PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- As finances and enrollments stabilize, the drive for school consolidations have cooled off. Tom Oster, with Dakota Education Consultants, says he is working with a few districts talking about consolidation. Oster says money isn’t always the deciding factor in merging districts. Oster says new technology including remote learning has helped slow down the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- It appears the chances for a special session of the South Dakota legislature this spring are very low. Governor Kristi Noem had said a special session would be needed to deal with the billions of new federal dollars coming to the state and rules for medical marijuana. House Majority Leader Kent Peterson of… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – On Friday night, April 30, the Northern State University Jazz Ensembles will perform a “Jazz Swing Concert” in the Johnson Fine Arts Center’s Jewett Theater. This concert is in place of the 15-year tradition of ending the semester with a swing dance at the Ward Hotel, Shrine Ballroom, former American Legion… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(DRGNews)- U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) released the following statement in response to President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress: “The past year has challenged Americans as our country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic and recover from the economic crisis it caused. I believe our brightest days lie ahead – but… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- As the weather warms and the pandemic fades, South Dakota could see lots of visitors this summer. State Tourism Department Secretary Jim Hagen says despite Covid-19, last year was still pretty good. Hagen says they are getting indications of greatly increased interest in the state. Hagen says they are also hearing from businesses… Read more »

MARION, S.D.(WNAX)- Demand for new service along with a slow down in construction materials is creating some issues for rural electric cooperatives. Brad Schardin, Manager of Southeastern Electric based in Marion, says they are getting lots of requests for new and expanded services. Schardin says the demand will lead to building some new substations and… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Legislators on the interim Joint Appropriations Committee of the South Dakota legislature debated the future of the six state universities at the meeting last week. That came during discussion of the “SB55 Task Force” that is studying the Regents and the administration of the schools. Representative Steven Haugaard of Sioux Falls questioned the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Department of Transportation will be posting signs on twenty-one bridges on and near interstates due to a federal requirement on emergency vehicle weight limits. David Coley, a D.O.T. bridge management engineer, says the rules allow some of those vehicles to exceed current limits at times. Coley says large emergency vehicles… Read more »