South Dakota State News

February: 1st half warm, 2nd half cold with precip

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:32:32 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- This warm start to the month will not last.

We've now reached the second month of the year, and we're still experiencing temperatures more typical of the third month. But I think as time goes on, that will change.

The western United States will start to see the jet stream dig into the four-corners region. This should happen during the second week of the month. As that happens, we'll stay warm in KELOLAND. But sooner or later, storm system will move through the central US and affect us in KELOLAND.

These system will increase our chances for precipitation in KELOLAND. At first, they'll start in the form of rain or snow, but as the month goes on colder air will come in and we'll have a chance at seeing more snow than rain.

I really think the month of February will be flipped. The first half of the month will feature above average temperatures and little precipitation, while the second half of the month will be colder with better chances for snow.
So the bottom line is, while the month is starting warm, give it sometime and old man winter will show up again. When he does, he'll give us another shot of well below average temperatures. That's not expected until the second half of the month.

Gib's Sports Bar & Grill to open in old Cherry Creek building April 1

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:12:51 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- A Sioux Falls sports bar is opening a second location.

KELOLAND News has confirmed that the Gateway Lounge has bought the old Cherry Creek Bar and Grill on East 26th Street, which will soon open under a new name, but probably not the name you're thinking.

The sign reads Cherry Creek for sale...

"It was Cherry Creek," Jack Rentschler, Jr said.

But not anymore.

Thursday morning, with the ink barely dry at signing, the owners of the Gateway Lounge began hanging signs and making renovations to the new Gib's Sports Bar and Grill.

"My grandfather's name was Gilbert, in a small town of 300 people, and everybody called him Gib," Jack Rentschler, Jr said.

Jack Rentschler, Jr says it's a way to honor his grandfather, who he says worked hard in life.

"He cut hair and he charged like 25 or 50 cents a haircut, he raised a family of four and I just love him for that," Jack said.

Jack's son, Jackson says having a second sports bar in Sioux Falls is a dream come true.

"It's exciting, it's very exciting for us to get our opportunity to put our stamp on the east side of Sioux Falls," Jackson said.

They both say it'll sort of have the same atmosphere and vibe as the Gateway.

Gib's Sports Bar and Grill coming to east Sioux Falls
Gib's Sports Bar and Grill coming to east Sioux Falls
Gib's Sports Bar and Grill coming to east Sioux Falls
Seating around at old Cherry Creek
Inside old Cherry Creek

"It won't look anything like Cherry Creek and it was beautiful, but we'll make it look more like a sports bar," Jackson said.

So this bar will be moved.

"We tend to have more of the bartenders in control of our place and currently the bar is over there and we need that moved back into the middle, so the bartender is able to look left, look right to make sure everybody is being looked after to the best of our ability," Jack said.

But in the meantime, you're going to have to wait to be seated, but it won't be that long of a wait.

Man arrested for raping runaway minor

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:11:21 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- A report of a missing 15-year-old Sioux Falls girl, led to a three-day investigation, an arrest and sex charges.

The search for the girl led Sioux Falls Police to 20-year-old Cornell Jones.

"We had officers that were looking for a runaway and during the course of that investigation, found that there was communication between the suspect and the runaway," said Public Information Officer Sam Clemens.

Public Information officer Sam Clemens says Jones connected with the victim through Instagram, and after messaging back and forth, Jones offered to get her a ride to meet him.

"As police continued their investigation, it led them here to the Super Eight motel where they found Jones and the 15-year-old together.

Today in court, a prosecutor told the judge Jones lied to police about the victim being in the room. Police found her hiding in the bathroom.

"She was in the room when officers arrived. And then we later learned that there had been some sexual contact between the two of them," Clemens said.

Jones is currently charged with rape, solicitation of a minor and contributing to the abuse, neglect or delinquency of a minor.

"Even though these conversations are taking place on social media, at some point, they're going to have a tie to real life where they're going to meet, and there may be conversations about what they want to do, if there's going to be some sexual contact or sexual activity," Clemens said.

