• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Autumn storms are threatening much of the Midwest, dumping heavy snow in South Dakota, spawning a tornado in Nebraska and threatening possibly dangerous thunderstorms from Wisconsin to Oklahoma.
• A foot of snow had already fallen in the northern South Dakota's Black Hills early Friday.
• John Chamberlain with the National Weather Service in Rapid City tells South Dakota Public Broadcasting that the storm is one of most intense fall storms in a long time in the area. No travel was advised on some western South Dakota roads and some schools canceled classes.
• Other states in the storm's path include Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. Even Texas could be impacted.
• In South Dakota, as much as 30 inches of snow could fall in the Black Hills, with 12 inches on the plains.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- State and federal officials say they have reached a settlement with a Rapid City optometrist in a civil case involving alleged overpayments.
• The officials say the agreement with M. Scott Ellender resolves allegations that he knowingly submitted false claims to Medicaid, Medicare and TRICARE.
• Officials alleged Ellender submitted improper claims to Medicaid for bifocal lenses, trifocal lenses and new patient visits. They also alleged Ellender submitted claims to Medicaid, Medicare and TRICARE for medically unnecessary visual field examinations from June 2006 through 2012.
• Ellender will pay $283,499 to settle the allegations and will enter into a five-year integrity agreement with a federal agency.
• Ellender denies the allegations and settled the case without admitting liability to avoid protracted litigation. He is providing free eye care to underserved patients for one year.
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