results at home when they open a weekend series against right-hander Chris Paddack and the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Right-hander Bryce Elder is scheduled to start for the Braves. By Bill Trocchi. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game starts at 7:15 p.m.
6. UPCOMING: By 04/18/2025 6:15 p.m. CDT
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HKN–VEGAS GOALIES TREE
DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS — Three goalies in this year’s NHL playoffs have ties to the Golden Knights, and two will be on opposite sides of the opening-round series between Vegas and the Minnesota. Adin Hill is back in the crease for the Golden Knights after helping lead them to the Stanley Cup championship two years ago. Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury remains arguably the most popular player in Vegas history. Logan Thompson was an All-Star goalie for the Golden Knights and is a key reason for the Washington Capitals’ strong season. By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 04/18/2025 7:00 p.m. CDT, Text
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MISSOURI – UPCOMING – SPORTS
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BBO–ROYALS-TIGERS
DESCRIPTION: DETROIT — Kansas City plays Detroit at Comerica Park. UPCOMING: 150 words, more on merits.
UPCOMING: By 04/18/2025 5:40 p.m. CDT, Text
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BBO–CARDINALS-METS
DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — David Peterson (1-1) starts for the New York Mets and Miles Mikolas (0-2) for the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a four-game series. 300 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 04/18/2025 9:10 p.m. CDT, Text
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NEBRASKA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–TRUMP TARIFFS-RARE EARTHS
The US has a single rare earths mine. Chinese export limits are energizing a push for more
SUMMARY: America’s only rare earths mine has fielded calls from anxious companies since China responded to President Donald Trump’s tariffs by limiting exports of seven heavy metals. The mine in California can’t meet the U.S. demand for rare earths, which is why Trump is pushing for new mines. Rare earth elements are ingredients in electric vehicles, advanced fighter jets, smartphones and many other products. They aren’t actually rare, but it’s hard to find them in a high enough concentration to make a mine worth the investment. Experts say prices are likely to increase quickly if China extends its import controls but there is likely enough of a stockpile to keep factories operating for now.
WORDS: 1324 – MOVED: 04/18/2025 8:58 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:effd6a7ec64b5830df9d3c76ab9b607a&mediaType=text
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OKLAHOMA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–MEASLES OUTBREAK-EXPLAINER
Michigan and Pennsylvania join six other states with measles outbreaks. Here’s what to know
SUMMARY: Michigan and Pennsylvania officials confirmed measles outbreaks this week. U.S. measles cases topped 700 as of Friday, and two children and an adult have died. New Mexico, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas also 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, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.
WORDS: 1662 – MOVED: 04/18/2025 10:31 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e904ec9781f1d164c73afe4ab71774fe&mediaType=text
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US–OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING-WHAT TO KNOW
Oklahoma City to mark 30 years since the bombing that killed 168 people and shook America
SUMMARY: A bomb with a force powerful enough to instantly destroy much of a nine-story building shattered a quiet Oklahoma City morning and sent a shock wave through America. Saturday is the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, the deadliest homegrown attack in United States history that exposed a dark undercurrent of anti-government extremist anger. A public ceremony Saturday to mark the anniversary at the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum will include the reading of the names of the 168 people killed, remarks by victim family members and survivors, and a keynote address by former President Bill Clinton.
WORDS: 727 – MOVED: 04/18/2025 7:51 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2c2193704384ac2c154b0b90610ade69&mediaType=text
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