PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – Gov. Kristi Noem says the state has created an internal task force to prepare South Dakota for the possibility of a new coronavirus outbreak. The governor called the threat of an outbreak in the state “very low.” Here’s what she told reporters during a conference call on Thursday. But she is… Read more »

CONDE, S.D. (WNAX) – The Farm Service Agency is rolling out a pilot conservation program in five states including South Dakota. The idea for SHIPP, the Soil Health and Income Protection Program was brought to Senator John Thune from the South Dakota Farmers Union. President Doug Sombke says they see value in this program. He… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The South Dakota Farm Bureau is tracking two major bills effecting agriculture in the 2020 State Legislature. Farm Bureau Lobbyist Mike Held says one they’re backing is Senate Bill 170 that just passed the Senate. He says it’s a capital outlay bill supported by a coalition of agricultural groups, education, businesses,… Read more »

VERMILLION, S.D. (WNAX) – A bill passed by last year’s legislature mandated that all state universities develop a free speech policy and submit a report to the state each year. University of South Dakota President Sheila Gestring says they continue to work with that policy. Gestring says the speaker is a result of a request… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A 30-year-old man who was delivering pizza died after being shot on Bragstad Drive, near 26th Street and Cleveland Avenue. According to Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens, the shooting happened around 8:40 p.m. Wednesday. At this point, the only description of the a possible suspect is a man… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem says the state has created an internal task force to prepare South Dakota for the possibility of a new coronavirus outbreak. The Republican governor called the threat of an outbreak in the state “very low.” But she is making sure that physicians can test for the virus and… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (KJJQ) – The South Dakota House passes a bill to deal with the dispute between rural electrics and municipal utilities. Rural electric cooperatives are unhappy with municipal electrics taking over service areas when their city expands. The rurals had been pushing for a freeze. A compromise measure — House Bill 1262 — would… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is holding a recruitment event in South Dakota in March to hire food safety inspectors. FSIS is the agency responsible for protecting the public’s health by ensuring the safety of the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry and processed… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota Senate committee has narrowly rejected a measure that would have criminalized commercial surrogate pregnancy agents, making it unlikely for such a ban to win approval this year. The Senate Health and Human Services voted down the bill 4-3 Wednesday, after a debate pitting some families who have used… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The industrial hemp legislation received unanimous approval this week in a Senate Committee after passing the South Dakota House earlier. South Dakota Farmers Union backs the measure and their lobbyist, Mitch (rick-tur) Richter says lawmakers and the Governor are still at odds on the funding needed for the program. He says… Read more »