• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota's biggest city has banned texting while driving, a move some hope will spread to other cities or boost the chances of a statewide ban on what they see as a dangerous practice.
• The Sioux Falls City Council voted 7-0 Tuesday to make it a crime to send and receive electronic messages while operating a vehicle within city limits. The ordinance will take effect on Sept. 28 and will be punishable by a fine of up to $200 and 30 days in jail. It still will be legal to make hand-held phone calls, use GPS navigation and use hands-free devices.
• Sen. Craig Tieszen, R-Rapid City, said it could persuade more state lawmakers to consider a statewide ban, which the Legislature defeated in the past two years after opponents said they doubted it would be enforceable or do much to improve highway safety.
• A statewide ban makes more sense than multiple city bans because drivers would know they could not text no matter where they are, he said.
• "I think it will add some momentum to what will certainly be attempts in the next Legislature to pass a statewide ban," Tieszen said of the Sioux Falls measure.
• Sioux Falls Police Chief Doug Barthel said officers would not make a traffic stop if they cannot see a handheld device and erratic driving, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported (http://argusne.ws/OaOYoQ). A cellphone could be seized to check

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