SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – The South Dakota Department of Corrections says a 46-year-old state prison inmate has died following an illness. Corrections officials weren’t specific about what caused the death of Michael Rich on Sunday. He died in the Jameson Annex at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. Rich was serving a… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – The U.S. Postal Service expects this week to be their busiest week of the holiday mailing and shipping season. They predict today (Dec. 16) will be the busiest day for usps.com, with more than 8.5 million visitors expected to use the website for help shipping holiday gifts. This week alone,… Read more »

FORT PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – Thanks to a partnership between some Fort Pierre and Pierre businesses, about a dozen families from each of the elementary schools in those towns will have access to some free meals during the schools’ Christmas break. Fort Pierre Pizza Ranch co-owner Nathan Gerlach says this is the store’s third… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNAX) – The U.S. House is set to vote on the USMCA trade deal this week. Final details between the U.S., Mexico and Canada were worked out last week. South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson says it has taken quite a while to get here. Johnson says there should be some positive changes from… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT) — Watertown police arrested a man in the downtown area early Sunday morning following a report of gunshots being heard. Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of South Maple at 3:23 a.m. Their investigation determined 26 year-old Matthew Wolf of Watertown had fired two shots at his own vehicle. After firing… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNAX) – Development continues on the next generation bomber, the B-21, and the deployment will have an impact on South Dakota. Senator Mike Rounds says much of the information around the bomber is classified. Rounds says the Air Force may expand the planned number of bombers. Rounds says the Air Force will be… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The joint Appropriations Committee of the South Dakota legislature held three days of hearings in Pierre last week. Committee member, Representative Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says they decided to get a jump on the budget process. Hunhoff says they heard from the largest state departments. Hunhoff says the committee then appointed… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The South Dakota Department of Transportation has been totaling up the damages to state roads from several rounds of flooding this year. Department Secretary Darin Bergquist says there are lots of needed repairs. Bergquist says counties also have significant damages. Bergquist says the flooding and wet ground this year will lead… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D. (HubCityRadio.com) – R-CALF USA is holding a pair of informational meetings this week on the state of the cattle industry. Meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Old Polo High School Gym (a free-will donation meal precedes that meeting at 6:30), and for 7 p.m. Wednesday,Dec. 18 at the… Read more »

HURON, S.D. (KWAT) — Auto racing returns to Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron next year. Assistant State Fair Manager Candi Briley says they’ve locked down three race dates. Briley says the third race date will feature the top sprint car racing series in the world. For more information on these races,  go to wheeljam.com… Read more »

FORT PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – After being canceled this year (2019), horse racing will probably be back in South Dakota next year. Fort Pierre race track manager Shane Kramme (cray-me) says the South Dakota Commission on Gaming has approved the Verendrye Benovolent Association’s request to hold horse races Oct. 3 and 4, 2020. But,… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – The 2019 Fall/Winter open gym season has concluded.  The Winter/Spring season will begin January 16. There will be a special Holiday Open Gym, open to all participants, at the Washington Street Gym, 401 N. Washington Street on the following dates:   Saturday, December 14            1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Monday, December… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – On behalf of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships, Governor Kristi Noem today encouraged “up-and-coming South Dakota leaders” to apply to the White House Fellows Program. “People are the pillars of progress, and South Dakota is home to the best and brightest,” said Noem. “The White House Fellowship program… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Press Release) – Workers who lost their jobs, and self-employed individuals and farmworkers who have been unable to work due to the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred Sept. 9-26, 2019 may be eligible for disaster unemployment assistance. Funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in coordination with the U.S. Department… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – On Saturday, Dec. 14, 83 students will graduate from Northern State University at its 2019 winter commencement. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. in the NSU Johnson Fine Arts Center. Delivering the commencement address will be NSU Associate Professor of English Dr. Lysbeth Benkert-Ramsussen. Student speaker will be NSU Student… Read more »