WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- Five State Transportation Departments have submitted a public comment letter to the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) advocating for a more robust National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP). With freight transportation being crucial to national commerce, the departments emphasized the need for the plan to better address the unique transportation needs of rural states. In their submission, the transportation departments of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Sout  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee released the following written testimony by Brandon Wipf, a board member of the American Soybean Association, from a July 29, 2025, hearing entitled "Perspectives on Reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act": * * * Good morning, Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Klobuchar, and Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee. It is an honor to join you today to testify on behalf of the American Soybean Association  more

SPEARFISH, South Dakota, Aug. 12 -- Black Hills State University issued the following news: * * * BHSU To Participate In AI, Pedagogy and Curriculum Institute Black Hills State University (BHSU) has been selected as a participant in the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)'s AI, Pedagogy and the Curriculum Institute. Participation will provide a foundation for new academic policies crucial to BHSU's continued position at the forefront of technology education. The univer  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report: * * * Business Employment Dynamics in South Dakota -- Fourth Quarter 2024 * From September 2024 to December 2024, gross job gains from opening and expanding private-sector establishments were 25,412, while gross job losses from closing and contracting private-sector establishments in South Dakota were 22,744, the U.S. Bureau of L  more

SPEARFISH, South Dakota, Aug. 15 -- Black Hills State University issued the following news: * * * How BHSU Professor Gina Gibson Combines Gravitational Waves and Graphic Design By Samuel King Visit the office of Gina Gibson, professor of digital communication at Black Hills State University, and you'll be greeted by a giant, four-foot-wide acrylic hand. Gibson produced the hand, an art piece titled "Touch," while serving as the first artist-in-residence at the Sanford Underground Research Fa  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration has approved several duty-free applications for scientific instruments paving the way for American universities to import specialized equipment from abroad. ITA's decision follows a public notice period where no comments were submitted, indicating a consensus that the foreign-made tools have no domestic equivalent. This approval is a boost for national research efforts, enabling institutions to acq  more

RAPID CITY, South Dakota, Aug. 15 -- The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology issued the following news release: * * * South Dakota Mines and WDTC Sign Articulation Agreement South Dakota Mines has partnered with Western Dakota Technical College to offer students a clear pathway for advancing their education in engineering. Mines President Dr. Brian Tande signed an articulation agreement with WDTC President Dr. Kendra Ericson during the annual Mines State of the University address yes  more

RAPID CITY, South Dakota, Aug. 15 -- The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology issued the following news release: * * * South Dakota Mines Honors Community Champions for Dedication to the University's Mission South Dakota Mines recognized local businesses RPM Companies, and community leader Lorie Vega as the 2025 Community Champions during the annual state of the university address yesterday. This is the third year for the award, which recognizes a local community member, business or o  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency issued the following news release: * * * USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Minnesota Producers Affected by High Winds, Hail, Tornado, Excessive Rain, and Flash Flooding * Two South Dakota Counties also Eligible for Assistance Physical loss loans through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help producers repair or replace damaged or d  more