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Trooper Academy this week put on by the Highway Patrol and American Legion of South Dakota.
• The one-week academy geared to kids aged 16 and 17 runs through Friday afternoon at the South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy in Pierre.
• Maj. Dana Svendsen says the goal is to give kids a look at the demands and rewards of Highway Patrol recruit training and to build better relationships between youth and the patrol.
• Veteran troopers serve as mentors and chaperones for the academy. Troopers and officers from other law-enforcement agencies throughout the state provide classroom and hands-on training in firearms safety, defensive driving, crash investigation, traffic stops, leadership and criminal law.
• Svendsen says it's a physically and mentally demanding week.

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• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Division of Wildland Fire Suppression is urging South Dakotans to take precautions during July 4 celebrations to prevent wildfires.
• Hot, dry weather in the Black Hills and other parts of the state have increased the possibility that fireworks could cause fast-moving wildfires. The fire danger is expected to be in the moderate or above category.
• The sale and discharge of fireworks is allowed from Wednesday through July 5 in South Dakota. It's prohibited within the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District and many municipalities. Fireworks are also prohibited on all other federal and state lands across South Dakota.
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• OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- The U.S. Forest Service says tougher fire restrictions are planned for the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands because of extremely dry and hot conditions and the threat of wildfires.
• The Forest Service says the entire area is moving into a stage two fire restriction order. That includes no campfires, no explosives, no welding and no smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
• The order covers the Nebraska and Samuel R. McKelvie National Forests and the Buffalo Gap, Ft. Pierre and Oglala National Grasslands, which have been under

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