Newly accredited public libraries honored in Capitol rotunda
Thirteen South Dakota public libraries have been accredited by the State Library in 2020. They were recently honored in front of lawmakers, library colleagues and community members at the Capitol rotunda during an event held in conjunction with the annual South Dakota Library Association Library Legislative Day.

Name Released In Hutchinson County Fatal Crash
PARKSTON, S.D. – A Tripp, S.D. man has been identified as the person who died Tuesday in a one-vehicle crash south of Parkston.

Culvert Work in Harding, Butte, Meade & Perkins Counties
Starting next week, Feb. 24, crews will begin installing and repairing culverts in Harding, Butte, Meade, and Perkins counties.

South Dakota’s Bonus for Active Duty Service Since 1990
South Dakota’s Bonus for Active Duty Service Since 1990.


Governor's Column: Creating Fairness for Businesses and Families
In mid-February, I testified before the Senate State Affairs Committee in favor of legislation that would help make this dream a reality. Our world isn’t static, and if we’re going to keep our state’s business environment competitive, we must keep things fair, open, and honest.


Following Noem Testimony, Senate State Affairs Committee Strongly Supports SB 157
Governor Kristi Noem today testified before the Senate State Affairs Committee in support of legislation that will ensure economic progress is possible for all of South Dakota’s communities (SB 157). This was the first time a governor has testified before a committee in more than a decade.

Register for Pelican Lake’s Becoming an Outdoor Family Event
WATERTOWN, S.D. – Registration for Pelican Lake Recreation Area’s Becoming an Outdoor Family event opens Saturday, Feb. 29, at 7 a.m. CST.


Governor Announces South Dakota Conservation Commission Appointments
Governor Kristi Noem has appointed Doug Hansen of Webster, Charlie Moe of Rosebud, Bill Coburn of Spearfish, and Dusty Rodiek of Brookings to the State Conservation Commission.

Hutchinson County Fatal Crash
PARKSTON, S.D. – One person died Tuesday afternoon in a one-vehicle crash south of Parkston.

Name Released In Lake County Fatal Crash
MADISON, S.D. – A Wentworth, S.D. man has been identified as the person who died Friday night in a one-vehicle crash south of Madison.


Lake County Fatal Crash
MADISON, S.D. – One man died Friday night in a one-vehicle crash south of Madison.

Name Released In Marshall County Fatal Crash
VEBLEN, S.D. – A Veblen, S.D., man has been identified as the person who died early Wednesday morning in a one-vehicle crash east of Veblen.

Name Released In Meade County Fatal Crash
PIEDMONT, S.D. – A Rapid City, S.D. man has been identified as the person who died Tuesday night in an one-vehicle crash east of Piedmont.


Noem Signs Eight Bills
Governor Kristi Noem has signed the following bills during the 2020 legislative session:

Governor's Column: Driving Economic Growth, Protecting Local Control
South Dakota is the best state in the nation to do business. We have a lot of great things going for us – low taxes, low regulations, a strong work ethic – but we must constantly work to expand our horizons and advance our communities. We’re aggressively pursuing new industries and businesses that create good-paying jobs for our kids and grandkids. As we do that, we must also take a close look at existing issues that may hold back progress.

Noem, Flute, Ravnsborg Invite Tribes to Engage in MOUs for Expanded Law Enforcement Resources
Governor Kristi Noem, Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, and Secretary of Tribal Relations David Flute yesterday invited tribal leaders and members to engage in a partnership to combine state and tribal law enforcement resources to combat drug use on reservations.

Jackrabbit Tales to be told in Cultural Heritage Center program
V.J. Smith will tell tales about South Dakota’s only land grant institution will be told during a Feb. 24 program at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

Celebration of women’s suffrage continues March 1 at Cultural Heritage Center
The nationwide celebration of women’s suffrage continues at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre at 2 p.m. CST on Sunday, March 1,with a presentation by Liz Almlie entitled, “A Movement of Many: Stories of Women’s Suffrage in South Dakota.”

GFP Hopes to Reopen Randall Creek Campground in Time for Memorial Day
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials say the campground at Randall Creek Recreation Area near Pickstown could be for ready for campers as early as mid-May.


Noem, Art Leaders Announce Inaugural Governor’s Student Art Competition
Governor Kristi Noem announced the South Dakota Governor’s Student Art Competition, a new program to promote visual art among students in South Dakota.

Funds Available for Specialty Crop Advancement
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) announces that funds will be available for Specialty Crop Block Grants.

Portion of Highway 10 Closing for Bridge Replacement
The South Dakota Department of Transportation will begin bridge replacement work on Highway 10 from Leola to Highway 281 on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020.


Marshall County Fatal Crash
VEBLEN, S.D. – One male died early Wednesday morning in a one-vehicle crash east of Veblen.

Meade County Fatal Crash
PIEDMONT, S.D. – One person died and another person was seriously injured in a one-vehicle crash Tuesday night east of Piedmont.

Name Released In Hutchinson County Fatal Crash
PARKSTON, S.D. – A Yankton, S.D. female has been identified as the person who died early Sunday morning in a one-vehicle crash west of Parkston.

