SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KELO)- The search for a starter home is getting tougher in South Dakota due to rising home prices and interest rates. The SDSU Ness School of Management and Economics put the spotlight on the problem with its Land and Lending Conference in Sioux Falls. Keynote speaker Shane Phillips, an author and urban planner… Read more »

MITCHELL, S.D.(KMIT)- Rent is going up nationwide, and South Dakota is one of the states where it’s going up the most.  Jon Leckie is with rent.com, which conducted the study. He says their study found that South Dakota’s rent has increased more than any other state. That 26 percent increase comes out to just over… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- They’re calling on Congress to deal with a shortage of prescription drugs. Governor Kristi Noem and ten other governors signed off on a letter to congressional leaders. State Health Secretary Melissa Magstadt says the shortage of important drugs affects the entire nation. Magstadt says even common prescription drugs that have been around a… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- Petitions calling for the legalization of recreational marijuana are likely to hit the streets soon in South Dakota. Attorney General Marty Jackley has issued his explanation of the proposed ballot measure. He says this one would not change state laws on medical marijuana. With the official explanation completed, Jackley says petitions will probably… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KELOLAND) — A grand jury decided a Watertown sex offender accused of rape and incest should face twice as many charges. 62-year-old James Kaska is now charged with four counts of rape and four counts of incest. Court documents say the victim was just five years old when the crimes began. Kaska is… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – The South Dakota Department of Public Safety has announced plans for 20 sobriety checkpoints in 15 different counties during the month of September. Checkpoints are scheduled for the counties of: Lake/Moody, Minnehaha, Pennington, Beadle, Day, Codington, Lawrence, Edmunds, Hughes, Charles Mix, Mellette, Stanley, Walworth, Clay. The monthly checkpoints are designed to encourage… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(Argus Leader)- A seven-member committee will hear the formal appeal of the former chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party, who was ousted earlier this month following allegations that she had created a hostile work environment and violated the party’s constitution. The committee, approved Tuesday morning by the state party’s executive board, will… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- The Brown County Farm Bureau held their annual meeting on Tuesday night in Aberdeen.  The Bureau received updates from South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott Vanderwal & Director of Public Policy & Lobbyist Matthew Bogue. Bogue mainly focus on South Dakota issues including looking closely at the summer study on county funding. Bogue… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- The Mosquito Control division of the City of Aberdeen will be conducting a city-wide ground spray for Thursday, August 31st between the hours of 8:15 PM and 12:30 AM. Mosquito Control surveillance program has identified West Nile Virus in Aberdeen as well as a high number of the Culex species which is… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(The Dakota Scout) – An effort to deny Summit Carbon Solutions an application to build a carbon sequestration pipeline ahead of highly anticipated hearings next month has been blocked by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. Attorney Brian Jorde, representing landowners in their fight against both the Navigator CO2 and Summit pipelines, appealed to the… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KELO)- An update on a burglary and house fire last week. Public information officer Sam Clemens says video helped crack the case of the suspect. Nathan Eiesland of Harrisburg was arrested on 4 counts of grand theft and 1 count of burglary. 3 of the 4 stolen vehicles have been recovered. The cause… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KELO)- Two prison guards at the South Dakota Penitentiary are recovering from injuries after being assaulted by two inmates. Kyle Jones and Lester Monroe face charges of first degree attempted murder, aggravated assault and simple assault. Both inmates have a history of violent offenses, so if they’re convicted, Attorney General Marty Jackley says… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- Sparks are flying over the Delbridge Museum of Natural History at the Great Plains Zoo. Sioux Falls Mayor Paul Tenhaken led a news conference Tuesday morning, reacting to criticism over a decision to decommission the display. City Councilor Greg Neitzert has been the most vocal of those opposed to that move. The… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KWAT)–If you fly into Watertown Regional Airport and need a rental car, things have just gotten more challenging. Airport Manager Rob Cyrus says Budget Car Rental has permanently pulled out of the airport due to staffing issues—effective immediately. He says the on-site manager recently quit, and the lone remaining employee, who was new to… Read more »