• BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The U.S. Forest Service has lifted fire restrictions on some national grasslands in the Dakotas.
• The restrictions were put in place in late August because of dry conditions that elevated the danger of wildfires. They affected the Little Missouri, Grand River and Cedar River national grasslands.
• The restrictions were lifted this week, but officials are urging people to use caution with fire even though cooler temperatures and recent moisture have reduced the fire risk.
• The Forest Service is planning prescribed burns on about 3,100 acres in the Sheyenne National Grasslands over the next several months. The agency uses fire as a management tool to reduce the threat of wildfires and improve wildlife habitat.
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• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- A Rapid City middle school science and reading teacher has been named South Dakota's 2013 Teacher of the Year.
• A panel of educators from across the state selected Katie Anderson from among five regional finalists. She now is a candidate for the national teacher of the year honor. That winner is announced at a White House ceremony in April.
• As the state winner, Anderson gets the use of a new car for a year, a technology package valued at more than $11,000 to use in her classroom, and other prizes.
• Anderson recently obtained a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Black Hills State University. During the 2010-11 school year, she was accepted to be part of the American Physiological Society Frontiers in Education Fellowship.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A South Dakota woman has pleaded guilty to killing her boyfriend in a vehicle crash that authorities say happened when she fled from a police officer making a traffic stop.
• Twenty-year-old Leigha Koster, of Fort Thompson, has pleaded guilty to in

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