WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT) — Watertown police say a train derailment in the city blocked a rail crossing for a period of time Monday night. Sergeant Trevor Barthel says the derailment happened just before 6 p.m. in the 500-block of 4th Avenue Southwest. A train with a plow mounted on the front engine was traveling southbound on… Read more »
News Category: Local News
Big Stone City Senator introduces ‘preemptive legislation’ bill
WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT) — Big Stone City Senator John Wiik has introduced a bill he’s calling, “preemptive legislation.” Senate Bill 54 would prevent local government entities in South Dakota from banning plastic bags and plastic straws—a move that has been made in other areas of the country. Wiik explains why he became involved in authoring… Read more »
Governor’s first year dominated by natural disasters
PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem says her first year in office was dominated by an assortment of natural disasters. The state had flooding, tornadoes and snowstorms that caused damage across a wide area last year. Noem says she thinks she had a pretty typical first year. Noem says there were some… Read more »
Changes to criminal reform bill priority for Ravnsborg
PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Making changes to a criminal reform bill passed in 2016 is a priority for South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. He says the bill, SB-70, allowing the use of presumptive probation, gets in the way of drug enforcement. Ravnsborg says drug offenses should add up and be more restrictive. Ravnsborg says… Read more »
Lawmakers return to Pierre following holiday
WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT) — South Dakota lawmakers get back to work today after enjoying an extended weekend off due to the Martin Luther King Junior holiday. Representative Hugh Bartels of Watertown is the prime sponsor of a bill that would eliminate the word “Institute” from South Dakota’s four technical schools, and replace it with the… Read more »
Annual Carnival of Silver Skates Sunday in Groton
ABERDEEN, S.D. (HubCityRadio.com) – The 82nd Annual Carnival of Silver Skates will take place Sunday, Jan. 26 in Groton. Performances are set for 2 and 6:30 p.m. The carnival will feature skaters in a variety of age groups, ranging from preschool through high school. Lindsey Tietz, chairperson for the event, discussed this year’s theme. She… Read more »
Johnson likely to run for re-election
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNAX) – While he has not made an official announcement yet, South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson says he will likely run for re-election this year. He says there is too much politics already. Johnson, who has been fundraising, says he will make it official soon. Johnson says he can run on his work… Read more »
Revenue lower for South Dakota state parks and rec areas
PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Visitation and revenues at South Dakota state parks dropped last year compared to 2018. Al Nedved, assistant director of the parks division gave the numbers to the Game, Fish and Parks Commission at their meeting last week. Nedved says the big drop was in camping revenue. Nedved says the numbers of… Read more »
Yankton Co. Townships looking at joining Turner Co. or forming own county
YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – Residents in four northeast Yankton County townships have held meetings and talked about starting a petition drive that could lead to them leaving the county and joining Turner County or forming their own county. Yankton County Commission Chair Cheri Loest says she has talked to some of those residents. Loest says… Read more »
Arrests for drugs, aggravated assaults, vehicle thefts soar in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) – Rapid City’s police chief says arrests for drugs, aggravated assaults, and vehicle thefts are the highest they’ve been since 2012. Chief Karl Jegeris noted that said drug arrests have more than doubled since 2012. The Rapid City Journal reported Sunday that police officers made 1,567 drug arrests in 2019, compared… Read more »