ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- The third of four cracker barrels was held inside the Barnett Center on the campus of NSU on Saturday.  Members from Districts 3 & 23 were present for the event. District 23 Senator Bryan Breitling look ahead to what the Joint Committee on Appropriation will be working on this week. District 3 Senator… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Several bills dealing with eminent domain were debated in the South Dakota legislature this week. House Minority Leader Oren Lesmeister of Parade says the House passed one bill that clarifies how eminent domain can be used. Lesmeister says negotiation are often dragged out too long. Lesmeister says the bill also allocates court costs.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- South Dakota Department of Transportation snowplows have been getting a workout this winter, including the newly named “Little Plow on the Prairie” based in Pierre. Sarah Wellner of Pierre submitted the name in the SDDOT’s naming contest and got to meet the plow Thursday. Wellner talks about how she found out her submission… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Alzheimer’s Association will be bringing people to Pierre on Monday. Executive Director Leslie Morrow says they want to talk to legislators about the impacts of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Morrow says they will have at least one bus load going to Pierre. Morrow says they want to highlight the needs… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – On Thursday, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2023-03, which declares a disaster in counties impacted by the severe winter storms this past December. The order declares a disaster to exist in the counties of Bennett, Brookings, Clark, Day, Deuel, Hamlin, Jackson, Jones, Kingsbury, Mellette, Oglala Lakota, Potter, Roberts, Stanley, Todd,… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- South Dakota Senator John Thune says the US can’t over react to the Chinese balloon incident. Thune says the Biden Administration should have moved more quickly once the balloon was sighted. Thune says the US has to have a consistent policy with China. About a third of US soybeans are sold to China… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A bill that would prohibit certain medical and surgical interventions on minor patients dealing with gender issues was passed by the South Dakota Senate Thursday. Bill supporter Senator John Wiik (wick) of Big Stone City says kids and parents dealing with puberty need support not surgery. Senator Liz Larson of Sioux Falls says… Read more »

VERMILLION, S.D.(WNAX)- There are many openings for teachers at school districts across South Dakota and many are looking to fill openings for this fall. Vermillion Superintendent Damon Alvey says growing enrollment has helped with their budgeting and staffing. Alvey says they have extra help on hand. Alvey says they have an advantage with the University… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Joint Committee on Appropriations of the South Dakota legislature talked about school funding again. Wade Pogany, executive director of the Associated School Boards, said the Blue Ribbon committee of 2015 helped teachers catch up on pay. Representative Ernie Otten of Tea says there were some recommendations of the Blue Ribbon committee that… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Managers of rural electric cooperatives have been meeting in Pierre this week. South Dakota Rural Electric Association general manager Steve Barnett says there are some common problems. Barnett says most cooperatives are seeing rising demand for electricity and assuring service is critical. Barnett says moving to carbon free or “green” power sources will… Read more »