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Dakota, after working at Dakota State University in South Dakota and the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He said he is excited to be in a new community and has been preparing for his new role since the state Board of Higher Education chose him as Minot State's new leader in February.
• "Minot State University is a fantastic university, this is a wonderful community, and every time you come back, you just, I think, sense and realize that a little bit more," Shirley said. "So coming to work now the last couple of days has just really kind of engrained and reinforced those feelings."
• Shirley holds undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of North Dakota. He beat out 36 other candidates for the Minot State job.
• Fuller retired after 10 years with the school. He led the university through the 2011 Souris River flood, helped it develop a strategic plan and led it through the transition from NAIA athletics to the NCAA Division II ranks.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- State employees will now have to travel to Sioux Falls and other eastern cities for the most affordable specialty services.
• Changes to state benefits took effect Tuesday that put more of the burden on the insured and relieve pressure on the state.
• Deductibles have increased by $250 in two of the state's three insurance plans. Out-of-pocket payments increased for all plans.
• State officials took bids from health providers to give more affordable care for cardiac and other needs. For non-priority providers, people will be charged up to an additional $2,075.
• The governor's administration has become more involved with updates to the state benefits in recent years.
• Eric Ollila is the executive director of the South Dakota Employees Organization. He says employees should have been consulted in the process.
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