Clemens says this case highlights the importance parents and guardians staying vigilant on social media.

"It's fine to trust your kids, it's fine to believe that they're going to do the right thing. It's not necessarily questioning what your kids are doing. It's what other people are saying to your kids," Clemens said.

Another man is named in court documents but has yet to be arrested.

The judge set Jones' bond at 5k dollars cash.

Lawmakers: Talk with Noem 'productive'

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:09:35 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- We're hearing from Governor Kristi Noem after her Wednesday address to the Legislature.

Noem called the joint session to highlight the problems at the U-S- Mexico border and how they affect the whole country.

In her speech, Noem mentioned the impact the border has on reservations.

Since then, the governor has met with two Native American lawmakers.

Governor Noem says the so-called "invasion" at the U.S.-Mexico border is directly affecting South Dakota, including tribal lands.

"We are affected by cartel presence right here on our tribal reservations," Noem said.

Wednesday afternoon, Democratic Representative Peri Pourier, who represents the Pine Ridge Reservation, spoke with KELOLAND News about her frustration with part of the speech.

"She only sees us when it benefits her," Pourier said.

Pourier and Republican representative Tyler Tordsen met with the governor Thursday morning.

"I've been working for years to build relationships with our tribes. That's one of the things that we spent the most time talking about in our meeting this morning, was the need for relationship," Noem said.

"We did have some discussions. We did explain the context of my comments in the media, my emotion behind that, and I'm glad the governor really took time to listen to our discussions," Pourier said.

"It was a really productive conversation. It was an opportunity to share thoughts and feelings and really show collaboration and communication for a common goal, which is to make sure our communities are safe," Tordsen said.

Pourier says she and the governor do share common ground.

"The governor is very passionate about her concern for public safety of South Dakota and tribal communities. I am very passionate as well, so being able to come together and to discuss these issues and trying to find a meaningful way forward and how do we redefine what relationship-building means in South Dakota was a very productive conversation," Pourier said.

The lawmakers say the meeting lasted about 40 minutes and also included some of Noem's staff members.

You can watch the governor's full news conference from Thursday morning here.

Kidney transplant mom and baby defy the odds

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 23:30:42 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Women who receive kidney transplants may have a more difficult time getting pregnant, however, it is not impossible.

In 2020, we brought you the story about how Breanna Eichelberg was in need of a kidney transplant after being diagnosed with a disease only one in a million people get. And with over 100,000 people listed for kidney transplants, with 12 people a day dying from lack of a transplant, it was a miracle that her husband Mason was a perfect match.

Eichelberg continues to defy all odds by giving birth to the first Sanford baby born after receiving a kidney transplant. However, the road to motherhood was not an easy one.

"Transplant kidneys, they don't fail any more frequently when you get pregnant than if you're not pregnant, but still, you take a risk, and a risk with those underlying processes certainly is-iIt's not for the faint of heart," says Breanna's High Risk OB/GYN Dr. Michael McNamara.

Before becoming pregnant with her current child, Eichelberg had a miscarriage. Then, with her last pregnancy, she developed different conditions.

"They told me in the beginning, I would more than likely get preeclampsia, which I did end up getting, and I also developed cholestasis as well, which affects the liver," says Breanna Eichelberg.

Her doctors also noticed her kidney function acting up the closer she came to giving birth.

"But when you're on medications that suppress your immune system, when you have other medical conditions, that it is much harder to not just become pregnant, but to also have a viable pregnancy," says Breanna's Transplant Doctor Dr. Mohammad Qamar.

While Eichelberg did have to have a C-section a few weeks earlier than planned, and her baby Isla had to spend a few weeks in the NICU after coming out of the womb not breathing, three months later, both mother and baby are doing well.

"I think this is a very resilient family. And I think Briana always had the will and perseverance to go through this," says Qamar.

"I feel like I found my purpose in life to be a mom, to her especially, she's so awesome," says Eichelberg.

