A Senate Bill that would appropriate state funding as a match on a project to improve rail infrastructure between Fort Pierre and Midland is amended Monday before the Joint Committee on Appropriations.  Senator Jessica Castleberry says the amendment extends the project from Fort Pierre to Rapid City instead of Midland and increases the appropriation from… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- With the Joint Committee on Appropriations agreeing on revenue numbers, debate will now focus on the details. Governor Kristi Noem has recommended a two-point four percent increase for state workers, community support providers and schools. JCA Member, Senator Reynold Nesiba of Sioux Falls, says they can do better. Nesiba says community providers need… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(DRG Media)- Two marijuana reform organizations in South Dakota are hoping to offer state legislators a compromise on the timeline for legalizing medical marijuana in the state. Melissa Mentele (ment-lee) is the executive director of New Approach South Dakota. She says their compromise bill– House Bill 1100A– is an alternative to legislation recently brought… Read more »

While it has taken awhile, the long predicted La Nina climate impact seems to have taken hold. Those effects will linger for a while yet. Becky Bollinger, Colorado assistant State Climatologist moderated this months North Central Region Climate update. She says March temperatures should follow a La Nina pattern. Bollinger says areas that are dry… Read more »

Washington, D.C.(Press Release) – Following the Biden Administration’s string of executive orders, 17 Republican governors issued a joint letter calling for President Biden to withdraw Executive Order 14008. The extreme order kills good-paying jobs across the country and threatens America’s energy independence and national security. Local economies are still trying to recover from shutdowns related… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – The Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce’s 16th Annual Community Champions Awards Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, March 9th from 11 am – 1pm at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center. The luncheon, hosted by the Chamber’s Ambassador Committee and sponsored by Prairie Family Business Association, recognizes volunteer leaders and… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Legislators are back in Pierre for another four-day week. House Majority Leader Kent Peterson of Salem says budget discussions will get more intense. Peterson says bills will move or die this week. Senate Minority Leader Troy Heinert of Mission says he expects a lot of budget talk this week. Legislators could have up… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- Lawmakers in Pierre are considering impeaching South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. Articles of Impeachment could be brought in the State House as early as today and would be required to be filed no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday. House members have been privately discussing impeachment since last Thursday when Hyde County authorities… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators return to Pierre today with lots of bills waiting on debate. House Majority Leader Kent Peterson of Salem says the work is piling up. Peterson is Chairman of the State Affairs Committee and says lots of bills are on that agenda. Peterson says he supports a bill that would provide… Read more »