WASHINGTON, D.C.(KOTA)- South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds has introduced legislation for tribal entities to have more self-control over how federal food assistance programs are utilized in their borders. Rounds said the SNAP Tribal Food Sovereignty Act respects the tribal right to self-govern. Rounds said the proposal has the support of tribal groups and a lawmakers… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota democrats are using the off year to organize, raise money and find candidates for next year. Democratic Party Executive Director Berk Ehrmantraut says they have had a busy year. Ehrmantraut says they are contacting candidates to run in races from the local level to the US Senate. Ehrmantraut says they are… Read more »

VERMILLION, S.D.(WNAX)- Voters in the Vermillion School District have approved a twenty-six million dollar bond issue to fund construction of a new elementary school. Yes votes totaled 902; there were 304 no votes. Of all voters who participated, 74.79% voted for the bond issue. Vermillion School Superintendent Damon Alvey says they were optimistic about the… Read more »

FREEMAN, S.D.(WNAX)- School districts are contending with another year of keeping Covid-19 under control in their districts. Freeman Public School Superintendent Jake Tietje says so far, they have had few positive cases. Tietje says they have a Covid-19 plan in place. Tietje says they have an optional face mask policy in place. The state Health… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota House and Senate committees working on redistricting have decided to go their own ways with different map proposals. Senate Committee vice chair Jim Bolin of Canton says it’s something to watch. Bolin says most of the disagreements center on districts in and around Sioux Falls. The committees will be on… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- The symptoms are similar, but it’s not necessarily the coronavirus that’s currently putting an atypical number of children into the hospital in Pierre. Dr. Mikel Holland, President and Chief Medical Officer at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital, says RSV seems to be making the rounds earlier than usual this year. Holland says testing is… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has issued a warning about rapidly rising natural gas prices, telling consumers to prepare now. Tom Glanzer with Northwestern Energy, says several factors are forcing natural gas prices up. Glanzer says it’s a worldwide issue. Glanzer says as the economy recovers from the pandemic, the demand for… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Governor Kristi Noem has appointed Brian Sandvig and Joy Nelson to the Board of Technical Education. Brian Sandvig will replace the late Bob Faehn and serve the remainder of Faehn’s term. Joy Nelson will replace Ed Mallett effective November 1, 2021. “South Dakota’s technical colleges are among the very best in… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)-  October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the Avera Foundation is promoting We Care Pink Hair to combat all cancers. Director Amy Blackstone talks about this program. Blackstone encourage everyone to wear pink hair for the month. Blackstone want to thank the beauty salons in town who are helping out with that. Walk-ins… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- The Auburn Fire approaches 1,000 burned acres, and fire crews remain on the lines as the fire continues its long, thin northern spread. Tessa Jaeger, public information officer for the Rapid City Fire Department said while fire has taken an unconventional shape, it can still be overcome. Jaeger said hot, fire-friendly days… Read more »

FREDERICK, S.D.(Press Release)- Frederick Area Volunteer Firefighters are having their annual Fun & Fundraising Event on Saturday October 16th 6pm @ their new location 317 Main Street $30.00 for Prime Rib dinner ticket also includes choice at 2 prizes. There will be raffles for other prizes as well as fun games to play. If you… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- This is manufacturing week in Yankton where local companies highlight what they do and the job opportunities they offer. David Lohse, General Manager of Astec Industries, says most people don’t realize how many large manufacturing plants there are in Yankton. Lohse says there are good, long term careers available in manufacturing. Lohse says… Read more »

KIMBALL, S.D.(WNAX)- Warm, dry weather is pushing harvest along and that in turn will create a need for rail cars to move commodities out of the region. Todd Yeaton, General Manager at Gavilon in Kimball, says there are no problems getting rail cars and shuttle trains right now. Yeaton says there are drought impacts in… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- There are some debates, mostly online, about the benefits of natural immunity to Covid-19 as opposed to vaccine immunity. Liz Healy, infection control specialist at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, says natural immunity has a broad definition. Healy says those that have had Covid-19 may not be as protected from another round… Read more »