PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- While there are some instances of people getting the coronavirus despite being vaccinated, top health experts point to overwhelming evidence that the shots dramatically reduce severe symptoms and death. The surge in cases comes as the delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading and Avera St. Mary’s Hospital president and Chief Medical Officer Dr.… Read more »
News Category: Local News
Backers of initiative to expand Medicaid are picking up their petition drive
YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Backers of a drive to put an initiative to expand Medicaid on next years general election ballot are stepping up the petition passing. Rick Weiland with “Dakotans 4 Health” says they have a lot of people out gathering signatures. Weiland says they want to overshoot the minimum number of signatures needed. Those petitions… Read more »
Sanford will require COVID-19 vaccinations for their doctors & nurses by November 1st
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 »
Feeding South Dakota announces their new CEO
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 »
Two people drowned in the Missouri River near Farm Island
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 Fire Department assisting with wildfires in the western states
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 »
Update on Elm Lake Dam project
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 »
SD Appropriation Committee Wednesday received updates on the state’s financial status
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 »
SD democrats launch SDVote to try to boost voter registration
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 »
The new superintendent in Freeman prepping for the upcoming school year
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 »