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.

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson addressed delegates to the state VFW Convention Friday in Yankton. He says vets have some strong opinions. Johnson says Congress continues to work on and pass bills important for veterans. Johnson says native Americans have a strong sense of service. Senator John Thune also spoke to the convention.

WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- The Senate Ag Committee will be holding a hearing on Thursday to look at the issue of cattle market manipulation and anti-competitive practices by the meat packers.  South Dakota Senator and Committee Member John Thune says this isn’t a new issue, but they are turning up the heat on the subject and hope… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota legislature set aside money this year to repair a number of high risk dams across the state. School and Public Lands Commissioner Ryan Brunner says his office is responsible for those dams. Brunner says the priority dam is in northwest Brown County. Brunner says another critical dam is upstream of… Read more »

Tech colleges in South Dakota are rapidly filling their available class slots for this fall. Paula Hawks, Career Services Coordinator at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls says their registration sessions have been very popular. Hawks says classes are filling up fast. Hawks says students are seeing that tech degrees pay off. Other tech colleges… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D.(KJJQ)- Educators across the country are concerned with the impact of the pandemic on students. The biggest impact will likely be on the K-12 system but it will also affect college students. South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn says they’ll be looking closely at the results of professional tests. He says they’re preparing… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Educators are pushing back against charges from some politicians that teachers and schools are “indoctrinating” students in everything from negative American history to critical race theory. Yankton School Superintendent Wayne Kindle says the districts education policy has been consistent over the years. Kindle says they include American history and civics in most grade… Read more »

VERMILLION, S.D.(WNAX)- The Joint Committee on Appropriations spent several hours on the USD campus in Vermillion this week, talking about and questioning diversity efforts. Committee Co-Chair, Representative Chris Karr of Sioux Falls, says the issue first came up during the legislative session. Karr says they wanted to know how and where state dollars are being… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- A new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease has gathered a lot of interest and criticism. The FDA approved the use of Aduhelm over the objections of some doctors on their advisory panel. Leslie Morrow, Executive Director of the South Dakota Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association says the drug offers new hope. Morrow says… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced a holiday for state workers on Friday, June 18, 2021, in honor of Juneteenth. This is in response to the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act”, which was signed today by President Joseph R. Biden.   “‘All men are created equal.’ That is America’s foundational ideal,” said… Read more »