PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- A bill that prevents a doctor from issuing a medical marijuana card to a pregnant or breastfeeding woman passes the House of Representatives Wednesday. The sponsor, Republican Rep. Fred Deutsch(R-Florence) said HB1058 was needed to protect pregnant women’s and their babies’ health. He also said the new law would not impact pregnant or… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- The South Dakota Senate Wednesday passes a bill that would end the Board of Regents issuing an annual report regarding intellectual diversity and free exchange of ideas at state universities. Sponsor of Senate Bill 45, Republican Sen. Lee Schoenbeck (Show-in-beck) of Watertown. Schoenbeck said the report might make a good doorstop. Republican Sen.… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release) – On Tuesday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) was named to the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, more commonly referred to as the “Select Committee on China.” “We need to address the threats posed by China to our food security and national… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota House Ag and Natural Resources Committee debated a bill that would provide more protections for ag operations from nuisance claims and lawsuits. Department of Ag and Natural Resources Secretary Hunter Roberts says farmers and ranchers have enough challenges already. Committee Chairman, Representative Roger Chase of Huron said ag creates some… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Joint Committee on Appropriations of the South Dakota legislature heard from university presidents Tuesday. University of South Dakota President Sheila Gestring was asked about mental health needs and resources they use. Gestring says they are seeing rising demand for the mental health services. Gestring also told the committee that their graduation rate… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- Watertown Police Department is warning the public of online and mobile scams. Reports indicate that in multiple cases, individuals have been manipulated into sending money to prevent the leak of sent nude photos. W.P.D. stated when the cases were reported in January, some included paying over $10,000. According to the report, W.P.D. says,… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- A House committee Wednesday touched on two of the most controversial issues in recent United States history–the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol and mandatory vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Republican Rep. Phil Jensen from Rapid City introduced resolutions on each issue, which the House State Affairs Committee killed. House Concurrent Resolution… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The latest information from the South Dakota Department of Health showed over four hundred sixty new Covid-19 infections with almost sixty people in the hospital. Liz Healy, infection control specialist with Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, says they also continue to see cases. Healy says they see people being hospitalized. Healy says… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Yankton Thrive held their annual meeting Monday and C.E.O. Nancy Wenande said they hit their YES-4 development fundraising goals. Wenande says much of that money will be invested in finding and developing more workers. Wenande says those workers will need places to live. About one point five million dollars will go both to… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX(- The FDA earlier this month approved accelerated approval for lecanemab, (la-cane-a-mab) a drug aimed at slowing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Leslie Morrow, Executive Director of the South Dakota Alzheimer’s Association, says the approval is another positive sign. Morrow says this drug takes a different approach to the disease. Morrow says another drug,… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D.(WNAX)- It appears that interest rates will continue to be raised this year and stay high for some time. South Dakota State University Economics Professor Dr Joe Santos says its all an effort to head off inflation and a deep recession. Santos says the Federal Reserve has to walk a fine line on interest… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- The House Health and Human Services Committee Tuesday favorably recommends a bill to provide $4 million in additional funding for suicide prevention programs. Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt from Sioux Falls, House Bill 1079’s sponsor. Rehfeldt says that suicide is the leading cause of death of youths and adults in South Dakota and more… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- First District Association of Local Governments assists communities with planning, technical assistance, and business development. Watertown is one of six offices within the state. The Codington County Commissioners received their first in-person update since before the pandemic. Executive Director Todd Kays talks about the background. An at-large member was requested to be added… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – Northern State University signed a teach-out agreement with Presentation College today to help students complete their degrees at Northern. Northern has been working toward an academic agreement with PC for quite some time, prior to Presentation’s recent announcement. Now, Northern has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to move forward… Read more »