YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- There is literally a new sheriff in town. Preston Crissey was sworn in as Yankton County Sheriff on January third, taking the spot that was held for over twenty-five years by Jim Vlahakis, who retired. Crissey, who was a Yankton Police Officer, says its been a good transition. Crissey says most of the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release)- Folks, Our state’s Native American heritage and culture is such an important part of what makes South Dakota a special place. Governor Noem recognizes that. She acknowledges it every time we deploy resources to help the tribes, sign law enforcement MOUs to keep our tribal people safe, and incorporate Native American heritage… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- There are points of contention, but also opportunities for the State of South Dakota and the nine tribal nations inside its border to work more closely together. That was one of the takeaways from Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Chairman Peter Lengkeek (lin-key). He gave the annual State of the Tribes address this afternoon… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- On Thursday, members of the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce & the Aberdeen Development Corporation discussed items they’re looking at for the 2023 South Dakota legislative session. Mike Bockorny with ADC talks about HB1011 that deals with unemployment benefits. One bill that has cleared a conference committee is SB41 that deals with housing infrastructure. … Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem laid out her legislative priorities in her “State of the State” speech this week. District 18 Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says she heard the tone. Hunhoff says the Governor again made a point of cutting the sales tax on groceries. Hunhoff says she will be interested in… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KJJQ)- The Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Corrections says the state needs new facilities. Governor Noem has proposed some $400 million in expenditures for new prisons in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Kellie Wasko spoke to the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday morning. She says new facilities are needed to deal with both… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA & WNAX)- The South Dakota Senate Commerce and Energy Committee Thursday morning passed a bill that allocates $150 million in housing infrastructure loans and grants. A parade of business and housing lobbyists and state officials briefly testified in favor of Senate Bill 41. Nathan Sanderson with the South Dakota Retailers Association. Carl Adam… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen delivered the annual “State of the Judiciary” speech to the legislature Wednesday. Jensen talked about a bill that was introduced last year that would have done away with the bar exam taken by law school graduates. Jensen says the bar exam is needed to gauge… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota Senator John Thune took part in a Farm Bill roundtable discussion in Sioux Falls this week. He said a lot of ag groups were there to offer input. Thune says conservation will again be an important part of the next Farm Bill. Thune says there needs to be incentives to… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(KXLG)- Fifteen-year-old Willa Stern of Webster was crowned the 2023 South Dakota Junior Snow Queen. Stern is a freshman at Webster High School. There were 25 other contestants for the crown during the Junior Snow Queen Coronation Saturday at the Aberdeen Civic Arena. Corinne Bosse of Britton was the first runner-up, Kayana Wright of… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- If you want to testify on a bill that’s before the South Dakota Legislature’s House State Affairs Committee, you will have to do it in person. Prior to COVID and on a limited basis, people had been able to testify via phone. Then the COVID pandemic ushered in remote testimony as a common… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The cities of Pierre and Watertown have about a week to present a recommendation to the U-S Department of Transportation as to what air service they would like to see serve their cities.  Pierre Mayor Steve Harding says the city has looked closely at the three possible options for air travel. A number… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Dustin Hermansen, an Aberdeen Central High School senior; and Maxwell Lightfield, a Milbank High School senior; have been chosen as South Dakota’s delegates to this year’s 61st annual United States Senate Youth Program to be held in Washington, D.C., March 4-11. In addition to the week-long program, the Hearst Foundations provide… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- The recent Essential Air Service proposal for the Watertown Regional airport from Denver Air Connection includes three scenarios: Keep things as they are now with DAC flights to Denver and Chicago; drop Chicago and have flights only to Denver or daily flights to both Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. According to Denver… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – On Wednesday, Governor Kristi Noem and legislators announced legislation to recognize out-of-state licenses for nearly every profession. “South Dakota’s economy has been booming, but our workforce has been experiencing some growing pains,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “We still have 23,000 open jobs in the state, and this legislation will help us… Read more »