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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Legislature has given final approval to a bill allowing military training and experience to count toward getting state licenses or certifications in civilian occupations.
• The Senate voted unanimously Monday to pass the measure, which was approved earlier by the House. The bill will become law if signed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard.
• Senate Democratic Leader Jason Frerichs of Wilmot says 36 state regulatory agencies require that people get a license or certificate before entering a profession or occupation. The bill would allow state agencies to pass rules permitting people seeking licensing or certification to get credit for the training and experience they received in the military.
• Military veterans would still have to pass any examination required for entry into a profession or occupation.
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• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Some farmers and ranchers in South Dakota are concerned about the lack of snow-cover protection for their winter wheat,
• That's according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly crop report. The report says average snow depth for February across the state was 7 inches with temperatures mixed.
• Winter wheat conditions were rated 20 percent very poor, 46 percent poor, 31 percent fair and 3 percent good. Snow cover for winter wheat was rated at 56 percent poor, 42 percent adequate and 2 percent excellent. Alfalfa snow cover was rated at 38 percent poor, 55 percent adequate and 7 percent excellent.
• Major activities in February for produces included moving snow, caring for livestock, hauling grain and repairing equipment.

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A South Dakota legislative committee is looking at a package of bills aimed at reducing teen traffic fatalities and injuries.
• One of the measures would ban beginning drivers from using cellphones behind the wheel until they can get an unrestricted license at age 16.

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