BROOKINGS – June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, commemorating the 1969 Stonewall riots, encouraging acceptance, and celebrating the historical impact of the LGBTQ+ community. In recognition of Pride Month, the Brookings Public Library will host three Pride-centered events.

SIOUX FALLS (AP) – South Dakota voters are set to vote again on whether they want recreational marijuana legalized for adults after the secretary of state on Wednesday validated the initiated measure for the November ballot.

Brookings’ long-delayed new government building is ready for occupancy at last. The bill for a government building in Brookings was introduced by Hon. Philo Hall of this city in 1908. An appropriation was made at that time for the site, and this was followed later by a larger appropriation for the building. It was not until the spring of 1913, though, that work was started. Further delays in construction pushed the opening date to this week.

The recent windstorm that swept across eastern South Dakota left much destruction in its path during a very busy time of year for farmers.

BROOKINGS – SDSU Extension and South Dakota Animal Industry Board veterinarians are encouraging South Dakota cattle producers to include the anthrax vaccine in their vaccination program when they turn out cattle to summer pastures this spring.

BROOKINGS – All nonprofit organizations in the Brookings area are encouraged to apply for a VFW Auxiliary Third Sunday Breakfast grant. There are only eight grants available for the coming year.

SIOUX FALLS – South Dakota’s ag industry leaders and teachers will join forces this summer to develop new strategies for teaching students the importance of agriculture.

SIOUX FALLS (AP) – A South Dakota man has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing a child and witness tampering.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Planned Parenthood said Monday it will offer abortion services at its clinic in Moorhead, Minnesota, if North Dakota's only abortion clinic does not quickly relocate from Fargo should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade.

BROOKINGS – The Brookings Solid Waste Division is extending free dumping of storm debris for Brookings County residents through May 31 at the Brookings Regional Landfill, the city announced in a news release.

BROOKINGS – If you’re looking for a place to dip your toes in the water or to go all out and take a splash in over the Memorial Day weekend, the Hillcrest Aquatic Center will be open starting Saturday. Stacy Claussen, a recreation manager with the Brookings Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, said a lot of work goes into getting the aquatic center ready for the season, ranging from hiring personnel to ensuring its facilities are in proper working order.

BROOKINGS – The state on Wednesday reported 595 new COVID-19 cases and eight deaths in South Dakota in the past week. Twenty-eight of the new cases have been reported in Brookings County.

Even though fuel prices have hit an all-time high, state officials and business operators in the South Dakota tourism industry remain optimistic that the summer of 2022 will be another record-setting season for visitors and revenues. Tourism industry experts say the post-COVID desire to travel, South Dakota’s wide variety of tourist attractions and a reputation for great hospitality have overridden visitor concerns over high gas prices, at least so far in 2022.

BROOKINGS – Brookings County commissioners addressed a number of storm-related topics at Tuesday’s meeting, including updates on damage throughout the area, waiving building permit fees and more. The commission voted to rescind the burn ban it enacted on April 19 due to dry conditions.

The new public library is practically completed and will be ready for occupancy the latter part of the month.

RAPID CITY – During the Dakota Credit Union Association awards banquet that was recently held at the Holiday Inn-Rushmore Plaza in Rapid City, three Dakota credit union professionals were recognized for their outstanding individual achievements.

PIERRE (AP) – The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe is suing Lyman County in federal court for delaying a redistricting plan that would ensure the timely election of tribal candidates to the County Commission.

PIERRE (AP) – A Pine Ridge man, accused in a shooting that left the victim partially paralyzed, has been found guilty of eight federal charges.

Agendas for upcoming meetings in the Brookings area.

RAPID CITY (AP) – Four ad agencies, all from outside South Dakota, have been selected to collaborate on promoting the state's tourism industry.