Doctors say while Eichelberg was the first Sanford baby post-kidney transplant, they are excited about the opportunity for more babies like this in the future.

2 men wanted in Silver Dollar Casino robbery

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 23:13:28 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- Police are looking for two men involved in a pair of Sioux Falls casino robberies.

Police say the two men tried getting into the back door of Crown Casino on East 10th Street early Wednesday morning by shooting at the door. They took off after not being able to get inside.

Then a few hours later, police believe the same two men showed up at the Silver Dollar casino on Marion Road.

Police say both men pointed guns at people inside and left with cash.

Police have recovered one of the guns involved.

New safety campus hosts its first class of fire rescue cadets

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 23:10:11 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) - This year's Sioux Falls Fire Rescue cadets will be the first class to train and graduate from the city's new public safety campus since its opening in October.

Fire Rescue cadet Victor Garcia said he always knew working behind a desk wasn't for him.

"I love helping people. And I feel like that was the great opportunity that was that was there for me, just being able to give back to the community," Garcia said.

However, Garcia says it's more than responding to burning buildings.

"As a firefighter, I thought it was just about putting fires out and, you know, helping people. But it never really crossed my mind that there are way more things that they do," Garcia said. "Honestly, it makes me appreciate what they do even more."

During the first six weeks of the program, cadets train and are put into emergency medical situations.
"We incorporate Emergency Medical Service (EMS) into all of our fire hands-on training because EMS is one of our highest-growing call volumes for the city of Sioux Falls," Eric Engberg, Sioux Falls firefighter training officer said.

Jason Marzolf, the Division Chief of Training, says the new safety facility has been able to elevate the program.

"It brings a ton of resources that we didn't have prior from simulation abilities with EMS to multiple burn structures and tactical buildings. We have tools here that are top-notch and able to provide quality training and education," Marzolf said.

Garcia is one of 17 cadets who will serve the Sioux Falls community after graduating.

"I love being a part of the physical skills and being right next to the cadets shoulder to shoulder, doing the skills with them and going through the process. I love building that relationship with them, so then I can later work with them further on in their career," Engberg said.

With their new campus housing police, fire and emergency management, Marzolf says it only adds to the community's theme.

"It's a great opportunity as you hear the city continuously talk about "One Sioux Falls" and that starts right here from day one with our cadets," Marzolf said.

The Sioux Falls Public Safety Campus spans 42 acres and cost the city $55 million.

Click here for more information about the Sioux Falls Cadet Academy.

A spot on the sidelines for Super Bowl LVIII

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 22:51:35 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- A former high school and college football standout in the Dakotas is in line to receive a Super Bowl ring, if San Francisco emerges victorious next Sunday.

Spencer Waege spent last spring on the family farm near South Shore, before heading to San Francisco to join the 49ers. Waege's first stint with the team ended in August, but he rejoined the Niners in November.

"It's been awesome, been great to be back part of this organization and back playing football again," 49ers defensive lineman Spencer Waege said.

The former NDSU star is currently on the practice squad.

"I do everything the team does, I go to all the meetings, practices, go to the games on the sideline for them, the only difference is that I don't suit up to play in them," Waege said.

Waege will travel to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl.

"Being there and having the opportunity to be part of a team that wins the Super Bowl. That's something I really never dreamt would ever happen to me," Waege said.

He may not play, but Spencer is taking advantage of his time in San Francisco, learning from players like Nick Bosa and Chase Young.

"Just continuing to see how they go about their careers between getting ready for games, taking care of their bodies, just learning all that stuff to help propel me forward in my career," Waege said.

Waege says every Sunday has been something special, and Super Sunday will be no exception.

"Seeing those atmospheres and just taking all those in, I thought those were really cool, but I've just got a feeling the Super Bowl experience and everything from the game is just going to be something that's truly going to have to go see to actually believe what it's going to feel like," Waege said.

And Spencer says the response from home has been unbelievable.

