News Category: Local News

Elderly murder defendant released from jail in Minnesota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say an elderly Sioux Falls man charged in a 1974 stabbing death has been released from jail because of his declining health. Eighty-year-old Algene Vossen was charged last summer with killing 74-year-old Mable Herman, at her home in Willmar, Minnesota after investigators found new DNA evidence they say ties… Read more »

Elderly murder defendant released from jail in Minnesota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say an elderly Sioux Falls man charged in a 1974 stabbing death has been released from jail because of his declining health. Eighty-year-old Algene Vossen was charged last summer with killing 74-year-old Mable Herman, at her home in Willmar, Minnesota after investigators found new DNA evidence they say ties… Read more »

NWS recognizes Onida couple for over 50 years of observations

PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The National Weather Service Central Region office has recognized an Onida family for their dedication to taking weather observations for over 50 years. The Pierce Family, led by Robert Pierce has been given the Family Heritage Award for their commitment to taking weather readings over the last five decades. Tim Kearns… Read more »

NWS recognizes Onida couple for over 50 years of observations

PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The National Weather Service Central Region office has recognized an Onida family for their dedication to taking weather observations for over 50 years. The Pierce Family, led by Robert Pierce has been given the Family Heritage Award for their commitment to taking weather readings over the last five decades. Tim Kearns… Read more »

House Education Committee hears from superintendents

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The South Dakota House Education Committee heard from several school superintendents Wednesday in an informational session. Deubrook Area Superintendent Kimberley Kludt says they are struggling to maintain a competitive base salary. Kludt says they also have a difficult time finding teachers to fill openings. Kludt says she did her doctoral dissertation… Read more »

House Education Committee hears from superintendents

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The South Dakota House Education Committee heard from several school superintendents Wednesday in an informational session. Deubrook Area Superintendent Kimberley Kludt says they are struggling to maintain a competitive base salary. Kludt says they also have a difficult time finding teachers to fill openings. Kludt says she did her doctoral dissertation… Read more »

Cities talk about legislative issues through Municipal League

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – Cities across South Dakota communicate with the legislature through the Municipal League. Yankton City Manager Amy Leon is Second Vice President with the League and says they will have some issues to talk about. That extra penny sales tax has not been popular with legislators in past sessions. Leon says cities… Read more »

Cities talk about legislative issues through Municipal League

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – Cities across South Dakota communicate with the legislature through the Municipal League. Yankton City Manager Amy Leon is Second Vice President with the League and says they will have some issues to talk about. That extra penny sales tax has not been popular with legislators in past sessions. Leon says cities… Read more »

New Supreme Court Chief Justice says judges need raises

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota’s new Supreme Court Chief Justice, Steven Jensen, gave his first “State of the Judiciary” speech to the legislature last week. He gave much credit to his predecessor, Justice David Gilbertson, who retired after 21 years in the middle seat. Representative Mike Stevens of Yankton says it was a good… Read more »

New Supreme Court Chief Justice says judges need raises

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota’s new Supreme Court Chief Justice, Steven Jensen, gave his first “State of the Judiciary” speech to the legislature last week. He gave much credit to his predecessor, Justice David Gilbertson, who retired after 21 years in the middle seat. Representative Mike Stevens of Yankton says it was a good… Read more »

Meridian Wind asks PUC to allow it to withdraw application

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Meridian Wind had an application for a 175 megawatt wind power project in Hyde County. Their attorney, Brett Koencke asked the Public Utilities Commission to allow them to withdraw the application due to problems with their power connections. Koencke says the company still plans to build the project. Commissioner Kristie Fiegen… Read more »

Meridian Wind asks PUC to allow it to withdraw application

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Meridian Wind had an application for a 175 megawatt wind power project in Hyde County. Their attorney, Brett Koencke asked the Public Utilities Commission to allow them to withdraw the application due to problems with their power connections. Koencke says the company still plans to build the project. Commissioner Kristie Fiegen… Read more »

Next phase of vaccinations may take a while to administer

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakotans who fall into the Phase 1 Group D category became eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination this week. Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon says so far, the state has received about 11,000 doses of vaccine each week, so it’ll take a while to get through group 1D. She says… Read more »

Next phase of vaccinations may take a while to administer

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakotans who fall into the Phase 1 Group D category became eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination this week. Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon says so far, the state has received about 11,000 doses of vaccine each week, so it’ll take a while to get through group 1D. She says… Read more »

Hemp leader discusses rules at OMB

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The Office of Management and Budget has completed its review of USDA’s final rule to establish a domestic hemp production program as directed by the 2018 farm bill. Monitoring that movement is South Dakota Industrial Hemp Association Executive Director Katie Sieverding.   She says there’s one last step to be completed… Read more »

Hemp leader discusses rules at OMB

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The Office of Management and Budget has completed its review of USDA’s final rule to establish a domestic hemp production program as directed by the 2018 farm bill. Monitoring that movement is South Dakota Industrial Hemp Association Executive Director Katie Sieverding.   She says there’s one last step to be completed… Read more »

Northern State holds Friends of the Arts/NSU Young Artist Competition

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – The Northern State University Department of Music recently held its 2021 Friends of the Arts/NSU Young Artist Competition, where 22 talented high school juniors and seniors from South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota submitted video recordings for NSU faculty judging panels. The event was held virtually this year, and offered… Read more »

Northern State holds Friends of the Arts/NSU Young Artist Competition

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – The Northern State University Department of Music recently held its 2021 Friends of the Arts/NSU Young Artist Competition, where 22 talented high school juniors and seniors from South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota submitted video recordings for NSU faculty judging panels. The event was held virtually this year, and offered… Read more »

Pierre man faces charges related to fires, burglary

PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – A 31-year-old man from Pierre faces felony charges related to fires and a burglary earlier this month. At approximately 3:30 Wednesday morning , Pierre Volunteer Fire Department chief Ian Paul says they were called to a fire in a large, plastic dumpster in the front parking lot at Lariat Lanes… Read more »

Pierre man faces charges related to fires, burglary

PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – A 31-year-old man from Pierre faces felony charges related to fires and a burglary earlier this month. At approximately 3:30 Wednesday morning , Pierre Volunteer Fire Department chief Ian Paul says they were called to a fire in a large, plastic dumpster in the front parking lot at Lariat Lanes… Read more »