May 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey suggests the economy will remain weak in rural parts of 10 Western and Plains states because the strong U.S. dollar is hurting exports and the bird flu is hitting poultry farms hard. The overall Rural Mainstreet index improved to 49 in May from April’s 46, but the index […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service has approved a $54 million, 144-mile electrical transmission line through the Black Hills National Forest, though more hurdles remain for the project. The Rapid City Journal reports ( ) that Black Hills Power still needs permission from the Wyoming Public Service Commission, and it still hasn’t […]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is proposing to raise rates by almost 43 percent for its South Dakota members who’ve signed up for individual health plans outside of the federal marketplace. Wellmark is the largest private health insurer in the state. About 14,000 South Dakotans have individual insurance plans through […]