"So many people from back home have reached out and shown their support and have told me how awesome this is, how great of an experience that I'm getting to enjoy while I'm out here. It's been awesome to see all the support from everyone back home," Waege said.

Spencer says the key for the 49ers defense is containing Patrick Mahomes, not letting him scramble and extend plays.

Super Bowl 58 is on Sunday, February 11th, on KELO-TV. Kickoff is set for 5:30 Central Time.

SD Black Chamber of Commerce connecting businesses

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 22:49:41 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The South Dakota Black Chamber of Commerce (SDBCC) is holding their inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony February 1 at Startup Sioux Falls.

The chamber’s goal is to connect black business owners in the state with resources, education, exposure and leadership.

“We're really looking to be that catalyst for black businesses to really allow for us to be the assistance to help them voice their needs in the community,” SDBCC Communications Director Sidney Bazemore said.

They will be partnering with city chambers in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings and Vermillion to help reduce the high barrier of entry in the business world and to becoming chamber members.

“What we're doing is filling in the gaps so that we're helping the community and through education, access to resources,” Co-founder Immanuel Bassey said. “It's very, very necessary to make our community thrive.”

Bassey is also the SDBCC’s vice president of finance. A large part of the chamber’s mission is to educate business owners on financial literacy and connect them with opportunities they may not know about to grow their businesses. Bassey said the chamber is also working with local banks.

“I'd like to make sure that people understand the ways to have financial stability so that way they can actually have the tools to scale when it comes to black businesses,” he said.

Bazemore said it’s difficult to track the number of black-owned businesses in the state and even harder to find the ones involved in their city chamber. The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce only has 25% of businesses in the city register.

“We do know that there isn't a very high volume of black businesses that would even register with any of the local chambers,” he said. “You can think of it as something as a language barrier. When we come into these spaces and we're looking to access resources, can someone speak the language or have the cadence of communication that would allow for me as a business owner to understand what the benefits of this chamber is?”

Bazemore hopes the SDBCC can break that metaphorical language barrier and get more businesses to become chamber members.

Bassey added that through the SDBCC, they can start documenting black businesses in South Dakota to get a better account of how many black owned businesses there are, what their needs are and how to help them grow.

“When it comes down to it, how many black businesses are there out here?” Bassey said. “Being a Black Chamber, what we can do now is catalog, we're cataloging information so that we can properly assess the needs of South Dakota.”

Chemical leak leads to extended closure, damage at Swamp Daddy's

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:47:58 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO)-- The Downtown Sioux Falls Burger Battle wrapped up Wednesday, but one of the most popular burgers was not available for the final two days of the competition.

Swamp Daddy's is closed after some major damage to the building.

"It literally looked like something out of a scene of a movie. It was this lime green bright stuff falling out of every crack and crevice of the ceiling," Swam Daddy's owner Inkka Beaudion said.

Swamp Daddy's owner and mom, Inkka Beaudion, says it looked like Nickelodeon slime all over her family's restaurant, but it turned out to be something much worse.

"It is a chemical and we run a restaurant," Beaudion said.

The mysterious green goo started falling Tuesday morning after an HVAC company hit a pipe while moving the furnace in the condo right above Swamp Daddy's.

"I know that there's different types of glycols and we were doing our research trying to figure out, what do we use to clean this up, how toxic is this?" Beaudion said.

Wednesday a professional clean-up crew was in to help contain the chemical and figure out what it will take to repair the damage already done.

"Anything that is porous will need to be replaced if it came in contact with it. So tables, dining tables, the lights, we were told today the lights need to be replaced," Beaudion said. "Our custom countertop that was really unique to our space, that has to be replaced, our beautiful painting."

It's an incredibly hard hit for this small local business that's already experienced some incredible hardships in less than 2 years open at this location.

"We went through a pipe burst on Christmas Eve...our restaurant was flooded on both the restaurant side and the bar side," Beaudion said.

That was in 2022 just a few months after opening; then in May of last year, a fire in their prep room shut down business for repairs once again.

