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chills in some areas could drop as low as minus 55 degrees -- prime conditions for frostbite. Winds were expected to reach up to 30 mph.
• Many schools in South Dakota either called off classes Thursday or started late. In Sioux Falls, the wind chill was about minus 33 at 10 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. The real temperature was minus 8. In Watertown, about 100 miles north of Sioux Falls, wind chills reached minus 45 degrees.
• A winter weather advisory also was posted for the northern Black Hills of western South Dakota early Thursday, with up to 8 inches of snow expected.
• North Dakota, though colder, didn't have as many school closings. The capitol city of Bismarck was minus 13 degrees at about noon. Devils Lake, Minot and Williston each were minus 17. With wind chill, it felt closer to minus 40 degrees, but most schools stayed open.
• The forecast calls for much warmer temperatures in both states by the weekend as the arctic air moves out.
•

• CHET BROKAW,Associated Press
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Legislature gave final approval Thursday to a wide-ranging plan to cut the state's prison costs by treating more nonviolent offenders through intensive probation, parole and other programs outside prison walls.
• The House voted 63-7 to pass the bill, which was approved 31-2 last week by the Senate. The measure now goes to Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who is expected to sign it into law.
• The measure is based on recommendations made by a study panel appointed by the Republican governor, Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson and legislative leaders.
• It would use intensive probation and parole, along with expanded special courts and other programs that treat drug and alcohol offenders, as part of an effort to divert offenders from prison and prevent them from committing future crimes.
• Rep. Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, said justice demands that the state help offenders overcome the drug, alcohol and other problems that lead them into trouble.
• "We don't meet those demands when we continually ratchet up penalties, throw people in jail but do little to address what got them in jail in the first place," Hansen said.
• Officials have said that if nothing is done to curb a rapid increase in adult in

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