PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem outlined her proposed 2022 State Budget during an address to state legislators Tuesday in Pierre. She listed three priorities, one of which is strengthening communities. Noem also proposed specific increases for education and state employees. The Governor also offered to provide different health insurance options… Read more »
News Author: Dave Vilhauer
Committee receives update on CARES Act money
PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The State of South Dakota got about $1.2 billion from the federal government earlier this year to help offset costs from the COVID-19 pandemic. There was still about $400 million of that remaining which has to be spent by the end of the year. Liza Clark, Commissioner of the Bureau of… Read more »
Conditions ideal for prescribed burns in Black Hills National Forest
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Forest management is crucial for a healthy ecosystem, but also helps prevent disastrous wildfires like those seen this summer, which is why rangers in the Black Hills National Forest have focused on prescribed burns while the weather permits. Scott Jacobson, public affairs officer for the Black Hills National Forest, said… Read more »
Number of COVID patients very high at Avera McKennan
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (WNAX) – While new COVID-19 infection numbers in South Dakota are slowing down, hospitals are still close to capacity. Dr Michael Elliott, Medical Director at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, says their numbers are very high. Elliot says many of the COVID patients need long term care. Elliot says they are… Read more »
Schools continue to meet accountability rules for teacher pay
PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota schools have had to meet accountability rules for teacher pay for the past four years. Those rules and teacher pay increases came from recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force in 2015. Cody Stoeser, the director of Finance and Management for the Department of Education, updated the Interim Joint… Read more »
Seiler fills position on Fort Pierre City Council
FORT PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The Fort Pierre City Council has filled the Ward III Council seat being vacated by Mike Weisgram. Fort Pierre Mayor Gloria Hanson made the announcement. She says Seiler has a wealth of experience with the city including prior time on the Council. The appointment of Seiler to the Fort Pierre… Read more »
Brookings man dies from injuries sustained in crash north of Brookings
BROOKINGS, S.D. (Press Release) – A 31-year-old Brookings man has died of injuries sustained in a one-vehicle crash that occurred early Saturday morning north of Brookings. A 2004 Ford F-150 pickup was northbound on 470th Avenue when the driver lost control. The vehicle went into the east ditch, went back across the roadway and into… Read more »
Noem proposes $4M to replace Elm Lake dam
PIERRE, S.D. (From American News Staff Reports) – Gov. Kristi Noem has proposed spending $4 million in state money to replace the Elm Lake dam. She made the proposal in her annual budget address Tuesday afternoon in Pierre. Elm Lake is the source to about one-third of Aberdeen’s drinking water, the governor said. She said… Read more »
Active infections and hospitalizations down slightly, one new death
PIERRE, S.D. (HubCityRadio.com) – The state’s COVID-19 numbers did not alter much according to totals released by the South Dakota Department of Health today. The state had 539 new confirmed cases and 568 recoveries, lowering the amount of active infections by 29 to 16,783. Hospitalizations were down by 12 and there was one new COVID-releated… Read more »
Rapid City City Council tables mask mandate ordinance
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A mask mandate drew a capacity crowd to Rapid City Hall where public comment and debate on the proposed ordinance for nearly two and a-half hours. In the end, the City Council voted to table the mask ordinance Monday night. Mayor Steve Allender cast the tie-breaking vote to effectively kill… Read more »