"I can't believe this, why us, why right now?" Beaudion said.

This latest catastrophe comes right at the final two days of the burger battle when Swamp Daddy's boss hog burger was one of the favorites in the competition.

"This month has been the busiest month we've ever had in the history of being a restaurant," Beaudion said.

Now she and her employees won't be able to serve customers for quite some time.

"It's difficult you know, as a small business owner you pour everything into your business, and you sacrifice a lot," Beaudion said.

But even with her own pain and stress, Beaudion's focus is on trying to help her team.

"I've reached out to a few restaurants to see, hey could you temporary use some staff so that my servers who depend on tips, maybe they could have some work in this time. I'm not sure how long we'll be down," Beaudion said.

Intoxibakes next door in the Jones 421 building also had some minor damage, but with a plastic containment wall, the bakery will be able to re-open Thursday.

Swamp Daddy's says whenever they are able to re-open, they do plan to put their burger battle entry back on the menu for anyone who hasn't had a chance to try it out yet.

South Dakota man charged in 2013 death of girlfriend takes plea offer, avoiding murder charge

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:40:39 +0000

More than a decade the decomposing body of 38-year-old woman was found in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the boyfriend accused of her murder took a plea offer the day before trial. Meshell Will was reported missing in August…

Noem looking to further bolster Texas security efforts at US-Mexico border

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:56:46 +0000

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says her administration is considering boosting its support for Texas’ efforts to deter immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. In a speech to a joint session of the Legislature on Wednesday, she mentioned sending more razor…

Georgia governor signs bill that would define antisemitism in state law

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 22:39:19 +0000

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a law defining antisemitism in state law. Kemp, in a Wednesday signing ceremony, proclaimed support for Jewish residents despite concerns that the measure would hamper people opposing the actions of Israel. The measure had…

What to know about how lawmakers are addressing deepfakes like the ones that victimized Taylor Swift

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 21:33:27 +0000

The growing issue of AI-generated deepfakes has already been a hot topic in state legislatures. Then Taylor Swift was victimized with her face appearing on pornographic images. At least ten states have deepfake laws on the books, and now most…

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota - Advisory

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 20:40:08 +0000

Eds: The South Dakota editorial roundup will not move this week due to a lack of editorials of state-wide interest. We will resume the roundup at its normal time on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Some Republican leaders are pushing back against the conservative Freedom Caucus in statehouses

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:18:05 +0000

Some Republican lawmakers are pushing back as the conservative Freedom Caucus Networks expands from Washington, D.C., into state capitols. The organization is attempting to push the Republican Party further to the right. But some fellow Republicans don't like the group's…

Legislative panel shoots down South Dakota bill to raise the age for marriage to 18

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 17:46:04 +0000

Sixteen- and 17-year-olds call still wed in South Dakota after a legislative committee shot down an effort to raise the age of marriage to 18. KELO-TV reports that the House State Affairs Committee on Monday voted 8-5 to reject the…

There's a wave of new bills to define antisemitism. In these 3 states, they could become law

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 13:12:42 +0000

Lawmakers in more than a half-dozen U.S. states are pushing laws to define antisemitism, triggering debates about free speech and bringing complicated world politics into statehouses. The definition lays out standards for determining in which instances criticism of Israel amounts…

Georgia lawmakers, in support of Israel, pass bill that would define antisemitism in state law

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 20:33:14 +0000

Georgia lawmakers in a show of support for Israel have given final passage to a bill to define antisemitism in state law, sending it to the governor for his expected signature. The Senate approved the measure by a 44-6 vote…

South Dakota Senate OKs measure for work requirement to voter-passed Medicaid expansion

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 22:07:23 +0000

The South Dakota Senate has approved a resolution for a 2024 ballot measure to impose work requirements for Medicaid expansion recipients. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives. South Dakota voters in 2022 approved a constitutional amendment for…

