PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A primary issue for South Dakota legislators over the past few years has been workforce development. Senate Minority leader Reynold Nesiba of Sioux Falls says the state is still losing young people. Nesiba, who teaches at Augustana University, says he sees the impacts of state policies. Nesiba says the state needs to find… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Tax cuts, the budget and school funding will be decided soon by South Dakota lawmakers. District 18 Representative Mike Stevens of Yankton says he is pushing for an increase in state aid to education. Stevens says many districts are seeing rapidly rising costs. Legislators will also debate several tax cut proposals. Stevens says… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A bill that would have cut the sales tax on groceries hit the wall in the South Dakota House Appropriations Committee Tuesday. It was the centerpiece of the reelection campaign of Governor Kristi Noem last fall. She spoke to the committee in support of the bill. Representative Linda Duba of Sioux Falls said… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators have been dealing with a number of election reform and update bills. House Minority Leader Oren Lesmeister of Parade says they question the motives behind some of the bills. Lesmeister says its important that county auditors get involved in those debates. Lesmeister says County Auditors don’t need any more added… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The growing need for water is driving the formation of a new distribution system. Troy Larson, Executive Director of the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System, says it grew out of their still under construction project. Larson says a number of towns and cities are joining together. Larson says cooperation is necessary to… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- After setting revenue targets last week, members of the Joint Committee on Appropriations of the South Dakota legislature will turn to spending bills. Committee Chair, Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton, says they will have requests on their agenda this week. Hunhoff says the revenues they set should cover spending requests, but haven’t accounted… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Joint Committee on Appropriations of the South Dakota legislature set their revenue estimates last week for the next fiscal year. They are figuring on about three hundred million dollars available for the budget. House Majority Leader Will Mortenson of Pierre says those estimates should continue to rise. Mortenson says it’s a good… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- A strong winter storm is expecting to arrive on Tuesday in the state of South Dakota. Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Aberdeen Kelly Serr provides an update.  The system is broken down in three phases. Phase one is expected to arrive on Tuesday. Serr talks about some of the snowfall totals… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- The National Speech & Debate Association is proud to announce Kerry Konda of Aberdeen Central High School as a winner of the Diamond Coach Award, recognizing a professional career that combines excellence and longevity in speech and debate education. This is his third Diamond Award. Since 1925, the National Speech & Debate… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – On Monday, Governor Kristi Noem released polling data indicating that South Dakotans strongly prefer the elimination of the grocery sales tax to other potential tax cut options. A memo summarizing the poll results is attached. The poll was conducted by Front Porch Strategies on behalf of South Dakota Strong Leadership PAC. Front… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- It appears that any major discussion about daycare in South Dakota may have to wait until summer. Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree of Madison says they know it’s a problem. Crabtree says that and other issues could move to summer studies. Crabtree says workforce shortages is the driving factor. Finding daycare space is… Read more »

COLORADO(WNAX)- A long cool spring is looming in front of us if the forecasts follow through. Becky Bollinger, assistant Colorado State Climatologist moderated this months Northcentral Region Climate update. She says March temperatures could trend below normal. Bollinger says much of the region could see more rain and snow in March. Bollinger says the temperature… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The need for food continues to rise. Stacey Andernacht with Feeding South Dakota says they felt the demand last year. Andernacht says they are still feeling the impacts of the pandemic. Andernacht says they are seeing more people month to month. Andernacht says the elimination of free lunches in schools is also driving… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Various tax cut bills are starting to work their way through the South Dakota legislative process. A bill to cut the sales tax on food by two percent was killed in the House Appropriations Committee this week. Sponsor, Representative Oren Lesmeister of Parade said it was  an option bill. HB1075 is the bill… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D.(WNAX)- Legislators are making plans to use unallocated federal pandemic funds. Senator Helene Duhamel of Rapid City says there are some long term needs to be met. Duhamel says the water demand is rising across the state. Duhamel says water projects have been badly underfunded. The Joint Committee on Appropriations will have to… Read more »