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 »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The “Teacher Compensation Review Board” met for the first time since 2018 on Friday in Pierre. The board was mandated by the Blue-Ribbon Commission in 2015 that came up with the increased teacher pay recommendations that were later passed by the legislature. Board member, Aberdeen Schools Superintendent Becky Guffin says the board needs… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- As schools work through policies for the use of medical cannabis by students, there are concerns about the impact on activities. Dan Swartos, Executive Director of the South Dakota High School Activities Association, says they won’t have a separate policy for medical cannabis. Swartos says there would have to be an illegal use… Read more »

The Rules Review Committee of the South Dakota legislature will see the next round of proposed rules for the use of medical cannabis in schools at their meeting this week. Representative Ryan Cwach of Yankton says they sent the first set of rules back to the Department of Education. Cwach says the revised rules set… Read more »

KANSAS CITY, M.O.(WNAX)- The national Climate Prediction Center has issued a La Nina watch for later this year. Cooler than normal Pacific Ocean surface temperatures leads to the formation of a La Nina, which can cause cooler and wetter conditions in much of North America. Doug Kluck, with the Central Region of the National Weather… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Governor Kristi Noem has signed Executive Order 2021-10 granting extended hours of service for the commercial delivery of petroleum products in South Dakota. The order declares a state of emergency and exempts delivery of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and ethyl alcohol from federal motor carrier regulations on drivers’ hours of service. Residents and… Read more »