WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has extended the federal debt ceiling deadline to December 15th as the drop-dead date for approving an expansion to the US credit limit. That means Congress will have to act before they head out for the year end holidays. South Dakota Senator John Thune says republicans are letting… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem asked the Department of Education to restart the process for setting social studies standards for the states K – 12 schools. The first draft got hung up in differences of opinions over race issues in American history. Yankton School Superintendent Wayne Kindle says they will wait and see… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- With increasing COVID-19 positivity rates in our region and standing in solidarity with our health care workers, the Avera Foundation’s Deck the Halls has moved to an on-line event only. There will be no in-person holiday event on Dec. 4. Those that have already purchased tickets to the event should have received… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Sixteen sobriety checkpoints in 12 counties are planned statewide during December, according to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. The checkpoints are designed to discourage people from drinking and then driving. Counties involved for December are: Beadle, Bennett, Brown, Butte, Clay, Codington, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyman, Minnehaha, Moody and Pennington. Officials… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – The Northern State University Winter Choral Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Aberdeen’s First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Kline St. The event will feature the NSU Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Early Musick Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Timothy Woods with the assistance of pianist Dr.… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Sioux Falls Police are looking for a man in a van who tried to run over two officers late Sunday afternoon. Officers attempted to stop a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country van near 11th Street and Phillips Ave. The van did not stop and sped off at a high rate… Read more »

FLORENCE, S.D.(Press Release) –  A 16-year-old male died Friday afternoon in a one-vehicle crash south of Florence. The name of the only person involved is not being released pending notification of family members. Preliminary crash information indicates that a 2006 Chevy Impala was westbound on 165th Street when it crossed the center line, went into… Read more »

FORT PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A house fire Saturday put Fort Pierre firefighters to work for a time.  Fort Pierre Assistant Chief Ty Odden says fire crews were called to a home on La Framboise Drive, south of the Bad River around noon. Odden says they believe the fire started with a propane grill. Odden says it’s… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The Housing Needs Study Committee of South Dakota Legislature has indicated its member could bring up to nine bills to address housing issues in the state.  District 24 Representative Mike Weisgram of Fort Pierre was a member of that committee and says three areas stood out to him. One possible bill proposes appropriating… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- After Arizona republican Congressman Paul Gosar posted an animated video showing him attacking Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez the House voted to censure him and stripped him of his committee assignments. South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson did not support the censure vote. Johnson says the response was not appropriate to the violation. Johnson says stripping… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(WNAX)- Federal funds have been flowing to South Dakota since the start of the pandemic over a year ago. Senator Reynold Nesiba of Sioux Falls had staff at the Legislative Research Council add it up and says the state has done well. Reynolds, a member of the Appropriations Committee, says those federal dollars… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(WNAX)- A newly formed group in South Dakota is aiming to involve more people in tech talk and activities. A chapter of the “Computer Science Teachers Association” is coming together. Tara Johanneson, director of online education at the University of Sioux Falls, is helping coordinate the launch. Johanneson says it for any involved… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The dry, fairly mild weather is a treat for travelers, but fire danger lurks in the country. Yankton Assistant Fire Chief Larry Nickels says even after harvest, there is plenty of fire fuel out there. Nickels says with windy conditions, any fire can get away in a hurry. Nickels says there will probably… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – On Wednesday Governor Kristi Noem announced several staffing changes at the South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC). Doug Clark, Deputy Secretary of Corrections and Acting Warden of the State Penitentiary, will be the new Interim Secretary of Corrections. Interim Secretary Tim Reisch will be stepping down, effective December 8. Governor Noem… Read more »