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the South Dakota Retailers Association say it was a good year in the agriculture community despite the dry conditions. North Dakota's economy also is bolstered by the booming western oil patch. And the two states didn't experience the severe flooding this year that they did in 2011.
• Rud says he expects holiday sales in North Dakota to be up 5 or 6 percent over last year. Lyons predicts the increase in South Dakota will be anywhere from 3 to 7 percent.
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• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- A Rapid City teacher has been honored as an outstanding educator.
• Alayna Siemonsma is a fourth grade teacher at South Park Elementary School in Rapid City. She recently received the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.
• Gov. Dennis Daugaard and Jane Foley with the Milken Family Foundation presented the award to Siemonsma during a school assembly on Monday. She also received a $25,000 cash award.
• The award honors outstanding educators and encourages young people to enter the teaching profession.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota State Historical Society is holding its annual holiday open house Friday at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
• Visitors will get free admission to the museum, which will be featuring holiday treats, live entertainment and living-history demonstrations. Children will get to have their pictures taken with Santa Claus.
• The event runs from noon to 4:30 p.m. CST. Those attending are encouraged to bring a canned good for donation to the Pierre Food Pantry.
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