• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- State officials say preliminary reports indicate this year's Thanksgiving holiday was the first in a decade without a traffic fatality on South Dakota's highways.
• The state Public Safety Department reports that 2003 was the last Thanksgiving travel period without a recorded highway fatality in South Dakota. Late reports from the past weekend could change this year's outcome, but officials as of Monday had received no reports of fatal crashes during the holiday period.
• The South Dakota Highway Patrol kicked off the holiday travel period last Wednesday with a statewide effort that put nearly every trooper on the road. The Operation Safe campaign was intended to remind motorists to drive safely during the holiday period.
• Officials say motorists should wear seatbelts, obey speed limits and not drink and drive.
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• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is hosting its annual Parade of Trees themed around the holiday classic "A Christmas Story."
• Wednesday's event inside the Surbeck Center Ballroom features Christmas trees decorated by various organizations. In the 1983 comedy, Ralphie tries to convince his mother, his teacher and a department store Santa Claus that he should get a Red Ryder BB Gun.
• The Student Leadership and Activities Association invites 25 to 30 organizations to try to outdo one other and produce the most creative and festive tree of the season. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MST.
• The association requests a donation of two cans of food for admittance, with all proceeds going to the student pantry to help those in need.
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