RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A Justice Department official says mending racial tensions in Rapid City lies solely in the hands of the community. Carol Russo attended a Wednesday meeting of the city’s Human Relations Commission. She said the government won’t tell the community what to do, though it can help guide the city through […]

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Dixie National Rodeo marks its golden anniversary this week in Mississippi with all the shine and sparkle of a rodeo queen’s crown. Plus, all the sweet celebration of coconut cream and chocolate cakes that — like the cowboys and cowgirls — are all duded up for the occasion. With five […]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Rapid City’s Human Relations Commission is trying to get a handle on mounting racial tensions in the community, as American Indians raise concerns about safety. Former Oglala Sioux Tribal President Bryan Brewer said he doesn’t think the city and commission are doing enough, and it might cost Rapid City a […]

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A Sturgis couple have been sentenced in an immigration fraud scheme. U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson says 51-year-old Scott Kaubisch was sentenced to one year and two months in custody for lying to the federal government about accepting money from immigrant workers seeking visas. Fifty-four-year-old Shiela Kaubisch was sentenced to five years […]

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Attorney General Marty Jackley says a state investigation has concluded that a Beresford police officer who shot a man was justified in firing his weapon. Sgt. Dave Steckelberg shot 21-year-old Christopher Heuer, of Sioux Falls, on Jan. 15, at a home in Beresford. Heuer was shot in the right arm and […]

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — A Powerball ticket sold in Brookings is worth $10,000 in Wednesday’s drawing. South Dakota lottery officials say the ticket matched four of five white ball numbers and the Powerball to win the game’s third prize, at odds of 1 in about 649,000. Powerball is played in 44 states, the District of […]

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A legislative panel has approved a measure to allow sergeants-at-arms to carry concealed weapons in the state Capitol for defense. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved the proposal, which would require the sergeants to go through law enforcement-approved training before receiving a permit. Republican Sen. Brock Greenfield says he aims […]

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A legislative committee has defeated a measure to authorize legislators to carry concealed weapons in the state Capitol to defend against a violent attack. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday killed the proposal. It would have required lawmakers to go through law enforcement-approved training and petition legislative leadership before receiving a […]

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A legislative panel has approved a measure to allow some people to carry a concealed weapon on the state’s six public university campuses. The House Local Government Committee on Thursday voted for the proposal, which authorizes people who are at least 21 years old to carry a concealed firearm. Republican Rep. […]

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Opponents that include two former state attorneys general have been unsuccessful in swaying South Dakota lawmakers to repeal the state’s death penalty. The Senate State Affairs Committee on Wednesday voted down two measures to repeal or limit the practice. One proposal would have replaced capital punishment with a life prison sentence […]