PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota voters approved two marijuana issues in last November’s election. One deals with medical marijuana, the other opens up recreational use. House Majority Leader Kent Peterson of Salem says the recreational amendment may be on hold for a while. Peterson says they will have to come up with rules for… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The Joint Appropriations Committee of the South Dakota legislature has been holding agency hearings as the first step in putting together next year’s spending plan. Senator Reynold Nesiba of Sioux Falls says the committee has set up sub-groups. Nesiba says the needs-based scholarship proposal will get attention, too. The plan has… Read more »

RAPID CITY,S.D.(KOTA)- The Rapid City Police Department released their annual crime statistics report for the 2020 calendar year, and saw notable increases in rates of homicide and theft. Brendyn Medina, community relations specialist for the Rapid City Police Department said homicides doubled over 2019’s count, which is believed to be related to substance abuse. Along with that, Rapid City saw nearly a forty percent increase in burglaries, which Medina said could be tied to the pandemic. Despite this, there was a lower rate of arrests and calls for service, also likely tied to the pandemic Medina said. Officers during the height of the pandemic were given much more freedom regarding when and if they would engage in law enforcement activities like traffic stops.  

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has proposed changes to standards for teaching civics and government in K- 12 schools. She wants more of an emphasis on state and national history. Representative Mike Stevens of Yankton says that schools are doing a pretty good job now. Stevens, a member of the Education… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Donald Trump’s presidency ended just two days ago, but the City of Presidents organization is already working on adding his statue in downtown Rapid City. Dallerie Davis, co-founder and artist liaison for the organization, says the project is in the concept stage and that they plan to incorporate a couple… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The Department of Tourism says a reduction in visitors and tourism income broke a 10-year streak of industry growth last year. According to an annual study by Tourism Economics released Thursday, the number of visitors to the state dropped by 13% to 12.6 million people in 2020. But the state fared… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D. (HubCityRadio.com) – A Yogathon to benefits SPURS will take place on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29-30 at Fit and Fire Studios in Aberdeen (located just north of the ARCC). The event will feature a variety of opportunities from coming to help out SPURS to competing for a medal. Details can be found under… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The lack of any action in the investigation of a fatal vehicle/pedestrian crash involving South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg continues to frustrate Governor Kristi Noem. Noem says it remains a great disservice to the family of the victim, 55-year-old Joseph Boever of Highmore. Hyde County Deputy State’s Attorney Emily Sovell… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – As South Dakota lawmakers wrap up the second week of the 2021 session, more issues are emerging. House Minority Leader Jamie Smith of Sioux Falls says marijuana will get a lot of attention. Smith says the budget and spending will get more than the usual consideration. Smith says despite their small… Read more »