YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The Yankton School Board approved updates to its drug overdose policy and the use of Narcan at their meeting this week. Director of Student Services Jerome Klimisch says their school resource officers had concerns. Klimisch says they dangerous drugs are in the community. Klimisch says they will have staff trained in the use… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The South Dakota Senate has passed a bill that would give added protection to school employees if they are assaulted in the performance of their duties.  Senator Jim Stalzter says Senate Bill 129 would give teachers and other school officials the same standing as first responders. Senator Tom Pischke says the bill as… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- The South Dakota Senate on Wednesday debate SB40 that would revise the process for nominating candidates for statewide offices. The prime sponsor of the bill is Senator David Johnson of Rapid City & he talks what the bill does. Senator Reynold Nesiba of Sioux Falls offered an amendment to the bill. The amendment… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee debated a bill to set up the “Committee on Foreign Investment in the United State – South Dakota” to monitor the sale of ag land to foreign investors. Senator Erin Tobin of Winner is the sponsor. National Guard Adjutant General Jeffrey Marlette said it’s… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — A Senate committee Wednesday kills a bill restricting mandatory childhood COVID-19 vaccines. It also would have stripped much of the state Department of Health’s authority regarding all mandatory childhood immunizations in public schools. After about an hour of testimony and committee consideration, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee killed SB… Read more »

LESTERVILLE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators will have a variety of possible tax cuts to choose from. There are bills to cut the sales tax on groceries, a couple to cut the general sales tax, and at least one to give property tax credits. District 18 Representative Julie Auch of Lesterville says she hasn’t made up… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A parents group was again out in force at Monday night’s Pierre School Board meeting to confront what they feel are lower than acceptable results from state testing of District students in English, math and science.  Jason Muldoon has two kids in the District and says 50-percent isn’t good enough. Moms for Liberty… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Joint Committee on Appropriations of the South Dakota legislature will get updated revenue projections this week. Committee Chair, Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton, says they have requests for at least one hundred million dollars over the revenue that is available now. Hunhoff says they will have to figure out the one time… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A bill to establish audits of state elections after their conclusions has passed the South Dakota Senate.  Senator David Wheeler says S-B 160 post election audits are done in a number of other states. Senator Casey Crabtree says approving Senate Bill 160 will mean it’s in place for the next major election in… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — The state Senate passes a bill this afternoon (Tuesday) that bars a legislator’s spouse from lobbying. The vote was 22 to 13 in the 35-member chamber. Bill sponsor, Republican Sen. Michael Rohl from Aberdeen, said the legislator-spouse relationship could be self-serving, as legislators cannot themselves vote for bills that would directly… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota House State Affairs committee heard testimony on a bill that would prohibit the use of state resources in hosting events with lewd or lascivious content. Representative Chris Karr of Sioux Falls said he based the bill on rulings from the US Supreme Court. The bill grew out of a drag… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A bill that would send state dollars to parents of kids in private schools will be in committee this week. House Education Committee Chairman Representative Mike Stevens of Yankton says HB1234 is being amended. Governor Kristi Noem had a bill that would provide scholarships for foster children that was killed in a Senate… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The House State Affairs Committee of the South Dakota legislature has effectively killed a bill that would have given money to counties and in some instances what would amount to tax rebate checks to residents.  Representative John Mills says House Bill 1212 would take 50-thousand dollars from the state general fund and 50-thousand… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – The Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce’s 18th annual Community Champions Awards luncheon was held on Tuesday, February 14th at Engels Event Company. The awards, which recognize volunteer leaders and organizations within Aberdeen and from the surrounding region, were presented to the following: Woman of Spirit – Kila LeGrand George – Courtney… Read more »