Two men convicted of kidnapping, carjacking an FBI employee in South Dakota

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 17:30:07 +0000

A federal jury in South Dakota has convicted two men on several charges related to the 2022 kidnapping of an FBI employee. The Rapid City Journal reports that 29-year-old Deyvin Morales and 25-year-old Juan Alvarez-Soto were found guilty of kidnapping,…

Montana man convicted of killing eagles is sentenced to 3 years in prison for related gun violations

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 00:32:32 +0000

A Montana felon previously convicted of killing eagles to sell their parts on the black market has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for related gun violations. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters on Wednesday sentenced Harvey Alvin Hugs…

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 12:10:39 +0000

Yankton Press & Dakotan. January 22, 2024.

Kelly Armstrong, North Dakota's lone congressman, runs for governor

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 21:51:02 +0000

North Dakota's only member of the U.S. House of Representatives is running for governor of the sparsely populated state. Republican Rep. Kelly Armstrong's announcement comes a day after Gov. Doug Burgum said he won't seek a third term. Armstrong, an…

After stalling in 2023, a bill to define antisemitism in state law is advancing in Georgia

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 00:38:19 +0000

A bill to define antisemitism in Georgia law stalled in 2023 over how the measure should be worded. But now it's moving ahead, backed by a heavy Republican push to support Israel in its war with Hamas and Jewish Georgians…

'Burn, beetle, burn': Hundreds of people torch an effigy of destructive bug in South Dakota town

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 19:53:20 +0000

In what’s become an annual winter tradition, hundreds of people carrying torches set fire to a giant wooden beetle effigy in Custer, South Dakota, to raise awareness of the destructive impact of the mountain pine beetle on Black Hills forest…

South Dakota bill advances, proposing more legal representation for people who can't pay

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:04:40 +0000

A South Dakota bill advanced Friday that proposes a statewide commission focused on indigent defense, or legal representation for those without the ability to pay. Only three of the state’s counties – Minnehaha, Pennington and Meade – have a dedicated…

North Dakota lawmaker who insulted police in DUI stop gets unsupervised probation and $1,000 fine

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 23:16:24 +0000

A North Dakota Republican lawmaker has been sentenced to serve nearly a year of unsupervised probation to pay $1,000 in fines and fees after pleading guilty to a drunken driving charge earlier this month. The charge is connection to a…

Indiana bill defining antisemitism advances to state Senate

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 20:47:52 +0000

The Indiana state House of Representatives has unanimously passed bill that defines antisemitism as religious discrimination in education code. Opponents to the bill say it could be used to shut down support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel in classrooms…

Nevada Supreme Court panel won't reconsider ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse case

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 20:44:54 +0000

A panel of Nevada Supreme Court justices won’t reconsider former “Dances With Wolves” actor Nathan Chasing Horse’s request to dismiss an indictment that accuses him of leading a cult, taking underage wives and sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls. The…

A push for a permanent sales tax cut in South Dakota is dealt a setback

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:49:56 +0000

Supporters of a proposed permanent sales tax cut in South Dakota have been dealt a setback. Senate budget writers Thursday tabled a bill the House overwhelmingly passed last week. The bill would make permanent a four-year sales tax cut the…

South Dakota House passes bill that would make the animal sedative xylazine a controlled substance

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 23:31:25 +0000

The South Dakota House has passed a bill that would make xylazine a controlled substance. Xylazine is a large-animal sedative that is being mixed with fentanyl and then used by some people. The measure would establish penalties of up to…

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 12:10:41 +0000

Yankton Press & Dakotan. January 16, 2024.

