Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council unanimously approved two major collective bargaining agreements at its meeting tonight, securing a 3.5% wage increase for 2026 for employees represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

The City of Watertown has received a significant boost for local economic development after the South Dakota Board of Economic Development approved a $500,000 Local Infrastructure Grant. The funding is earmarked for a crucial sanitary sewer project in the Calvin Trade area and substantially reduces the local financial obligation.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Local student Malia Kranz has achieved a significant milestone in her high school career, having been nominated to the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) by U.S. Senator Mike Rounds. Kranz, a high school senior, discussed the rigorous application process and her plans during a recent interview with Northeast Radio SD.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - A Parkston, South Dakota, man, Quinn Scott Bormann, 22, has been convicted by a Yankton County Circuit Court Jury of Third Degree Rape and Taking Pictures without Consent.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - A McLaughlin, South Dakota, man, Brady James Claymore, 38, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after being convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann handed down the sentencing on December 4, 2025.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Downtown Watertown is poised for an exciting business relocation as Downtown Sushi, a popular local restaurant, is preparing to move into a new, larger space at 109 East Kemp Avenue. The property, formerly occupied by Maxwell Foods Equipment, is situated in the C-1 Community Commercial District.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - The South Dakota Highway Patrol, in collaboration with city, county, and federal law enforcement agencies, has released combined totals for the seventh and eighth sets of saturation patrols conducted under “Operation: Prairie Thunder,” which concluded on December 5.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council is set to consider a measure at the meeting on Monday, December 15, 2025, that would earmark funds specifically for the renovation of the former Maas Ice Arena facility.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown Area United Way Board of Directors has announced that Executive Director Laura Heathcote will be stepping down, with her resignation effective on February 28, 2026. The organization plans to use the coming months for a structured transition to new leadership.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - An individual wanted for murder in El Salvador was arrested in Rapid City on Wednesday morning following a joint operation between the South Dakota Highway Patrol (SDHP) and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - South Dakota’s influenza activity remains low for the current season, despite a notable increase in confirmed cases and hospitalizations reported for the week ending December 6, 2025 (MMWR Week 49).

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - Year-end holiday travel is projected to reach an all-time high, with AAA forecasting that 122.4 million Americans, including 388,000 South Dakotans, will travel at least 50 miles from home. This forecast covers the 13 days from December 20 to January 1 and represents a 2.2% increase over last year, setting a new national record.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - An Aberdeen, South Dakota, man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after being convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on December 4, 2025, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Ron Parsons.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - A federal jury in Rapid City has convicted Oliver Brown Bull, 37, of Kyle, South Dakota, of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury following a three-day trial. The verdict was returned on December 4, 2025, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Ron Parsons.

The U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) on December 10, 2025, alleging that the school district’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with its teachers’ union utilizes discriminatory provisions based on race and sex. The lawsuit claims that the contract provisions violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - A Sioux Falls man and an Arizona man have been handed significant prison terms after being convicted of a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and commit money laundering. The sentencing took place on December 1, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier, as announced by United States Attorney Ron Parsons.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds has formally requested that the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) launch a full investigation into what he describes as “persistent issues” with mail delivery across South Dakota.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - A Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been sentenced to 160 months (over 13 years) in federal prison after being convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney Ron Parsons and handed down by U.S. District Judge Schreier on December 1, 2025.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser, hosted by the Watertown Area Community Foundation and displayed at the Watertown Regional Library, has generated holiday enthusiasm and community support, accumulating a total of $1,678 in donations as of the second weekly update on December 9.

Northeast Radio SD News - Brandt, SD - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has announced the nomination of Riley and Emily Krause of Brandt for the prestigious 2025 Angels in Adoption Award. The award is presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCAI) and honors individuals and families who have made extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of adoption and foster care.