South Dakota Government News

South Dakota's statewide smoking ban could go into effect after all and before the November 2010 election.

All of the extra $1.5 million is to go toward balancing the state budget. RETAILERS Retailers "cautiously optimistic" YANKTON, S.D. The executive director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, Shawn Lyons, says man9 retailers in the state are telling him they aren'4 losing ground in the current econom9 and tha4 for some, "business is actuall9 ...

In response to an inquiry from a national Web site that's collecting information from all the nation's governors, Gov.

On the day Americans celebrate the land of the free, a Maine man wants governors to feel free to live off the land.

South Dakotans who need help with food or paying their bills usually stop into their local health and human services office to see if they qualify for assistance.

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment: UNEMPLOYMENT FUND SD businesses will pay unemployment surcharge PIERRE, S.D. State Labor Secretary Pam Roberts says South Dakota businesses will pay $36 million in surcharges next year to replenish the trust fund that pays benefits to unemployed workers.

State Labor Secretary Pam Roberts says South Dakota businesses will pay $36 million in surcharges next year to replenish the trust fund that pays benefits to unemployed workers.

A change in leadership for the Republican National Governors Association will likely not mean much for Gov.

Gov. Mike Rounds says the state Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $30.7 million in grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater, rural water and landfill projects.

A program that helps blind and visually impaired South Dakotans keep abreast of the news will no longer be available come the end of the month.

Governor Mike Rounds has taken your health care concerns to the White House. He was one of six Governors in Washington, D.C. Wednesday who met with the President as he works to overhaul the nation's health care system.

South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds says he and other governors told President Barack Obama that any health care changes must give states the flexibility to manage their own health programs without forcing them to spend a lot more money.

President Barack Obama left the door open to a new tax on health care benefits Wednesday, and officials said top lawmakers and the White House were seeking $150 billion in concessions from the nation's hospitals as they sought support for legislation struggling to emerge in Congress.

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment: US-OBAMA-HEALTH CARE Obama: Doctor-choice is vital to health care plan WASHINGTON President Barack Obama says Americans will still be able to choose their doctors under the health care changes he is seeking.

Republican Gov. Mike Rounds will be in Washington on Wednesday to meet with President Barack Obama on health care reform.

The South Dakota Food Stamp Program will change its name July 1 to be consistent with the federal program.

A new program will help first-time home buyers in South Dakota come up with a down payment and closing costs.

Gov. Mike Rounds said he'll ask the National Science Foundation to cover an $11 million funding gap beginning in 2011 at the Sanford Underground Laboratory in Lead.

Iowa Governor Chet Culver and his administration have been touting the 830 million dollar I-JOBS program for several weeks now as the way to get Iowa's economy back on track.

Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment: UNEMPLOYMENT RISES South Dakota jobless rate rises in May PIERRE, S.D. South Dakota's unemployment rate has risen from 4.8 percent in April to 5 percent in May.