PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Academic test scores for South Dakota kids fell due to the pandemic, but not as far as other states. That was the message to the legislatures Government Operations and Audit Committee this week. Education Department Deputy Secretary Mary Stadick-Smith says fourth and eighth graders were tested. Stadick-Smith says they hope test scores improve… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release) – On Thursday the U.S. House voted 350-80 in support of the National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA).  Among the Yea votes was  U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson.  Johnson talks about how this will bolsters B-21 priorities and repeals the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for military servicemembers. “Republicans fought for our nation’s military, and ultimately, we… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- The new stealth B-21 Raider bomber was publicly rolled out for the first-time last week at the production facility in California. South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds says it was impressive. The first squadron of bombers will be based at Ellsworth Airforce Base near Rapid City. Rounds says they don’t have a schedule yet.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – On Thursday, Governor Kristi Noem called for an immediate review of all investments under the control of the South Dakota Investment Council in order to determine if taxpayer dollars are being invested in companies that pose a threat to our national security, like those in Communist China. She challenged the Investment… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- Summit Carbon Solutions is a company dedicated to constructing a pipeline through five states ending up in North Dakota, to capture and send carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to be “safely and permanently sequestered.” Ben Fuller with Summit Carbon Solutions spoke with the Codington County Commissioners this week to update them on their… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- “Porch pirates” is a term used to define an individual that steals delivered packages off people’s doorsteps. Now more than ever, it is becoming a problem for residents statewide and nationwide. KXLG News spoke with Detective Jeremy Bjerke, a twelve-year veteran with the Watertown Police Department, to learn more. It may be worth… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- District 24 Representative Will Mortenson of Pierre has been chosen to serve as the House Majority Leader during South Dakota’s 2023 legislative session. It’s a task he says he’s looking forward to. According to Tony Venhuizen’s “SoDak Governors” blog, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe member Mortenson is, “The first tribal member in state history… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- A holiday open house was the setting for a retirement recognition of long time First Dakota National Bank President Larry Ness. He says they have grown a lot in his thirty nine years with the bank. Ness says technology has been a big part of that growth. Ness says the changes exceeded his… Read more »

STURGIS, S.D.(KBHB)- The Sturgis City Council voted 4 to 2 with one abstention to have its city attorney reach out to those who have been granted a medical marijuana license in the city about renewal. Last year, the city issued two conditional licenses. Because the medical marijuana industry in the state is still relatively new,… Read more »