South Dakota News

Contempt charges dropped for Marshals Service supervisors

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Contempt charges have been dismissed for three supervisors in the U.S. Marshals Service for a series of events that began with a deputy marshal refusing to disclose her vaccination status while serving in federal court in Aberdeen. Federal Judge Charles Kornmann filed the charges after directing anybody in his courtroom to be vaccinated for COVID-19.  When a deputy…

North Dakota non-profit sues Colorado for American Indian nickname ban

Native American Guardian’s AssociationDENVER, Colo. (KVRR) – A Devils Lake, N.D. based organization that advocates for increased education about Native Americans is suing Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and five other officials for banning the use of American Indian Mascots. The 36-page lawsuit was filed in federal court in Colorado by the Native American Guardian’s Association. The complaint says that while…

OSHA, South Dakota pork plant settle coronavirus complaint

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.  – Federal regulators reached an agreement with Smithfield Foods to settle a contested citation of the company’s coronavirus safety measures during a massive outbreak last year at its South Dakota pork plant. The company will develop a plan to prevent infectious diseases at meatpacking plants nationwide and pay a $13,500 fine. The pork processing plant was one…

Noem announces campaign for second term as South Dakota governor

PIERRE, S.D. (KVRR) – South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is running for reelection. “I’m excited to announce that I will be running for re-election as Governor of South Dakota” Noem announced on social media Friday afternoon.  “Together, we’ve accomplished so much…but there is much more we can do. South Dakota’s best days are still ahead. Noem says South Dakota…

Fight over gray wolf protections heads to federal court

BILLINGS, Mont. – U.S. government attorneys are set to appear before a federal judge to defend a decision from the Trump administration that lifted protections for gray wolves across most of the country. The hearing on Friday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in California comes as officials in Republican-led states including Wisconsin, Montana and Idaho have sought to drive…

Hershey to acquire Dot’s Pretzels and Pretzels Inc. for $1.2 billion

FARGO (KVRR) – The Hershey Company says it has entered into an agreement to acquire North Dakota-based Dot’s Pretzels. Dot’s Pretzels started more than a decade ago.  It was originally a homemade snack that she shared with family, friends and neighbors to get through long, cold North Dakota winters.  The company has manufacturing facilities in North Dakota, Arizona and Kansas….

AAA predicts busy holiday travel season despite high gas prices

FARGO (KVRR) – Gasoline prices surged in October and are likely to remain elevated through the holiday season. AAA spokesman Gene LaDoucer says in North Dakota, the average price for gas is about $3.20 per gallon. LaDoucer says Thanksgiving gas prices haven’t been this high since 2013.  Last Thanksgiving, the state average was $1.99 per gallon. “As it appears these high…

South Dakota House launches impeachment investigation

Jason RavnsborgPIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s House is investigating whether the state’s attorney general should be impeached for his conduct surrounding a car crash last year that killed a pedestrian. A sizable majority of the Republican-dominated House voted Tuesday to have a committee recommend whether Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg should be impeached. It could take weeks for the committee of…

Jan. 6 panel subpoenas 6 more Trump associates in probe

WASHINGTON (AP) – A committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection has issued subpoenas to six associates of former President Donald Trump who were involved in his efforts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election, further escalating the panel’s probe into the origins of the violent attack. The panel’s chairman, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, said in a statement Monday…