South Dakota News

Judge blocks Biden vaccine mandate for Head Start in 24 states

MONROE, La. – President Joe Biden cannot require teachers in the Head Start early education program to be vaccinated against COVID-19, a Louisiana federal judge ruled, handing a victory to 24 states including North Dakota that had sued the federal government. U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty wrote that the Biden administration unlawfully bypassed Congress when ordering that workers in Head…

Midwest economy, confidence improve

OMAHA, Neb. – The final 2021 report on a monthly survey of business leaders in nine Midwest and Plains states shows the region’s economy continues to improve going into the new year, with confidence in the economy over the next six months soaring. The overall index for December of the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions released Monday grew to 64.6…

Sanford Health releases most popular baby names for 2021

Amelia and Oliver take the top spots for most popular names this past year

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Sanford Health helped welcome many new babies into the world this year. Now they have put out a list of the top names born in their hospitals. For the second year in a row, Amelia topped the list as the most popular name for girls born in 2021. For boys, Oliver is the most popular which…

Deaths of Moorhead family members, mosque vandalism among top stories in 2021

FARGO (KVRR) – The tragic account of 7 members of an immigrant family from Honduras who died in a Moorhead home in December was the most-viewed news story of 2021 on KVRR.com Relatives discovered the victims Dec. 18 when they went to check after not hearing from them.  The were identified as 37-year-old Belin Hernandez, 34-year-old Marleny Pinto, 16-year-old Breylin Hernandez,…

Medtronic pays $400K to settle South Dakota kickback case

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minnesota-based Medtronic has agreed to pay $400,000 to South Dakota to resolve allegations that it paid kickbacks to a neurosurgeon. The settlement resolves allegations that Medtronic paid for more than 100 social events at a restaurant owned by Dr. Wilson Asfora. Medtronic allegedly sponsored the events over a nine-year period to persuade Asfora to use Medtronic…

South Dakota woman who shot husband in face sentenced to prison

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KVRR/KWAT) – A Watertown woman who shot her husband in the face during an alcohol-fueled argument has been sentenced to three years in the South Dakota Penitentiary. Sixty five year-old Sherri Tormanen pleaded guilty to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped a charge of 1st Degree Attempted Murder. Watertown police were…

Arguments set in Mount Rushmore fireworks appeal

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Oral arguments are set for next month in the latest round in Gov. Kristi Noem’s legal fight to shoot off fireworks at Mount Rushmore. A three-judge panel from the 8th U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis will hear arguments on Jan 12. Both sides will get 15 minutes to speak. Noem filed a federal lawsuit…

Noem drafts bill to block critical race theory in schools, colleges

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has drafted a bill that would block teaching critical race theory in South Dakota schools, public universities and technical colleges. Critical race theory is an academic concept that originated in the 1970s. It focuses on how racism is embedded in legal systems in the United States. South Dakota education officials say…

Fargo area schools step up security in response to threats on TikTok

FARGO (KVRR) – Extra police are on patrol at Fargo and West Fargo public schools today in response to TikTok posts warning of shooting and bomb threats at schools around the nation on Friday, Dec. 17. The social media threats had many educators on edge as they circulated in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Michigan which has…

Three people dead, suspect in custody in Milbank, S.D.

Brent HansonMILBANK, S.D. (KVRR/KWAT) – A man is in custody in the apparent murders of three people, including an unborn child, in Milbank, S.D. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation says Milbank police were dispatched to a residence Wednesday to conduct a welfare check.  When they got there, they found two dead people, one of which was a pregnant woman….