PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The bill (HB1191) authorizing the production of industrial hemp in South Dakota will be on the floor of the state Senate today. Governor Kristi Noem again restated her concerns with the bill at her news conference last Friday. She didn’t say if she would veto the bill if it passed. Senator… Read more »

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — The University of South Dakota has launched an investigation into the Student Bar Association’s decision to change the name of its winter social event from “Hawaiian Day” to “Beach Day.”The group said earlier it was changing the name because it was advised by law school administrators that it violated the school’s… Read more »

OMAHA, Neb. (WNAX) – The February Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota and the Dakotas to Arkansas, rose to its highest level since September of last year, signaling solid growth for the region over the next three to six months. Ernie Goss is director… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Majority republicans in the South Dakota legislature agree on priorities for the final days of this year’s session. Senate Majority Leader Kris Langer of Dell Rapids says there are a couple of main issues. https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/238/2019/03/01144825/Kris-Langer-301a.mp3 House Majority Leader Lee Qualm of Platte says there will need to be some compromises. https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/238/2019/03/01144840/Lee-Qualm-301a.mp3… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – While an El Nino weather condition has been predicted for some time, it has been slow to arrive. Doug Kluck, Climate Service Director for the Central Region of the National Weather Service, says they are now seeing more evidence of its arrival. https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/238/2019/03/01142724/Doug-Kluck-301a.mp3 An El Nino occurs when southern Pacific Ocean… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNAX) – The Senate confirmed Andrew Wheeler as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. He follows Scott Pruitt who resigned last year following several ethics violations. At the same time, officials in the Ag Department said they didn’t think the EPA would finalize rules to allow year-round use of E-15 by June. South… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – SkyWest has announced it will begin air service from Pierre to Denver April 3. In preparation for that, Pierre Regional Airport manager Mike Isaacs says there’s a lot of action happening right now. https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/238/2019/03/01145944/030119-isaacs1.mp3 Isaacs says people will check in at the same area of the airport. https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/238/2019/03/01145955/030119-isaacs2.mp3 Although air… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KXLG) – District 5 Representative Hugh Bartels (BAR-TULS) of Watertown is hopeful the state can come up with more dollars to help nursing homes. He looks for something bold to emerge from the legislature before they adjourn this year. https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/238/2019/03/01152117/Bartels-1.mp3 Bartels said changes are needed to update what assisted nursing homes can do.… Read more »