PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Governor Kristi Noem proposed a budget increase of six percent aimed at state employees, health care workers and state aid to education. Eric Olilla, Executive Director of the South Dakota State Employees Organization, says they will push for more than that. Olilla says the Noem Administration has focused on economic growth through the… Read more »

CANTON, S.D.(WNAX)- As South Dakota legislators prepare for the start of the 2022 session next week, many of them are also thinking about their election prospects this fall. Senator Jim Bolin of Canton says he hasn’t decided if he will run for a fourth term in the Senate. The deadline to file election petitions is… Read more »

VERMILLION, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators are preparing bills for introduction into the 2022 session that starts next Tuesday. Senator Art Rusch of Vermillion, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, says he has some ideas on criminal sentencing. Rusch says some of the sentencing guidelines need to be clarified and updated. Rusch says judges are sometimes limited… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Child Support Commission was supposed to issue a report to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and the legislature by the end of last year on possible changes to the system. The Governor has signed off on a three-month extension so the board can finish their work. Commission member, Representative Mike Stevens of… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – Todd Forkel, Regional President and CEO of Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, S.D., and CEO of Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, S.D., has announced plans to leave Avera to become the new CEO of Altru Health System based in Grand Forks, N.D. “Todd has been such a positive leadership… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- KXLG reached out to speak with Senator Lee Schoenbeck about the upcoming legislative sessions, but he first dropped a big announcement. Lee shared some thoughts on the future. Lee expands on why this would be his last term if re-elected. Schoenbeck is with the Republican Party, if he has opposition the primary will… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A primary is likely in the District 24 Senate race.  Former Pierre City Commissioner Jim Mehlhaff filed committee papers Tuesday says and family and God played a big part in his decision to run. The Republican will be retiring from a state job at the Department of Labor and Regulation this spring and… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The rising cost of groceries is also hitting the food banks that supply the hungry. Megan Kjose, Development Director for Feeding South Dakota, says they are being hit with the same increases. Kjose says all of their supplies are costing more. Kjose says through the last few months of last year, they had… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The surge in Covid-19 infections seems to be accelerating with health care providers seeing the evidence. Liz Healy, infection control specialist with Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, says they have been close to capacity for several weeks. Healy says those infected with Covid-19 stay longer in the hospital. Healy says they are… Read more »