State

News

Murder victim’s mother shares thoughts on potential bill

Updated: 8 hours ago

By Miranda O'Bryan

Senate Bill 146 was brought to the legislature as “an act to revise certain provisions regarding eligibility for parole for certain persons sentenced to life imprisonment.” If passed, the bill would give people 25 and under who committed a crime and were sentenced to life in prison, the chance for parole.

News

Marty Jackley announces candidacy for South Dakota Attorney General amid Ravnsborg impeachment

Updated: 10 hours ago

By KOTA Staff

Marty Jackley announced his run for state attorney general as Jason Ravnsborg faces impeachment,

News

Bill allowing banks to do business with marijuana and hemp industry moves through state senate

Updated: Feb. 25, 2021 at 5:33 PM CST

By Nick Nelson

The committee on Commerce and Energy in the state Senate passed House Bill 1203 Thursday. This would allow state-chartered banks to conduct transactions with licensed businesses that distribute marijuana and industrial hemp.

News

Noem slated to speak at CPAC in Florida this weekend

Updated: Feb. 25, 2021 at 1:33 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem will be in Florida this weekend delivering remarks at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC.

News

37 people charged in meth trafficking operation in South Dakota

Updated: Feb. 25, 2021 at 1:16 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

Federal prosecutors in Rapid City worked with law enforcement agencies all over the country to charge 37 defendants with drug-related offenses.

News

Protest to oppose transgender bills in South Dakota legislature planned in Rapid City

Updated: Feb. 25, 2021 at 1:01 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

Protests are being organized in several South Dakota communities to speak out against transgender bills being discussed in the state legislature. One is happening in Rapid City.

News

Amendment A plan legislation heads to SD State House

Updated: Feb. 25, 2021 at 9:11 AM CST

By Austin Goss

South Dakota's senate passed legislation regarding recreational marijuana. However, it only takes effect if Amendment A is upheld.

News

Speaker Spencer Gosch proposes impeachment plan

Updated: Feb. 25, 2021 at 8:17 AM CST

By Austin Goss

South Dakota Speaker of the House Spencer Gosch is preparing the South Dakota State Legislature for a looming impeachment trial.

News

Black Hills Tourism industry hopes to see Mount Rushmore fireworks in 2021

Updated: Feb. 23, 2021 at 6:27 PM CST

By Nick Nelson

The tourism industry and economy of the Black Hills saw a boost from last year’s display, which included a visit from former President Donald Trump.

News

Mt. Plowmore, SnowBeGone Kenobi among 12 winning names in SDDOT snowplow naming contest

Updated: Feb. 23, 2021 at 3:27 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

After the SDDOT announced the winning names in its contest, snowplows named Art, Mt. Plowmore and Polar Patroller will be clearing away snow in western South Dakota.

News

Articles of impeachment filed against South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg

Updated: Feb. 23, 2021 at 2:38 PM CST

By Brianna Schreurs

A South Dakota lawmaker has moved to remove Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg from office after he was charged in connection to a fatal crash.

News

South Dakota legislative panel advances transgender sports bill

Updated: Feb. 23, 2021 at 11:09 AM CST

By KOTA Staff

The legislation would ban transgender women and girls from competing on sports teams that match their gender identity in South Dakota.

News

Ravnsborg faces impeachment in State House

Updated: Feb. 23, 2021 at 7:58 AM CST

By Austin Goss

The South Dakota Attorney General is facing calls for him to resign from within his own party.

News

Noem rallies South Dakota delegation to fight for Mount Rushmore fireworks

Updated: Feb. 22, 2021 at 4:13 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

Noem sent three letters to South Dakota’s congressional delegation asking for their assistance to fight for the continuation of fireworks at Mount Rushmore.

News

South Dakota lowers vaccination age to 65 and over

Updated: Feb. 22, 2021 at 2:31 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

South Dakotans who are 65 will be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine Monday.

News

Bill aimed at accelerating completion of Mickelson Trail goes through South Dakota legislature

Updated: Feb. 22, 2021 at 1:49 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

The completion of a path connecting the Mickelson trail to Mount Rushmore may come sooner, thanks to a bill making its way through the state legislature.

