PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Governor Kristi Noem proposed a budget increase of six percent aimed at state employees, health care workers and state aid to education. Eric Olilla, Executive Director of the South Dakota State Employees Organization, says they will push for more than that. Olilla says the Noem Administration has focused on economic growth through the… Read more »

CANTON, S.D.(WNAX)- As South Dakota legislators prepare for the start of the 2022 session next week, many of them are also thinking about their election prospects this fall. Senator Jim Bolin of Canton says he hasn’t decided if he will run for a fourth term in the Senate. The deadline to file election petitions is… Read more »

VERMILLION, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators are preparing bills for introduction into the 2022 session that starts next Tuesday. Senator Art Rusch of Vermillion, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, says he has some ideas on criminal sentencing. Rusch says some of the sentencing guidelines need to be clarified and updated. Rusch says judges are sometimes limited… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Child Support Commission was supposed to issue a report to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and the legislature by the end of last year on possible changes to the system. The Governor has signed off on a three-month extension so the board can finish their work. Commission member, Representative Mike Stevens of… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – Todd Forkel, Regional President and CEO of Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, S.D., and CEO of Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, S.D., has announced plans to leave Avera to become the new CEO of Altru Health System based in Grand Forks, N.D. “Todd has been such a positive leadership… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- KXLG reached out to speak with Senator Lee Schoenbeck about the upcoming legislative sessions, but he first dropped a big announcement. Lee shared some thoughts on the future. Lee expands on why this would be his last term if re-elected. Schoenbeck is with the Republican Party, if he has opposition the primary will… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A primary is likely in the District 24 Senate race.  Former Pierre City Commissioner Jim Mehlhaff filed committee papers Tuesday says and family and God played a big part in his decision to run. The Republican will be retiring from a state job at the Department of Labor and Regulation this spring and… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The rising cost of groceries is also hitting the food banks that supply the hungry. Megan Kjose, Development Director for Feeding South Dakota, says they are being hit with the same increases. Kjose says all of their supplies are costing more. Kjose says through the last few months of last year, they had… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The surge in Covid-19 infections seems to be accelerating with health care providers seeing the evidence. Liz Healy, infection control specialist with Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, says they have been close to capacity for several weeks. Healy says those infected with Covid-19 stay longer in the hospital. Healy says they are… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – A new year means another year of sobriety checkpoints held in South Dakota as a way to discourage people from drinking and then driving. The monthly checkpoints are funded by the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety and conducted by the South Dakota Highway Patrol with the help of local law… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Aberdeen American News)- 23-year-old Logan Manhart has announced plans to run for South Dakota House of Representatives in District 1. Manhart is originally from rural Aberdeen and grew up near Bath. Manhart graduated from Central High School in 2017 and earned certification degrees in leadership development and management in 2021 from Chippewa Valley Technical… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The House Select Committee on Investigation held two days of mostly closed-door meetings last week on the possible impeachment of South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. Committee member, Representative Ryan Cwach of Yankton says they needed the executive sessions to hear from the attorney hired by the committee. Cwach says they saw the… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- With the new year, South Dakota political candidates can start filing for election. Incumbent District 18 Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says she is planning to run again. Hunhoff says she feels she can still make a difference. Hunhoff is currently Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Appropriations. She was first elected to… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- The Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation announced the sixth annual Golden Apple Awards, recognizing individuals that are dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference in the Aberdeen School District.  This year’s honorees are Renae Wensmann, JoAnn Kokales and Jennifer Weishaar.  Each received $500 and an engraved golden apple. Renae Wensmann, Lincoln Elementary administrative assistant. Have you ever had someone at school… Read more »