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–LOTTERY GAME-BIGGER JACKPOTS
Will new Mega Million odds make you a jackpot winner? Don’t get your hopes up
SUMMARY: Lottery players are going to have a shot at more billion-dollar jackpots under new Mega Millions rules that go into effect with Tuesday’s drawing. The downside: Tickets will cost $5 each, more than double the previous price. And the lowered odds are still not all that encouraging: 1 in 290 million compared to the previous 1 in 303 million. On the other hand, the higher ticket price means the jackpot can start at $50 million, rather than the previous $20 million, and the grand prize is expected to grow more quickly. Officials believe sales will rise as people are stopped in their tracks by massive prizes.
WORDS: 998 – MOVED: 04/07/2025 7:51 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:900bf62127057b4124d8302f3200497a&mediaType=text
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US-ENT-CHALLENGED BOOKS
George M. Johnson’s ‘All Boys Aren’t Blue’ tops 2024 list of most ‘challenged’ US library books
SUMMARY: The American Library Association has unveiled the 10 most “challenged books” of 2024. It’s led by George M. Johnson’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue” and also features Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer,” Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” and John Green’s “Looking for Alaska.” Most of the books listed have LGBTQ+ themes. Other objections involved references to drug addiction, such as in Ellen Hopkins’ “Crank,” and to slavery and sexual abuse, including those in Patricia McCormick’s “Sold.” The list is included in the ‘State of American Libraries’ report issued Monday. The association has found more than 70% of attempted bans of a given title or titles came from organized groups and elected officials.
WORDS: 553 – MOVED: 04/07/2025 5:02 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:67b0384fc61b644d95fc94abcc188d18&mediaType=text
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IOWA – UPCOMING – NEWS
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PESTICIDES-LIABILITY PROTECTION
DESCRIPTION: Global chemical manufacturer Bayer has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether federal law preempts thousands of state lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer. Bayer’s new request to the nation’s highest court comes as it is simultaneously pursing legislation in several states seeking to erect a legal shield against lawsuits targeting Roundup, which one of most commonly used weedkillers in agriculture.
UPCOMING: By 04/07/2025 3:00 p.m. CDT, Photo, Text
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KANSAS – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–MEASLES OUTBREAK-EXPLAINER
The US has three measles-related deaths and hundreds of cases. Here’s what to know
SUMMARY: Three people have died from measles-related illnesses in the U.S. since the highly contagious virus started ripping through West Texas in late January. The U.S. has more than doubled the total number of measles cases in 2024. Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, Kansas and Oklahoma all 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 preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000. Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.
WORDS: 1333 – MOVED: 04/07/2025 11:55 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d5444b3397ac7c4034e63becc219aa33&mediaType=text
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MINNESOTA – UPCOMING – SPORTS
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HKW–WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: The Americans are bringing youth and Canadians a veteran-laden team in preparing to renew their fierce cross-border rivalry at the 10-nation women’s world hockey championships opening in the Czech Republic on Wednesday. It’s fresh versus the familiar. The U.S. roster has been transformed in three years under coach John Wroblewski with a group featuring nine college players. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 2 p.m. EDT.
SENT: By 04/07/2025 1:00 p.m. CDT, Text
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BBO–TWINS-ROYALS
DESCRIPTION: Minnesota plays Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium. 150 words, more on merit.
UPCOMING: By 04/07/2025 6:40 p.m. CDT, Text
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MISSOURI – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–SEVERE WEATHER
Swollen rivers are flooding towns in the US South after a prolonged deluge of rain
SUMMARY: Rivers rose and flooding worsened across the U.S. South and Midwest, threatening communities already waterlogged and badly damaged by days of heavy rain and storms that killed at least 20 people. From Texas to Ohio, utilities scrambled to shut off power and gas, while cities deployed sandbags to protect homes and businesses. Forecasters warned that flooding could persist for days, especially in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. Some rivers that inundated towns rose to near-record levels and were expected to crest on Monday.
WORDS: 978 – MOVED: 04/07/2025 11:59 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cda0e8803e4e692d162de856ccc6ef9e&mediaType=text
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MISSOURI – UPCOMING – NEWS
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PESTICIDES-LIABILITY PROTECTION
DESCRIPTION: Global chemical manufacturer Bayer has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether federal law preempts thousands of state lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer. Bayer’s new request to the nation’s highest court comes as it is simultaneously pursing legislation in several states seeking to erect a legal shield against lawsuits targeting Roundup, which one of most commonly used weedkillers in agriculture.
UPCOMING: By 04/07/2025 3:00 p.m. CDT, Photo, Text
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MISSOURI – UPCOMING – SPORTS
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BBO–CARDINALS-PIRATES
DESCRIPTION: PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game series on Monday at PNC Park. Matthew Liberatore starts for St. Louis. Carmen Mlodzinski gets the nod for the Pirates. Game begins at 6:40 p.m. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 04/07/2025 5:40 p.m. CDT, Photo, Text
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HKN–BLUES-JETS
DESCRIPTION: The St. Louis Blues visit the Winnipeg Jets. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 04/07/2025 6:30 p.m. CDT, Photo, Text
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BBO–TWINS-ROYALS
DESCRIPTION: Minnesota plays Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium. 150 words, more on merit.
UPCOMING: By 04/07/2025 6:40 p.m. CDT, Text
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OKLAHOMA – NEW AND DEVELOPING – NEWS
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US–MEASLES OUTBREAK-EXPLAINER
The US has three measles-related deaths and hundreds of cases. Here’s what to know
SUMMARY: Three people have died from measles-related illnesses in the U.S. since the highly contagious virus started ripping through West Texas in late January. The U.S. has more than doubled the total number of measles cases in 2024. Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, Kansas and Oklahoma all 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 preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000. Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.
WORDS: 1333 – MOVED: 04/07/2025 11:55 a.m. CDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d5444b3397ac7c4034e63becc219aa33&mediaType=text
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