WATERTOWN, S.D.(AlphaMedia)- A northeast South Dakota lawmaker says a special legislative session could be in the works to deal with marijuana in the state—both medical and recreational. Republican Lee Schoenbeck of Watertown is the Senate Pro Tempore. The voter-approved measure on medical marijuana called for an implementation date of July 1st. There was talk during… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNAX)- The U.S. Senate confirmed New Mexico Representative Deb  Haaland as Interior Secretary. That department has a lot to do with federal land management across the country. South Dakota Stock Grower’s Association Executive Director James Halverson says they have a lot of concerns with Haaland’s confirmation. One of the concerns with Haaland’s past… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- Road Closed:  Weather permitting, beginning at 8AM on Monday, March 22, 2021 the following road will be closed to thru traffic for demolition work: 3rd Avenue SE from South State Street to South Lloyd Street Work is expected to last until the 1st week of April.  Motorists are advised to take alternate… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- Looking for family entertainment?  Want to create family memories?  Come out to the Aberdeen Optimist Club Family Free Throw Contest.  The event is sponsored by the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and the Aberdeen Optimist Club.  The contest will be held at Aberdeen Civic Arena on Tuesday, March 23.   Registration will… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(AlphaMedia)–The Watertown Police Department continues to promote from within following the news that Police Chief Lee McPeek will retire next month. Assistant Chief Tim Toomey was recently named the new chief–effective April 9th. And now there’s word that Captain Ryan Remmers will replace Toomey as Assistant Chief. Remmers began his career at the police… Read more »

BROOKINGS, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators set aside twenty million dollars for development and construction of a production scale bio-sciences lab at South Dakota State University. Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton, Co-Chair of the Joint Appropriations Committee, says one stand out project is a new bio-processing lab at SDSU. SDSU President Barry Dunn says the project,… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Local governments across South Dakota can get help in replacing and repairing bridges. Transportation Department Secretary Joel Jundt says they have a couple of programs available. Jundt says counties and townships can get help removing old structures. Jundt says the legislature has been helping local governments pay for some of the replacement costs.… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem says that two interim cabinet secretaries will be given the jobs permanently. Secretary Joel Jundt of the Department of Transportation and Secretary Kevin Robling with Game, Fish, and Parks will both continue to serve in their roles as secretaries to their departments. Noem said Robling has a great… Read more »

AVON, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota schools will see a two-point four percent increase in state aid for next year. Avon School Superintendent Tom Culver says there are still some variables in the funding formula. Culver says the increase is higher than what the legislature legally could have done. Culver says they have to look beyond the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- While the South Dakota legislature was able to use a lot of one-time money to fund some long-needed projects, progress could be halted due to other actions taken by lawmakers. Long time legislative observer and lobbyist Dave Owen says one bill stands out. Owen says bill sponsors were not honest about its intent.… Read more »