WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNAX) – As Congress attempts to find a compromise on the next economic stimulus bill, South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson is waiting to add a telehealth bill. Johnson says the use of telehealth has jumped during the pandemic. Johnson says demand for the program money has increased. The next stimulus bill is expected… Read more »

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Press Release) — Plans for the 75th Annual Central States Fair continue to progress, with more than usual adjustments required along the way. Most notably, it is now confirmed that all previously scheduled concerts have been postponed with plans in place to reschedule for 2021. The grandstand concerts will feature nationally recognized… Read more »

DELL RAPIDS, S.D. (WNAX) – Mounting a statewide campaign in the face of a pandemic is a challenge. Dan Ahlers of Dell Rapids is the Democratic candidate for the Senate and will face Republican incumbent Senator Mike Rounds in November. Ahlers says he has had some time to adjust. Ahlers says he was able to… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – The South Dakota Department of Health is warning state residents of another COVID-19 test kit scam going around. Sec. Kim Malsam-Rysdon says when the state calls people to let them know they’ve been in contact with someone who has the coronavirus, the contact tracers do not ask for credit card… Read more »

BRITTON, S.D. (WNAX) – The Government Operations and Audit Committee of the South Dakota legislature got an update last week on the use, so far, of federal CARES Act funding the state has received. Senator Susan Wismer of Britton says there were a lot of details. Wismer says there were some surprises. Wismer says the… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – More wind power farms could be sprouting up across South Dakota despite the pandemic. Public Utilities Commissioner Chris Nelson says they continue to see wind farm applications. Nelson says power demand has changed as businesses closed and people work from home. Nelson says it will take a while to see if… Read more »

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – Cities and counties across South Dakota are trying to figure out how to use millions of dollars in federal funding sent out to help deal with the pandemic. Yankton City Manager Amy Leon says they are working through the rules on what qualifies. Leon says they would like to keep the… Read more »

FORT PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – A 67-year-old man from Pierre has died after he went into the Missouri River while unloading his boat at the Fort Pierre boat ramp Monday morning. Stanley County Chief Deputy Sheriff Greg Swanson says David Lee Braun was pronounced dead at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre. Upon investigation,… Read more »

Police and medics were called to the scene of a crash Sunday evening where a van came to rest on a car. American News photo by Elisa Sand ABERDEEN, S.D. (By Elisa Sand [email protected]) – Charges are pending against an Aberdeen woman after a Sunday evening crash in which her vehicle came to rest on… Read more »

KEYSTONE, S.D. (Press Release) – A Villard, Minn., man has been identified as the person who died Wednesday afternoon in a vehicle-motorcycle crash south of Keystone. A 1996 Harley Davidson motorcycle was westbound on Iron Mountain Road when the driver failed to negotiate a right-hand curve. The motorcycle entered the oncoming lane and collided with… Read more »

MITCHELL, S.D. (KMIT) – One person was killed this morning in a plane crash in Douglas County.  Authorities say the crash happened just before 11 a.m. near the intersection of 404th Avenue and 273rd Street six miles northwest of Parkston. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have been notified.  No further information… Read more »

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has announced a program to offer training at the state’s technical colleges to people who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Republican governor describes the program, called UpSkill, as a pathway to “a new career path as we get back to… Read more »

A COVID-19 outbreak has closed the Camp Judson youth facility near Keystone. Photo courtesy of Google Maps KEYSTONE, S.D. (By Nick Lowrey South Dakota News Watch) – Several cases of COVID-19 have been linked to Camp Judson, a popular Christian youth summer camp located in the Black Hills, the South Dakota Department of Health has confirmed.… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – The City of Aberdeen has scheduled a city-wide ground spray for mosquitoes on Tuesday, July 28 between the hours of 9 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. The adulticiding equipment is noisy and travels at 10 mph. The mosquito control trucks are identified and travel with a flashing yellow light. To ensure… Read more »