Gene Hetland

The deadline for a budget deal is getting closer, and a lot of America is wondering what will happen.

Across-the-board budget cuts will affect just about everyone, and while not many people will dispute the need for budget-cutting, the way the so-called "sequestration" cuts would be made could have a huge impact

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Government agencies on every level are keeping an eye on Washington and watching to see if the so-called "sequestration" cuts are made.

Officials with the South Dakota National Guard say automatic spending cuts could force them to furlough 548 of the Guard's 918 full-time employees for one day a week for 22 weeks, beginning in late April, if the automatic cuts are made

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If you've ever been a victim of vandalism, just the thought of it likely makes your blood boil.

Sioux Falls police have been looking for suspects after several recent reports of broken windows in houses and vehicles, mostly in the southwest part of the city

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I'm guessing you've heard by now that South Dakota had fewer farms in  2012 than in 2011, and the average farm size grew during that time. I'm sure this news didn't surprise anyone.

By the numbers,  the USDA says South Dakota had 31,000 farms in 2012, 300 fewer than in 2011

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SIOUX FALLS - Sioux Falls drivers are paying more for gasoline than their Rapid City counterparts, and also more than the statewide average.

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I saw a story that says the coffee mug you use at work is more than likely, well, germ-laden.

In fact, I think the phrase they used was "colonies of germs."

And they're right. How often do you bring your office coffee mug home to wash it? Or do you wash it at work?

None of the above? I have to confess I'm right there with you

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Here's a guy who's burned his bridges.

The Associated Press picked up a story from the StarTribune about a high school hockey goalie in Minnesota who was unhappy about his playing time. Really, really unhappy

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Police in Sioux Falls say more than a dozen vehicle owners in the southwest area of the city have been victimized by someone who is drilling holes in gas tanks and draining the fuel.

Police say the crooks are targeting sport utility vehicles in apartment parking lots, and while we don't own an SUV and we don't live in an apartment, I'd be really angry if someone drilled my fuel tank and drained it

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Sioux Falls police investigated 50 vehicle crashes over the weekend as snow and wind reduced visibility and made streets and highways slippery.

Information Officer Sam Clemens says 21 crashes were reported on Saturday, with the first one around 11 in the morning and the last at 11pm

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A story in the New York Times this week drove home a point about how the recession touched so many Americans' lives.

A study by Rutgers University said nearly 80 percent of Americans say they either know or are related to someone who has lost a job

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