PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – Governor Kristi Noem has ordered flags at the South Dakota State Capitol to be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. until sunset on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, to honor the life of T. Loren Christianson, a former legislator. Christianson served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1977 until… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT) — A nice gift today for an Aberdeen man as he and his family boarded a flight from Watertown to Chicago. Chuck Driscoll was the 10,000th passenger to board a flight at Watertown Regional Airport (ATY) in 2019. Mayor Sarah Caron was on hand for the announcement, and gave Driscoll a gift… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – The Department of Public Safety has announced that FEMA denied the state’s appeal for a presidential disaster declaration covering severe weather damage done in six South Dakota counties from Aug. 2-11, 2019. South Dakota officials had requested a disaster declaration for Public Assistance to damage done by severe storms, tornadoes… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – South Dakota’s Fire Marshal reminds people to enjoy all the great food this Thanksgiving holiday, but also to be mindful that fires occur more often this time of year. Nationwide, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. Fire Marshal Paul Merriman says that makes home fire safety even… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota Highway Patrol Troopers will be out in force this weekend as holiday traffic peaks. Highway Patrol Superintendent, Colonel Rick Miller says fatal accidents are down this year. Miller says people driving need to stay focused on the road. Miller says they are also asking people to fasten their seat… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – Governor Kristi Noem is seeking public input for a District 35 Senate vacancy. The opening was created after current State Senator Lyndi DiSanto announced her resignation effective Dec. 31, 2019. “State legislators are ambassadors for their home districts, and I look forward to collaborating with folks in District 35 to… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D. (WNAX) – Dakota Rural Action will be holding their third annual forum on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in Watertown on Dec. 6. DRA Organizer Rebecca Terk says the purpose of the workshop is to train county officials, so they better understand the permitting process for CAFOs. She says they’ll talk about environmental and… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Homelessness remains more prevalent in Sioux Falls than other similarly sized cities, despite the area’s decade-long effort to eradicate it, according to a new report. In 2005, Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County officials set out to eradicate homelessness by 2015 with the establishment of the Homeless Advisory Board. But the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – For many people the Thanksgiving holiday wouldn’t be complete without a “Black Friday” shopping expedition. Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director for the South Dakota Retailers Association, says the attraction seems to keeps growing. Sanderson says the focus of “Black Friday” has changed over the past few years. Sanderson says despite the attention… Read more »

PLATTE, S.D. (WNAX) – The Industrial Hemp Committee of the South Dakota legislature holds its final meeting of the interim next Monday in Pierre. Committee Chairman, Representative Lee Qualm of Platte says they were disappointed in the federal rules on hemp that were released last month. Qualm says their proposed bill will be similar to… Read more »