Featured Articles in Regional News

South Dakota Launches New Apprenticeship Knowledge Series

The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation is launching a new monthly webinar series aimed at expanding understanding of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and supporting workforce development across the state. The Apprenticeship Knowledge Series will cover a range of apprenticeship-related topics, offering education for employers, education partners, community stakeholders, and current apprenticeship sponsors. The Read More…

DANR Approves $48.9 Million in Loans and Grants

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced that the Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $48.9 million in loans and grants for projects across the state, supporting drinking water, wastewater, and infrastructure improvements. The funding includes $36.96 million in state loans, including $425,000 in principal forgiveness, for drinking water Read More…

ND awarded $199M for Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen care in rural communities

North Dakota has been awarded $199 million in federal funding to support the first year of a new statewide Rural Health Transformation Program aimed at strengthening health care delivery in rural communities, Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced today. The funding, awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is part of a five-year initiative Read More…

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Just 3 customers in store at once: Boise-area businesses scramble to survive coronavirus

Note: The Idaho Statesman and McClatchy News Sites are offering most coverage of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic to all, with no payment required. We want to ensure our readers can make critical decisions for themselves and their families. To continue supporting vital reporting like this, please consider a digital subscription. For more coverage, subscribe to our daily coronavirus newsletter. Read More…

North Dakota governor hasn’t ruled out special session

FARGO — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has been in daily contact with lawmakers about the coronavirus and hasn’t ruled out the possibility of calling a special session, a spokesman said Wednesday. Mike Nowatzki, Burgum’s communications director, said that although “it’s too early to speculate” about whether to call in lawmakers, the governor’s office continues Read More…

Wyoming small businesses employ creative solutions to survive during COVID-19 outbreak

The businesses lining the main streets of Wyoming speak volumes about the communities they inhabit. Successful restaurants reflect the tastes of the local residents. Retailers, and the wares they carry, often resemble the demographics of a community. Art galleries, music shops and others can indicate the existence of tourist traffic and a creative class that Read More…

How Idaho counts confirmed COVID-19 cases

BOISE, Idaho — Editor’s note: In the above video, Idaho State Epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn answers viewer questions about the coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic.   We have received many questions from viewers regarding the accuracy of the confirmed coronavirus cases reported on the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare website. Local public health districts may be confirming cases of Read More…

WYOMING LAUNCHES STATEWIDE CORONAVIRUS WEBPAGE

The Wyoming state government has launched a webpage to keep residents up to date on the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak as well as available resources. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon made the announcement on Wednesday. According to a release from the governor’s office: “We want to offer a single location to share information and resources from multiple Read More…

ND EMERGENCY COMMISSION VOTES TO ACCEPT FEDERAL FUNDS FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE

The North Dakota Emergency Commission voted Tuesday to accept up to $6 million in federal funds to contain and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19. Congress passed and President Trump signed legislation last week appropriating $8.3 billion for COVID-19 preparedness, prevention and treatment efforts. Of the total, $950 million will go to state Read More…

University of Wyoming announces Edward Seidel as next president

Edward Seidel, who touted economic development and the university’s role in enhancing the state’s economic well-being, has been unanimously selected to be the 28th president of the University of Wyoming. Currently the vice president for economic development and innovation for the University of Illinois System, Seidel was one of three finalists for the position. The Read More…

Buffalo students try their hands at Western movies

BUFFALO — Johnson County is cowboy country – the land of the Virginian, Butch Cassidy and Sheriff Walt Longmire. But soon those Western heroes will have company. A new congregation of cowboys and cowgirls will descend on the county soon, courtesy of the Buffalo High School English department’s annual January Jubilee program. The jubilee, which Read More…

How 3D printing is reshaping Wyoming manufacturing

Wyoming isn’t typically known for being on the cutting edge of technology, but when it comes to 3D printing, research about and usage of the slowly maturing technology has already found a home. For instance, ceramic-printing research at the University of Wyoming could someday allow people to fly farther for cheaper. In Jackson, inexpensive prototyping Read More…

SUSPECT DIES AFTER JUMPING FROM VEHICLE DURING WYOMING HIGHWAY CHASE

CASPER, Wyo. —  A Tyler, Texas resident is reportedly deceased, after leaping from a moving vehicle, while leading Highway Patrol troopers on a pursuit. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, on Friday, February 21st, 2020 Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were notified of a suspected drunk driver in the area of Sheridan, Wyoming. Troopers report that Read More…

North Dakota OKs expanding Dakota Access Pipeline, setting up legal fight with Standing Rock

North Dakota regulators on Wednesday approved expanding the Dakota Access pipeline, despite concerns from environmentalists and Native Americans who said the plan makes an oil spill more likely. The 3-0 vote by the Public Service Commission clears one hurdle to double the pipeline’s capacity to 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day, but the proposal needs additional permits and Read More…

More than $7 million in airport upgrades coming to Wyoming

WASHINGTON (RELEASE) – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award $7.2 million in airport safety and infrastructure grants to 10 airports in Wyoming. This investment in Wyoming’s airports is part of a $520.5 million national investment in America’s airports that was announced today by Secretary Chao. Read More…

North Dakota correctional officer charged with having a relationship with inmate was terminated for incident involving a second inmate

GRAND FORKS — A former Grand Forks County correctional officer facing charges for having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate allegedly had an incident of a sexual nature with a second inmate, according to documents obtained by the Herald. Criminal charges were brought against Savannah Marie Martin as the result of a search of Li’Von Read More…

Cellphone of missing Idaho girl found with mother in Hawaii

(KUTV) — A cellphone belonging to missing Idaho teen Tylee Ryan was found in her mother’s possession, CBS News reports. Ryan and her 7-year-old brother Joshua “JJ” Vallow were last seen in September. Their mother, Lori Vallow, was found in Hawaii last month with her new husband Chad Daybell. CBS News reports that Ryan’s phone has been used several times after Read More…

Solar farms sprout in southwest Wyoming

JACKSON — A new type of industrial activity is rising from the sagebrush and pastureland in western Wyoming: utility- scale solar farms. Three such developments have already been constructed or will soon be built in the Green and Bear river basins. The introduction of photovoltaic renewable energy technology figures to help replenish county coffers and Read More…

Wyoming Medical Center signs letter of intent with Banner Health, setting stage for possible affiliation

Wyoming Medical Center has signed a letter of intent with Banner Health, the first step in a potential future affiliation deal between Wyoming’s largest hospital and one of the most significant health care organizations in the region. The agreement is nonbinding, according to an announcement sent Tuesday by WMC, and allows both organizations to “conduct Read More…