Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:

Missouri River-GOVERNOR Governor says study could change river management FORT PIERRE, S.D. (AP) South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds says a federal study should change management of the Missouri River to better reflect the needs of people who live along it.

Congress has ordered a review of the 1944 law that authorized construction of the six dams on the Missouri River and spelled out the purposes of the dams and reservoirs.

In a speech to the Missouri River Association of States and Tribes, Rounds said the states and tribes must cooperate in providing information and recommendations to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Congress will decide whether to change the designated purposes of the dams based on the Corps of Engineers report.

Rounds says fishing and other recreation on the reservoirs should be given a higher priority.

GRADUATION RATES Panel looks to increase college graduation rates SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) South Dakota education officials and legislators met this past week to talk about ways to increase higher education graduation rates in the state.

The South Dakota Board of Regents says that half of the students who started full-time in the fall of 2002 graduated within six years from the public system.

Some of those students are dropping out with most of their degrees completed, a trend that officials hope to change.

About 2,300 students during the past five years left the system with 90 credits or more, just short of the 128 credits that most bachelor's degrees require.

The state received a $65,000 grant from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and the Lumina Foundation to jump-start a project to focus on those former students.

GARDEN VISITOR CENTER S Dakota St seeking Brookings pledge for center BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) South Dakota State University officials are asking the City of Brookings for a $1 million pledge to help build a McCrory Gardens visitors center.

SDSU Provost Laurie Stenberg Nichols said McCrory Gardens already draws more than 6,000 visitors a year and the visitor center will enhance the gardens and bring even more visitors.

Some City Council members said they wanted more information about whether the center would compete with existing facilities for weddings, receptions and other events.

The council decided to discuss the issue further on Nov. 17.

The facility would cost an estimated $3.5 million. An expansion option could push it to $5.5 million.

Information from: Brookings Register, http://www.brookingsregister.com/ ANONYMOUS DONOR Anonymous donor gives $66 to help SD state budget PIERRE, S.D. (AP) South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson got a surprise in the mail.

An anonymous donor sent $66 in cash accompanied with a handwritten note that said it was to help with the state debt.

Nelson took the letter and cash next door to Gov. Mike Rounds, who is struggling to propose a balanced state budget in the face of declining revenues. Rounds jokes that his recent speeches explaining the budget problem must be paying off.

Nelson says someone obviously has heard about the budget problems and decided to try to help out.

Rounds, Nelson and state Treasurer Vern Larson say they do not remember receiving such an anonymous donation previously.

The secretary of state says the money will be placed into the state's general treasury.

STOLEN SAFE Corson County investigating stolen safe McINTOSH, S.D. (AP) Corson County authorities are still looking for whoever took more than $30,000 in cash and checks from a McIntosh business last week.

Sheriff Keith Gall says the manager of the McIntosh Cenex Station reported a safe was taken.

Gall says whoever took the safe apparently smashed a window with a pipe to get into the business on Oct. 23.

The stolen safe is described gray in color, measuring 15 inches by 24 inches with a black dial.

Information from: KGFX-AM, http://www.dakotaradiogroup.com EARNS-BLACK HILLS CORP Black Hills Corp. falls to 3Q loss SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) Diversified energy company Black Hills Corporation says it fell to a third-quarter loss as continued low natural Gas Prices reduced its oil and gas and energy marketing income and lowered electric utility sales margins.

The Rapid City-based company reported a net loss of $2.2 million, or 6 cents per share, in the three months ended Sept. 30.

That compares to a profit of $164.9 million, or $4.29 per share, in the previous year's quarter.

Black Hills says the recent quarter's results included a $5.7 million, or 15 cents per share, loss attributed to interest rate swaps.

CEO David Emery says the company is not satisfied with its bottom-line results in 2009. But he says Black Hills is confident that planned capital expenditures will lead to strong earnings growth in the coming years.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-31-09 0202CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list