PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The newly combined South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources began operations this week. Department Secretary Hunter Roberts says the jury is out with those who are skeptical about the merger of the agencies and what effectiveness they will have. He says operations for both ends of the department are proceeding well.… Read more »

BALTIC, S.D.(WNAX)- Former legislator Tim Rave of Baltic has been appointed to the Board of Regents by Governor Kristi Noem. Rave says he worked closely with the Regents during his thirteen years in the legislature. Rave says the rising costs of higher education is an ongoing problem. Rave says there needs to be a balance… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Under the latest federal stimulus plan, the State of South Dakota could get another billion dollars or so. The interim Appropriations Committee of the legislature meets Friday and Co-Chair, Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says they will need more information on how the state can spend the dollars. Hunhoff says the Governors office… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- As Governor Kristi Noem appoints several members to the South Dakota Board of Regents, a long-time former member says it’s a good time to reflect on their mission. Kevin Schieffer says the pandemic showed that the universities can move fairly quickly at times. Schieffer says the Board has to constantly refocus on their… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- As the school year wraps up, students aren’t the only ones looking to move on. Tom Oster, with Dakota Educational Consultants, says they are seeing lots of openings for Superintendents. Oster says they are seeing a different trend this year. Oster’s company helps find candidates for school boards to interview. He says each… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The rolling power blackouts during the extensive February cold wave are still being investigated. South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Chairman Chris Nelson says the Southwest Power Pool is leading the study. Frigid air plunged deep into Texas, causing damage to power plants, forcing utilities in fourteen states to roll the outages to prevent… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota State University Extension specialists are offering short educational seminars on COVID 19 Vaccine safety for dairy workers. SDSU Extension Dairy Specialist Dr. Maristela Rovai says they received federal funding from a grant from the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety. She says some of the workers are reluctant… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- Following the high-profile conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, police departments across the nation are taking time to assess the situation. This is also true in Rapid City, where RCPD spokesperson Brendyn Medina said the case provided a moment of reflection for officers. Medina… Read more »