MITCHELL, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds introduced legislation that would blacklist China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from investing in, purchasing or otherwise acquiring land or businesses involved in agriculture. He says it’s a growing concern. Rounds says the Chinese government is attempting to buy land near the Grand Forks North Dakota Airforce Base.… Read more »

MITCHELL, S.D.(WNAX)- Congress passed and President Biden signed the seven hundred forty billion dollar “Inflation Reduction Act” this week. South Dakota Senator John Thune, along with all other republicans in Congress voted against the bill. He says he sees limited good in the bill. Thune says most analysts don’t see the bill providing much help… Read more »

Brookings County fire departments are seeking $2.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding from the Brookings County Commission. The request was officially made Tuesday by David Jacobsen on behalf of the Brookings County Firefighters Association. Bruce, Elkton, Sinai, Volga and White are all seeking new vehicles while Aurora is looking at a used truck.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Governor Kristi Noem is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Office fall 2022 internship program. Student interns will work with staff on various projects depending on interests and strengths. Additional duties include aiding the governor’s general counsel, constituent services, and communications team; conducting policy research; preparing policy briefings; and staffing events.… Read more »

MITCHELL, S.D.(WNAX)- At an Ag forum at Dakotafest in Mitchell, Lynn Boadwine, who runs a large dairy operation in Minnehaha County said they were using manure digesters to produce natural gas. They currently have about twelve thousand cows in their operation. Department of Ag and Natural Resources Secretary Hunter Roberts says it’s a good option… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Ag Land Assessment Task Force of the South Dakota legislature held their first meeting of the interim Tuesday in Pierre. Task Force Chairman, Representative Kirk Chaffee (chay-fee) of Whitewood laid out some of their goals. There have been complaints, mostly from grassland owners, that the productivity model of property tax assessment has… Read more »

SOUTH DAKOTA(Press Release)- Over the last year, there has been an increase of state-based efforts to restrict the teaching of so-called “divisive concepts.” This nationwide push is part of a coordinated effort to limit teacher and student rights, free speech and take away the ability to discuss racial justice issues in classrooms. It’s happening in… Read more »

MITCHELL, S.D.(WNAX)- The backers of the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline expect to have most land easements in hand and a final route selected later this year. Chief Commercial Officer Jim Pirolli says they are still adjusting the potential pipeline route in eastern South Dakota. At a forum at Dakotafest, Pirolli says they have about thirty… Read more »

MITCHELL, S.D.(WNAX)- Governor Kristi Noem’s office this week released a revised proposal for civics and social studies standards for K – 12 schools. Noem says while the state sets standards, local school districts can adapt them for use in the classrooms. The fifteen member commission that came up with the standards included a staff member… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – The Northern State University Foundation is thrilled to announce the launching of a new website, northernstatefoundation.com. This redesign provides a better overall experience for NSU alumni, donors and friends. The Foundation has updated its website to improve the accessibility of information on alumni involvement, campus and community events, as well as… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) –  A Hot Springs woman has been identified as the person who died last Thursday in a one-vehicle crash north of Aberdeen. Preliminary crash information indicates that a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan was northbound on Brown County 14 when it did not stop at the stop sign at the intersection of South… Read more »

Washington, D.C.(Press Release) – On Thursday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) will tour Reede Construction at 3PM, Thursday, August 18th. Representative Johnson will be at the Ken’s Tent at the Brown County Fair at 1:30PM, Friday, August 19th to address the upcoming Farm Bill.  

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The closing of more nursing homes is focusing the need for more long-term care options. Representative Ryan Cwach of Yankton says with few choices, long term care costs are soaring. Cwach says finding workers for nursing homes is also becoming a critical issue. Cwach says its very difficult to get long term care… Read more »

OMAHA, N.E.(WNAX)- Ag land sales across the region have spiked, driven by high crop prices and until recently, low interest rates. Grant Fitzgerald, a vice president with Farmers National Company in Omaha, says they have seen the market rise. Fitzgerald says the past couple of years have been very active. Fitzgerald says they saw a… Read more »