Category Archives: State News

COVID Cases Jumping In South Dakota Nursing Homes

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota health officials reported a jump in active COVID-19 infections Friday, with a high number coming from long-term care facilities. The Department of Health reported 139 new infections, and 43 of those were in long-term care facilities. COVID cases have allowed nursing homes nationwide to make dramatic progress since the…read more »

Widow Of Man Killed By Ravnsborg Wants Records Private

The wife of the Hyde County man run over and killed by a car that Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg of Yankton was driving doesn’t want the criminal defense lawyer to get access to the victim’s mental health records. Retired Circuit Judge John Brown ordered last month that Joe Boever’s psychological and psychiatric records be provided…read more »

Vermillion Mayor Wants More COVID-19 Reports

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — The mayor of the city that’s home to the University of South Dakota says the state needs to publish COVID-19 data more than once a week. Vermillion Mayor Kelsey Collier-Wise says virus numbers from the South Dakota Department of Health are especially crucial as the city prepares for an influx of…read more »

State Of Nebraska Offering Hiring Bonuses

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Faced with a labor shortage and a growing number of vacancies, Nebraska state officials are offering bigger incentive packages to try to get people to work in the state’s prisons, veterans homes and other facilities that require around-the-clock staffing. State officials said the new, more generous bonuses are a short-term solution…read more »

Noem Has No Plan To Push For Vaccine Increases

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says she has no plans to ratchet up her messaging to urge people to get a COVID-19 vaccine, even as Republican leaders across the country try to persuade vaccine skeptics to roll up their sleeves and take the shots in response to a new, more…read more »

Evections Could Spike Across South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A federal freeze on most evictions that was enacted last year is scheduled to expire Saturday, after the Biden administration extended the original date by a month. The moratorium put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September has been the only tool keeping millions of…read more »

Marion Man Accused of Beating, Holding Woman Captive

MARION, S.D. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials in southeastern South Dakota say they’ve arrested a man suspected of beating his girlfriend and holding her against her will for several days. The woman was able to escape from a residence in Marion Tuesday afternoon and run to a nearby church where she called 911, Turner County Sheriff…read more »

Noem Jumps Into Border Policy Debate On Border Visit

MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s tour of the U.S. border with Mexico on Monday was filled with climbing into military vehicles, visiting with troops and positioning herself as tough on an issue that’s sure to loom large in 2024 presidential debates. The Republican governor flew to McAllen, Texas, to check in…read more »

Noem’s Border Visit Comes With Political Opportunities

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Photo ops with the troops. Political points on an issue sure to loom large in 2024 presidential debates. Another chance to tout a tough-on-illegal immigration stance that comes rarely for a governor whose state is closer to Canada than Mexico. There’s plenty of reasons for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s Monday…read more »

Sanford Requiring Vaccine For Employees

Employees at Sanford Health will now be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by November 1st. On Thursday, Sanford Health released that all employees with Sanford and Good Samaritan Society will be required to be Vaccinated. According to Sanford, more than 90 percent of clinicians and 70 percent of nurses are already fully vaccinated. “This…read more »