PIERRE, S.D.(KWAT)–The state budget that South Dakota lawmakers set during this year’s session begins to come into focus this week. SenatePresident Lee Schoenbeck of Watertown. Schoenbeck sees two priorities when it comes to putting together the Fiscal Year budget. The budget bill is traditionally one of the last pieces of legislation passed. The main run… Read more »

FORT PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Improvements continue to be made at Fort Pierre’s Cedar Hill Cemetery. Cemetery Board Chair Doug Mortenson says a kiosk that will provide a map of the graves and some history about the cemetery is being built. Mortenson says in some cases, the records of who is buried where weren’t kept up to… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(Press Release) Over $400,000 of equipment was approved for Lake Area Technical College, including anatomy tables and multiple airplanes; best of all, the College will be primarily covered by grants funds from the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development. LATC President Tiffany Sanderson explains more about the anatomy tables. A two-part request for… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG) The Watertown School Board decided Tuesday how to redistribute the children in the remaining schools in consideration of the Arrow Early Childhood Plan, with the board in agreeance it’s a better plan than the partner school concept. Watertown Superintendent Dr. Jeff Danielsen explains some background. The concept consists of McKinley Elementary becoming an… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – Alumni of the 2023 Leadership Aberdeen Class, along with the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Downtown Association and the Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, will be kicking off the 2nd Annual Aberdeen Burger Battle on April 1st. Proceeds from the month-long event will benefit the Salvation Army of Aberdeen.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA) – Jason Ravnsborg, the impeached former attorney general of South Dakota, made his case before the state’s Supreme Court Wednesday morning to avoid the suspension of his law license for a two year period of time. The complaint comes from the South Dakota Bar Association’s disciplinary committee, which is specifically seeking a 26… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — Bills attempting to increase gun owners’ responsibilities to report stolen firearms and to keep firearms secure went down in defeat in a House committee Wednesday. Democratic Rep. Linda Duba from Sioux Falls sponsored HB1153 and HB1174. HB1153 would have imposed a reporting requirement if a gun owner lost a gun or… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — Pornographic websites would need to institute age verification under a bill passed Wednesday in a House committee. The House Judiciary Committee passed HB1257 13 to 0. The sponsor, Republican Rep. Bethany Soye from Sioux Falls, says the porn industry is “predatory” and “actively works to snare children.” She said similar bills… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- The South Senate Taxation Committee heard testimony Wednesday on SB32.  The bill provide for the distribution of tax revenue from certain gross receipts occurring on fairgrounds. Prime sponsor of the bill was Senator Al Novstrup of Aberdeen who talks about what the bill does. Novstrup talks about what would be reimbursed back to… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release) – On Tuesday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his handling of the southern border. Johnson released the following statement explaining why:(1:20)