PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Delbert Hopkins Jr., the Chairman of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate gave the “State of the Tribes” address to South Dakota legislators Thursday. He told legislators that treaty rights established them as a sovereign nation long ago. Hopkins Jr says their history should be featured in all South Dakota schools. Hopkins Jr said the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee held a hearing Friday on SB46, titled “to protect fairness in women’s sport” Dan Swartos, Executive Director of the South Dakota High School Activities Association, says they have had a successful trans-gender policy in place for several years. Susan Williams, a resident of legislative District 6… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release)- On Friday, the Senate State Affairs Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 46, legislation that would ban transgender women and girls from competing on the sports teams that match their gender identity. The ACLU of South Dakota opposes Senate Bill 46, legislation that violates both the United States Constitution and Title IX… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- The Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is closing outdoor ice rinks at Lincoln and Manor Parks and cancelling indoor recreational skating at the Odde Ice Arena on Friday, January 14th. For further information, please contact the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department office at 626-7015.

ABERDEEN, S.D.(WNAX)- Brian Bengs of Aberdeen is running for the democratic nomination for the US Senate. He is a military veteran and most recently was an instructor at Northern State University. He says he decided to run after seeing what happened in Washington last January sixth. Bengs says he was waiting for someone to come… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KELO)- As President Joe Biden urges lawmakers to pass election reform laws, Republican Senators remain unanimous in their opposition to the proposed legislation. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst Senator Mike Rounds says the Republican party needs to put the past behind them and try to focus on upcoming elections. Rounds says that still to… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- Three bills moving through the South Dakota legislature on protecting grain buyers and sellers have mostly gained approval by the Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee.  Senate Bills 35, 38 and 39 are brought by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission which regulates the state’s grain warehouses.  P-U-C Chairman Chris Nelson says S-B… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KOTA)- South Dakota cattle producers have had tough questions go unanswered regarding the classification of ranch lands for tax purposes. State Senator Jessica Castleberry of Rapid City is co-sponsoring legislation in an effort remedy the situation, and offered a breakdown of the bill as it stands. Producers, Castleberry says, are being forced to pay… Read more »

MARION, S.D.(WNAX)- School boards in the Marion, Freeman Public and Freeman Academy districts have been talking about a possible sports cooperative. Marion Superintendent Brad Barens says they have had some initial discussions. Berens says while no further talks have been scheduled, they are not off the table. Berens says they are talking only about a… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Joint Committee on Appropriations of the South Dakota legislature held several days of budget hearings before the official open of the 2022 session. Those were with large agencies like the Departments of Social Services and Human Services and the Board of Regents. Committee Co-Chair, Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton, says they won’t… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — The Supreme Court has stopped a major push by the Biden administration to boost the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination rate, a requirement that employees at large businesses get a vaccine or test regularly and wear a mask on the job. At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg told the State-Tribal Relations committee he doesn’t have the funding to staff a position to coordinate tribal, state, and local law enforcement in finding missing persons. He says his office has made improvements. Ravnsborg says last years legislature authorized the additional position, but federal funds were supposed… Read more »