ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- Effective immediately the Brown County Commission has enacted an Emergency Burn Ban on ALL open burning within the boundaries of Brown County.  This said ban prohibits all open fires including burning barrels and campfires. This was put in place under Brown County Ordinance 18.02 and shall be in place until the Brown… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Senate Monday debated a resolution of disapproval of the merger of the State Ag Department and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Governor Kristi Noem had proposed the merger for the sake of efficiency.  During the debate on the resolution, republican Senator Art Rusch of Vermillion says the Ag… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – The Northern State University Music Department will present the 10th and Almost Annual Bach’s Lunch, honoring the 336th birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach, at 12pm on Wednesday, March 17. The performance will take place in the Jewett Theater in the NSU Johnson Fine Arts Center. Performers will include: Kenneth Boulton and… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota legislature is mandated to redraw election boundaries this year, but the US Census bureau is not making it easy. Official population counts won’t be available until late this year, which will shorten the time to adopt the new maps. Representative Ryan Cwach of Yankton is a member of the legislative… Read more »

YANKTON. S.D.(WNAZX)- The Corps of Engineers is getting the Missouri River reservoirs ready for spring runoff and potential flooding. Kevin Low, with the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center, says the mountain snowpack normally peaks in the next few weeks. Low says flood risk right now is very low. Low says the current outlook indicates some… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced today that she will appoint Gregg Magera to serve as judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “Gregg has spent his life in the pursuit of justice, first in private practice and then as a magistrate judge,” said Governor Noem. “I appreciate his willingness to serve the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The South Dakota House of Representatives has approved delaying impeachment proceedings against South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. House Resolution 7001 was brought by District 24 Representative Will Mortenson of Pierre who was the only member of the House to comment on the action Monday on the House Floor. Ravnsborg’s first court appearance… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A bill dealing with transgender people and sports was smoked out to the Senate floor, debated and passed. The bill, HB1217 is called “to promote fairness in women’s sports.” Senator V.J. Smith of Brookings said there is no rush to pass the bill while legal challenges are underway. Senator Maggie Sutton of Sioux… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Finding agreement on the rules for medical marijuana will be one of the tough issues South Dakota lawmakers will have to settle this week. A bill is being debated that would delay the implementation until January first. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mike Diedrich of Rapid City says they are looking for a balance.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators are back in Pierre for the final four days of the main run of the 2021 session. A budget has to be written and approved before the Thursday deadline. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair, Jean Hunhoff of Yankton, says there are still details to be settled. Hunhoff says some agencies may… Read more »