April 2015

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The northwest Iowa chicken farm dealing with a bird flu virus has been quarantined and is working with state and federal officials to prevent the spread of the disease. Sunrise Farms near Harris in Osceola County says Tuesday it houses 3.8 million laying hens, a smaller number than the 5.3 […]

Editors: Please note that The Associated Press welcomes editorial contributions from members for the weekly Editorial Roundup. Three editorials are selected every week. Contributions can be made by email at [email protected]. ___ Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, April 19, 2015 A word of thanks to volunteer firefighters Thank you, volunteer firefighters. Thank you for putting your […]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Someone sitting in a focus group in Minneapolis was asked to describe what it would be like living in South Dakota. The response is not the stuff economic developers dream about. “You could really become a hermit,” this person said. “You could really isolate yourself from everyone else.” Here’s what […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Rapid City police are investigating a suspected case of arson at a motel. Authorities say the manager of the Ranch House Motel last Friday night reported a burning mattress in an empty room. The person who had occupied the room earlier in the day had reportedly broken the room’s windows […]

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A bird found only in California and Nevada no longer faces the threat of extinction and doesn’t require federal protection, officials said just months before a more-sweeping decision is due on whether to declare other sage grouse threatened or endangered in 11 Western states. The bistate, Mono Basin sage grouse is […]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The city of Sioux Falls is dedicating money to put more immigrants and refugees to work. City officials have earmarked $170,000 to help the Sioux Falls Multi-Cultural Center and the Training Solutions Institute equip foreign-born residents with the language and workplace skills they will need to fill some of the […]

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A type of sage grouse found only in California and Nevada no longer faces the threat of extinction and doesn’t require federal protection, the Interior Department decided Tuesday just months before a more-sweeping decision is due on whether to declare other sage grouse threatened or endangered in 11 Western states. The […]

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — The city of Aberdeen is taking aim at pesky pigeons in the city. The City Council on Monday approved a $7,250 contract with a professional to eliminate nesting sites and trap the birds. City Manager Lynn Lander says the Aberdeen Downtown Association has contracted with another person to reduce the number […]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Dry conditions across South Dakota over the past week have enabled farmers to start planting corn, but the lack of rain is hurting soil moisture. The Agriculture Department says in its weekly crop progress report that about 5 percent of the corn crop is seeded, near the five-year average pace. […]