Cooper Seamer

I'm extremely excited to finally share this news! Thank you to the entire Koch family for allowing me tell their story, and a big thank you to the entire RIAS Berlin Commission as well for opening a new world of reporting to me. I'm excited to go to Berlin next week and accept this award!

Senate Assistant Majority Leader Carl Perry (R-Aberdeen) introduced and spoke in favor of the bill on the floor. Sen. John Carley (R-Piedmont) said though that he had concerns about asking Amtrak to come to the state, as well as any future financial obligations.

The South Dakota Senate rejects HCR 6008, a resolution supporting the efforts to bring Amtrak service to the state, on an 18-17 vote. The bill was previously passed by the full House, and unanimously by the Senate Transportation Committee.

sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill...

South Dakota House advances Amtrak support resolution A resolution supporting Amtrak expansion to South Dakota has made it out of the House and now heads to the Senate.

ICYMI: The South Dakota House advances a resolution signaling support for Amtrak service expansion to the state. The resolution now heads to the Senate.

www.dakotanewsnow.com/2025/02/21/s...

South Dakota Legislature

In the South Dakota House of Representatives, HCR 6008 passes on a vote of 49-21. The resolution that would signal support to bring Amtrak passenger rail service to the state now heads to the Senate to start its consideration of the bill.

sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill...

HCR 6008 passes unanimously out of the House Transportation committee. It now heads to the full South Dakota House for consideration.

South Dakota House Transportation committee meeting starting now. On the agenda today is HCR 6008, a resolution supporting the efforts to expand Amtrak passenger rail service to South Dakota.

South Dakota Legislature

HCR 6008, which would back the efforts to bring Amtrak service to South Dakota, has been scheduled for a hearing in the House Transportation Committee. That hearing is Tuesday, February 18th at 10:00 a.m. CT.

sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill...

FRA submits final Long-Distance Service Study report to Congress The FRA has submitted the final report of its Long-Distance Service Study to Congress, which will decide what happens next for the future of passenger rail service in the country.

ICYMI: South Dakota is one step closer to restoring passenger rail service to the state for the first time since 1969. The FRA has submitted its final Long-Distance Study report to Congress.

www.dakotanewsnow.com/2025/01/31/f...

Fight over school vouchers escalates with new legislation With House Bill 1020 filed, South Dakota's Senate and House leadership have entered the battle over school vouchers.

With House Bill 1020 filed, South Dakota's Senate and House leadership have entered the battle over school vouchers.

www.dakotanewsnow.com/2025/01/10/f...

In a press release with prepared remarks for her 2024 Budget Address, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is proposing legislation for a school voucher (education savings accounts) program. Noem proposes setting aside $4 million, amounting to $3,000 per student for a limited number of students.

Americans for Prosperity to make push for school vouchers The conservative non-profit political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity is one of the organizations pushing for school vouchers this upcoming legislative session in Pierre.

The conservative non-profit political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity is one of the organizations pushing for school vouchers this upcoming legislative session in Pierre.

Education groups warn of school voucher push in South Dakota Education groups are wary of a push for school vouchers this upcoming legislative session in Pierre, warning that school districts could see massive funding cuts if passed.

South Dakota education groups are wary of a push for school vouchers this upcoming legislative session in Pierre, warning that school districts could see massive funding cuts.

Meet Easy: Sioux Falls' newest bomb dog After South Dakota's second-ever bomb dog passed away not too long ago, his replacement is on the job and working to keep people safe.

After South Dakota's second-ever bomb dog passed away not too long ago, his replacement is on the job and working to keep people safe.

Amtrak expansion grabs interest from tourism organizations Tourism groups in the state’s two largest cities are looking to capitalize on visitor growth, and they see Amtrak service as a potential boost.

Tourism groups in South Dakota's two largest cities are looking to capitalize on visitor growth, and they see Amtrak service as a potential boost.

11 charged in last month’s unrest at South Dakota State Penitentiary South Dakota Attorney Marty Jackley has announced 11 inmates are facing 18 counts total after unrest at the state penitentiary last March.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced 11 inmates are facing 18 counts total after unrest at the state penitentiary last March.

Transportation Secretary throws cold water on South Dakota Amtrak expansion While momentum for Amtrak expansion to South Dakota has been growing for months, the state’s Transportation Secretary is doubtful it will ever become reality.

While momentum for Amtrak expansion to South Dakota has been growing for months, the state’s Transportation Secretary is doubtful it will ever become a reality.

