Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:

GOULDING VERDICT Jury convicts man of murder RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) A jury rejected Robert Goulding's argument of an assisted suicide and convicted him of first-degree murder after about 30 minutes of deliberation Thursday.

The 52-year-old Rapid City man was charged in the shooting death of 56-year-old Allen Kissner near Sheridan Lake in November 2008.

Jurors saw a taped police interview in which Goulding confessed to pulling the trigger and said Kissner "practically begged me to do it." Defense attorney Tim Rensch called it an "act of mercy." Prosecutor Lara Roetzel told the jurors in closing arguments that it was murder and their decision wouldn't be hard or tricky.

MOUNT RUSHMORE CLOSURE Severe weather forces closure of Mount Rushmore MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, S.D. (AP) Severe weather and deteriorating road conditions have forced the temporary closure of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Mount Rushmore superintendent Gerard Baker says the information center, visitors center and administration support area, a gift shop, cafe and parking areas closed Thursday afternoon.

Baker said they likely would reopen Friday, weather permitting.

A storm was moving through the area Thursday, bringing snow, gusty winds and blustery conditions.

SENATE-MCGOVERN McGovern grandson not talking about Senate race PIERRE, S.D. (AP) Matt McGovern, grandson of former Sen.

George McGovern, is not talking about speculation that he might seek the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Sen. John Thune in next year's election.

South Dakota Democrats so far have not come up with a candidate to challenge Thune, who is seeking a second term in the Senate.

McGovern, 37, says he cannot talk about partisan politics because he must focus on his job as South Dakota director for Repower America, a national group formed by former Vice President Al Gore to promote clean energy and solutions to climate change. He says he is spending all his time trying to get an energy bill through Congress and to promote the creation of clean-energy jobs in South Dakota.

health care-HERSETH SANDLIN Herseth Sandlin undecided on health care bill Washington (AP) South Dakota Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin says she remains undecided on a sweeping health care reform bill unveiled by House Democrats on Thursday.

House Democrats say once the plan is fully phased in, it would extend coverage to 96 percent of Americans, cost less than $900 billion over 10 years and not add to federal deficits.

Herseth Sandlin says she needs to review the bill's text and wants a detailed explanation of how much the reforms will cost.

The Democrat says she plans to consult with experts on how the measure would impact health care delivery in South Dakota.

Herseth Sandlin told reporters Thursday, "As the old saying goes, 'Trust but verify."' In a release, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Tom Erickson said Herseth Sandlin needs to take a stand now that the Democrats "have laid their cards on the table." PROBATION REVOKED Former attorney sent to prison PIERRE, S.D. (AP) A former attorney is being sent to prison for violating the terms of his probation on an embezzlement charge.

Christopher Moen was charged with taking about $40,000 from a client's trust account between December 2004 and January 2006. The 37-year-old Moen was given a suspended five-year sentence last year. The former Miller attorney also was disbarred by the state Supreme Court.

Hand County officials last month asked that Moen's probation be revoked, saying he violated terms of his court agreement. At a hearing Tuesday, Judge Jon Erickson ordered Moen to serve the five-year sentence.

Information from: KGFX-AM, http://www.dakotaradiogroup.com RECRUITER SENTENCED Former recruiter gets 3 years on child sex charges DEADWOOD, S.D. (AP) A former Army recruiter has been sentenced to three years in prison for rape and possession of child pornography stemming from a relationship with a Lead-Deadwood High School student he met online.

Authorities said Juan Otero of Chicago was arrested Feb. 12 at a hotel room after dropping the girl off at her school. He allegedly told police he had been at the school to enlist potential recruits.

The 22-year-old Otero pleaded guilty in August to three counts of rape and two counts of possession of child pornography.

Prosecutors dropped four other rape counts and five counts of child pornography possession in exchange for the plea.

A grand jury indictment said the rapes happened in August 2008 and in February this year. The child pornography charges relate to images from Otero's computer of him and the girl.

Information from: Black Hills Pioneer, http://www.bhpioneer.com CASINO robbery Sioux Falls police investigate casino robbery SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) Sioux Falls police are investigating the city's second casino robbery in just over a week.

Police say the latest robbery happened shortly after 7:30 a.m.

Thursday, at the Deuce's Casino near Interstate 29. No details have been released.

Information from: KELO-TV, http://www.keloland.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-29-09 1601CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list