NEW YORK (AP) — The Biden administration has exempted most employers from long-awaited rules for protecting workers from the coronavirus. The move has angered labor advocates who had spent more than a year lobbying for the protections. The Labor Department included only health care workers in its new emergency temporary...

WALL, S.D. — Congressman Dusty Johnson applauding the new interstate agreement Thursday afternoon while touring the Wall Meat processing facility. He talked with the staff to get a feel for how the business is faring. Johnson says there are two major issues when it comes to meat processing in the...

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The sponsor of the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline says it is pulling the plug on the contentious project after Canadian officials failed to persuade the Biden administration to reverse its cancellation of the company’s permit on the day the president took office. Calgary-based TC Energy...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Those red-shirted people are back milling around downtown Rapid City, the downtown ambassadors. The ambassadors assist visitors find their way around the area,downtown and beyond, whether it be a tourist attraction or a restaurant. Domico Rodriguez, the President and CEO of Main Street Square says that...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — You’ll recognize him by his signature, smiling face. Dan says, “I’ve been called “Downtown Dan” many times, that is not unusual.” Dan began working downtown Rapid City at the age of 19. He’s witnessed many changes happen to the area over the years and wanted to...

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart says it will close its U.S. stores on Thanksgiving for the second consecutive year. The nation’s largest retailer and biggest private employer said Friday that it wants to give workers time off for all their “hard work and dedication” to the company. It follows the...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — With meat processors big and small coming back from a difficult time during the pandemic, Governor Kristi Noem announced the start of a new grant program that will help small processors in the state. The governor made the announcement following a tour of meat processor Dakota...

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Workers at a South Dakota meatpacking plant that became a coronavirus hotspot last year are considering a strike after contract negotiations between Smithfield Foods and the union have stalled. The Sioux Falls chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union threatened to move for...

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Business and government officials say a next-generation, small nuclear plant will be built at a soon-to-be retired coal-fired power plant in Wyoming in the next several years. Bellevue, Washington-based TerraPower is led by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and working with electric utility Rocky Mountain Power on...

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — Another major step forward towards development of Ellsworth Air Force Base in preparation for the B-21 – the Department of Defense announced a 95-million-dollar contract for base improvements over the next decade. Four of the five contractors selected to bid on the work over...

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. —  Five West River residents have been announced as inductees for the 2021 South Dakota Hall of Fame. Each year, the Hall of Fame elects up to 10 South Dakotans that inspire and represent the Hall of Fame’s mission to “champion a culture of excellence in South Dakota.”...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — On Memorial Day Weekend, you’ll often find many people out on the road. Some even make a tradition out of seeing sights while others made their way out to Mount Rushmore. But what brought them? “The Presidents. Abraham. No one else, just him,” said a joking...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Timber prices continue to soar — evidenced by an increase of $24,000 in construction costs on a single-family home from this time last year to now. Rising lumber costs are causing dramatic increases in construction costs for homes, buildings and other developments. The timber industry in...

LEAD, S.D. — Keating Resources, a real-estate investment company already known locally for projects like Sportsbook Deadwood, has purchased the 680-acre Deer Mountain Ski Resort in Lead. The resort was a popular recreation destination for 50 years before closing in 2017. Keating Resources CEO Gerard Keating says that the 150-acre...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Many businesses have been experiencing serious staffing shortages, causing a vicious cycle in the need for workers and child care in Rapid City. A quick Google search shows there are a number of options for child care in Rapid City – but that number is dwindling,...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Black Hills Federal Credit Union held it’s eighteenth annual Shred Day for its members today at its N. Plaza location. The event, which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, was a big turnout. Members brought shred-able items ranging from a few personal documents like...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — A number of states have embraced new federal guidelines that say fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks indoors or out in most situations. But other states and some businesses are taking a wait-and-see attitude amid questions of whether the new advice from the...

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Senator John Thune in Rapid City on Friday taking a tour of Property Meld. The local company start up recently broke ground on a new facility in downtown Rapid City. The tech company started after CEO Ray Hespen graduated South Dakota Mines, left the area, and...

STURGIS, S.D. — For the first time in its 81 year history, the Sturgis Rally now has permanent branding. A year-and-a-half of work went into creating the new official logo. The city hired an international marketing company to help create the brand and held ten focus groups around the country...

BLACK HILLS, S.D. — Vacant gift shops, closed amusement parks, and empty tourism caves in some parts of the Black Hills – not due to a lack of demand. Tourism businesses seeking workers, and not drawing many, causing many to cut back services or limit the days they’re open. “Each...