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WASHINGTON, D.C.(KOTA)- Infrastructure has been a tension point on Capitol Hill for months, but South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds says he’s confident a vote on the issue is approaching. Rounds said a bipartisan group of 22 Senators are making good progress on a bill. Outside the group, Rounds said other Senators are watching the progress… Read more »
Sanford Health is mandating Covid-19 vaccines for all employees. Chief Physician Dr Jeremy Cauwels says there are a number of issues pointing them in this direction. Cauwels says the Delta variant is starting to show up in their service areas. Cauwels says employees will need to be vaccinated to stay employed. Employees must show proof… Read more »
PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A strategic study of the role of the Human Services Center in Yankton is underway. Laura Ringling, Director of the Division of Behavioral Health in the Department of Social Services, appeared before the Joint Committee on Appropriations. Ringling says they need to align services with the dollars available. Ringling told the committee that… Read more »
PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- While there are some instances of people getting the coronavirus despite being vaccinated, top health experts point to overwhelming evidence that the shots dramatically reduce severe symptoms and death. The surge in cases comes as the delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading and Avera St. Mary’s Hospital president and Chief Medical Officer Dr.… Read more »
YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Backers of a drive to put an initiative to expand Medicaid on next years general election ballot are stepping up the petition passing. Rick Weiland with “Dakotans 4 Health” says they have a lot of people out gathering signatures. Weiland says they want to overshoot the minimum number of signatures needed. Those petitions… Read more »
PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Sanford Health is requiring all employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination by Nov. 1. At this point, Avera Health has not issued a similar mandate. Sanford Health president and CEO Bill Gassen says the vaccine requirement is another step toward providing the safest possible environment for patients, residents and staff. He says as… Read more »
PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- Officials with Feeding South Dakota have announced who will be replacing C-E-O Matt Gassen after 22 years in that role. Feeding South Dakota Board Chair Jim Stavanger says Lori Dykstra of Sioux Falls has been selected from dozens of applicants. Stavenger says Dykstra’s 20 years of leadership experience is a plus for the… Read more »
PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The bodies of two people have been recovered from the Missouri River near Farm Island southeast of Pierre. Hughes County Sheriff Patrick Callahan says a report was received just after 11 PM on Wednesday of two missing individuals last seen fishing at Farm Island. Sheriff’s Deputies and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks… Read more »
RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- An already lean Rapid City Fire Department has seen some specialist crews called to fight wildland fires throughout the interior west. Tessa Jaeger, public information officer for RCFD, said the crews have been sent to Nevada and Wyoming. While new firefighters are being hired and teams will be returning soon, in the… Read more »
PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The dry weather this summer has at least one benefit, and that is making repair work on several dams easier. School & Public Lands Commissioner Ryan Brunner says they have a big project on the Elm Lake Dam in Brown County. That project will cost about seven million dollars. Brunner says they have… Read more »