Arctic freeze continues to blast huge swaths of the US with sub-zero temperatures

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 01:55:01 +0000

It’s another day of brutally cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills across much of the United States. Monday promised to deliver the coldest temperatures ever for Iowa’s presidential nominating contest and hold up air travelers yet again. It will also…

A weekend of ferocious winter weather could see low-temperature records set in the US heartland

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:08:00 +0000

Icy winter weather blanketed the U.S. on Saturday as a wave of Arctic storms threatened to break low-temperature records in the heartland, spread cold and snow from coast to coast and cast a chill over everything from football playoffs to…

States with big climate goals strip local power to block green projects

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 05:12:59 +0000

More than a dozen states have given themselves the power to override local zoning restrictions that block large-scale renewable energy projects. The decisions come as some states implement ambitious goals requiring utility providers to generate 100% carbon-free energy by 2040.…

Snow, ice, wind and bitter cold pummels the northern US in dangerous winter storm

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 02:05:01 +0000

A dangerous winter storm swept the northern U.S. on Friday, with blinding snow in some places, freezing rain in others, and bitter cold temperatures and whipping winds across several states. Authorities in Cook County, Illinois say a man died from…

South Dakota House passes permanent sales tax cut bill

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 22:03:42 +0000

South Dakota's Republican-controlled House of Representatives has passed a bill to make a temporary sales tax cut permanent. The House passed the bill in a 54-12 vote Friday. It now goes to the Senate. The bill would make permanent the…

Teenager gets life sentence, possibility of parole after North Dakota murder conviction

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 19:29:43 +0000

A North Dakota teenager was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after his murder conviction last year. Jesse Taylor Jr. was convicted of murder for the September 2022 shooting death of a South Dakota man at…

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota - Advisory

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 17:57:54 +0000

Eds: The South Dakota editorial roundup will not move this week due to a lack of editorials of state-wide interest. We will resume the roundup at its normal time on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2023.

A North Dakota lawmaker is removed from a committee after insulting police in a DUI stop

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:56:52 +0000

A North Dakota Republican lawmaker has been removed from a legislative committee following a traffic stop in December. State Rep. Nico Rios, of Williston, was arrested on a drunken driving charge. Rios blasted police with vulgar, homophobic and anti-migrant language…

Tribal flags celebrated at South Dakota Capitol, but one leader sees more still to do

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:01:32 +0000

Two of nine tribal nations within South Dakota's boundaries presented their flags on Wednesday to display in the state Capitol rotunda in Pierre. Gov. Kristi Noem and representatives from the Standing Rock and Rosebud Sioux tribes celebrated the flags as…

Gov. Kristi Noem touts South Dakota's workforce recruitment effort

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 22:42:00 +0000

South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is touting her state's economic strength and employment outlook for job seekers in her State of the State address to the Legislature. She highlighted her “Freedom Works Here” workforce recruitment ad campaign on Tuesday.…

Blizzard conditions bear down on central US, closing schools and highways

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 02:07:23 +0000

A “highly impactful” winter storm began delivering a punch to the country’s midsection with blizzard conditions that could dump as much as a foot or more of snow. The storm shut down schools and highways in several Midwest states Monday.…

South Dakota lawmakers see alignment with Noem as session begins

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 05:11:07 +0000

South Dakota’s Republican-controlled Legislature convenes Tuesday in Pierre for its annual session, expected to last into early March. Second-term GOP Gov. Kristi Noem gave her budget address in December. She pitched a nearly $7.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2025…

A B-1 bomber crashes while trying to land at a South Dakota Air Force base. The crew safely ejects

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 17:49:57 +0000

The Air Force says a B-1 Lancer bomber from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota crashed while trying to land and all four crew members ejected safely. The military says the B-1 was on a training mission when the…

Pilot accused of threatening to shoot airline captain midflight calls it a misunderstanding

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:44:48 +0000

A co-pilot accused of threatening to shoot his captain for proposing they divert their flight to get medical attention for a passenger has appeared in federal court for the first time since his indictment. Former Delta Air Lines pilot Jonathan…

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota - Advisory

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 12:10:37 +0000

Eds: The South Dakota editorial roundup will not move this week due to a lack of editorials of state-wide interest. We will resume the roundup at its normal time on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

South Dakota Shakespeare Festival to run in Vermillion for a full week in June, will feature national Shakespeare performer

Fri, 12 May 2023 11:30:00 +0000

The free festival will feature Shakespeare events each day. June 14 will see a special performance and workshop from Devon Glover (@TheSonnetManNYC), a rapper, poet, playwright and teacher who's appeared on national TV and at worldwide Shakespeare fests.

