PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — The special state senate committee looking into an incident by Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller with a state employee recommends the Rapid City Republican be censured and reinstated. The Senate Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion met for nearly four hours Tuesday. In addition to censure and reinstatement, Sen. Frye-Mueller would be banned… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- A number of republicans in the US House want to use the impending federal debt ceiling as leverage for budget cuts. South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds says using the debt ceiling will get some attention. Rounds says they need to have continuing budget talks. Rounds says he doesn’t want to put the credit… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Thirty years after being built, the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre is getting ready for a major expansion. Dr. Ben Jones, Director of the State Historical Society, says they want to complete the project before they run out of storage space. Assistant Director David Grabitske says age of an item isn’t… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KJJQ)- The Senate Judiciary Committee of the South Dakota Legislature endorses the formation of two task forces requested by Supreme Court Justice Steven Jensen. One would look at issues surrounding court appointed lawyers. The other would study emerging adults in the judicial system. State Court Administrator Greg Sattizahn says that would look at 18-25… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KOKK)- Senate Bill 41 the Workforce Housing bill was on the fast track for an emergency clause in the South Dakota Legislature this year.  The measure was touched up after the 2022 South Dakota Legislature failed to pass the measure.  A prime sponsor of the bill Representative Roger Chase of Huron was chair of… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D.(WNAX)- Many republicans in the US House want to use the impending debt ceiling deadline as a lever to push for cuts in the federal budget. South Dakota State University economics professor Dr Joe Santos says any misstep could cause an economic crisis. Santos says the debt ceiling is not really directly connected to… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota House State Affairs Committee approved a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to require some Medicaid recipients to have a job. Voters approved a constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid coverage last November. Rick Weiland with “Dakotans for Health” who sponsored the amendment petition drive says some legislators don’t want… Read more »

PLATTE, S.D.(WNAX)- The investigation of Senator Julia Frye-Mueller of Rapid City is not setting well with many republicans across the state. The Senate last week voted to bar her from her committees and floor action until an investigation into an H.R. complaint is completed. Former legislators Lee Qualm of Platte is Chair of the Charles… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Members of the Joint Committee on Appropriations of the South Dakota legislature heard more about issues in the state prisons. Corrections Department Secretary Kellie Wasko says they hold more prisoners than the system is designed for. Wasko says the penitentiary in Sioux Falls is not safe for staff or prisoners. Wasko says told… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Medical folks are seeing lots of people with winter bugs including the flu, RSV and Covid-19. Liz Healy, infection control specialist at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, says its best to avoid the infections if at all possible. Healy says people should strongly consider getting all the booster shots they are eligible… Read more »