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South Dakota Transportation Commission Approves $3.5 Million for 40 Local Bridge Projects

South Dakota Transportation Commission Approves $3.5 Million for 40 Local Bridge Projects

The South Dakota Transportation Commission has approved approximately $3.5 million in funding for 40 local bridge projects across the state. This decision was made during the commission's regularly scheduled meeting in Pierre. SDDOT Secretary Joel Jundt emphasized the importance of these investments in maintaining and improving the state's infrastructure, ensuring connectivity and safety for communities. The funding is divided between two programs: 12 projects will receive about $2.08 million in federal highway funding for bridge design, to be included in the 2027-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). These projects span various counties including Meade, Grant, Codington, Yankton, Gregory, Roberts, Spink, Deuel, and McCook, as well as several cities. Additionally, 24 projects will receive approximately $1.4 million through the Bridge Improvement Grant (BIG) program for preliminary engineering, surveys, and hydraulic studies, benefiting counties such as Beadle, Butte, Codington, Deuel, G...
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Maryland Regulators Approve Reduced Pepco Rate Increase, Prioritizing Affordability

Maryland Regulators Approve Reduced Pepco Rate Increase, Prioritizing Affordability

Maryland regulators have approved a significantly reduced rate increase for Pepco customers, cutting the utility's requested revenue increase by more than half. The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a $50.9 million revenue increase, substantially less than Pepco's original request of $119.9 million. This decision, which took effect on Friday, means that the average residential Pepco customer will see an additional $3.94 on their monthly bill, rather than the $10.24 increase that would have resulted from Pepco's full request. Specifically, this translates to a 2.25% increase for Montgomery County customers and 2.23% for Prince George’s County customers. The PSC stated its aim was to balance the need for infrastructure investments with customer affordability, denying Pepco's request to include projected costs for inflation, labor, and capital spending. Maryland Governor Wes Moore commended the PSC's judgment, emphasizing that utilities should not earn unreasonable profits while residents stru...
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Maryland Regulators Slash Pepco Rate Increase Request by Over Half, Governor Moore Praises Decision

Maryland Regulators Slash Pepco Rate Increase Request by Over Half, Governor Moore Praises Decision

Maryland Regulators Slash Pepco Rate Increase Request by Over Half, Governor Moore Praises Decision
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H5N1 Avian Flu Detected in South Dakota Birds, Raising Outbreak Total to 8.1 Million

H5N1 Avian Flu Detected in South Dakota Birds, Raising Outbreak Total to 8.1 Million

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, H5N1, has re-emerged in South Dakota, affecting 77,700 birds across two flocks this month. Specifically, a commercial meat turkey flock of 74,900 birds in Beadle County was struck on August 12, followed by a backyard flock of 2,800 birds in Brule County on August 20. This brings South Dakota's total bird count affected by the H5N1 outbreak to 8.1 million since the national outbreak began in 2022, spanning 144 commercial and 31 backyard flocks. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tracks these detections nationwide. Standard practice dictates euthanizing entire affected flocks to prevent further spread. Federal officials also confirmed the virus in two Idaho backyard flocks of 10 and 50 birds on the same day. The South Dakota Department of Health issued an alert on August 21 for potential human infections, advising healthcare providers to inquire about contact with sick or dead animals in patients presenting ...
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South Dakota Postal Service Issues Persist Amid Congressional Action and Federal Investigation

South Dakota Postal Service Issues Persist Amid Congressional Action and Federal Investigation

Nine months after U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds urged the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to address shoddy delivery services in South Dakota, postal problems largely persist across the state. While some regions have seen incremental improvements in inbound mail delivery, most areas, particularly for outbound mail, have experienced worsening conditions or no change, according to USPS data. Senator Rounds, a South Dakota Republican, has been a leading voice in advocating for USPS reform, citing both data and anecdotal evidence of ongoing issues. The USPS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has initiated an investigation into the state's delivery service, with Rounds noting that OIG representatives conducted their investigation clandestinely to prevent manipulation of results by Postal Service leaders. This month, Rounds sponsored the USPS Executive Benefit and Bonus Removal Act, which has passed a Senate committee and is now headed to the Senate floor. This legislation aims to prohibit bonuses for high-level postal se...
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U.S. Debate on Data Center Infrastructure Shifts to Consumer Electricity Bills Amidst AI Arms Race