News

Republican legislator calls for Ravnsborg resignation

Updated: Feb. 22, 2021 at 8:53 AM CST

By Austin Goss

State Representative Tim Goodwin is calling for Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg's resignation after he was charged with three misdemeanors last Thursday. Ravnsborg struck and killed Joe Boever outside of Highmore, SD last September.

News

State legislators hope to open investigation into Wounded Knee service members

Updated: Feb. 19, 2021 at 7:39 PM CST

By Nick Nelson

Some South Dakota lawmakers are now getting behind a resolution to open an investigation into medals awarded to U.S. service members who participated in the Wounded Knee Massacre.

News

State of South Dakota warns of COVID-related texting scams

Updated: Feb. 18, 2021 at 7:09 PM CST

By Nick Nelson

South Dakota Consumer Protection says that many phones across the state have been receiving texts that either notify them that their COVID test results are back, or ask them to fill out a survey regarding COVID tests.

News

Pennington County State’s Attorney, business owner react to Ravnsborg charges

Updated: Feb. 18, 2021 at 6:57 PM CST

By Nick Nelson

Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg is being charged with three misdemeanor offenses for the September hit-and-run death of Joseph Boever.

News

Ravnsborg makes statement after being charged with 3 misdemeanors in fatal crash

Updated: Feb. 18, 2021 at 4:43 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

Ravnsborg says he will continue to pray for Joe Boever, the man he fatally struck, and his family.

News

Ravnsborg charged with 3 misdemeanors for fatally striking Highmore man with car

Updated: Feb. 18, 2021 at 2:35 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

All of the charges are Class 2 misdemeanors and can result in up to 30 days in jail for Ravnsborg on each charge.

News

Decision to charge Ravnsborg for fatal accident expected on Thursday

Updated: Feb. 17, 2021 at 2:48 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

A press conference concerning charges against South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg's involvement in a fatal crash more than five months ago is slated for Thursday.

News

Governor Noem’s down syndrome abortion ban passes to House floor

Updated: Feb. 17, 2021 at 8:49 AM CST

By Austin Goss

The down syndrome abortion ban passed overwhelming in the House State Affair committee Wednesday morning.

News

SD Lawmakers debate stricter approach to ballot measures

Updated: Feb. 16, 2021 at 10:33 PM CST

By Austin Goss

The South Dakota state legislature wants to change the way ballot measures are passed in the state.

News

Area sees outages as energy supply runs short

Updated: Feb. 16, 2021 at 6:17 PM CST

By Nick Nelson

As temperatures range from below zero to single digits, the supply of non-renewable power is running short.

News

Former state legislator announces 2022 bid for state office

Updated: Feb. 16, 2021 at 11:51 AM CST

By Austin Goss

A candidate has announced his intentions to run for a statewide office in 2022, unofficially kicking off the 2022 campaign season.

News

Another South Dakota lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19 in House

Updated: Feb. 15, 2021 at 1:26 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

An eighth member of the South Dakota State House has tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend.

News

7th South Dakota state house member tests positive for COVID-19 last Friday

Updated: Feb. 15, 2021 at 9:52 AM CST

By KOTA Staff

A 7th member of the South Dakota State House has tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, Feb. 12.

News

Rounds, Thune vote for acquittal in Trump impeachment

Updated: Feb. 13, 2021 at 9:36 PM CST

By Austin Goss

The South Dakota senators voted "not guilty" during former President Trump's impeachment trial Saturday.

News

Five months after accident, Boever family still awaiting answers

Updated: Feb. 12, 2021 at 8:09 PM CST

By Austin Goss

It has been exactly five months since Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg struck and killed Joe Boever just outside of Highmore. The family of Boever is asking for some kind of closure from the state.

News

Noem’s political donation bill nears passage in both legislative chambers

Updated: Feb. 12, 2021 at 6:56 PM CST

By Austin Goss

The Governor is close to signing a bill into law that was a major policy prerogative of hers.

News

South Dakota senate bill aims to reduce food truck regulations

Updated: Feb. 12, 2021 at 12:01 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

Senate Bill 107 could lower the number of restrictions on food trucks in the state of South Dakota.