ARTS COUNCIL ACCEPTING ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE APPLICATIONS
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Arts Council (SDAC) is now accepting grant applications for its Artists in Schools and Communities (AISC) residency program.


2020 South Dakota Wildland Fire Academy Registration Open
Registration is now open for the 2020 South Dakota Wildland Fire Academy which will be held in Fort Pierre, South Dakota on March 19-22. The academy is hosted by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Wildland Fire Division with assistance from their federal partners.

State Historical Society seeks nominations for Governor’s Awards, board positions
The South Dakota State Historical Society in Pierre is seeking nominations for the annual Governor’s Awards for History and two positions on its board of trustees.

Summer Camping Reservations Open Soon in State Parks
This weekend, campers can begin making reservations for summer stays in South Dakota State Parks.

It’s Time to Prepare for Spring Flooding And That Includes Flood Insurance
Anyone who has grown up in South Dakota can tell you how important it is to keep an eye on the weather. Weather extremes are a part of life here and in fact we take pride in our ability to handle weather that many others cannot. The last year was no exception and many South Dakotans are still feeling the impact of last year’s storms that resulted in federal disaster declarations for 63 of our 66 counties.

PROPOSED SPRING LOAD RESTRICTIONS FOR 2020
Spring Load Restrictions in South Dakota can be placed on state highways between Feb. 15 – April 30, 2020.


South Dakota State Fair Looking for Artists and Authors to Feature
The South Dakota State Fair is seeking interested artists and authors to be showcased during the fair in the Arts and Education Building.

State Historical Society holding preservation essay contest
The State Historic Preservation Office of the South Dakota State Historical Society in Pierre is holding an essay contest for fourth-grade students. Prizes will be awarded to the top three essays during Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month, which is celebrated in May.

Game, Fish and Parks Accepting Proposals for Spring Creek Restaurant and Convenience Store Concession Operators
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is offering interested entrepreneurs the opportunity to operate two unique businesses, a restaurant and convenience store, within the Spring Creek Recreation Area in central South Dakota.

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in New Areas
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was recently confirmed in the counties of Butte, Corson and Haakon in western South Dakota, from samples provided by hunters. One male white-tail deer from both Butte and Corson counties tested positive, while two male mule deer tested positive from Haakon County.


Hutchinson County Fatal Crash
PARKSTON, S.D. – One person died early Sunday morning in a one-vehicle crash west of Parkston.


Noem Orders Capitol Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Former Legislator
Governor Kristi Noem has ordered flags at the South Dakota State Capitol to be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. until sunset on Saturday, February 8, 2020, to honor the life of Bernie Christenson, a former state leader and legislator.

Governor's Column: Growing South Dakota's Communities
Communities are the heartbeat of South Dakota. As I travel across the state, I hear this over and over: people love our state, and they want to preserve our special way of life for generations to come.


WTAS: Ag, Business, Community Leaders Support Noem’s Legislation to Streamline Rural Development
Governor Kristi Noem last week announced that she will introduce legislation that provides certainty and predictability for businesses and operations looking to open or expand in rural South Dakota.

Students visit Pierre for CTSO Legislative Shadow Day
February is National Career and Technical Education Month. As part of the celebration, 37 student leaders came to Pierre Feb. 4-5, for the South Dakota Career and Technical Student Organizations’ Legislative Shadow Day.


Learn about legendary outlaws at Cultural Heritage Center program
Pierre author Bill Markley will compare the lives of two of the most notorious outlaws in the American West in a Feb. 11 program at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

Name Released In Bon Homme County Fatal Crash
TYNDALL, S.D. – A 60-year-old man from Tyndall has been identified as the person who died early Sunday morning in a one-vehicle crash south of Tyndall.

U.S. Highway 212 set to open in Watertown
The South Dakota Department of Transportation says contractor Reede Construction will open the remaining portion of Highway 212 in Watertown, including the recently constructed Big Sioux River Bridge, on Thursday, Feb. 6.


South Dakota PUC issues first permit for construction of a large-scale solar facility
The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission approved a construction permit for the Lookout Solar Project, a solar generation facility in Oglala Lakota County capable of generating up to 110 megawatts of electricity, at their regular meeting in Pierre yesterday, Feb. 3.

Governor’s Ag Ambassador Nominations Sought
Governor Noem is seeking nominations for the 2020 South Dakota Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award.

Public comment window open for Perkins V State Plan
South Dakota’s proposed State Plan for the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) is now open for public comment. Perkins V is the federal law overseeing funding of career and technical education.

GFP Commission to Hold Teleconference Meeting on Spring Creek
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission will be holding a special teleconference meeting beginning at 3 P.M. on Thursday, Feb. 6. The purpose of the meeting will be to approve a prospectus for two concessions at the Spring Creek Recreation Area on Lake Oahe.


