BROOKINGS, S.D. (WNAX) – Governor Kristi Noem has moved to merge the Department of Environment and Natural Resources into the Ag Department. Legislators will have the final say on that proposal. Senator V.J. Smith of Brookings is the incoming Chairman of the Ag and Natural Resources Committee and says he is neutral on the idea… Read more »
News Author: Dave Vilhauer
Committee encouraging businesses to examine details on applications
WATERTOWN, S.D. (KXLG) — The South Dakota Legislative Appropriations committee is encouraging South Dakota businesses to cross the T’s and dot the I’s when it comes to their applications for Federal COVID dollars. The committee met in Pierre earlier and among topics discussed was the disbursement those dollars. Among the members is Representative Hugh Bartels… Read more »
Officials will have to scramble to get marijuana rules ready
PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota voters approved two ballot issues that will legalize the use of medicinal and recreational marijuana. Dave Owen, President of the state Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says the legislature can’t make any changes to “Amendment A”, but may try something on “IM26.” Owen says there will be a scramble… Read more »
Pandemic expected to cut into Black Friday sales
OMAHA, Neb. (WNAX) – A very different and possibly difficult holiday shopping season is ahead for retailers. The ongoing pandemic is expected to sharply cut into traditional black Friday sales. Ernie Goss, an economics professor at Creighton University in Omaha, says many businesses will have a hard time finding full and part time workers. Goss… Read more »
Nesiba says Democrats may be stretched a bit during session
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (WNAX) – When the 2021 session of the South Dakota legislature is gaveled in, there will be three Democrats in the 35-member state Senate. One of those, Senator Reynold Nesiba of Sioux Falls, says they will be stretched a bit. Nesiba says their numbers fall far short of what they should be.… Read more »
Stockholm man identified in fatal crash north of Watertown
WATERTOWN, S.D. (Press Release) – A Stockholm, S.D. man has been identified as the person who died Wednesday night in a two-vehicle crash north of Watertown. Both vehicles were northbound on Interstate 29. A 1969 Ford Mustang was rear-ended by a 2011 Chevrolet 2500 pickup. The Mustang went into the east ditch and rolled. Charles… Read more »
ABBY Awards handed out
ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – What has traditionally been a one-night event to honor local businesses in an in-person format turned into a week-long virtual event for 2020. ABBY Awards were delivered to ten award winners, two per day, November 16-20 immediately after they were announced live on the Chamber’s Facebook page. All of this… Read more »
One killed in two-vehicle crash south of Aurora
AURORA, S.D. (Press Release) – One man has died of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash Friday night south of Aurora. Names of the six people involved are not yet being released pending notification of family members. A 2010 Ford Taurus was westbound on South Dakota Highway 324 when it hit a deer that had… Read more »
Deadline for K-12 Connect program is today
PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – Today (Nov. 20) is the enrollment deadline for the new South Dakota K-12 Connect program. Gov. Kristi Noem says the program provides free internet service to eligible K-12 students in their homes for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Eligible South Dakota households should have received a letter identifying… Read more »
SDSU conducts nearly 3,000 COVID tests on campus
BROOKINGS, S.D. (KJJQ) – South Dakota State University set a goal of making it to Thanksgiving with students on campus. They have done so and President Barry Dunn says he’s very proud of the effort put forth. Students will finish classes next Tuesday, take a Thanksgining break and then prepare for finals, which will be… Read more »