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USDA Designates 18 South Dakota Counties as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Severe Drought

USDA Designates 18 South Dakota Counties as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Severe Drought

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially designated 18 counties in South Dakota as natural disaster areas. This designation is a direct response to severe drought conditions that have impacted these regions. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated that these counties experienced a drought intensity of D2 (Severe Drought) for eight or more consecutive weeks, or D3 (Extreme Drought) or D4 (Exceptional Drought) during the growing season. This declaration allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loans to agricultural producers affected by the drought. These loans are intended to assist with various recovery needs, including replacing essential items like equipment or livestock, reorganizing farming operations, or refinancing certain debts. The FSA will evaluate loan applications based on the extent of losses, available security, and repayment capability. Additionally, several contiguous counties in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota are also eligible for assis...
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National Endowment for the Arts Honors Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America with Heritage Fellowship

National Endowment for the Arts Honors Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America with Heritage Fellowship

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has recognized the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America, based in Detroit, Michigan, as a recipient of the 2025 NEA Heritage Fellowship. This honor is the nation's highest recognition in folk and traditional arts. Artistic director Oleh Mahlay and President Andy Hladyshevsky were featured in a podcast discussing the group's history, which spans centuries and is deeply intertwined with the unique instrument, the Bandura. The Bandura, a plucked, fretless instrument combining elements of the zither, harp, and lute, is considered the 'soul of the Ukrainian nation.' The chorus, founded in 1918 in Kyiv, Ukraine, has a rich history of preserving Ukrainian culture and history through music, particularly during periods of repression, including the Soviet era and the Holodomor famine. The group eventually made its way to the United States in 1949 with assistance from Eleanor Roosevelt and the UN, settling in America and continuing its mission of cultural preservation.
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Omaha Selected as U.S. Host City for 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup

Omaha Selected as U.S. Host City for 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup

Omaha Selected as U.S. Host City for 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup
AP NewsAP News
Omaha, Orlando and Anaheim are announced as host cities for the 2027 women's volleyball World Cup

Omaha, Orlando and Anaheim are announced as host cities for the 2027 women's volleyball World Cup

Three cities in the United States have been announced as sites for the 2027 women’s volleyball World Cup
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U.S. Cities Selected to Host First Women's Volleyball World Cup in North America

U.S. Cities Selected to Host First Women's Volleyball World Cup in North America

U.S. Cities Selected to Host First Women's Volleyball World Cup in North America
GolfweekGolfweek
Gregor Orlando earns medalist honors at Crump Cup; Match play begins Saturday

Gregor Orlando earns medalist honors at Crump Cup; Match play begins Saturday

Pine Valley was as tough as ever, relinquishing just one under par round at the 101st Crump Memorial.
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Even as trading and markets moved faster, Warren Buffett made patience profitable and cool

Even as trading and markets moved faster, Warren Buffett made patience profitable and cool

Even in the age of algorithms, short attention spans and TikTok teases, Warren Buffett continued to profit with his patient bargain-hunting approach while offering folksy advice on investing and life
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
Is Arizona actually happy? How it ranked in new study

Is Arizona actually happy? How it ranked in new study

A new report ranked U.S. states using metrics tied to emotional and physical well-being, work environment, financial security and community life.
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Midwest Faces Weeklong Flash Flood Threat Amidst Persistent Storms and Heat Dome

Midwest Faces Weeklong Flash Flood Threat Amidst Persistent Storms and Heat Dome

The Midwest is currently experiencing a weeklong flash flood threat, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Weather Prediction Center (WPC) issuing a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat for parts of the region through Sunday. Widespread rainfall of 3–5 inches is anticipated, with some localized areas potentially receiving 5–8 inches. This deluge is fueled by a persistent heat dome over the South, which is directing deep tropical moisture from the Southwest and Gulf around its western flank. Initial rounds of storms earlier in the week have already led to flooding in Western Iowa, causing rivers and creeks in Cass County to overflow. The ground is already saturated, exacerbating the flood risk. On Thursday, heavy rain is expected to concentrate in South Dakota, with forecast totals of 2–4 inches, potentially higher locally, particularly across western and central South Dakota, extending towards the I-90 corridor and Sioux Falls area. The FOX Forecast Center predicts severe storms ...
ReutersReuters
Factbox-Key executives running Berkshire Hathaway's $1 trillion empire

Factbox-Key executives running Berkshire Hathaway's $1 trillion empire

Sept 18 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway on Friday, handing the top role to his son Howard and completing a historic leadership handover that started with Greg Abel's appointment as CEO earlier this year.
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Gretna Renews Policing Contract with Sarpy County Sheriff's Office for Three Years

Gretna Renews Policing Contract with Sarpy County Sheriff's Office for Three Years

The City of Gretna, Nebraska, has renewed its policing contract with the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office for an additional three years. This interlocal cooperation agreement, which extends through September 30, 2029, was approved during a recent city council meeting and will take effect on October 1st. Gretna has relied on the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office for policing services since disbanding its own police department in 1976. Sarpy County Sheriff Greg London stated that this arrangement has been successful for 50 years and offers significant cost savings for Gretna compared to establishing and operating its own police department, which he estimates would cost millions in startup expenses alone and would not provide the same range of secondary services.
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A border surge reshaped America. Now, data shows who 4.5 million migrants were and where they went

A border surge reshaped America. Now, data shows who 4.5 million migrants were and where they went

A surge in border crossings over the past decade reshaped America: Millions of people from more than 150 countries arrived, bringing the immigrant population to its highest levels