Tuesday,  June 10, 2014 • Vol. 16--No. 327 • 13 of 34

News from the

Pheasants Forever opening SD office in Brookings

• BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) -- Pheasants Forever is setting up its first office in South Dakota in response to a sharp drop in bird numbers.
• Longtime vice president of governmental affairs Dave Nomsen will move to Brookings in July and be the group's point person in the state.
• The nonprofit organization that encourages the development of habitat has 32 chapters and about 6,000 members in South Dakota.
• Pheasants Forever says it's increasing its efforts to address substantial habitat losses and land use changes in the state.
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Wet, cool weather helps soil moisture

• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Wet, cool conditions across South Dakota this past week left just 3.7 days suitable for fieldwork, but the rain helped soil moisture.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture says topsoil moisture supplies are rated 5 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies are rated 9 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus.
• The corn crop is 91 percent emerged and rated 2 percent poor, 10 percent fair, 80 percent good and 8 percent excellent.
• Soybeans are 93 percent planted, ahead of last year and the five-year average. The crop is 75 percent emerged, well ahead of last year and the average. Soybean condition is rated 22 fair percent, 66 good percent and 12 percent excellent.
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SD panel begins study on alcohol policies

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Legislature's Alcohol Study Committee will meet for the first time Tuesday to review alcohol distribution policies in and beyond the state.
• Legislative summer studies often result in proposed legislation. This study was selected by lawmakers after a 2014 bill failed that would have allowed direct shipping of wine to customers.
• Watertown Republican Roger Solum chairs the committee that will meet throughout the summer.
• It will examine the three-tier system of alcohol sales that includes producers,

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