• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- The Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls is planning a center for the homeless and the needy in South Dakota's largest city.
• The diocese is buying an empty warehouse for $750,000 and planning upgrades that will run the project past $1 million. Bishop Paul Swain says the 19,600-square-foot facility could open by next winter, if the city approves the project.
• It would be named the Bishop Dudley Hospitality Center, in honor of the Rev. Paul Dudley. He was bishop in Sioux Falls from 1978 to 1995.
• The center would offer meals, showers, laundry facilities, telephones and other services, and possibly overnight shelter.
• The diocese will take comments from the public during a Feb. 20 meeting at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A measure that would make animal cruelty a felony in South Dakota is getting its first hearing in the state Legislature.
• Similar bills have failed in past years. But this year's bill was written with input from livestock producers and animal welfare groups.
• South Dakota law currently makes inhumane treatment of animals a misdemeanor, and some animal welfare groups have said it's the only state without felony penalties for animal mistreatment.
• The bill would make it a felony to commit malicious, intentional acts of abuse that cause prolonged pain, serious physical injury or death of an animal. It also clarifies that standard accepted livestock-raising practices are not mistreatment.
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• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- Rapid City residents are invited to a Wednesday meeting to discuss replacement alternatives for the interchange at Interstate 90 and La Crosse Street.
• The South Dakota Department of Transportation open house from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Ramada Inn is in collaboration with the Rapid City Metropolitan Planning Organization and the city.

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