INDIANAPOLIS, I.N.(WNAX)- 44 FFA members from across the country were in Indianapolis last week attending the weeklong +-New Century Farmer Conference. The conference is for FFA members who plan to remain in production agriculture. South Dakota’s lone representative is Isaac (kuh-low-zick) Kolousek of Wessington Springs who’s currently studying at the South Dakota School of Mines… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem fired the warden and deputy warden at the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls after an investigation into anonymous complaints over working conditions and harassment. She also suspended Corrections Department Secretary Mike Liedholt. Senator Art Rusch of Vermillion is vice chair of the state Corrections Commission. He says… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- As more electric powered vehicles show up on roads and highways, more charging stations will be needed. The South Dakota Transportation Commission got an update on the status of the state’s electric vehicle corridor at their meeting in Pierre Thursday. Mike Behm, Director of the Department of Planning and Engineering, said the US… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Aberdeen American News)- After a year hiatus, National Night Out returns to Melgaard Park on Tuesday. National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, is from 6 to 9 p.m. and features booths from a host of public safety-related organizations and agencies. Aberdeen Police Department Capt. Tanner Jondahl said special recognition… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Bankers Association held their Ag Credit Conference last week in Sioux Falls. Association President Karl Adam says about one hundred fifty bankers attended the conference. He says they heard a lot about weather and crop conditions. Adam say despite the ongoing drought, bankers are pretty optimistic for ag producers.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- After being delayed for several months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Census Bureau will release data used for drawing legislative districts in August. District 24 Senator Mary Duvall of Pierre is the chair of the South Dakota Senate Redistricting Committee. She says they have been doing some groundwork in anticipation of… Read more »

VERMILLION, S.D.(WNAX)- School districts across the state are trying to figure out what rules they need in place to avoid a spike in Delta variant infections when classes start next month. Vermillion Superintendent Damon Alvey says they have a committee working on that. Alvey says the information they get is changing almost daily. Alvey says… Read more »

WASHINTON, D.C.(WNAX)- The January 6th Investigation Committee of the US House is under heavy partisan criticism. The committee was created by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to take testimony on the riot at the US Capitol and held their first hearing this week. South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson says there are some questions about that day… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Backers of a petition drive in South Dakota to put Medicaid expansion on the ballot are also watching similar efforts in Congress. There are bills that have been introduced to expand Medicaid in the twelve states that have not yet done it. Rick Weiland, with “Dakotans for Health” says they aren’t going to… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- During their budget workshop this week, Yankton City Commissioners talked about the care and repair of the Meridian Bridge. The double deck bridge was saved from demolition and turned into a walking – biking bridge after the Discovery Bridge was completed in 2010. City Manager Amy Leon says they have some money set… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)-  Coming up this Saturday, the South Dakota Snow Queen Festival will be hosting the 7th annual Bands, Brews, & BBQ at Centennial Village on the Brown County Fairgrounds. The President of the South Dakota Snow Queen Festival, Dawn Brewer previews this event. Brewer talks about some of the bands that will be participating… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – On Thursday, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2021-11, which directs the South Dakota Department of Education to refrain from applying for any federal grants tied to critical race theory. “Critical race theory has no place in South Dakota schools. These ideas are un-American. We are ‘one nation, under God, indivisible,’… Read more »

MILBANK, S.D. —  The Military Vehicle Preservation Association made its way through Northern South Dakota this week as it continues a Yellowstone Trail Cross-Country Military Convoy.  The 7th annual event departed from Aberdeen Wednesday traveling east along a segment of the Yellowstone Trail in South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, ending in Ohio.  The convoy is… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Ten sobriety checkpoints in eight counties are planned throughout South Dakota during August. The monthly checkpoints, held at various times and locations, are designed to discourage people from drinking and then driving. The checkpoints are funded by the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety and conducted by the South Dakota Highway… Read more »

WATERTOWN & PIERRE, S.D.(KXLG & DRGNews) — Wildfires burning across the Western United States and Canada are being called unprecedented.  At least 67 different fires are burning in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Canada. The resulting smoke is finding its way into other parts of the nation, including here in South Dakota, where Watertown… Read more »