• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Transportation Department is holding a series of meetings across the state to help develop a 2014 state rail plan.
• The department is identifying critical issues, needs and opportunities regarding the rail system. It also is setting policies governing the state's involvement in the rail system, and establishing a long-range investment program for the rail system.
• The DOT held its first public meeting on the issue Sunday night in Sioux Falls. Other meetings are set for Sioux Falls, Yankton, Aberdeen, Pierre and Rapid City in the next few days.
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• BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and South Dakota State University are hosting their second Beginning Farmer and Rancher Symposium in Brookings on Tuesday.
• The free event at SDSU aims to answer many of the questions that come up as the next generation looks to become active in the ag industry, whether in production agriculture or supporting agribusiness operations.
• Speakers include Barry Dunn, dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at SDSU, state Agriculture Secretary Lucas Lentsch and keynote speaker Jolene Brown. Panels will cover the topics of finance and farm succession, and organizations with specific programs for young and beginning farmers will be on hand.
• It runs from noon to 5 p.m. at the SDSU Student Union.
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• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Sanford Health announced Sunday it will work with a state-owned health care system in China to develop a children's clinic in a rapidly growing part of that country.
• Sanford Health officials traveled to China last week to firm up plans for the clinic.
• Sanford officials said they will collaborate with YMCI Calmette Medical Investment and Management Co. Ltd, a state-owned company of the Yunnan provincial government.
• YMCI Calmette will own the clinic, and Sanford World Clinic will manage day-to-

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