PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – Today (Nov. 20) is the enrollment deadline for the new South Dakota K-12 Connect program. Gov. Kristi Noem says the program provides free internet service to eligible K-12 students in their homes for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Eligible South Dakota households should have received a letter identifying… Read more »

AVON, S.D. (WNAX) – Like a number of school districts, Avon has modified their close contact policy to help keep more kids in school longer. Superintendent Tom Culver says the feel like they are on their own in dealing with the pandemic. Culver says they have been following state and CDC guidelines, which have been… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D. (KJJQ) – South Dakota State University set a goal of making it to Thanksgiving with students on campus. They have done so and President Barry Dunn says he’s very proud of the effort put forth. Students will finish classes next Tuesday, take a Thanksgining break and then prepare for finals, which will be… Read more »

AMES, Iowa (WNAX) – Drought conditions that spread across much of southern South Dakota, eastern Nebraska and much of Iowa will linger into the winter. Dennis Todey, head of the Midwest Climate Hub in Ames Iowa says it doesn’t look like there will be many chances to recharge soil moisture before freeze up. Todey says… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – The National Industrial Hemp Council has received $200,000 in funding from USDA’S Market Access Program. Those funds will support export market development for industrial hemp. South Dakota Farmers Union Lobbyist Mitch (rick-tur) Richter says that’s another sign of the normalization of growing industrial hemp and should help South Dakota as they… Read more »

FORT PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – Fort Pierre and the Stanley County Fairgrounds will be hosting the South Dakota State High School Finals Rodeo for the next three years. Finals dates for 2021 are June 15–19. Over 300 of the state’s top high school rodeo athletes will compete for championship saddles, buckles and prizes along… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – As the region continues to see an increase in patients with COVID-19, Avera St. Luke’s is taking additional measures in its surge plan. This includes temporarily closing the Avera Medical Group Groton and having limited hours at Avera Clinic of Ellendale as of Monday, November 23. Temporarily closing the Groton… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that Ben Jones, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education, will be taking a new position as State Historian and Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society, effective December 9, 2020. “Ben has been a dedicated leader of the Department of Education,” said Governor… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KBHB) – Forward Together is the theme for the 103rd Annual South Dakota Farm Bureau Convention, which opens Friday at the Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza in Rapid City. The two-day event will feature though provoking speakers on issues facing the ag industry. Dani Hanson with SDFB gives us a preview of this… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – On Monday morning, Nov. 23 from 6:45-9 a.m., the Roncalli Elementary Golden Rule Crew (GRC team) will be hosting a special event in the parking lot at the Elementary School and Sacred Heart for all first responders and hospital workers. All first responders and hospital workers are invited and it… Read more »