PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Under pressure from legislators and Governor Kristi Noem, the Board of Regents changed what were called “Diversity Centers” on university campuses to “Opportunity Centers.” Regents Executive Director Brian Maher says the service to students is the critical factor. Maher says they have made the on campus changes. Maher says the names and words… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Three republican candidates will be on the primary ballot next month for two House seats in District 16 in southeast South Dakota. Representative Kevin Jensen of Canton is running for his fourth term. Jensen says there was room for tax cuts in this years legislative session. Jensen says another priority is juvenile justice.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A sliding stock market is a problem and an opportunity for the South Dakota State Retirement System. State Investment Officer Matt Clark says the overall market hasn’t dropped enough for them to become aggressive buyers yet. Clark appeared before the Government Operations and Audit Committee last week and said they are showing a… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- NDN Collective, a Rapid City-based indigenous advocacy organization, wants to ensure President Joe Biden’s new Justice40 initiative doesn’t leave behind native communities. In a White House blog, the order claims to “make good on President Biden’s promise to deliver at least 40 percent of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release) — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined his colleagues in introducing the Elimination of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission Act. This legislation would eliminate the commission that is tasked with identifying facilities that should be consolidated or realigned and protect the several VA facilities across… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – On Monday, Governor Kristi Noem signed two executive orders. Executive Order 2022-04 provides relief to farmers who have had to delay planting due to weather and soil conditions by allowing them to move over-width farming equipment from two hours before sunrise to two hours after sunset. Executive Order 2022-05 changes the… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KELO)- South Dakota corn and soybean farmers had a tough start to the planting season. Jerry Schmitz with South Dakota Soybean has a word of advice.

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Governor Kristi Noem announced that her campaign has raised over $15 million cycle-to-date across all committees as she heads into her re-election effort. This total includes over $3.35 million raised across all committees since the beginning of the year.  Noem also said that she has over $8.7 million cash on hand across all… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- Last week, an officer with the Rapid City Police Department was accused of petty theft of cash from Central High School while serving in the capacity of a school resource officer. Matthew R. Hower, 41, has been fired from the police department following an RCPD review of surveillance video. RCPD Chief Don… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Summer interim committees of the South Dakota legislature will start meeting next month. One of those groups will be studying juvenile justice reform. Representative Mike Stevens of Yankton will be a member of that committee. Stevens says juvenile justice issues impact a wide segment. Stevens says they will be working closely with schools… Read more »