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• Zach Crago, the Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, said Parsley is one of the hardest working campaigners he's seen and therefore has a good chance to win.
• "It's a seat that doesn't have anyone who was elected to it," Parsley said. "It's an open seat in my mind, and I think in a lot of voters' minds."
• Jones said he considers every seat open at election time. He said his business, military and municipal experience qualify him for the job.
• "I've had a very successful first year," Jones said. "I think that I have equal recognition at least from a competitive standpoint."
• He was the prime sponsor of several pieces of legislation that became law. One measure that passed replaces the word "squaw" in names of the state's geographic features.
• Senate Majority Leader Tim Rave said the priority for Republicans will be to re-elect all GOP members.
• Craig Lawrence, chairman of the state Republican party, agreed.
• "We've been very gratified that the voters have created that plurality, and we're going to work overtime to keep it," Lawrence said.
• He sees the District 2 race as one where Republicans could pick up a Senate seat.
• Democratic incumbent Welke is wrapping up his first term after 35 years in education as a teacher, principal and athletic director. He acknowledged that Republican Greenfield has many more years of experience in politics, which means the challenger has a longer voting record for constituents to consider.
• Greenfield will finish his sixth year in the House this year and previously served eight years in the state Senate. He did not return immediate requests for comment.
• While Welke respects competitors of both parties in the state elections, he said, it's important for Democrats to hold their seats and gain some.
• "It's such a one-sided Legislature," Welke said. "A healthy democracy will be strong if there's a strong minority."
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Department of Agriculture will co-host three workshops to help landowners protect trees from the mountain pine beetle.
• The events will cover the benefits and methods of treating trees with an insecticide.
• Brian Garbisch is a forest health program specialist for the state. He says it can cost $1,000 to remove a tree damaged by infestation. Preventative treatments cost

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