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"friend of the court" brief asking that justices "recognize and respect the dedication, sacrifice, and freedoms earned by our veterans."
• The attorneys general also are asking the Supreme Court to provide a clearer First Amendment test for lower federal courts to avoid the potential of states having to enter into costly litigation over the issue.
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• SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) -- One of the largest Native American pow wows in the Black Hills kicks off Friday night on the campus of Black Hills State University.
• The 31st annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi is dedicated to educating the community about Indian culture. It's part of American Indian Awareness Week, which features daily speakers and a variety of events at the Spearfish school.
• This pow wow runs through Sunday at the Young Center Field House.
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• VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) -- A biology researcher at the University of South Dakota says life will likely be changing for birds along the Missouri River.
• Chris Merkord presented his research Thursday that found the changing nature of the cottonwood forests along the river in South Dakota will impact what type of birds can live there.
• The Daily Republic reports (http://bit.ly/R9nt1Q) that the cottonwood forests along the river are not growing back. Merkord says it's because of the lack of sandbars that foster forest growth. Cottonwoods along the river grow best in bare, moist sediment areas but those opportunities are limited.
• Merkord says species like ovenbird and hairy woodpeckers could see their populations decrease up to 40 percent over the next 100 years.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Newspaper Association is honoring longtime Associated Press correspondent Chet Brokaw.
• He's receiving the group's Distinguished Service Award on Friday at its annual convention in Pierre.
• Brokaw has covered South Dakota government and other news events for the AP since 1981.
• He retired last month at the end of main portion of the 2014 legislative session.

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