News

South Dakota lawmakers confirm at least 6 COVID-19 cases in House

Updated: Feb. 12, 2021 at 11:25 AM CST

By KOTA Staff

The two new cases bring the total to six state legislators who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

News

South Dakota state house confirms two new COVID cases

Updated: Feb. 11, 2021 at 7:40 PM CST

By Austin Goss

The SD State House is dealing with its own COVID-19 outbreak, while the state senate continues to report no cases.

News

Rapid City residents react to marijuana bill delays

Updated: Feb. 10, 2021 at 6:41 PM CST

By Anderley Penwell

Locals react to delays in marijuana bills

News

Senate bill 146 could give people sentenced to life an option for parole

Updated: Feb. 10, 2021 at 5:49 PM CST

By Miranda O'Bryan

Senate Bill 146 is “an act to revise certain provisions regarding eligibility for parole for certain persons sentenced to life imprisonment.” If passed, the bill would give people 25 and under, who committed a crime and were sentenced to life, the option for parole.

News

More South Dakota legislators test positive for COVID-19

Updated: Feb. 10, 2021 at 4:22 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

At least four South Dakota lawmakers have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week.

News

Deadwood sports betting bill advances to House

Updated: Feb. 10, 2021 at 11:27 AM CST

By KOTA Staff

Legal sports betting in Deadwood is one step closer to becoming a reality in South Dakota.

News

Some pharmacies in South Dakota Walmarts to administer COVID-19 vaccines to eligible customers

Updated: Feb. 10, 2021 at 9:50 AM CST

By KOTA Staff

Walmart pharmacies in South Dakota will be able to begin administering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible customers this Friday.

News

Noem wants year delay to implement medical marijuana

Updated: Feb. 10, 2021 at 9:13 AM CST

By Austin Goss

The governor's office and the state are asking for a year more than what voters voted for to implement medical marijuana.

News

South Dakota legislators debate path forward on marijuana

Updated: Feb. 9, 2021 at 10:39 PM CST

By Austin Goss

The South Dakota state legislatures approach to various types of marijuana legislation came to an abrupt halt yesterday.

News

Spearfish attorney reacts to Amendment A ruling

Updated: Feb. 9, 2021 at 6:19 PM CST

By Nick Nelson

The lawsuit was filed a few weeks after 54% of South Dakota voters approved Amendment A, effectively legalizing recreational marijuana

News

Bill aims to set up health insurance program for South Dakota farmers, ranchers

Updated: Feb. 9, 2021 at 6:10 PM CST

By Miranda O'Bryan

Senate Bill 87, “an act to exempt health benefit plans sponsored by nonprofit agricultural organizations from insurance regulation” was brought before the state legislature.

News

South Dakota flu-related deaths hit new low this season

Updated: Feb. 9, 2021 at 5:30 PM CST

By Miranda O'Bryan

During the 2018/2019 flu season, 43 South Dakotans died, and hundreds were hospitalized but the South Dakota Department of Health reported only seven deaths and 189 people hospitalized. And 2020/2021 hit a new low, with only two deaths so far.

News

House committee defers discussion on heavily amended Capitol statue bill

Updated: Feb. 9, 2021 at 4:06 PM CST

By Austin Goss

The South Dakota House Appropriations Committee has deferred discussion on a heavily amended bill regarding a project to place statues on the Capitol dome.

News

Substance abuse recovery program for expectant mothers launched in South Dakota

Updated: Feb. 9, 2021 at 1:07 PM CST

By KOTA Staff

A new program to help expectant mothers struggling with substance use disorders has officially launched in South Dakota.

News

Bill restricting death penalty halted by South Dakota Senate

Updated: Feb. 9, 2021 at 11:36 AM CST

By KOTA Staff

The South Dakota Senate voted down a bill that aimed to restrict the use of the death penalty in the state.

News

South Dakota Democratic Party in search of new Executive Director

Updated: Feb. 9, 2021 at 11:26 AM CST

By KOTA Staff

The South Dakota Democratic Party announced Pam Cole’s resignation Monday night.

News

Noem set to address South Dakota budget in Pierre

Updated: Feb. 9, 2021 at 11:02 AM CST

By KOTA Staff

Gov. Kristi Noem is set to deliver a special address to the legislature regarding the state budget on Tuesday.