Author Archives: Jordan

Avera to Purchase DAKOTACARE in New Merger

Sioux Falls, SD – Avera Health and DAKOTACARE have signed a letter of intent in which Avera Health will purchase DAKOTACARE. The announcement was made Thursday.

This new merger will create the second-largest health insurance provider in the state of South Dakota with nearly 200,000 members. Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Dakota is the largest with Sanford Health Plan being the third largest according Argus Leader Media.

Avera Health and DAKOTACARE will still operate as two separate companies. There are no plans at this time to cut staff according to Rob Bates, president of Avera Health. KELO-TV

O’Malley and Rubio in Sioux City

Sioux City, IA – On Friday two presidential candidates came to Sioux City for campaign stops. Governor Martin O’Malley stopped by Morningside College and spoke on different issues, KMEG14.

O’Malley also had a one-on-one interview with KTIV News.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio also made a campaign stop at Bev’s on the River, where he spoke to a crowd of a couple hundred people. Rubio advocated for the future of America and how there needs to be a shift in leadership among other things, reported KCAU-TV.

Rubio’s campaign is now gearing up to expand its efforts, this according to the Wall Street Journal.

Four GOP Candidates Join Hunt

The annual Col. Bud Day Pheasant Hunt hosted by Iowa Congressman Steve King will include four GOP presidential candidates this year.

Senator Ted Cruz, Governor Mike Huckabee, Governor Bobby Jindal, and Senator Rick Santorum will attend the hunt. The hunt is being held October 31 to November 1 in Akron, IA according to The Des Moines Register.

King discusses the impact this event has for Iowa voters. KCAU-TV

USD on Alert

The University of South Dakota is on alert while two sexual assault investigations take place. The alleged assaults took place late Sunday night and early Monday morning. The Vermillion Police have three persons of interest, none of which are USD students. KTIV-TV

KELO-TV reports, students were notified by the university of the incidents via text message and email. USD freshman Madelin Klamm and Emily Dreeszen shared their thoughts on the incident with KSFY-TV.

USD President Tony W. Abbott doesn’t want panic on campus but wants to ensure student safety is maintained according to the Argus Leader.

The investigation is ongoing and no charges or arrest have been made. KCAU-TV

Pope Francis’s Visit to America

(Sioux City, IA) — Pope Francis made a historic trip the United States this week with stops in Washington, D.C.,  New York City, and Philadelphia. Members of Siouxland took time to listen to what he had to say during his trip.

Briar Cliff students and faculty gathered in to hear the pope speak before congress, “I think it was rather enlightening to see exactly watch he thinks about different American policies and how he feels about how America’s running things and how we act in our daily life,” says Jessica McDonald, junior at Briar Cliff University. KTIV.

“The catholic church feels that not only is it, its right, but also its duties to lend its voice to these serious social, political and ecological issues,” said Briar Cliff University Assistant Professor of Theology Paul Korchin. KCAU.

Pope Francis will return to Rome Sunday evening.