Here is the latest South Dakota news from The Associated Press

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) One of the organizers of an effort to give South Dakota voters the final say on a tougher smoking ban says more than enough petition signatures have been gathered and will be turned in a week from tomorrow. If at least 16,776 valid petition signatures are filed by June 29th, the smoking ban that lawmakers passed this winter won't go into effect July 1.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) Hyde County's clerk of courts has responded to a federal lawsuit filed over the release of some juvenile criminal records. A Highmore man, Joseph Van Zee, went to court, accusing Clerk of Courts Marilyn Hanson of releasing his juvenile criminal record and saying it denied him the chance to serve in the Army. Hanson's lawyer denies the records were disclosed in the manner Van Zee alleges.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) A woman set to stand trial tomorrow on charges of selling cocaine on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute the drug. Alvina White Bull is the sixth person to acknowledge her role. Two men are set to stand trial this week in Rapid City federal court after pleading not guilty to multiple counts involving cocaine and marijuana.

White Bull admits she and others brought at least 11 pounds of cocaine from Denver for distribution throughout the Pine Ridge area between 2002 and 2008.

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) In Brookings, some residents and South Dakota State University students want the city council to contribute some second-penny sales tax money toward a proposed addition to the Performing Arts Center on the campus. Student leaders say they gathered about 2,200 signatures late this spring, while about 800 signatures from others in the community were gathered as well.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-14-09 0201CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list