The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $55.2 million in competitive grant funding available geared to small and mid-sized meat and poultry processors. Brock Asplen who runs Brock’s Butcher Block in Onida, South Dakota says the USDA is seeing the need out there for more small and medium sized processors and is working to help them.… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The Seventh annual South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation’s Prime Time Gala event this past weekend raised over $253,000 this year for Feeding South Dakota.  The total amount donated from the Foundation since the Gala’s start in 2014 is now over $1.7 million dollars. Feeding South Dakota CEO Matt Gassen says the donation helps them purchase… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- Negotiations between the Biden Administration and Congress over an infrastructure funding bill continue. Talks have been ongoing over a one trillion-dollar spending proposal. South Dakota Senator John Thune says there are republicans that could support a compromise. Thune says there is wide agreement on the need for infrastructure improvements. With a gas tax increase off the table, Thune says they have to… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- In another step to bringing Denver Air Connection to Pierre, City Commissioners gave approval Tuesday night to the lease agreement with Key Lime Air for use of Pierre Regional Airport facilities. Airport Manager Cameron Howard says the agreement is similar to previous leases made with carriers taking part in the Essential Air Service… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The “Adult Use Marijuana Study” subcommittee of the South Dakota legislature met Tuesday in Pierre. The name refers to recreational use of marijuana, which was approved by voters last November, but is still under a court challenge. During the hearing, Clay County States Attorney Alexis Tracy told the committee there are a number… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators are struggling to come up with rules to help guide the implementation of medical marijuana approved by voters last November. During a subcommittee hearing this week, Senator V.J. Smith of Brookings said there are major outstanding issues with “IM26”. Smith says its hard to know how much voters knew about… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- There are some big shoes – or rather paws – to fill at the Rapid City Fire Department. Cisco, the first dog to be employed by the department will be retiring this Friday as a result of deteriorating health following a seven year career with RCFD. RCFD public information officer Tessa Jaeger… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The School Administrators of South Dakota held their summer convention last week in Deadwood. Vermillion School Superintendent Damon Alvey says it was a pretty relieved tone. Alvey says districts found they had the capability to move to remote learning due to the pandemic. Alvey says most districts found solid support from their communities.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A task force set up by last years legislature has completed its work and given their recommendations to the South Dakota Board of Regents. Regents Executive Director Brian Maher says the “SB55” report will help them focus their new strategic plan. The task force included ideas like centralizing university purchasing, food plans and… Read more »