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staged protests across the country at events where Obama was speaking and could extend that to Democratic campaign events in states where lawmakers have backed the pipeline.
• "We will definitely be out there protesting," said Jamie Henn, a spokesman for the group, which is associated with activist Bill McKibben.
• Sens. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Jon Tester of Montana, Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Joe Donnelly of Indiana also signed the letter urging approval of the pipeline.
• White House press secretary Jay Carney said Thursday that the review of the pipeline "needs to run its appropriate course without interference from the White House or Congress."
• The State Department is reviewing the project "and when there's a decision to be announced, it will be announced," Carney said. The State Department has authority over the project because it crosses a U.S. border.
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SD Lottery Commission advances gambling study
NORA HERTEL, Associated Press
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- Despite setbacks during the 2014 legislative session, the South Dakota Lottery said Thursday that it will push forward with a study of problem gambling in the state to help convince lawmakers to expand lottery games.
• South Dakota Lottery Executive Director Norman Lingle requested authorization for the study and reviewed the lottery's refined goals during a meeting of the South Dakota Lottery Commission. One of the goals is to increase the maximum limits on bets and rewards.
• Lawmakers defeated two bills championed by the lottery this session, including one to allow more video lottery terminals in licensed establishments and another to increase the bet limit on video lottery games.
• "I guess you can call us stubborn," Lingle said. "Our intentions are to push through on all of these objectives. It's going to take some lift."
• Opponents said gaming expansions provoke addictions and cause social and financial problems for families in the state. During the legislative session, they frequently used their own data to argue that gambling addiction was an issue among South Dakotans.
• Lingle disputes that assertion and told lawmakers in a letter during the session that he would request the study to encourage support on a pro-gambling measure.
• Lingle said he wants the study to compare problem gambling among video lottery, casinos in Deadwood tribal gaming and other gaming options. He also said the (Continued on page 17)
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