• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A South Dakota Senate committee has rejected a measure that sought to prevent newspapers, broadcast stations and others from publishing the names of people who have guns.
• The bill's main sponsor, Sen. Jeff Monroe of Pierre, says he was alarmed when a New York newspaper published the names and addresses of gun owners. He says he wants to avoid a similar situation in South Dakota.
• But Jenna Howell, a lawyer for the state Public Safety Department, says the bill is an unconstitutional prior restraint on speech. Howell also says South Dakota law prohibits officials from keeping lists of gun owners and privately owned guns.
• State law also forbids the release of the names of people who hold concealed weapons permits.
• The Judiciary Committee voted 5-2 to kill the bill.
•

• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is partnering with a technology firm to offer a pilot biometric program on campus.
• Developers hope the pilot program will one day lead to a cashless society. The university says it is the first in the country to use the technology.
• The Nexus Smart Pay pilot program is being tested by 50 students and faculty at two locations on campus. The faculty and students pay for goods by scanning their finger. The money is then taken out of an account that students and faculty have deposited money into.
• The university's acting president, Duane Hrncir, says the university is proud to be not only the first university but the first organization to pilot the program.
• Nexus USA developed the smart pay program.
•

• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- A former Minnesota Vikings linebacker is scheduled to speak at a football clinic in Sioux Falls on Friday.
• Ben Leber is one of the featured speakers for the 22nd Winter Football Clinic at the Army National Guard. It's hosted by the South Dakota Football Coaches Asso

(Continued on page 22)