South Dakota

July 16, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Vrooman, 28, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died Jul 15 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated while his unit was conducting combat operations in Kn'an, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany.

Source: DOD

June 3, 2008 -- The Barack Obama campaign has announced numerous new superdelegate endorsements over the past two days, including superdelegates from Washington, Connecticut, Virginia, Maine, and two from Michigan. According to the Obama campaign, Barack Obama is now 41.5 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

Barack Obama campaigns in South Dakota: Photo courtesy Barack Obama campaign

The final votes of the Democratic primary season will take place today in South Dakota and Montana, with primary results expected this evening.

Virginia superdelegate Democratic National Committee Member Jerome Wiley Segovia endorsed Barack Obama. His statement:    » read more »

5/20/2008 -- Hillary Clinton unveiled her proposal to provide increased opportunity and improve the quality of services for South Dakota’s Native American community today. Her plan, grounded in the principle of tribal sovereignty, focuses on job creation, improving the quality of health care and combating crime.

Hillary Clinton: Photo by circulating (CC)    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds is requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration for public assistance in the counties most impacted by the May 1-2 snow storms. The request is part of the process for receiving federal disaster funds.

The preliminary damage report done by the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and local officials shows more than $7.5 million in estimated damage to public infrastructure in Bennett, Butte, Harding, Jackson, and Perkins Counties.

Additionally, Butte, Harding, and Lawrence Counties experienced record or near record snowfall indicating they may be eligible for snow removal assistance from FEMA.    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds asks that all flags in the state be flown at half staff on Thursday, May 8, 2008, from 8 a.m. until sunset, in honor of Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, 24, of Lafayette, California.

Airman Yelner was assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. He died April 29 near Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

A memorial ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. (MDT) on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the Black Hills Chapel on Ellsworth Air Force Base. A memorial service was held on May 6 in California.

Source: South Dakota Governor

Daschle: Obama will stop sending billions to Iraq, start investing American economy

May 06, 2008 -- Sioux Falls, SD - Senator Barack Obama's South Dakota campaign today begins airing a new radio ad featuring former South Dakota Senator and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.

Barack Obama greeting supporters: Photo by Barack Obama campaign (CC)

In the ad, Daschle - who was one of Obama's earliest public supporters - asks South Dakotans to join him in backing the candidate who will "put you first - not the special interests."    » read more »

PIERRE, S.D. – As the weather warms and South Dakotans head outdoors to work in garden sheds, barns or other places where mice are found, a health official reminds them to take precautions against Hantavirus.

Hantavirus is carried by rodents, primarily the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus, pictured at left). It can result in Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome which fills the lungs with fluid and can cause respiratory failure.

Deer mouse: Photo by Marc Shandro (CC)

Over 465 cases have been reported in the nation since 1993 when the virus was first detected in the southwestern United States. South Dakota has reported 13 cases, including 4 deaths.    » read more »