Category: Great Plains

Agriculture, Environment, IowaLeave a comment

More than half of Iowa’s tested streams and lakes are ‘impaired’

Gary Dickson

There are at least 721 water body segments in Iowa that do not meet water quality standards for recreation, public water supplies and the protection of aquatic life, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR has drafted its latest list of “impaired” waters that it is required to submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency every two years. The list is based on data collected by the department and numerous other entities between 2020 and 2022, and it is used to guide restrictions for stream pollution for Continue reading More than half of Iowa’s tested streams and lakes are ‘impaired’

Crime, South DakotaLeave a comment

Crush of complaints forces state to hire extra help for officer misconduct investigations

Gary Dickson

There are so many complaints about cops now flowing into the Division of Criminal Investigation that the agency has hired a second full-time investigator to handle them.

Former FBI agent Dave Keith was hired to handle allegations of officer misbehavior recently, DCI Director Dan Satterlee said Wednesday during the March meeting of the Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission in Pierre.

The primary investigator of officer misbehavior has been busy dealing with the spike in complaints since 2021, when the DCI streamlined the process and made an online complaint form available. Continue reading Crush of complaints forces state to hire extra help for officer misconduct investigations

Government, Politics, South Dakota2 Comments

Noem slings accusations about tribes while signing education bills

Gary Dickson

Gov. Kristi Noem leveled accusations against Native American parents and political leaders Wednesday while saying she wants to help Native American students succeed.

She made the comments during a town hall meeting in Mitchell, where she signed two education bills into law, and at a later town hall in Winner.

“We’ve got some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefitting from the cartels being here, and that’s why they attack me every day,” she said. Continue reading Noem slings accusations about tribes while signing education bills

Crime, South DakotaLeave a comment

Clay County Sheriff’s Incident Report

Gary Dickson

The following are summaries of incidents reported to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office between Feb. 14 and March 14, 2024. 

For instance: A caller reported a stray pig and dog on a rural road near Meckling. A deputy responded to a report of a dog at a rural residence biting a bicyclist. A deputy assisted Vermillion police officers with a response to a fight outside of a downtown bar in Vermillion.

Also, the School Resource Officer investigated a report of a high school student in Vermillion having possession of a vape device in school. A caller reported suspicious activity involving two people in a car on a dead-end rural road.

And more are inside the story.

Continue reading Clay County Sheriff’s Incident Report

Government, Nebraska, PoliticsLeave a comment

Deadline passes for reconsideration of Fortenberry ruling; case could be retried

Gary Dickson

A deadline came and went Monday to request a reconsideration of the appeals court ruling that tossed out the felony convictions of former U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry.

That doesn’t mean the case is over, however.

Prosecutors still need to decide whether to seek a second trial of the former congressman in either Nebraska or Washington, D.C., where it was alleged that Fortenberry lied and misled federal agents probing illegal, foreign campaign contributions. Continue reading Deadline passes for reconsideration of Fortenberry ruling; case could be retried

Government, Health, South DakotaLeave a comment

Long-term care committee’s work translates into legislative success

Gary Dickson

Out of the 12 recommendations made by an interim legislative committee studying the sustainability of long-term care in South Dakota, most passed the legislative process.

That’s a clear success, said committee co-chair Sen. Jean Hunhoff, R-Yankton. Legislators were challenged last year to produce recommendations that would pass through the process, something that summer studies have struggled with in years past. This year’s legislative session ended last week, except for a day on March 25 to consider vetoes. Continue reading Long-term care committee’s work translates into legislative success

Government, South DakotaLeave a comment

Noem signs Indian Child Welfare Council and other bills into law

Gary Dickson

South Dakota will soon have a council devoted to the welfare of Native American children.

Gov. Kristi Noem signed House Bill 1232 this week, which creates the Indian Child Welfare Advisory Council. It will bring together people from the Department of Social Services, South Dakota’s nine tribes, the Legislature, and the field of child welfare for annual conversations.

Following are summaries of some other bills Noem signed into law recently as she continues to consider measures passed by the Legislature. The 2024 legislative session ended Thursday, except for one day on March 25 to consider vetoes. Noem had not vetoed any bills as of Friday afternoon. Continue reading Noem signs Indian Child Welfare Council and other bills into law

Government, Iowa, PoliticsLeave a comment

House Democrats introduce proposals on collective bargaining, state retirement accounts

Gary Dickson

Iowa House Democrats laid out proposals Tuesday they say will help Iowa workers, including measures to add collective bargaining rights to the state constitution and raise the minimum wage.

Members of the minority party laid out five components of their proposal on workers’ pay. The bills introduced include House File 2293, which would gradually increase Iowa’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour by July 2026, House File 2300, extending the state’s sales tax-free holiday in August from two days to two weeks and House File 2338, extending state childcare assistance to children with parents or guardians employed at a childcare facility. Continue reading House Democrats introduce proposals on collective bargaining, state retirement accounts

Crime, Iowa, SiouxlandLeave a comment

Former Sioux County sheriff’s deputy charged with felonies/misdemeanors

Gary Dickson

He was a Sioux County sheriff’s deputy and now he’s a former sheriff’s deputy.

Thursday, former Sioux County sheriff’s deputy Caleb Haverdink and his wife, Jill were arrested on numerous complaints and charges.

According to a joint press release from the Sioux County Sheriff and the Sioux County Attorney’s office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) filed seven counts of Neglect of a Dependent Person, Class C Felonies; two counts of Mandatory Reporter Violations, Simple Misdemeanors; and one count of False Report to Law Enforcement, a Simple Misdemeanor, against the couple, who live in Maurice. The charges are the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the DCI. Continue reading Former Sioux County sheriff’s deputy charged with felonies/misdemeanors