SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A Sioux Falls nursing home has confirmed eight cases of COVID-19 among residents and employees. The Good Samaritan Village on Thursday said that five residents and two employees at its skilled nursing facility have tested positive for COVID-19 along with one employee in its assisted living facility. The Good Samaritan… Read more »
News Author: Dave Vilhauer
Noem says it’s not time yet to reopen economy
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — Governor Kristi Noem says it’s not yet time to start reopening South Dakota’s economy. At least not until after the COVID-19 peak in South Dakota, she says, which is expected in mid-June. States are debating when and how to reopen and President Trump was unveiling new guidelines to help them make… Read more »
Rural Mainstreet Index at lowest level ever
OMAHA, Neb. (WNAX) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index plunged to its lowest level ever this month as the impacts of the pandemic are being felt on Main Streets. Professor Ernie Goss coordinates the survey. The survey contacts mostly rural bankers in the ten state Mid America region. Goss says it looks like a… Read more »
Watertown driver exam station to move to appointment only
PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – Watertown’s driver licensing exam station will open starting Tuesday, April, 21, by “appointment only” to help those who are applying for new commercial driving licenses (CDL) or new CDL endorsements. CDL testing will be done on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Watertown exam station. Testing will be by appointment… Read more »
Milder weather next week could be preview of next few months
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (WNAX) – The milder spring weather anticipated next week could be a preview of the next few months. Pete Boulay, Assistant Minnesota State Climatologist, led this months North Central climate report and says weather for the month of May should be fairly normal. Boulay says those kind of trends are expected to continue… Read more »
Rapid City Mayor announces plan for large-scale shelter for homeless
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KBHB) — Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender announced Wednesday that an effort to set up a large-scale shelter for homeless persons who are positive for COVID-19 is under way. The shelter would be set up in Rushmore Hall at the now-closed Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, and be operated by city and county… Read more »
Work progressing on Northern State sports complex
ABERDEEN, S.D. (HubCityRadio.com) – Work is progressing as scheduled on the new Northern State football stadium and softball field. Despite nearly every sector of society being impact by COVID-19, ground work has started to help pave the way for the Dacotah Bank Stadium and Koehler Hall of Fame Field. Justin Fraase, Director of Communications and… Read more »
SDSU Extension Swine Specialist shares thoughts on shutdowns
BROOKINGS, S.D. (WNAX) – The COVID-19 pandemic has added stress to an already depressed ag economy. There have been several shutdowns of processing plants in the northern plains causing a backup of hogs at pork operations. SDSU Extension Swine Specialist Dr. Bob (taller) Thaler says one way to deal with that holdup is to put… Read more »
Retailers Director says questions abound about Paycheck Protection Plan
PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The Paycheck Protection Plan was funded through the rescue bill passed by Congress a couple of weeks ago to help keep small businesses afloat. South Dakota Retailers Association Executive Director Nathan Sanderson says they have been working through those program issues with their members. Sanderson says each business has distinct needs… Read more »
State seeing record-setting unemployment claims
PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – Last week (April 5-11), over 6,100 (6,152) initial weekly claims for unemployment benefits were filed with the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Gov. Kristi Noem says it’s a decrease of almost 2,000 claims from the week before, but still historic numbers for the state. Unemployment claimants who have… Read more »