U.S. Debate on Data Center Infrastructure Shifts to Consumer Electricity Bills Amidst AI Arms Race

The U.S. debate surrounding data center infrastructure is increasingly focusing on potential spikes in consumer electricity bills, rather than the national security implications of an AI arms race with China. While China is actively mobilizing its energy grid to gain an AI advantage through initiatives like the Eastern Data and Western Compute, the U.S. discussion often devolves into concerns about the cost of electricity for everyday consumers. This anti-data center backlash, which is unique among democracies to the U.S., is not always supported by data. Although increased demand from data centers will contribute to future electricity needs, other factors like electric vehicles and heat pumps are projected to account for the majority of the overall increase.
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Fire Near Bear Butte, South Dakota, Reaches 100% Containment

Fire Near Bear Butte, South Dakota, Reaches 100% Containment

Crews from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (SDDPS) successfully contained a fire near Bear Butte, South Dakota. The incident began on Friday night, with reports of smoke prompting an immediate response. By Saturday morning at 7 a.m., the SDDPS confirmed that the fire was 100% contained. While the visitor center at Bear Butte has reopened, the trail leading to the summit remains closed to the public. Officials are advising residents and visitors to continue avoiding the immediate area as firefighters are still engaged in post-containment operations.
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Representative Dusty Johnson Praises Agri-Pulse for Agricultural Information Dissemination

Representative Dusty Johnson Praises Agri-Pulse for Agricultural Information Dissemination

Representative Dusty Johnson Praises Agri-Pulse for Agricultural Information Dissemination
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Dakota State University Appoints Lacey Ellsworth as New Vice President for Human Resources

Dakota State University Appoints Lacey Ellsworth as New Vice President for Human Resources

Dakota State University (DSU) has announced the appointment of Lacey Ellsworth as its new Vice President for Human Resources, following a national search. Ellsworth will join President John Ballard’s Cabinet and oversee DSU’s human resources operations, which include talent acquisition and retention, workforce planning, employee relations, regulatory compliance, and policy development. She will also represent the university on the South Dakota Board of Regents Human Resources Council. President Ballard highlighted Ellsworth's strategic perspective, collaborative leadership, and commitment to team development as key assets for DSU's continued growth. Ellsworth expressed her honor in joining DSU and her passion for helping organizations achieve goals through their employees, leaders, and culture. She looks forward to building relationships across campus and partnering with faculty, staff, and university leadership to foster an environment where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered.
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European Investment Bank Approves €9.2 Billion for Competitiveness, Energy Transition, and Global Partnerships

European Investment Bank Approves €9.2 Billion for Competitiveness, Energy Transition, and Global Partnerships

European Investment Bank Approves €9.2 Billion for Competitiveness, Energy Transition, and Global Partnerships
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Today Marks an Early Milestone in Tornado Photography

Today Marks an Early Milestone in Tornado Photography

The 1884 Howard tornado, an F4 storm that struck South Dakota on August 28, 1884, holds a unique place in the history of meteorology and photograph...
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City of Pierre Advises Public to Avoid Marked Beach Areas on Island View Drive Due to Erosion

City of Pierre Advises Public to Avoid Marked Beach Areas on Island View Drive Due to Erosion

The City of Pierre has issued an advisory for residents to avoid marked beach areas along Island View Drive, near the American Legion, due to recent heavy rainfall. Mayor Todd Johnson stated that fluctuating water levels and natural erosion have created unsafe conditions in these areas. The city is urging the public to adhere to all markings, barricades, and signage, and to keep children and pets away from the affected locations. Separately, the City of Pierre was informed that the State of South Dakota was conducting work near Capitol Lake and Capitol Creek to address a leak.