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• April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and making sure people are aware of the problem is another critical way we can all be part of combatting the crisis.  Since this issue gained national attention, reports of sexual assault in the military have increased by nearly 50 percent.  It seems contrary to say, but that's a good thing.  It means victims are more likely to step forward than they were before. 
• The vast majority of our nation's service members live lives of integrity and deference, as we would hope our heroes would do.  We thank them for their service. 
• But it's unacceptable that some of our women and men in uniform return from the battlefield only to be just as afraid in their own barracks.  We must continue to talk about this issue, search for remedies, and make certain those who have acted dishonorably are brought to justice.

• Severe Weather Weeks are a time to refocus one's attention from the cold and snow of winter, to the heat and severe weather experienced during the spring and summer. Now is the time to review severe weather plans and see if any changes need to be made. For example, if your family gets separated during an emergency or disaster, has a "check in" point of contact been established, preferably out of state?
• NOAA's National Weather Service, in partnership with state and local emergency management agencies, will hold drills during the awareness weeks. For South Dakota, the practice tornado watch will be issued at 10 am CDT/9 am MDT for all of South Dakota on Wednesday April 23. The test tornado warning will be issued at 10:15 am CDT\9:15 am MDT with the warning cancelled at 10:30 am CDT/9:30 am MDT. In Minnesota, a practice tornado watch will be issued for the entire state on 1pm CDT on Thursday April 24. A test tornado warning will be issued at 1:45 pm and again at 6:55 pm. It is usually during these test warnings that some towns will test their tornado sirens with schools and businesses and practicing their tornado drill procedures.
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