• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- A new $19 million arena in Sioux Falls makes its prime-time debut Thursday night with an NBA preseason game.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Milwaukee Bucks are christening the new Sanford Pentagon and its 3,250-seat Heritage Court. The 1950s-style setting features a dark parquet floor, side wood bleachers and retro scoreboards.
• The Pentagon is part of a 162-acre Sanford Sports Complex built by the Sioux Falls and Fargo, N.D.-based Sanford Health system. The arena will soon serve as home for the NBA D-League's Sioux Falls Skyforce.
• Thursday's game also marks the return to South Dakota of former South Dakota State standout Nate Wolters, who is now a point guard for the Bucks.
• SDSU to offer Ph.D. in biochemistry to fill demand
• SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota State University in Brookings will deepen its science program by offering a doctorate degree in biochemistry.
• The Board of Regents says state job growth in that field is outpacing the nation, so the panel approved the school's request for the degree at its meeting in Spearfish.
• The university has offered a biochemistry track within its doctoral program in chemistry since 2005. But the school says it has been more difficult to recruit students to a chemistry program who want a biochemistry degree.
• State economic development officials have identified biosciences as a targeted area for job development. The Regents says the number of such employers has grown 55 percent between 2001 and 2009.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota officials are taking steps to have livestock killed by last weekend's blizzard removed from state highways.
• State Veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven (Oh-deh-KOH'-vin) says the state has contracted with a rendering service to clear livestock carcasses from state highways and ditches in western South Dakota.
• Oedekoven says carcasses along county roads or private roadways must be removed by counties or the owners of those private roads. Ranchers are responsible

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