PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Sanford Health is requiring all employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination by Nov. 1. At this point, Avera Health has not issued a similar mandate. Sanford Health president and CEO Bill Gassen says the vaccine requirement is another step toward providing the safest possible environment for patients, residents and staff. He says as… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- Officials with Feeding South Dakota have announced who will be replacing C-E-O Matt Gassen after 22 years in that role.  Feeding South Dakota Board Chair Jim Stavanger says Lori Dykstra of Sioux Falls has been selected from dozens of applicants. Stavenger says Dykstra’s 20 years of leadership experience is a plus for the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The bodies of two people have been recovered from the Missouri River near Farm Island southeast of Pierre.  Hughes County Sheriff Patrick Callahan says a report was received just after 11 PM on Wednesday of two missing individuals last seen fishing at Farm Island.  Sheriff’s Deputies and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- An already lean Rapid City Fire Department has seen some specialist crews called to fight wildland fires throughout the interior west. Tessa Jaeger, public information officer for RCFD, said the crews have been sent to Nevada and Wyoming. While new firefighters are being hired and teams will be returning soon, in the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The dry weather this summer has at least one benefit, and that is making repair work on several dams easier. School & Public Lands Commissioner Ryan Brunner says they have a big project on the Elm Lake Dam in Brown County. That project will cost about seven million dollars. Brunner says they have… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Joint Committee on Appropriations of the South Dakota legislature got a detailed update on the states financial standing at their meeting in Pierre Wednesday. Derek Johnson with the Bureau of Finance and Management had an overview of actual tax collections in the past fiscal year. Johnson says the state got a big… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota democrats are starting an initiative this summer and fall called “SDVote” to get people on the voter registration lists. Democratic party Executive Director Berk Ehrmantraut says it’s an outreach effort. Ehrmantraut says they will focus on native American areas and on people who may have fallen off the voter rolls. Ehrmantraut… Read more »

FREEMAN, S.D.(WNAX)- The first day of school for many districts across South Dakota is a little over a month away. Jake Tietje took over as Superintendent at Freeman Public School on July first. He says he has been impressed with the school and community. Tietje says he thinks small districts like Freeman can continue to… Read more »

HURON, S.D.(WNAX)- The major fundraiser for the South Dakota Sheep Grower’s Association is set for Saturday at Magnus Livestock in Huron. It’s the South Dakota Premium Yearling Ewe (you) Sale and features consignors from South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado. Sheep Grower’s Executive Secretary Lisa Surber says it’s a great opportunity for producers to buy quality… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D.(WNAX)- The “High Octane Low Carbon Alliance” is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to propose a higher-octane fuel standard as the agency updates its greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger vehicles and light duty trucks. South Dakota Farmers Union is part of that coalition. President Doug Sombke says they’re gaining support from more groups… Read more »