Wednesday,  April 16, 2014 • Vol. 16--No. 272 • 14 of 32

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Minot State names interim head football coach

• MINOT, N.D. (AP) -- Minot State University has named an interim head football coach, after newly hired coach Todd Hoffner decided to return to Minnesota State, Mankato.
• Hoffner was hired in late January. He decided Tuesday to return to Mankato in the wake of a decision by an arbitrator who ruled Hoffner had been wrongly fired at the Minnesota school last year after charges were dismissed in an unfounded child pornography case.
• Minot State defensive coordinator Byron Thomas will assume the head coaching duties and lead the Beavers through the final two weeks of spring practice.
• Hoffner hired Thomas in February. Thomas came to Minot State after stints at Culver-Stockton College, Texas A&M and South Florida.
• Thomas played at the University of South Dakota. Hoffner is a former offensive coordinator at USD.

SD corrections board to discuss reforms, policy

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Corrections Commission is scheduled to discuss the progress of statewide criminal justice reforms and other topics this week.
• The commission will meet in Sioux Falls on Wednesday and Thursday.
• It is made up of legislators, judges and industry representatives.
• Commissioners will sit in on parole hearings. They will tour McCrossan Boys Ranch and Sequel Transition Academy -- residential facilities for young men.
• Sequel Transition Academy opened less than a year ago and houses Department of Corrections' youth.
• Commissioners will hear an update on the criminal justice initiative passed by the 2013 Legislature. The policy took effect last July and includes efforts to reduce the recidivism rate and the prison population.
• The agenda also includes a review of new 2014 laws that affect the department.

Daugaards invite kids to Easter egg hunt

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- Gov. Dennis Daugaard and First Lady Linda Daugaard are inviting families to an Easter egg hunt at the governor's residence on Sunday.
• Children up to age 10 are invited to participate in the 61st Annual Elks Easter Egg Hunt on the residence lawn at 1 p.m. It's sponsored by the Pierre Elks.

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