• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota's top three health systems say they will require annual flu vaccinations for all employees, health care providers and volunteers.
• Sanford Health, Avera Health and Regional Health say the decision was made to maximize patient safety and protect employees against the disease.
• South Dakota last year had its highest number of flu deaths since 2004 with 37.
• Avera chief medical officer David Erickson says vaccinations combined with good hand hygiene and covering coughs can help reduce the spread of the flu.
• Sanford Health is based in Sioux Falls and Fargo, N.D. Avera Health is based in Sioux Falls. Regional Health is based in Rapid City.
•

• BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- A new Miss Indian Nations is being crowned at the United Tribes International Powwow in Bismarck.
• The scholarship pageant is open to all Native American women who are at least one-fourth Indian and are between the ages of 18 and 26. The winner serves as an ambassador for all Indian nations, and also as an official representative of United Tribes Technical College.
• Last year's winner was Shannon Hooper of Fallon, Nev., a member of the Shoshone-Paiute (shuh-SHOH'-nee PY'-yoot) tribe. This year's winner is being crowned Saturday night.
• The annual powwow is held at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck. It draws thousands of people from around the country.
•

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Retirement System's Board of Trustees has re-elected Elmer Brinkman of Watertown as its chairman.
• Brinkman is a Codington County commissioner who represents elected county officials on the 17-member board that oversees the state's public pension system.
• The Board of Trustees also re-elected state Supreme Court Justice Steven Zinter of Pierre as vice chairman. Zinter represents judicial employees on the board.

(Continued on page 21)