THC seltzers quietly find a foothold in cannabis-cautious South Dakota

About a year ago, bar owner Justin Henrichsen started offering THC seltzers and cocktails at his four establishments in Rapid City, Spearfish and Sioux Falls.

Since then, he’s watched the libations’ popularity spike with each passing month, across age groups and demographics, sometimes outselling wine and on pace with craft beers.

What he hasn’t seen are problems. A year in, he can say something about cannabis drinkers he can’t say about beer drinkers. The drinks are a natural extension of the adult beverage business, he argues, no more difficult to fold safely into a bar’s daily operations than the higher-alcohol craft beers that began to take hold across the nation a few decades ago. Continue reading THC seltzers quietly find a foothold in cannabis-cautious South Dakota

North Sioux man arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon

A North Sioux City man was charged on Sept. 5 with two counts of felony aggravated assault by officers from the North Sioux City Police Department.
Larry Noboru was arrested on Sept. 5 by North Sioux City Police for what began as a simple domestic assault investigation that allegedly occurred at 605 Streeter Drive, Apartment 7, in North Sioux City on Aug. 29. The victim and her aunt later informed police that she had been stabbed by the alleged perpetrator with a knife. Continue reading North Sioux man arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon

Vanderpool gets new attorney; trial rescheduled for Nov. 18

Matt Vanderpool, facing serious sexual offense charges, obtained a new attorney as his trial date was rescheduled. Accused of assaulting a minor, he pleaded not guilty and changed lawyers. The alleged victim detailed years of abuse, and law enforcement sought further evidence. The trial is now set for November 18th. Continue reading Vanderpool gets new attorney; trial rescheduled for Nov. 18

Iowa Lt. Governor Adam Gregg is leaving his position to focus on family

Iowa’s Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg resigned to prioritize family, praised by Gov. Reynolds and Iowa AG Bird. Reynolds to appoint replacement. Graduated from Central College and Drake University Law School. Previously ran for Attorney General of Iowa and served as Iowa State Public Defender. Married to Cari, with two children. Resignation effective September 3, 2024. Continue reading Iowa Lt. Governor Adam Gregg is leaving his position to focus on family

Noem commutes sentences for two convicted of murder

Gov. Kristi Noem commuted the sentences of two murder convicts and issued 45 pardons since February. Notably, she commuted a 70-year-old’s life sentence to 410 years and pardoned those with various convictions, such as DUIs and burglary. Noem’s decisions highlight the significant role of pardons in South Dakota, where pardons permanently clear a person’s criminal record. Continue reading Noem commutes sentences for two convicted of murder

‘Scared to Death’: Nurses and residents confront rampant violence in dementia care facilities

Violent altercations between residents in long-term care facilities are alarmingly common. Across the country, residents in nursing homes or assisted living centers have been killed by other residents who weaponized a bedrail, shoved pillow stuffing into a person’s mouth, or removed an oxygen mask. Clashes can be spontaneous and too unpredictable to prevent. But the chance of an altercation increases when memory care homes admit and retain residents they can’t manage, according to a KFF Health News examination of inspection and court records and interviews with researchers. Continue reading ‘Scared to Death’: Nurses and residents confront rampant violence in dementia care facilities

Winning bidder on state Medicaid contract wants its full bid kept secret

OptumRx, a company awarded a state contract for managed-care services in Iowa, is seeking to block the state from disclosing certain information in its bid, claiming it as a trade secret. The information includes employee and client management, customer references, and project management details. MedImpact, a competing company, is seeking the unredacted bid. Continue reading Winning bidder on state Medicaid contract wants its full bid kept secret

Bridge Improvement Grant (BIG) Recipients Announced by Transportation Commission

Union County in South Dakota has received grants for four bridge projects as part of the Bridge Improvement Grant (BIG) program. The grants, totaling approximately $1.8 million, aim to enhance critical transportation assets. Each year, $15 million is made available for BIG projects, and to date, $165 million in funds have been awarded. Continue reading Bridge Improvement Grant (BIG) Recipients Announced by Transportation Commission

‘Next time I’ll give you a black eye:’ Homes cited for abuse, sexual exploitation

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing found abuse at Good Samaritan Home in Holstein and Living Center West in Des Moines. The Living Center West failed to prevent the sexual exploitation of a resident, while the Good Samaritan Home’s video footage showed a CNA abusing a resident with dementia. Other nursing homes were also cited for abuse. Continue reading ‘Next time I’ll give you a black eye:’ Homes cited for abuse, sexual exploitation