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Daily digest, your guide to the Mitchell area, from the Heart and Sole Cancer Walk to a blood drive to pork sandwiches.

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News

Not so fast: Vote possible on wine

Petition could refer new ordinance to election.

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Rail sale screeches to halt

Local leaders dislike Napa-Platte deal, buyer rescinds offer.

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South Dakota lawmakers urged to boost school funding

PIERRE — Officials representing South Dakota school districts urged a legislative panel Wednesday to consider recommending a boost in state financial aid to schools, not just changes in the way money is divided among school districts.

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PHOTO: Brain cancer benefit

Albert Connor Jr., 36, sits with his son, Kaison, at a benefit Wednesday for Albert at Shorty’s Locker in Mitchell. Albert was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a brain cancer, in April and has started radiation and chemotherapy in Mitchell. The benefit included a free-will donation meal and a raffle to raise money for medical expenses. Donations can be made at CorTrust Bank in Mitchell to the Albert Connor benefit fund or dropped off at Shorty’s Locker. (Jordan Steffen/Republic)

• PHOTO: Brain cancer benefit
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Chase after robbery ends with arrest of Mitchell woman, children taken into custody

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — A reported strong-armed robbery, assault and shoplifting incident at a Sioux Falls Walmart led to a chase that culminated with authorities arresting two adults and placing three children in protective custody.

MTI ranked 22nd best community college by US website

Mitchell Technical Institute has been ranked the 22nd best community college in the nation by a higher education/career website.

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Tuition hikes may be on ice

SD regents to consider freeze for student fees.

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Thune's border fence plan nixed

SD senator offering four more immigration reform amendments.

• John Thune
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Drug court gets office space

Davison County Commissioners also learn of possible animal shelter grant.

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Fort Pierre riverfront project headed to court

FORT PIERRE (AP) — A proposed $16 million development on the Missouri River that would be the largest commercial undertaking in Fort Pierre history appears headed to the courts after the City Council rejected new petitions seeking a public vote on more aspects of the project.

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USD Indian studies program comes under fire

VERMILLION (AP) — Some University of South Dakota students are criticizing the school's Native Studies major, saying it falsely advertises coursework and doesn't have enough instructors.

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SD board seeks public comment on place names

PIERRE (AP) — A South Dakota board responsible for getting rid of offensive geographic names is seeking public comment on whether the word "Negro" is offensive.

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Agriculture

House likely to extend farm bill debate

With 103 amendments to be debated after a late start on Wednesday, it appeared it would be difficult to meet Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline to vote on the nearly $1 trillion bill establishing American farm and nutrition policies.

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Deadly piglet virus spreads

South Dakota one of 13 US states with positive cases.

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Hughes Co, OKs zone change for pulse plant

HARROLD (AP) Hughes County Commissioners have approved the final plat and zoning changes needed to construct a new pulse processing plant set to be near Harrold.

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Bovine TB case in ND shouldn’t hurt exporting

BISMARCK (AP) — State and cattle industry officials say North Dakota’s first reported case of bovine tuberculosis in 14 years shouldn’t threaten the state’s federally designated “TB-free” status.

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GUEBERT: Top reasons to love China’s purchase of Smithfield

There are dozens of reasons for American farmers and ranchers to be thrilled — nay, elated! — by Shuanghui International Holding Inc.’s proposed $4.7 billion purchase of Smithfield Foods, Inc., America’s biggest pork chop.

• Alan Guebert
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PHOTO: Steer rollover auction

The rollover auction raised $6,250 to support the Agriculture and Transportation Technologies Division at MTI. Click image to read more.

• PHOTO: Steer rollover auction

Much of eastern SD drought-free

Statewide moisture conditions best since last June.

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Grocers say potato group illegally boosted spud prices, spied on farmers

A U.S. wholesaler accuses America’s spud farmers of driving up prices while spying on farmers with satellites and aircraft fly-overs to enforce strict limits on how many tubers they can grow.

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Life

Czech it out: 65th annual celebration starts Thursday in Tabor

TABOR — The 65th Annual Czech Days celebration starts Thursday in Tabor and lasts through Saturday.

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Scavenger’s Journey planned this week

The Second Annual South Dakota Scavenger’s Journey will take place Friday through Sunday along a 90-mile stretch of old U.S. Highway 16 and Interstate 90 in central South Dakota.

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Annual Ribs at the Ranch and Running of the Pigs set

FREEMAN -- The annual Ribs at the Ranch will be held on June 29 at Freeman Academy.

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Dakota Discovery Museum to host book signing

‘Black Hills Doc’ is memoir by father of artist Hargens.

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Forging Demonstrations to be hosted at the Dakota Discovery Museum

Artist blacksmith Clark Martinek will be doing demonstrations on the museum grounds during his exhibit, “The Evolution of Iron,” which runs through Aug. 31.

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Mitchell teen to travel nation

Wenzel, others to compete across US.

• Mason Wenzel
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PHOTO: Bus driver honored

Carroll Torberson has driven every school bus route in Mitchell through the years. He received the Distinguished Service Award Monday. Click to read more.

• PHOTO: Bus driver honored

Opinion

OUR VIEW: City right to buy Jitters property

Nothing personal against the owners, but we don’t think a religious-themed T-shirt business is the best fit for a building located directly across the street from the historic Corn Palace, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

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OUR VIEW: Gay or straight, people deserve protection from domestic abuse

If two people are in a domestic relationship and one takes advantage of that relationship to abuse the other, that’s wrong and potentially criminal.

• OUR VIEW
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TUPPER: Love me? Make me a mix tape

New technology just can’t capture that old magic.

• Seth Tupper
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WOSTER: Spring into Oahe guarantees tradition continues

Summer is officially here this week, for heaven’s sake.

• Terry Woster
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NOEM: House working to promote a healthy economy

While the national unemployment rate is 7.6 percent, South Dakota’s continues to be substantially lower at 4.1 percent.

• Kristi Noem
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THUNE: Senate’s 2013 farm bill moves ag policy in the wrong direction

Farmers are keeping up with the latest technology using satellite steering systems for their machinery and applying seed, fertilizer, and chemicals with pinpoint accuracy and precision. I believe agriculture policy should follow this example of efficiency.

• John Thune
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MERCER: Legislator values split over protection orders for same-sex abuses

During previous legislative session, House members scaled back a reform bill to apply only to opposite-sex partners.

• Bob Mercer
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Sports

Mitchell fastpitch focuses on player development

The Mitchell Girls’ Fastpitch Association began a new program this year as a way to focus on player development.

Thursday's Sports Briefs: 6/20/13

UND, USD to resume football rivalry in 2016-17 By The Associated Press GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The University of North Dakota and University of South Dakota football teams plan to renew their rivalry in 2016.

Thursday's Sports Schedule: 6/20/13

A look at today's sports schedule.