PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – Marijuana reform groups submitted petitions containing over 80,000 signatures to the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office Monday, Nov. 4, hoping to qualify two separate ballot initiatives for next year’s election. One initiative would establish a medical marijuana program for qualified patients with debilitating health conditions. The other would legalize… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The South Dakota Department of Human Services held its annual Governor’s Awards in a ceremony at the State Capitol Rotunda in Pierre Monday. The awards recognize achievements of both individuals with disabilities and employers and other who work with those people. Governor Kristi Noem says South Dakota is a leader for… Read more »

BERESFORD, S.D. (Press Release) – A Sioux Falls, S.D., man has been identified as the person who died in a fatal crash involving four vehicles early Wednesday morning north of Beresford. A 2007 Peterbilt Conventional semi-truck was southbound on Interstate 29 when the vehicle lost a tire. The tire and rim landed in the passing… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – The forecast calls for temperatures in central South Dakota to range from the low 30s to mid 40s this week, which Weatherology meteorologist Micheal Karow says is a little cooler than average for this time of year. He says central South Dakota is right on the edge of a cold… Read more »

OELRICHS, S.D. (Press Release) – One person died early Sunday morning in a one-vehicle crash north of Oelrichs. Names of those involved are not being released pending notification of family members. A 2007 Buick LaCrosse was westbound on U.S. Highway 18 when the vehicle crossed the fog line and went onto the shoulder. The driver… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – The train bridge over Pierre Street in Pierre proved once again Sunday morning it won’t give an inch to any over height vehicle that attempts to drive underneath of it. The Pierre Police Department says officers responded to a semi having hit the train bridge a little before 11 a.m.… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A man who stabbed to death a former co-worker who interrupted him during a burglary is set to be executed in South Dakota today barring a last-minute stay. Charles Russell Rhines brushed off a plea for mercy from 22-year-old Donnivan Schaeffer in the 1992 slaying at a Rapid City doughnut… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Members of the Government Operations and Audit Committee of the South Dakota legislature held a long discussion last week with university presidents and the Board of Regents about free speech and diversity on campus. The legislature this year passed a bill outlining how the universities have to allow diverse opinions to… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota Education Department Secretary Ben Jones was questioned by a legislative panel last week on the latest report card on student performance. The standardized testing showed about 54 percent of students were proficient in reading and writing, 47 percent were proficient in math and only 40 percent made the grade… Read more »

PLATTE, S.D. (WNAX) – The publication of federal rules for industrial hemp production will help spur a South Dakota legislative committee in taking further action. Representative Lee Qualm of Platte is Chairman of the Industrial Hemp Study Committee and says they are working through the rules. Qualm says they will meet again on Dec. 2.… Read more »