Have "swipe left to open Google app" turned on under Home Settings - all was good - now all the news/sports stories are gone.
Don't recall having this issue before - buy got it now - this is a new phone set up a few hours ago.
Cleared cache - disabled-enabled app - then noticed "three dot" menu option in upper right of screen - open that and got the pictured Uninstall updates option - hit that and all is well.
Ya got me to the right church - just a few pews off - THANKS!