PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The individual who will lead South Dakota’s correctional system comes from Colorado where she was president of a company that administers health care service to state and local corrections partners. Gov. Kristi Noem Wednesday announced the appointment of Kellie Wasko as the new Secretary of Corrections, effective March 7. Wasko currently… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- HB1012 outlines “divisive concepts” teachers aren’t allowed to promote through coursework and training in higher education. These include labeling certain groups or people as inherently racist or sexist, and making students feel uncomfortable based on their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity or national origin. The bill originally referenced an academic concept called “Critical… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- We ran a story with Senator Lee Schoenbeck talking on the group Convention of States South Dakota and the group reached out to KXLG to clarify what they represent from their perspective. We spoke with the Regional Director of Convention of States, David Schneider who gave an overview. David expands on why they… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota tourism is coming off a record year for visitors and spending and planning for more. Tourism Department Secretary Jim Hagen says he was surprised by last year’s numbers. Hagen says visitation also jumped. Hagen says they are getting better returns on their targeted messaging. Hagen says they are focused on their… Read more »

SOUTH DAKOTA(WNAX)- Helping those helping people with dementia issues is a priority for the South Dakota Alzheimer’s Association. Executive Director Leslie Morrow says they are working with state agencies and the legislature on funding and finding respite care. Morrow says finding enough respite care workers is also a problem. Morrow says those health care workers… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- What was Valentine’s Day for many Americans was much more somber for about 20 residents of the Black Hills, who braved the cold for a candlelight vigil last night hosted by the Red Ribbon Skirt Society. The group, head by Lily Mendoza, cried, prayed, and smudged themselves in sage in remembrance of… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A Republican-backed measure to expand Medicaid in South Dakota and keep it from the ballot this fall has failed to move farther than the South Dakota Senate.  Senator Wayne Steinhauer says expanding Medicaid is already at a 60-percent approval in the public’s eye before any campaigning has started. Senator John Wiik of Big… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Governor Kristi Noem is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Office Summer 2022 internship programs. Student interns will work with staff on various projects depending on interests and strengths. Additional duties include aiding the governor’s general counsel, constituent services, and communications team; conducting policy research; preparing policy briefings; and staffing events.… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- The State of South Dakota, according to one metric, has the highest rate of depression among LGBTQ people in America. The national data, acquired from a HelpAdvisor report, found 87 percent of members of South Dakota’s queer community – or nearly 40,000 people – have reported feelings of depression at least once… Read more »