The Daily Republic

WESSINGTON SPRINGS -- Those just passing through would never know that a little under eight months ago, a tornado ripped through Wessington Springs. But venture a little deeper into the south end of town, and the path of destruction is obvious -- like a gash stitched together, but...

Here are bankruptcy filings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of South Dakota, for Feb. 19 through Feb. 25. Individuals can file Chapter 7 petitions (asking that debts be liquidated); Chapter 12 (a simplified reorganization method for farmers and ranchers whose gross debt does not...

A look at news from around the region, as reported by weekly newspapers: Winner FANNING TO RETIRE FROM SDSU EXTENSION: Bob Fanning, who has worked for South Dakota State University Extension for the last 27 years in south central part of the state, will retire next week. Fanning...

RAPID CITY (AP) — A Box Elder man has pleaded guilty to burglary and grand theft charges in connection with a six-hour-long standoff with law enforcement officials in July. KOTA-TV reports kidnapping charges against 32-year-old Raymond Cuny were dropped as part of the...

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — A former Sioux Falls middle school teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a student has pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual contact with a child younger than 16. Thirty-three-year-old Tonya Drueppel was charged in a five-count indictment...

PIERRE -- State senators gave unanimous approval Friday afternoon to keep Big Stone school district eligible for state aid, despite enrollment below the threshold of 100. HB 1097 now heads to Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who is expected to sign the legislation into law. Rep. Fred Deutsch,...

PIERRE -- A fiscal note prepared by the state Legislative Research Council shows a potential savings for state government if a youth minimum wage of $7.50 is adopted for South Dakota. State government's annual payroll costs for employees would be reduced by an estimated $27,325,...

I saw a piece on some news site the other day that said the current young generation is the most stressed in the nation's history or something like that. I'm not sure how one accurately compares stress levels of entire generations. My granddaughters have experienced a certain amount...

To the Editor: The chief financial officer of South Dakota accused me of providing misinformation in my last letter regarding the state budget. I said, "Daugaard's latest budget proposal is nearly $600 million more than what the state spent last year." Jason Dilges said it is only $61...

To the Editor: If you were diagnosed with cancer today, would you want the best treatment available prescribed by your medical team, both in terms of effectiveness in treating the cancer and with the least financial burden to you and your family? The answer is obvious: of course...

To the Editor: Cal Thomas' commentary (in The Daily Republic's Feb. 23 edition) about Constitutional rights coming from God is way off base. Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore recently said: " ... our rights contained in the Bill of Rights do not come from the constitution, they come...

To the Editor: An open letter to my teenage daughters, Plato said, "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." The great thing about living in a democracy is the ability to participate in elections. We are...

Class B Friday in Rapid City Team Scores: 1. Bon Homme/Scotland, 85.0; 2. Parkston, 74.0; 3. Canton, 66.5; 4. Beresford, 51.0; 5. Stanley County, 46.0; 6. Howard, 41.5; 7. Burke/Gregory, 40.0; 7. Webster Area, 40.0; 9. Hot Springs, 38.5; 10. Elk Point-Jefferson, 38.0; 11....

SIOUX FALLS -- Wrestlers, coaches and fans received a new experience at this year's Class A state wrestling tournament. For the first time, the event was held in the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, which provided plenty of space but kept fans close to the action. "The...