Bob Mercer

South Dakota

Capitol Bureau Reporter at KELO-TV (Sioux Falls, SD)

KELOLAND Capitol Bureau. https://t.co/JGUnbxRoD2. bmercer@https://t.co/7YCQ7mgnAQ OR [email protected] OR 605-280-7580. https://t.co/7YCQ7mgnAQ Facebook: KELO Bob Merc

Articles

State board oks another suicide-prevention course

1 week ago | keloland.com | Bob Mercer

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — There will now be a half-dozen different ways that K-12 educators in South Dakota can get their required suicide-prevention training. The South Dakota Board of Education Standards on Tuesday approved a New Hampshire-developed program called ‘CALM — Conversations on Access to Lethal Means.’State law calls for educators to receive at least one hour of suicide training every five years.
Higher tariffs could further slow state sales tax revenue

1 week ago | keloland.com | Bob Mercer

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Ten months into the current budget year, revenue from South Dakota sales tax is already almost $3 million behind state lawmakers’ revised February estimate, and higher tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants to impose on imported goods from other nations could further slow consumer spending and make the situation worse, according to some members of a governor-appointed panel. South Dakota’s 4.2% sales tax is state government’s top source of in-state revenue.
Higher tariffs could further slow state sales tax revenue

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Bob Mercer

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Ten months into the current budget year, revenue from South Dakota sales tax is already almost $3 million behind state lawmakers’ revised February estimate, and higher tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants to impose on imported goods from other nations could further slow consumer spending and make the situation worse, according to some members of a governor-appointed panel. South Dakota’s 4.2% sales tax is state government’s top source of in-state revenue.
A look at the week ahead in our SD state government

1 week ago | keloland.com | Bob Mercer

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Here’s a first look at meetings of South Dakota state government’s boards and commissions that are open to the public during the new week starting Monday, May 26, 2025. Click on the name (highlighted in blue) for meeting details. Please note that any could be postponed because of adverse weather or other reasons. Monday, May 26Memorial Day national holiday. State business offices are closed. Tuesday, May 27Economic Advisors Council, 9 a.m. CT, teleconference.
State wants work or school for some getting Medicaid

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Bob Mercer

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Department of Social Services is preparing to seek a waiver from the federal government so that work or education can be required for some of the adults who receive Medicaid benefits. Public hearings are planned for May 30 in Pierre and June 12 in Sioux Falls.
State wants work or school for some getting Medicaid

2 weeks ago | keloland.com | Bob Mercer

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Department of Social Services is preparing to seek a waiver from the federal government so that work or education can be required for some of the adults who receive Medicaid benefits. Public hearings are planned for May 30 in Pierre and June 12 in Sioux Falls.
Cosmetology at Lake Area expands to 4 semesters

2 weeks ago | keloland.com | Bob Mercer

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KELO) — Lake Area Technical College is South Dakota’s only public campus that offers cosmetology training. This fall, the school will shift the students’ coursework and clinical work to four semesters. In the past, those were concentrated into three semesters. LATC president Tiffany Sanderson explained the change during a meeting Thursday with the South Dakota Board of Technical Education.
Cosmetology at Lake Area expands to 4 semesters

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Bob Mercer

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KELO) — Lake Area Technical College is South Dakota’s only public campus that offers cosmetology training. This fall, the school will shift the students’ coursework and clinical work to four semesters. In the past, those were concentrated into three semesters. LATC president Tiffany Sanderson explained the change during a meeting Thursday with the South Dakota Board of Technical Education.
Massage Therapy Board looks at 2026 legislation

2 weeks ago | keloland.com | Bob Mercer

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The state government panel that regulates massage businesses and schools in South Dakota has started building a package of possible requests for lawmakers to consider during the 2026 legislative session. The South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy spent more than two hours in a teleconference meeting Wednesday talking through what should be added to or repealed from the current chapter of state laws. The board will make final recommendations at the next meeting on July 23.
A West River tech will cost 911 panel $1.1 million

2 weeks ago | keloland.com | Bob Mercer

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — State government’s 911 Coordination Board is offering to pay LUMEN Technologies an additional $22,000 per month for the next four-plus years so that the company will put a service technician back into western South Dakota. Board members spent a half-hour in closed session during their teleconference on Tuesday discussing the proposal with state 911 coordinator Jason Husby and the board’s lawyer, Paul Bachand of Pierre.

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