PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Making changes to a criminal reform bill passed in 2016 is a priority for South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. He says the bill, SB-70, allowing the use of presumptive probation, gets in the way of drug enforcement. Ravnsborg says drug offenses should add up and be more restrictive. Ravnsborg says… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT) — South Dakota lawmakers get back to work today after enjoying an extended weekend off due to the Martin Luther King Junior holiday. Representative Hugh Bartels of Watertown is the prime sponsor of a bill that would eliminate the word “Institute” from South Dakota’s four technical schools, and replace it with the… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D. (HubCityRadio.com) – The 82nd Annual Carnival of Silver Skates will take place Sunday, Jan. 26 in Groton. Performances are set for 2 and 6:30 p.m. The carnival will feature skaters in a variety of age groups, ranging from preschool through high school. Lindsey Tietz, chairperson for the event, discussed this year’s theme. She… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNAX) – While he has not made an official announcement yet, South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson says he will likely run for re-election this year. He says there is too much politics already. Johnson, who has been fundraising, says he will make it official soon. Johnson says he can run on his work… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Visitation and revenues at South Dakota state parks dropped last year compared to 2018. Al Nedved, assistant director of the parks division gave the numbers to the Game, Fish and Parks Commission at their meeting last week. Nedved says the big drop was in camping revenue. Nedved says the numbers of… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – Residents in four northeast Yankton County townships have held meetings and talked about starting a petition drive that could lead to them leaving the county and joining Turner County or forming their own county. Yankton County Commission Chair Cheri Loest says she has talked to some of those residents. Loest says… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) – Rapid City’s police chief says arrests for drugs, aggravated assaults, and vehicle thefts are the highest they’ve been since 2012. Chief Karl Jegeris noted that said drug arrests have more than doubled since 2012. The Rapid City Journal reported Sunday that police officers made 1,567 drug arrests in 2019, compared… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – South Dakota lawmakers are considering banning many flavors of vaping products in order to curb usage among teens. Rep. Carl Perry, an Aberdeen Republican, filed a bill Thursday that would make it illegal to sell or possess vaping flavors other than mint, menthol and tobacco. He says he decided to introduce… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota legislators are taking a three-day weekend following the first four day week of the 2020 session. Senator Craig Kennedy of Yankton says the first week has organizational meetings and speeches, but they did get some legislative work in. Kennedy says he is hearing consensus on finding funding for the… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNAX) – The U.S. Senate begins the impeachment trial of President Trump Tuesday. Much of the first day may be taken up in agreeing on the rules of procedure. South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds says those will determine the course of the trial.   Rounds says he doesn’t see the need for witnesses.… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – Preparations are underway at the state and local level for another round of flooding this spring. Yankton County Emergency Manager Paul Scherschligt says they have been briefed by state officials on possible flooding. Scherschligt says the James River is still over flood stage in areas. Scherschligt says plans take many forms.… Read more »

OMAHA, Neb. (WNAX) – As always, some states did better than others in economic performance over the past year. Ernie Goss of Creighton University in Omaha tabulates a monthly survey of businesses in the nine state Mid America region. He put together a list of how they did last year. Goss says they have made… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D. (HubCityRadio.com) – The Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is once again offering cross-country ski lessons. They will take place on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Manor Park warming house. Lessons are broken into two sections, according to Gene Morsching, Recreation Superintendent. The Beginner Lessons are from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and the Advanced… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Chairman Gary Hanson says he will run for re-election this fall. Hanson, a republican, is now serving his third – six year term on the commission. He says his interest in utilities and energy started from his time as Mayor of Sioux Falls. Hanson says he… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Press Release) – FEMA mitigation and flood insurance specialists will be at Menards in Sioux Falls and Mitchell next week to offer advice and tips on how to repair storm damage and rebuild safer and stronger. Specialists will be on hand Tuesday, Jan. 21 through Saturday, Jan. 25 to answer questions and… Read more »