PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A group of South Dakota lawmakers serving on the 2021 Redistricting Committee attending a three-day conference on the process last week in Salt Lake City, Utah.  District 24 Senator Mary Duvall is a chair of the Committee and says the meetings were educational. Duvall says a great deal of time was spent on… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Board of Technical Education approved the budget request for fiscal year twenty-three. Executive Director Nick Wendell says their priority is an increase in the per student allocation. Based on their projected enrollment, that would be an increase of over $660,000. Wendell says they want to continue the tuition assistance program.… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(WNAX)- The next meeting of the “Workforce Housing Needs Interim Study” committee will be August fifth in Sioux Falls. Committee Chairman, Representative Roger Chase of Huron, says they will focus on the contractor and construction end of housing. Chase says even recent local housing studies are outdated by the changes in the marketplace.… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KELO)- A Brookings woman is in jail for her alleged role in the kidnapping of a Sioux Falls woman at Oakwood Lakes State Park last Sunday morning. Ashle (Ash-lee) Elizabeth Heier (higher), 29, is being held on four counts of harboring or concealing a criminal, parole violations, and drug charges. Heier and the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Rules Review Committee of the South Dakota legislature gave final approval to the rules that will govern the use of medical cannabis in schools starting this fall. The committee sent the initial rules back to the Education Department last month. Department Secretary Tiffany Sanderson says they took another look at the recommendations… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Yesterday, during a phone call between Governor Kristi Noem and SkyWest CEO Chip Childs, both parties discussed their strong partnership and SkyWest’s continued commitment to service in the Pierre and Watertown markets. “With fall pheasant season approaching, South Dakota appreciates SkyWest’s commitment to the Pierre and Watertown markets for the foreseeable future. The high-quality air service they provide enhances our state’s tourism numbers… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The outlook for the next couple of weeks is for hot and dry weather to continue over much of the northern plains. During the monthly regional climate update, Minnesota assistant state climatologist Pete Boulay said ideally, crops should get some rain every week. Dennis Todey with the Midwest Climate Hub in Ames Iowa… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Department of Tourism is developing a new strategic plan. Secretary Jim Hagen says their last three year plan wrapped up in 2019, but the pandemic delayed their process. Hagen says they want the plan to be widely inclusive. Hagen says the survey will start with thousands of their tourism partners.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The Hughes County Commission has approved a drought disaster declaration for the County.  A resolution with the request was presented to Commissioners Monday morning by Hughes/Stanley County Emergency Manager Rob Fines. Fines says they waited as long as they could on the action to see if weather conditions would change. Commissioner Tom Rounds… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has appointed two new members to the board of the Game, Fish and Parks Department. Stephanie Rissler of Vermillion says she and her family spend a lot of time outdoors. Rissler says she plans to do a lot of listening at her first few meetings. Rissler, who was… Read more »

WILMOT, S.D.(WNAX)- United Soybean Board members held their summer board meeting last week and approved 181 new checkoff funded projects with a total allocation of $78 million for the 2022 fiscal year. South Dakota has four directors serving on the board. One of those is Jason Frerichs of Wilmot. He says budget priorities includes soybean… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The first day of school for many is a little over a month away, and plans are still being formulated. Yankton School District Superintendent Wayne Kindle says they haven’t decided on back to school policies yet. Kindle says they will have a Covid-19 response. Kindle says they have a lot of experience to… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that South Dakota closed the 2021 budget year on June 30 with a surplus of $85.9 million. Total general fund revenue for fiscal year 2021 finished $62.0 million higher than adopted estimates, and the state general fund budget ended with expenditures approximately $23.9 million lower than… Read more »

BRUCE, S.D.(KJJQ)- A woman is able to escape after being kidnapped at Oakwood Lakes State Park. Assistant Sheriff Scott Sebring says it was reported at about 4:20 Sunday morning. He says 22-year-old Jasmine Benning of Sioux Falls was sitting in a vehicle with two friends when a Blue Jeep pulled up behind them. A male… Read more »

DES MOINES, I.A.(WNAX)- South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem was one of the speakers at the daylong Leadership Summit on Friday in Des Moines, Iowa sponsored by the Family Leader, a conservative political group. She said the country has changed under President Biden. Noem says there are growing divisions in the country. Noem says she wants… Read more »