ABERDEEN, S.D. (South Dakota Broadcasters Association) – In his written decision, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Kornmann agrees with plaintiff’s arguments that IM24 violated First Amendment rights writing, “The total ban on certain out of state contributions cannot withstand scrutiny unless the defendants can articulate a compelling reason for the ban. As a matter of law,… Read more »
News Author: Dave Vilhauer
Rechtenbaugh appointed as permanent Secretary of Dept. of Human Services
PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – Gov. Kristi Noem announced that Shawnie Rechtenbaugh has been appointed as the permanent Secretary of the Department of Human Services (DHS). Rechtenbaugh has been serving as the interim secretary since January 2019. “I’m pleased that Shawnie as agreed to serve in this role on a permanent basis,” said Noem. “Shawnie… Read more »
Confucius Institute at Northern State to close
ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – The Confucius Institute at Northern State University will close effective June 21, 2020. The decision was made after a thorough review of Northern’s international programs and activities. The university seeks to shift resources strategically toward services more aligned with its mission, including study abroad programs. “This was a difficult decision,… Read more »
Number of farms declining in South Dakota
ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — The latest federal census of agriculture finds the number of farms in South Dakota has dropped. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2017 census, South Dakota’s farmland was worked by fewer farming operations from 2012 to 2017. The census is conducted every five years. Statewide, more than 43 million acres… Read more »
Water levels start to recede, still over full at Lake Poinsett
LAKE POINSETT, S.D. (KXLG) – Water levels have begun to recede at Lake Poinsett in eastern South Dakota, however lake levels remain more than six foot over full this week. Hamlin County Emergency Management Director Dave Schaefer says the lake level has gone down about four inches, but that new rains near an inch… Read more »
FEMA officials to look at damage in South Dakota
YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in South Dakota the next couple of weeks, looking at damages from storms and flooding earlier this year. FEMA Spokesman Daniel Breen says they are getting a first look at the damages. Breen says they are looking at individual damage in a… Read more »
Suicide determined as likely cause of death for Brown County jail inmate
ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — An official of the South Dakota attorney general’s office says a Brown County Jail inmate apparently killed himself. Twenty-eight-year-old Mitchell Morrison of Aberdeen was found unresponsive in the jail in Aberdeen with a noose around his neck Thursday night. Morrison died three days later at a Sioux Falls hospital. Tim Bormann,… Read more »
Drug Court celebrates 70th graduate
PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – Officials with the Sixth Circuit DUI/Drug Court celebrated the 70th person to graduate from the program Wednesday. The keynote speaker for the event was Governor Kristi Noem, who was attending her first drug court graduation. Mary Kay Schad is one of three participants scheduled to graduate from the program, however two… Read more »
Johnson says trade talks reaching critical stage
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNAX) – U.S. and Chinese trade talks are supposed to start again today in Washington facing a Friday deadline of higher tariffs imposed by President Trump. South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson says this is a critical time. Johnson says these continue to be difficult negotiations. Johnson says he is concerned that even a… Read more »
Emerald Ash Borers likely to continue to spread
BROOKINGS, S.D. (WNAX) – Emerald Ash Borers are in the region and will continue to spread. South Dakota State University Extension Forestry Specialist John Ball says the bugs are still in the Sioux Falls area. Ball says its expected the bugs will continue to spread, killing ash trees along the way. Ball says you need… Read more »