USD to offer a new music degree

Sun, 07 May 2023 15:01:00 +0000

The University of South Dakota has introduced the Bachelor of Science in music with a specialization in industry and technology. USD is the only institution in the South Dakota Board of Regents to offer such a program.

South Dakota State News

February: 1st half warm, 2nd half cold with precip

KELOLAND Breaking News

Gib's Sports Bar & Grill to open in old Cherry Creek building April 1

KELOLAND News First@4

Man arrested for raping runaway minor

KELOLAND News First@4

Lawmakers: Talk with Noem 'productive'

KELOLAND News First@4

Kidney transplant mom and baby defy the odds

KELOLAND News First@4

2 men wanted in Silver Dollar Casino robbery

KELOLAND Breaking News

New safety campus hosts its first class of fire rescue cadets

KELOLAND Breaking News

A spot on the sidelines for Super Bowl LVIII

KELOLAND News First@4

SD Black Chamber of Commerce connecting businesses

KELOLAND News First@4

Chemical leak leads to extended closure, damage at Swamp Daddy's

KELOLAND News First@4

South Dakota man charged in 2013 death of girlfriend takes plea offer, avoiding murder charge

Noem looking to further bolster Texas security efforts at US-Mexico border

Georgia governor signs bill that would define antisemitism in state law

What to know about how lawmakers are addressing deepfakes like the ones that victimized Taylor Swift

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota - Advisory

Some Republican leaders are pushing back against the conservative Freedom Caucus in statehouses

Legislative panel shoots down South Dakota bill to raise the age for marriage to 18

There's a wave of new bills to define antisemitism. In these 3 states, they could become law

Georgia lawmakers, in support of Israel, pass bill that would define antisemitism in state law

South Dakota Senate OKs measure for work requirement to voter-passed Medicaid expansion

Two men convicted of kidnapping, carjacking an FBI employee in South Dakota

Montana man convicted of killing eagles is sentenced to 3 years in prison for related gun violations

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota

Kelly Armstrong, North Dakota's lone congressman, runs for governor

After stalling in 2023, a bill to define antisemitism in state law is advancing in Georgia

'Burn, beetle, burn': Hundreds of people torch an effigy of destructive bug in South Dakota town

South Dakota bill advances, proposing more legal representation for people who can't pay

North Dakota lawmaker who insulted police in DUI stop gets unsupervised probation and $1,000 fine

Indiana bill defining antisemitism advances to state Senate

Nevada Supreme Court panel won't reconsider ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse case

A push for a permanent sales tax cut in South Dakota is dealt a setback

South Dakota House passes bill that would make the animal sedative xylazine a controlled substance

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota

Arctic freeze continues to blast huge swaths of the US with sub-zero temperatures

A weekend of ferocious winter weather could see low-temperature records set in the US heartland

States with big climate goals strip local power to block green projects

Snow, ice, wind and bitter cold pummels the northern US in dangerous winter storm

South Dakota House passes permanent sales tax cut bill

Teenager gets life sentence, possibility of parole after North Dakota murder conviction

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota - Advisory

A North Dakota lawmaker is removed from a committee after insulting police in a DUI stop

Tribal flags celebrated at South Dakota Capitol, but one leader sees more still to do

Gov. Kristi Noem touts South Dakota's workforce recruitment effort

Blizzard conditions bear down on central US, closing schools and highways

South Dakota lawmakers see alignment with Noem as session begins

A B-1 bomber crashes while trying to land at a South Dakota Air Force base. The crew safely ejects

Pilot accused of threatening to shoot airline captain midflight calls it a misunderstanding

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota - Advisory

South Dakota Shakespeare Festival to run in Vermillion for a full week in June, will feature national Shakespeare performer

USD to offer a new music degree