OMAHA, N.E.(KELO)- Our regional economy is showing more signs of struggle. Creighton University’s monthly Rural Mainstreet Index remains in negative territory…for the fifth straight month. Economist Ernie Goss says South Dakota is one of the few bright spots in the 10-state survey of smaller community bankers. Goss says higher borrowing costs, tighter credit and weaker… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- The South Dakota Senate Commerce & Energy Committee unanimously passed SB 35. It would give lottery winners the right to consent or not to have their name and likeness used in promotional materials following a significant lottery win. The sponsor, Republican Sen. Brent Hoffman from Hartford, said South Dakota is supposed to be… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — A bill clarifying that medical marijuana users can be banned from “safety-sensitive” jobs passes the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee Thursday. The committee also passes a bill giving lottery winners a choice of whether to make their name and likeness public. Lobbyists for the construction trades and retailers supported SB12, the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A bill to put members of the South Dakota Legislature on the Capitol Complex Beautification and Restoration Commission has passed the South Dakota House.  House Bill 1011 will pulled from the consent calendar by Representative Tina Mullaly.  It was presented by Representative Will Mortenson. Mullaly got no answers from Mortenson about the bill.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A bill in the South Dakota Legislation that would adjust how South Dakota deals with daylight saving time has run out of time in the House State Affairs Committee.  District 20 Representative Ben Krohmer of Mitchell says House Bill 1009 would adjust the state’s time zones and not clocks. Fort Pierre is in… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KJJQ)- The Senate State Affairs Committee passes a bill(SB20) that would establish the crime of threatening or intimidating an election official or election worker. It was brought on behalf of the Secretary of State. Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Deadrick says election workers around the country report being threatened. He says it hasn’t been… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Visitor spending and total visitation each set all-time records in South Dakota in 2023. Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism Jim Hagen says people are seeing their message and following through by coming to the state. During 2024, Hagen says they’ll build on some of Travel South Dakota’s past marketing successes… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- The Pierre Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol has a new leader. Commander Ruth Carly will continue in her roll as the Pierre Squadron’s Character Development Instructor, but she turned leadership over to Captain Jon Becker this week. Carly says adults are not required to be in the military in order to… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — The bill’s quick march through the South Dakota House to make last year’s 0.3% sales tax cut permanent is stopped cold in a Senate committee Thursday. The Senate Appropriations Committee tabled HB1001 on a 7-2 vote. The current law sunsets–ends–the decrease to a 4.2% sales tax rate from 4.5% on June… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — The South Dakota Senate Wednesday passes a bill that tightens residency requirements to obtain an in-state hunting or fishing license. SB54 passed 33 to 0. The sponsor, Democratic Sen. Liz Larson from Sioux Falls, said in-state licenses should be reserved for actual residents. She added that recreational vehicle owners with mailboxes… Read more »