I think using split will be much easier:
while (<DATA>) {
    my ( $name, $initial ) = ( split / / )[ 1, 2 ];
    $initial = substr $initial, 0, 1;
    say "$name $initial";
}

__DATA__
0. Amber BYU
1. Kim BGSU
2. Kim Washington

[download]
A split-based solution for the second file is even easier:
while (<DATA>) {
    chomp;
    ( undef, my $line ) = split / /, $_, 2;
    say $line;
}

__DATA__
0. J
1. B F K
2. A I J

[download]

CountZero

A program should be light and agile, its subroutines connected like a string of pearls. The spirit and intent of the program should be retained throughout. There should be neither too little or too much, neither needless loops nor useless variables, neither lack of structure nor overwhelming rigidity." - The Tao of Programming, 4.1 - Geoffrey James

My blog: Imperial Deltronics

In reply to Re: combining lists along with a regex by CountZero
in thread combining lists along with a regex by Aldebaran

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