South Dakota’s two major airports are facing uncertainty regarding their expansion projects after Senate Bill 127, which aimed to allocate funding for these initiatives, failed to pass in the House earlier this week. The bill would have provided crucial support for ongoing projects at both the Sioux Falls and Rapid City Regional airports. Sioux Falls Regional Airport officials highlighted that the potential state funding was a key part of their $120 million plan to design a new concourse.
Governor Rhoden has confirmed that a wildfire on the Cheyenne River Reservation is now under control. While some hotspots remain, they are contained by burned areas, minimizing further risk. The fire has scorched approximately 38,000 acres, which is roughly the size of Rapid City. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, ensuring that any remaining threats are addressed swiftly.
South Dakota lawmakers have approved a 1.25% increase in education funding, as proposed by former Governor Kristi Noem in her final budget. While the increase is now official, many educators are expressing disappointment, as funding had been raised by at least 4% in each of the past three years. Advocates had hoped for a 3% increase, and now, with tighter financial conditions, some schools may face the difficult decision of making budget cuts to navigate these challenging times.
At the Mitchell School Board meeting on March 10, Superintendent Joe Childs announced that the district had made significant strides in reducing chronic absenteeism, achieving a 4.7% overall improvement. Mitchell Middle School saw a notable 3% drop, with Attendance Liaison Aaron Klinger playing a pivotal role in helping students stay in school, particularly at the middle school level. Other schools, such as Gertie Belle Rogers and L.B. Williams, also showed strong improvements, with absenteeism decreasing by 15% and 28%, respectively.
Tension is mounting in Mitchell over a $75,000 debt for golf carts and mowers that has been lingering since 2013. According to the Mitchell Daily Republic, the city loaned money to the golf course, but leadership changes led to the debt being overlooked. The issue resurfaced recently during budget discussions when city officials questioned whether the golf course had settled its debts. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the payment had been made but was not properly recorded.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation is inviting the public to provide input on a transportation plan for the Chamberlain area. An open house will be held today from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Chamberlain Area Community Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about proposed developments and redesign plans for portions of Highway 50 and Interstate 90. Written comments will also be accepted until March 27th, giving residents a chance to share their feedback on the project.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is actively probing the death of an individual found in Bon Homme County. According to a press release from Attorney General Marty Jackley, the victim’s body was discovered on Tuesday in Scotland.
Governor Rhoden is taking action this week in Pierre, signing House Bill 1080 into law as part of his continued support for Second Amendment rights. On Tuesday, the Governor signed 32 bills, including this key piece of legislation, which voids covenants that prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms and ammunition.
The impact federal spending cuts will ultimately have on South Dakota is becoming clearer. The financial website WalletHub has released a report ranking South Dakota 11th overall among the most federally dependent states.
South Dakota is experiencing a record-breaking flu season, with more than 20,000 cases reported, according to the state health department. This marks the highest number of cases in the past decade, with 43 deaths attributed to the virus. Doctors note that the season peaked in mid-February and is now on the decline, aligning with typical flu trends. Health officials emphasize that fewer people are getting the flu shot this year, despite its proven effectiveness in reducing illness severity and hospitalizations. Vaccination remains strongly recommended to help protect against the flu each season.