PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota lawmakers wrapped up the main run of the 2021 session Thursday with approval of the $5.1 billion budget the final legislative act. House Majority Leader Kent Peterson of Salem says they focused again on the big three. Peterson says it was a priority to raise pay for community service providers mostly… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota legislature this year passed a bill that removes most restrictions and testing requirements for home schooled students. Yankton School Superintendent Wayne Kindle says that creates some potential problems. Kindle says having two sets of rules for participating in activities will be a challenge. Kindle says it is more erosion of… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – When it comes to Daylight Saving Time this weekend, South Dakota Fire Marshal Paul Merriman says there is more to it than just changing the clocks. Daylight Saving Time starts at 2 a.m. local time Sunday morning. That means pushing clocks ahead one hour. But Merriman says this is also a… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(DRG News)- More than 500 college athletes have signed a letter to the NCAA Board of Governors asking the organization to refuse to schedule championships in states that have banned transgender participation in sports. The letter to the NCAA asks the board to uphold the organization’s nondiscrimination policy, citing the decision to move championships… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – The Northern State University Spring Jazz Concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Jewett Theater. Performing will be the NSU 1 O’clock Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Terry Beckler, and the NSU 2 O’clock Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Grant Manhart. The 1… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D. (Press Release)– One person died and another person was injured Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle crash south of Watertown. Names of the two people involved are not being released pending notification of family members. Preliminary crash information indicates that a 2016 Chevy Impala was northbound on U.S. Highway 81 when the driver lost… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota lawmakers passed a bill that restricts trans gender student’s participation in sports. Supporters are concerned that women won’t be able to compete fairly. Avon School Superintendent Tom Culver says many people don’t know how the procedures work. Culver says they worked with the state Activities Association and Executive Director Dan Swartos… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota House and Senate failed to reach an agreement on HB1100, the Medical Marijuana issue. The bill was lost after a conference committee deadlocked Wednesday afternoon and could not reach an agreement. House Speaker Spencer Gosch of Glenham announced the results of the conference committee. Representative Greg Jamison said it’s the… Read more »