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• U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., described Neuharth as a tough South Dakota farm kid whose strong work ethic took him to the highest level of public life.
• "With Al, what you saw is what you got," Thune said. "He was authentic to the core."
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• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- The military's plan to furlough civilian employees to save money will affect an estimated 566 workers at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.
• The Defense Department announced this week that it will furlough about 680,000 civilian employees across the country for up to 11 workdays. The move is in response to federal spending cuts.
• Ellsworth Col. Kevin Kennedy says the furlough notices are expected to start going out May 28. Workers will have several days to seek appeals. The actual furlough period won't start until July 8.
• Kennedy says the furloughs will impact the base's ability to carry out its mission.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A former South Dakota optometrist has publicly apologized for committing Medicaid fraud over a period of more than three years.
• Cary Feldman of Spearfish pleaded guilty last October after reaching a deal with prosecutors under which he received a suspended prison sentence, a short jail term and community service. He also was ordered to pay more than $363,000 in restitution to the government.
• Attorney General Marty Jackley on Friday released Feldman's letter of apology. Feldman says he wrote it as part of his effort to "rehabilitate myself and deter others from similar wrongdoings."
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• FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- Xcel Energy is proposing two natural gas-fired power plants in southeastern North Dakota to help meet electricity needs during times of peak demand in the upper Midwest in coming years.
• The plants would be built near Hankinson, about 70 miles south of Fargo, if they are approved by regulators. The proposed site is near both a natural gas pipeline and an electrical transmission line, according to The Forum newspaper (http://bit.

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