PIERRE, S.D. (KJJQ) – The South Dakota House Education Committee passed a bill that would allow the university teaching of brewing, wine-making and distilled spirits manufacturing. The School of Mines and Technology and South Dakota State University are both interested in offering courses. The measure is sponsored by Representative Tim Reed of Brookings. Only those… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (KJJQ) – Discussions resumed in the South Dakota Legislature on this year’s effort to legalize industrial hemp. The bill was on pause for a week awaiting an amendment from the Governor’s office. The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee has worked their way through the large and complex bill and they passed the… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D. (KJJQ) – A Brookings man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for aggravated assault. Twenty-nine-year-old Brady Glazier was convicted of assaulting a woman on Oct. 31 at a Brookings residence. During an argument, the victim told Glazier to leave. He refused and then attacked her, striking her several times and choking her… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – South Dakota lawmakers will weigh a proposal to do away with vaccination requirements for students. House Majority Leader Lee Qualm, a Republican from Platte, introduced a bill that would stop schools and colleges from requiring vaccinations for students to enter school. The state currently allows vaccination exemptions for students who have… Read more »

HALL COUNTY, Neb. (AP) – A former Sioux Falls teacher is accused of sexual contact with a minor. A Sioux Falls police spokesman says 27-year-old Daylan Scott Fargo was arrested Monday in Hall County, Nebraska. Fargo faces three charges, including sexual contact with a child under 16, sexual exploitation of a minor and solicitation of… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Emergency responders say a woman suffered burns when her vape pen battery exploded in her coat pocket at a Sioux Falls bank. Sioux Falls Fire Rescue says the 31-year-old woman was in the CorTrust Bank when the battery exploded and caught fire. Battalion Chief Steve Brunette tells the Argus Leader… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) – Sen. Mike Rounds announced he is seeking reelection after a period of uncertainty as his wife underwent cancer treatment in recent months. The first-term Republican from South Dakota made the announcement the day after voting to acquit President Donald Trump of impeachment charges. He will face a state representative in the… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D. (WNAX) – It appears that South Dakota republicans will have a primary race for the state’s lone Congressional seat. Former legislator Liz May of Kyle announced her intentions at the Black Hills Stock Show last week. She says the state needs better representation. Incumbent Congressman Dusty Johnson has not officially announced he… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – A bill that allow the drivers license test in South Dakota to be given in Spanish was before the Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday. Sponsor, Senator V.J. Smith of Brookings says the state is on another short list. Tom Murphy with Parker Transfer in Sioux Falls says it is a workforce issue.… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – A discussion about adopting a code of conduct for the Yankton County Commission turned into accusations and emotion Tuesday night. Commissioner Gary Swensen said he had been the target of unfair accusations. States Attorney Rob Klimisch used public comment time at the last meeting to detail the number and variety of… Read more »