Gene Hetland

I'm the first to admit that I would make a lousy diplomat, and I wouldn't be much of a negotiator, either.

But are we going to go off the fiscal cliff?

And if we are, why?

President Obama and  Congress are supposed to be doing something about it, and it's not getting done

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I saw a story that both surprised and didn't surprise me.

The original report was in a publication called the New Mexico Business Weekly, but it was something we can all identify with.

The report quoted the Centre for Retail Research, which said shoplifting will cost the average family an additional $98 just this holiday season, $8

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They're mentioning the unmentionables at The Banquet in Sioux Falls.

They're collecting brand-new undergarments to give to Banquet guests later this month.

Project Director Madeline Shields tells me many Banquet guests go without socks and underwear because they can't buy them at the thrift stores where they buy most of their clothing

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A while back we talked about the importance of getting a flu shot, and although the people who keep track say it's early, the influenza season is here.

The flu has shown up already in five states, none of them around South Dakota, but this news means you need to be vaccinated if you haven't been already

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Sioux Falls police say a 17-year-old girl who was working for the Gordman's store allegedly gave some inappropriate discounts.

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The death of a police officer in Cold Spring, Minnesota is another reminder of the dangers faced by those who make our communities safer.

Authorities in central Minnesota say Officer Tom Decker, 31, was shot and killed while making a routine check

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Three weeks and two days past the 2012 General Elections, and the 2014 campaign is on.

That's right--by now you know that former Governor Mike Rounds says he is an official candidate for the US Senate seat now held by Democrat Tim Johnson

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We're well into the winter heating season, and the US Environmental Protection agency is warning about the dangers of CO, carbon monoxide.

You can't see it or smell it, but it's a killer, and I've covered stories in Sioux Falls where CO has killed people

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We talked yesterday about the Powerball jackpot reaching $500 million.

Well, forget that.

The Multi-State Lottery Association, the organization that runs the game, says the Wednesday night jackpot is up to $550 million, but officials also say that could go higher, depending on ticket sales

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Do you have Powerball fever yet?

Millions are expected to get it, in the run-up to the Wednesday night drawing, when the top prize could be up around a half billion dollars.

And the bigger prizes bring in even more ticket buyers

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