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SD Health Department urges measles vaccinations
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Department of Health is urging residents to verify that their immunizations are up to date as the number of cases of measles has gone up nationally.
• State epidemiologist Dr. Lon Kightlinger (KYT'-ling-ur) says 200 cases of measles have been reported in the U.S. this year, including two cases in Minnesota.
• The viral disease has not been reported in South Dakota since 1997. He says the virus is very contagious and spreads through direct contact and airborne droplets.
• It can be contracted at any age and may cause brain damage or death.
• State officials say the best protection is MMR, the measles vaccine. It's required for students entering South Dakota schools or child care.
• Officials are encouraging child immunization as part of the Health Department's Health 2020 Initiative.
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Legal fights over gay marriage spread across US
BRADY MCCOMBS, Associated Press
LISA BAUMANN, Associated Press
• HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- A federal lawsuit filed by four gay couples in Montana leaves just two states -- North Dakota and South Dakota -- with gay marriage bans and no legal challenges aiming to overturn them. But that's likely to change as same-sex marriage advocates there gear up for a fight.
• State marriage bans have been falling around the country since the U.S. Supreme Court last year struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Now, in 29 states, judges are being asked whether gays should have the right to marry.
• "At this point, I don't think that it matters, whether you're first or last. I don't think it matters at all. I think what matters is that we're all sending a message to either the Supreme Court or the legislators in Washington, D.C., that this has got to stop," Nancy Rosenbrahn of Rapid City, South Dakota, told The Associated Press Wednesday.
• She and Jennie Rosenbrahn married in April in Minneapolis, and plan to sue in South Dakota to overturn that state's gay marriage ban.
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