Phyllis Heineman

Several legislators and education lobbyists made clear Tuesday they don’t think Teach For America should have received $250,000 from the Legislature for the coming school year.  James Curran, the national nonprofit organization’s executive...

PIERRE — The Legislature’s Executive Board fully embraced the American Legislative Exchange Council for the first time Tuesday.  The Republican-dominated board decided the state treasury should pay for the $100, two-year memberships for...

PIERRE — Want the really bad news from the 2013 session of the Legislature?  Robo-calls remain legal for political purposes.  For a while, there was a glimmer of quieter evenings and weekends ahead. Restrictions sought by House Democratic leader...

 PIERRE — Down to four working days to wrap up the 2013 session, state legislators moved rapidly through final decisions on many bills Wednesday, including approval of millions of dollars in one-time aid to public schools and start-up of a program...

The only fight fiercer than big hospital groups battling each other for business in South Dakota might be when somebody wants a change in state law to make it easier  to take some of their patients.   The two big Sioux Falls health care organizations,...

 PIERRE — It’s now up to Gov. Dennis Daugaard whether women seeking abortions in South Dakota will sometimes need to wait longer than 72 hours after their consultation with the doctor.  A spokesman said Thursday the governor supports the...

PIERRE -- State senators decided Wednesday that local voters should have the opportunity for the final word if their school board decides to put armed sentinels in the district’s buildings and at school events.  That major change was one of...

Editor's note: As part of the coverage of the 2013 legislative session, the American News will provide, on most days, a list of 10 pieces of information helpful to understanding what is — and sometimes isn’t — happening at the state...

PIERRE -- A state government agency is seeking the Legislature’s authority to hire more technology personnel for two key missions.  Three would work to secure databases and networks against tens of thousands of cyber attacks every month.  Two...

A state government agency is seeking the Legislature’s authority to hire more technology personnel for two key missions. Three would work to secure databases and networks against tens of thousands of cyber attacks every month. Two others would...

Its head said Tuesday that a $20 million cushion for Medicaid in the state Department of Social Services allows for better budget estimates. But a Democratic legislator’s questions didn’t generate a detailed explanation of how the extra...

Editor's note: As part of the coverage of the 2013 legislative session, the American News will provide, on most days, a list of 10 pieces of information helpful to understanding what is — and sometimes isn’t — happening at the state...