Noem, Federal Representatives Continue Working Toward July 3 Fireworks Celebration at Mount Rushmore
Governor Kristi Noem last week welcomed representatives from the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to South Dakota to continue working toward the July 3 fireworks celebration at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Capitol Hours Extended for King of Hearts Event
Pierre, SD- The state Capitol will be open for extended hours to accommodate photo opportunities for students before the Job’s Daughters King of Hearts event.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Approaching
The Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) reminds workers, self-employed individuals and farmworkers in Aurora County the deadline to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is Monday, Feb. 10.

Applications Available for SFY2021 Victims’ Services Funding
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s Victims’ Services program has opened its annual application process for funding for State Fiscal Year 2021


Bon Homme County Fatal Crash
TYNDALL, S.D. – One person died early Sunday morning in a one-vehicle crash south of Tyndall.


Governor's Column: Strengthening Rural South Dakota
In early January, along with two South Dakota producers, I was honored to be at the White House as President Trump locked in a new trade deal with China. The new U.S.-China trade agreement includes a promise to purchase approximately $80 billion of ag products over the next two years. This is a strong step forward for South Dakota’s ag community.

Noem Announces Legislation to Provide Certainty, Predictability for Rural Development
At the Black Hills Stock Show, Governor Kristi Noem today announced that she will introduce legislation that provides certainty and predictability for businesses and operations looking to open or expand in rural South Dakota.

DPS Releases List of February Sobriety Checkpoints
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Department of Public Safety officials have scheduled 22 sobriety checkpoints in 18 counties during February.

Department of Transportation & Hughes County Seek Public Input into the Hughes County Master Transportation Plan Study
The South Dakota Department of Transportation, in collaboration with Hughes County, will hold two public open houses as part of the Hughes County Master Transportation Plan. These open house public meetings will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the following dates and locations:


State Historical Society board approves property tax moratorium applications
The South Dakota State Historical Society Board of Trustees recently approved 15 applications in six counties for the eight-year state historic preservation property tax moratorium for restoration and rehabilitation made to historic buildings.

Summer Food Service Program seeking sponsors to serve communities
In an effort to fend off hunger, the South Dakota Department of Education’s office of Child and Adult Nutrition Services is seeking sponsors for a federally-funded program that provides nutritious meals and snacks to children in low-income areas during the summer months.

Names Released in Hand County Fatal Crash
WESSINGTON, S.D. – A Saint Lawrence, S.D. man has been identified as the person who died late Sunday night in a two-vehicle crash west of Wessington.

Highway 81 Open South of Arlington
The South Dakota Department of Transportation says Highway 81, four miles south of Arlington through Twin Lakes, has reopened to traffic after being closed for several months due to significant flooding in the eastern part of the state in 2019.


Noem: USMCA a “Major Win” for South Dakota Producers
Governor Kristi Noem today released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).


Noem Introduces Anti-Rioting Legislation to Keep South Dakotans and Their Property Safe
Governor Kristi Noem today sent the final version of her anti-rioting legislation to legislators, tribal leaders, state’s attorneys, and other stakeholders.

South Dakota State Fair Announces Dustin Lynch to Play at 2020 State Fair
The South Dakota State Fair and Legend Seeds are proud to announce modern country music, top of the charts artist, Dustin Lynch to perform at the State Fair grandstand on Saturday, September 5.

2019 Expected to Set State Record for Lowest Number of Motor Vehicle Fatalities
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) today announced that South Dakota is projected to have recorded the lowest number of motor vehicle fatalities in state history during 2019.


DENR Seeks Comments on Waterbody Report, National 303(d) Program Vision
The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is seeking public comments on the draft 2020 Integrated Report.

Hand County Fatal Crash
WESSINGTON, S.D. – One person died and another was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred late Sunday night west of Wessington.


Governor's Column: Connecting South Dakota
This legislative session, I will be working with your district senators and representatives to allocate another $5 million to address more of our connectivity needs.

State maps added to South Dakota Digital Archives
The South Dakota State Historical Society-State Archives has added nearly 700 digitized maps and made them accessible online in the South Dakota Digital Archives thanks to an Outside of Deadwood grant from the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission.

SHIINE Program Seeking Consultants
The South Dakota Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE) program is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants to provide a presence in the western and central regions.

Structured Family Caregiving Offered Statewide
The South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) is now offering Structured Family Caregiving statewide.

Repair, Rebuilding Advice Available in Sioux Falls and Yankton
SIOUX FALLS, SD – FEMA mitigation and flood insurance specialists will be at Menards in Sioux Falls and Yankton next week to offer advice and tips to property owners on how to repair storm damage while rebuilding their properties and making them able to withstand future storms.

Governor Noem Honors Tourism Industry Professionals at Annual Banquet
Two South Dakota communities, five individuals, and two businesses were honored at the 2020 Governor’s Conference on Tourism’s annual awards banquet on Thursday, January 23. Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Department of Tourism presented the following awards to tourism industry members.

South Dakota Tourism Industry Touts 10 Years of Growth, Reaches Record Numbers in 2019
South Dakota’s tourism industry has grown again for the tenth straight year, reaching a record level of visitors, visitor spending and impact on the state’s economy.