PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The “Adult Use Marijuana Study” subcommittee of the South Dakota legislature met Tuesday in Pierre. The name refers to recreational use of marijuana, which was approved by voters last November, but is still under a court challenge. During the hearing, Clay County States Attorney Alexis Tracy told the committee there are a number… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators are struggling to come up with rules to help guide the implementation of medical marijuana approved by voters last November. During a subcommittee hearing this week, Senator V.J. Smith of Brookings said there are major outstanding issues with “IM26”. Smith says its hard to know how much voters knew about… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- There are some big shoes – or rather paws – to fill at the Rapid City Fire Department. Cisco, the first dog to be employed by the department will be retiring this Friday as a result of deteriorating health following a seven year career with RCFD. RCFD public information officer Tessa Jaeger… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The School Administrators of South Dakota held their summer convention last week in Deadwood. Vermillion School Superintendent Damon Alvey says it was a pretty relieved tone. Alvey says districts found they had the capability to move to remote learning due to the pandemic. Alvey says most districts found solid support from their communities.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A task force set up by last years legislature has completed its work and given their recommendations to the South Dakota Board of Regents. Regents Executive Director Brian Maher says the “SB55” report will help them focus their new strategic plan. The task force included ideas like centralizing university purchasing, food plans and… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)-South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem say she is not aware of any kids from border areas of the US and Mexico coming to the state. She has made it clear in the past she would not accept those groups. Noem says Governors aren’t notified by the federal government of those types of movements. Noem… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Aberdeen American News)- Northern State University’s next president will be returning to the Midwest. Neal Schnoor, who has been in Long Beach, Calif., since 2019 serving as chief of staff to the president at California State University, has been hired as the next leader of Northern State University. The South Dakota Board of Regents… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR) — With a short motion from the Hughes County Commission, Patrick Callahan has dropped the vice from his title to officially become sheriff.  Callahan was sworn into the position by Circuit Judge Cristina Klinger. Callahan and now former Sheriff Darin Johnson essentially have switched job titles as Commissioners appointed Johnson as vice sheriff,… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The Medical Marijuana Study Subcommittee of the South Dakota legislature met Monday in Pierre. South Dakota Municipal League Executive Director Yvonne Taylor told the legislators that cities would like the option to open their own medical marijuana dispensaries. Taylor says there are various stages of interest from cities. Taylor says cities don’t want… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The over year long Covid-19 pandemic has had many impacts including to health care. Doug Ekeren, President of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, says they have to change how they treat patients. Ekeren says they have always had to adapt to the changing landscape. Ekeren says they also need to help their… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Department of Social Services wants to find more foster families over the next few years. Department Secretary Laurie Gill says its part of their “Stronger Families Together” initiative. Gill says they want to find a lot more families willing to foster. Gill says they need families in all areas of… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- An interim South Dakota legislative committee monitoring mental health resources for first responders will meet later this summer. Representative Ryan Cwach of Yankton says they had several bills pass in this years session. Cwach says they will get updates and hear about progress of the programs. Cwach says their bills had good support… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(WNAX)- The United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Sioux Falls Chapter has ratified their contract with Smithfield Foods. Dayshift Union Representative Tina Gonzalez says all four units represented by their Union gave solid support for the contract. She says the negotiated contract includes better pay and benefits. Gonzalez says their new contract improves safety for the employees but more is needed. The UFCW represents nearly 3,000 frontline workers at Smithfield’s Pork Processing facility in Sioux Falls.