WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- South Dakota Senator John Thune along with Virginia Senator Mark Warner introduced the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act. Thune says the bill is aimed at foreign technology threats, including Tik Tok. Thune says a more coherent strategy is needed. Thune says the threat from… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(KJJQ)- South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson is very concerned with the threat posed to the U.S. by China. He’s a member of House Select Committee on China — which has made a point of showing bipartisan unity on their mission: protecting U.S. economic and technological interests. Johnson says the Chinese Communist Party “is a… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D.(WNAX)- Weather observers expect the La Nina climate driver to finally fade away this spring and summer. That is a cooling of the Pacific Ocean surface which has an impact on North American weather. South Dakota State Climatologist Laura Edwards says this La Nina has been persistent. Edwards says they can still get some… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Department of Ag and Natural Resources has new incentives for landowners in the Big Sioux Watershed to add land to the riparian buffer initiative. That is land close to streams and rivers, if set aside, that could slow pollution flowing into the river. Jay Gilbertson, manager of the East Dakota… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators will probably not see the final general budget bill until just before scheduled adjournment on Thursday. Joint Committee on Appropriations Chair, Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton, says they are still waiting on spending bills. Hunhoff says she is looking at future budget problems. Hunhoff says they still don’t have hard… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota House debated a bill that would set aside one hundred million dollars in federal funding for water projects. Representative Jess Olson of Rapid City, one of the sponsors, said the need for water is growing. Representative Tony Venhuizen of Sioux Falls offered an amendment. Representative Steve Duffy of Rapid City… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- Ownership of ag land by foreigners, especially Chinese has become a hot button issue. South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds says he is working on a bill at the federal level. Rounds says they want the US Ag Secretary to be involved. Rounds says the bill would allow some sales in certain cases. Some… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- The South Dakota Senate Tuesday didn’t approve the changes made by the House on SB40.  When SB40 passes the Senate on an 18-16 vote, the bill would allow the gubernatorial candidate to select his or her choice for Lt. Governor for the Primaries.  It would also place all the State Office positions on… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) – Without debate, the South Dakota House Tuesday rejects the Senate’s “hog house” of a bill to revive removing the sales tax off food. The House rejected HB 1094 55 to 14 to both not concur and not appoint a conference committee. The remaining sales tax cut before the legislature is HB… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- As South Dakota lawmakers work out details of the 2024 budget, the priority of the Board of Regents is keeping the tuition freeze for another year. Board President Pam Roberts says the freeze helped them stabilize enrollment last year. Roberts says the freeze is part of ongoing workforce development efforts. The Regents need… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A bill that would have set up a funding source for regional county jails was killed in the South Dakota legislature last week.  That continued a trend of lawmakers killing bills that aided counties. House Majority Leader Will Mortenson of Pierre says county budget increases were limited for a reason. Mortenson says counties… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- The Aberdeen City Council on Monday night discussed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to executive documentation for the WINS project.  WINS stands for “Water Investment in Northern South Dakota”.  This is in conjunction with WEB Water & BDM Rural Water Systems, Inc. City Manager Joe Gaa talks about a committee working with… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) – The state Senate passes another sales tax reduction by a single vote this afternoon (Monday). HB 1094 was “hog housed” (had its original contents removed) and replaced with repealing the sales tax on groceries. The vote was 18 to 17. Supporters say removing the sales tax on food would save taxpayers… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) – Legislators say it could be four days if tax cut ping-pong. On Monday, the Senate passed an amended HB 1137 that would reduce the reduction in the overall sales tax from 4.5% to 4.3%. As passed in the House, the bill was a 4.2% cut. Instead of a $100 million-plus tax… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) – South Dakota’s House of Representatives defeats a bill this morning (Monday) that prohibited a legislator’s spouse from being a lobbyist. SB 197 failed 24 to 44. The bill had previously passed the Senate. Bill sponsor, Democratic Rep. Linda Duba from Sioux Falls, said the bill was not targeting any specific legislator… Read more »