Social media buzz drives up ‘Fighting Wiener Dogs’ sales The Sioux Falls Stampede are getting national attention from sports leagues and teams for their 'Fighting Wiener Dogs' promotion.

After New York Yankees stars Anthony Rizzo and Aaron Judge received custom Sioux Falls Fighting Wiener Dogs jerseys, the number of orders have once again skyrocketed for the hockey club.

Despite weather, Sioux Falls students observe eclipse Despite the clouds and rain, a partial solar eclipse could be seen in Sioux Falls, and local students took advantage of it.

“It’s a lot of fun talking to our students, like, ‘Hey, the next time you’re going to be able to see this, you’re going to be in your 30′s, like my age.’ That’s kind of hard for them to believe, that we’re not going to have another chance next year."

Thune weighs in on Amtrak expansion to South Dakota Senator John Thune is looking forward to a report from the Federal Railroad Administration, possibly adding South Dakota to Amtrak's services.

"There’s some great history there and a legacy, and I guess the question is is there a future. I hope the answer is yes. We’ll find out, and if the answer is yes, we’ll do everything we can to try and bring it about.”

Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota) weighs in on Amtrak expansion to South Dakota.

More school districts coming to South Dakota looking for teachers Districts from Colorado, Alaska, Nevada, even Houston, Texas were present at this year’s Teacher Career Fair.

The South Dakota Teacher Career Fair always draws a big crowd of future teachers and school districts, but more and more of those looking for teachers are coming from outside the Mount Rushmore State.

Advocates: Proposed Amtrak service a big first step for South Dakota The latest update from the Federal Railroad Administration is a big first step before Amtrak service could become a reality in South Dakota — and has advocates excited for more.

In the third draft of it's Long-Distance Service Study, the FRA identifies two routes traversing through South Dakota that could be viable for Amtrak expansion. The first would travel between the Twin Cities and Phoenix, other from the Twin Cities to Denver.

South Dakota State University hosts second annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade Headlining the rally and march was Reverend France Davis, a civil rights activist who marched with King in Selma, Alabama.

“What I want people to walk away with, the notion that we are all in the boat together. That if one end of the boat is taking on water and sinking, then the other end will soon take on water and sink as well. But if all of the boat is safe and sound, then it will be good."

Teacher salary and compensation bill faces next challenge in House The bill comes as South Dakota has slipped back in national teacher salary rankings, down to 49 out of 51 in the country.

House Bill 1048 comes as South Dakota has slipped back in national teacher salary rankings, down to 49 out of 51 in the country.

First Degree Murder, Aggravated Eluding charges for suspect in Moody County Chief Deputy’s death The suspect in the death of Moody County Chief Deputy Ken Prorok is facing life in prison — or even the death penalty — after charges were filed against him.

“This is going to be a huge hole. Not only for my office, but for our entire community, and his entire family. Words can’t say what we’re going through right now. ‘I don’t know.'"

Lawmakers take Gov. Noem’s remarks on tribal cartel activities to task Noem's comments on cartel activity on South Dakota's reservations prompted a meeting with two tribal member lawmakers.

Gov. Noem's comments on cartel activity on South Dakota's reservations prompted a meeting with two tribal member lawmakers.

Senate State Affairs Committee defers state flag design commission bill A bill that would’ve created a South Dakota state flag design commission was deferred to the 41st legislative day by the Senate State Affairs Committee.

A bill that would’ve created a South Dakota state flag design commission was deferred to the 41st legislative day by the Senate State Affairs Committee.

Staff relieved that Apple Tree West will remain open with new ownership Apple Tree West Director Amy Hauff said the center will be staying open, after a new owner will be stepping in on January 15th.

Apple Tree West Director Amy Hauff said the center will be staying open, after a new owner will be stepping in on January 15th.

SDBOR expands Advantage rate to Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri Students coming from Kansas, Missouri, and Minnesota will now pay in-state tuition rates at South Dakota Board of Regents institutions.

Students coming from Kansas, Missouri, and Minnesota will now pay in-state tuition rates at South Dakota Board of Regents institutions.

The SDBOR approved adding the three states to it’s Advantage rate, joining all of South Dakota’s neighbors as well as Colorado, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Deonte Walker looking to bring home win at Sioux Falls Boxing Classic Deonte Walker will be squaring off in the main event come Thursday night. Walker is 5-1; his only loss coming at this event last year.

Deonte Walker will be squaring off in the main event of the Sioux Falls Boxing Classic II Thursday night. Walker is 5-1; his only loss coming at this event last year.