Friday,  Oct. 18, 2013 • Vol. 16--No. 94 • 17 of 37

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• South Dakota has won the benefit payments award five times since the awards began in 2006.
• State Unemployment Insurance Director Pauline Heier (HY'-uhr) says South Dakota's performance exceeded other states in how quickly claims were paid and the speed and accuracy of decisions on claim eligibility.
• South Dakota for the first time got an appeals decision award, which is given for timely and high quality appeal decisions.
• Unemployment insurance provides temporary financial assistance to people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. It is financed by employers through payroll taxes.
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Lower bird numbers hold true before general opener

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- Early estimates of fewer pheasants in South Dakota this season appear to be holding true.
• Chuck Schlueter in the wildlife division of the Department of Game, Fish and Parks says that anecdotal reports from last weekend's resident opener indicated fewer birds and hunters.
• But he says state staff talked to a lot of people who were just glad to be out hunting, and their satisfaction was higher than those were serious about getting their limit.
• He says the prospect of fewer pheasants is something hunters might have to deal with for a while.
• Schlueter says sales of licenses to out-of-state residents will start to show up after this weekend's general opener, so the state will then have a better idea of how the season's doing overall.
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SDSU launching agribusiness-food systems center

• BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota State University is launching a new center for agribusiness and food systems management.
• The center will focus on nutrition, food safety, food processing and business management. It's part of SDSU's economics and management program.
• The center will offer analyses of regional, national and global economic, environmental and market conditions that support decisions made by producers, processors, manufacturers, banks and animal and human health providers.
• Officials say it will offer students hands-on opportunities to respond to complex problems in classrooms, working with faculty and though internships and other

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