WATERTOWN, S.D.(AlphaMedia)–Passenger traffic out of Watertown Regional Airport was down about 40-percent last year from 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. And January got off to a bit of a slow start too. Airport Manager Todd Syhre says 347 people boarded flights last month to Chicago and Denver. Syhre says with continued uncertainty with COVID-19,… Read more »
News Year: 2021
Senate Bill 87 To Be Heard In South Dakota House Ag Committee
A bill that would allow the South Dakota Farm Bureau to offer a health insurance program to its members is scheduled to be heard in the South Dakota House Ag Committee this week. Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal says there are many producers who either don’t have any health coverage or can’t afford any. He… Read more »
EPA Admin nominee said ag will have a say on RFS talks
WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- Last week, EPA Administrator Nominee Michael (ree-gun) Regan told a Senate committee that agriculture will have a place at the table on RFS discussions. He also said the EPA will need to review how it has handled the Renewable Fuel Standard and the next steps forward. South Dakota Corn Grower’s Association President Scott… Read more »
State aid increase for SD education may be less than Governor Noem budgeted
PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- During her budget address in December, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem proposed a two-point four percent increase in state aid to education for next year. Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, says there is some talk about reducing that increase. Hunhoff says many school districts got extra Covid-19 related… Read more »
Mask Mandate to continue at Corn Palace in Mitchell
MITCHELL, S.D.(KMIT)- A mask mandate will continue through mid-March at Mitchell’s Corn Palace. The issue was discussed at last week’s Corn Palace Entertainment Board meeting. Corn Palace Director Doug Greenway. Greenway says leaving the mandate in place makes sense for consistency. The mandate will continue through March 13th. At that point, a decision will be… Read more »
Residents & business owners talk to US Congressmen about impact of stoppage of Keystone XL pipeline
PHILIP, S.D>(KCCR)- Residents and business owners impacted by the stoppage of the Keystone X-L pipeline in Haakon County met with three members of Congress Monday in the hope that their stories could be taken back to Capitol Hill to restart the project. Jeff Brikeland is C-E-O of West Central Electric Co-operative. His co-op would have… Read more »
USDA Extends General Signup for Conservation Reserve Program
WASHINGTON, February 8, 2021(Press Release) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup period, which had previously been announced as ending on Feb. 12, 2021. USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes this opportunity for the incoming Administration to evaluate ways to increase enrollment. Under… Read more »
Yankton mayor looking to extend city’s mask mandate
YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The Yankton City Commission, at their meeting tonight will set a public hearing for later this month to extend the face mask mandate. That resolution was passed in early December. Mayor Nathan Johnson says its not time to back off the mandate. Johnson says infection numbers have fallen in the county and he… Read more »
Health officials looking at reports of variants of the COVID-19 virus
PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Public health officials are tracking reports of variants of the Covid-19 virus. The CDC reports those mutations related to infections in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil have now shown up in at least thirty three states. South Dakota State Epidemiologist Dr Josh Clayton says each variant has some unique characteristics. The… Read more »
South Dakota Legislature reports 1st case of the coronavirus
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota lawmakers are attempting to contain the spread of the coronavirus after the first reported case in the Legislature this session. Legislators were informed by email Sunday that Republican Rep. Aaron Aylward had tested positive over the weekend. House Speaker Spencer Gosch says that a number of lawmakers were staying… Read more »