PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- The State of South Dakota ended the 2021 fiscal year (June 30, 2021) with nearly $302 million ($301.8 million) in its budget reserve– over $100 million more than at the end of the previous fiscal year. The State ended the 2020 fiscal year with total reserve of $193.4 million. It ended the 2019… Read more »

HURON, S.D.(KOKK)- Peggy Besch, South Dakota state fair manager gave an annual update at the weekly Huron City commission meeting.  Information included an update on the planning for the Dakota Events Complex (DEX) which will eventually replace the destroyed Beef Complex on the fairgrounds. The project was approved in the 2021 legislative session and backed… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A group of South Dakota lawmakers serving on the 2021 Redistricting Committee attending a three-day conference on the process last week in Salt Lake City, Utah.  District 24 Senator Mary Duvall is a chair of the Committee and says the meetings were educational. Duvall says a great deal of time was spent on… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Board of Technical Education approved the budget request for fiscal year twenty-three. Executive Director Nick Wendell says their priority is an increase in the per student allocation. Based on their projected enrollment, that would be an increase of over $660,000. Wendell says they want to continue the tuition assistance program.… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(WNAX)- The next meeting of the “Workforce Housing Needs Interim Study” committee will be August fifth in Sioux Falls. Committee Chairman, Representative Roger Chase of Huron, says they will focus on the contractor and construction end of housing. Chase says even recent local housing studies are outdated by the changes in the marketplace.… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KELO)- A Brookings woman is in jail for her alleged role in the kidnapping of a Sioux Falls woman at Oakwood Lakes State Park last Sunday morning. Ashle (Ash-lee) Elizabeth Heier (higher), 29, is being held on four counts of harboring or concealing a criminal, parole violations, and drug charges. Heier and the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Rules Review Committee of the South Dakota legislature gave final approval to the rules that will govern the use of medical cannabis in schools starting this fall. The committee sent the initial rules back to the Education Department last month. Department Secretary Tiffany Sanderson says they took another look at the recommendations… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Yesterday, during a phone call between Governor Kristi Noem and SkyWest CEO Chip Childs, both parties discussed their strong partnership and SkyWest’s continued commitment to service in the Pierre and Watertown markets. “With fall pheasant season approaching, South Dakota appreciates SkyWest’s commitment to the Pierre and Watertown markets for the foreseeable future. The high-quality air service they provide enhances our state’s tourism numbers… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The outlook for the next couple of weeks is for hot and dry weather to continue over much of the northern plains. During the monthly regional climate update, Minnesota assistant state climatologist Pete Boulay said ideally, crops should get some rain every week. Dennis Todey with the Midwest Climate Hub in Ames Iowa… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Department of Tourism is developing a new strategic plan. Secretary Jim Hagen says their last three year plan wrapped up in 2019, but the pandemic delayed their process. Hagen says they want the plan to be widely inclusive. Hagen says the survey will start with thousands of their tourism partners.… Read more »