Latest South Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:

HERSETH SANDLIN-health care Herseth Sandlin to oppose House health care bill Washington (AP) Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin says she will oppose the health care reform bill expected to be considered this weekend in the House.

The South Dakota Democrat says the plan falls short of her goals for health care reform and could threaten existing access to health care for many South Dakotans. Herseth Sandlin says she's also concerned it doesn't do enough to bring down the federal deficit and could affect future health care for seniors.

The House could begin consideration this weekend of the 10-year, $1.2 trillion legislation that would extend health coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and put tough new restrictions on insurance companies.

Herseth Sandlin says she is hopeful the bill can be improved by House and Senate negotiators.

H1N1 VACCINE State expands eligibility for H1N1 vaccine PIERRE, S.D. (AP) The South Dakota Health Department says the H1N1 vaccine will be available to more high risk groups, effective Monday.

In a release, the department says the vaccine will be available to more high-risk groups: all children age 5 through 18, people from age 19 to 24, and those from 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions.

In the next week, vaccine clinics will be held at limited schools and college campuses and more will be scheduled as vaccine supplies increase.

The release says the vaccine eventually will be made available to the general population as supplies increase. The Health Department says people 65 and over are not on the initial priority list because younger age groups appear to be at higher risk unlike the seasonal flu, which hits older adults more.

INDIAN FARMERS USDA says it wants to resolve Indian farmer claim WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration says it will try to resolve a lawsuit filed by American Indian farmers.

The lawsuit dates back to 1999. It contends Indian farmers and ranchers lost about 500 million dollars during the past three decades because of discrimination in lending from the Agriculture Department's Farm Service Agency.

The agency issues loans to farmers and ranchers who cannot get credit from commercial lenders.

Justice Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz said the case is expected to be considered again by the court early next year. She says the federal Agriculture and Justice departments will give "fair consideration" to settling claims.

The lawsuit is named after Fort Yates rancher George Keepseagle.

It claims the Agriculture Department denied or delayed loans or failed to approve enough money for tribal farmers and ranchers.

BARNES SENTENCED Man who was on the lam early last month sentenced ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) An Aberdeen man accused of escaping from authorities and being on the lam for the next nine days has been sentenced to 17 years in prison on unrelated charges.

Earlier this year, 20-year-old Todd "T.J." Barnes had been sentenced to jail time after pleading guilty to burglary. Then in September, he pleaded guilty to new burglary charges, which meant he had broken the rules of his probation.

Circuit Judge Jack Von Wald handed down the sentence on those charges on Friday.

Barnes still faces 17 escape- and theft-related charges stemming from early last month, when authorities say he escaped after faking an illness and being taken to an emergency room. Officials think he stole three vehicles while he was free.

No court date has been set for those charges.

Information from: Aberdeen American News, http://www.aberdeennews.com SIOUX FALLS ROBBERIES Sioux Falls reports 5-year robbery high SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) Police say the number of business robberies in Sioux Falls has reached a modern-day high.

The number of commercial robberies now totals 32, after a bank and a casino were robbed Wednesday. It's one more than the 2007 total.

Police spokesman Sam Clemens calls it a "pretty significant spike" but says it's too early to say whether the trend will continue. He says a larger population means more crime.

Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com CHENEY-pheasantS Former VP hunts pheasants in SD PIERRE, S.D. (AP) This time as a private citizen, former Vice President Dick Cheney hunted pheasants in the Pierre area this week.

In past years, Air Force II would touch down at the Pierre airport when Cheney arrived.

Officials say Cheney, a longtime visitor to the area during pheasant season, flew in, hunted for a few days and left.

In past years, he spent time at a private hunting preserve near Gettysburg.

Information from: KCCR-AM, http://www.todayskccr.com/ (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-06-09 1607CST | save this article / add to your favorites list