PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The start of the South Dakota legislative session is a very busy time and especially so for first time members. District 17 Representative Chris Kassin of Vermillion, who won his first term in November says he made lots of connections. Kassin was appointed to the Appropriations Committee. Kassin says they are meeting as… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- Beginning at 8:00am on Wednesday, January 18th, water will be off in the following areas to repair a water main break: South Rock Street from 6th Ave SE to Goodrich Ave SE The Public Works Department suggests that residents in the affected area collect and store water for personal and restroom use.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A group of South Dakota Republican lawmakers are pushing a bill(HB1080) to outlaw gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. At least a dozen states are considering anti-transgender legislation this year. The South Dakota bill aims to keep children under 18 from accessing puberty-blocking drugs, hormone therapy or surgeries that enable them… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- One Democrat legislator joins 11 Republicans in introducing a bill Tuesday that would remove the state’s portion of the sales tax on food items. After opposing a similar measure last year, Gov. Kristi Noem campaigned in her 2022 election to pass a bill to remove the state sales tax on food items. South… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- A South Dakota legislative committee recommends Tuesday that the Joint Appropriations Committee consider a bill that would allocate an additional $13 million to the Sanford Underground Research facility in the Black Hills. Proponents told the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee that Senate Bill 35 is needed to expand room for underground physics experiments. The money… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)– Presentation College announced today that it will not enroll students for the 2023-24 academic year and will cease educational operations at its Aberdeen campus after the Spring and Summer 2023 sessions. Three Teach-Out Agreements with other higher educational institutions are in place to provide complete credit acceptance and comparable net tuition costs… Read more »

PLEASANT HILL, M.O.(WNAX)- While snow continues to add up across the Missouri River Basin, it will take more to make up for years of dry conditions. Kevin Low with the Missouri River Basin Forecast Center says mountain snowpack is slowly increasing. Low says they still expect a below normal year in snowpack runoff. Low says… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The National Federation of Independent Business has named Jason Glodt of Pierre as their state director. He says small business comes naturally to him. Glodt says NFIB will stand with small businesses across the state. Glodt says they reach legislative stands by consensus. Glodt was a member of the Board of Regents in… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Connecting Cultures of Yankton sponsored an observance of Martin Luther King Junior Day Monday at the Mead Cultural Education Center. Joe Ruttan, Director of the Benedictine Leadership Institute at Mount Marty University, made the presentation. He says King’s legacy is dealing with injustice. Ruttan says King wanted all people to connect. Ruttan says… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- During last week’s State of the Judiciary address, Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen proposed a summer study to address increasing court appointed attorney costs on counties.  District 24 Representative Mike Weisgram was happy to see the issue addressed. District 24 Representative Will Mortenson says a summer study is the right approach. District… Read more »