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continues to boost the economy in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states.
• The overall economic index for the region grew to 58.3 in April from March's 56.9.
• Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey. He says agricultural businesses and energy-producing firms continue to thrive in the region.
• But the continued growth in farmland price index that hit 66.9 in April remains a concern for smaller farmers.
• The index ranges from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. Any score above 50 suggests economic growth in the months ahead.
• The index is based on a survey of rural bankers in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.
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on their bicycles, the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
• Tamara Bradford pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular battery for the September 2007 crash and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Authorities said her blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit for driving when she hit and injured the boys, who were riding their bicycles or standing along the road.
• After a lawsuit was filed on behalf of the boys, Alpha Property and Casualty Insurance Co. declined to cover Bradford for the crash.
• The Supreme Court said Bradford's insurance policy had expired just after midnight on Sept. 23, 2007, about 12 hours before the crash, because she had failed to pay a premium due the day before the accident.
• Robin Zephier, a Rapid City lawyer representing the boys, said he will talk with his clients about a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. He said Bradford has cooperated in the case in an attempt to get insurance coverage to help pay the boys' medical expenses.
• Zephier said he had hoped the South Dakota court would recognize an Ohio ruling that would have allowed the policy to be in effect the entire day of Sept. 23, rather than just for one minute after midnight.
• "Insurance policies need to be more consumer-friendly when it comes down to giving a person the benefit of a doubt," Zephier said.

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