FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A dominant health system in the Dakotas that bills itself as one of the largest health organizations in the country said Thursday it is making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all its employees, citing the spread of more contagious variants.

(AP) — What is a COVID-19 vaccine “breakthrough” case?

SOUTH DAKOTA — The COVID-19 curve in the U.S. is rising again after months of decline, with the number of new cases per day doubling over the past three weeks, driven by the fast-spreading delta variant, lagging vaccination rates and Fourth of July gatherings.

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — The COVID-19 pandemic pushed South Dakota’s death rate to hit historic levels last year, according to a report from the state Department of Health.

(AP) — The global death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 4 million Wednesday as the crisis increasingly becomes a race between the vaccine and the highly contagious delta variant.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — As the U.S. emerges from the COVID-19 crisis, Missouri is becoming a cautionary tale for the rest of the country: It is seeing an alarming rise in cases because of a combination of the fast-spreading delta variant and stubborn resistance among many people to getting v…

PIERRE — South Dakota’s State Epidemiologist Dr. Joshua Clayton says the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet.

ABERDEEN (AP) — A federal judge in South Dakota on Monday criminally charged three members of the U.S. Marshals Service with contempt of court and obstructing justice after a dispute with a marshal who refused to disclose her COVID-19 vaccination status and removed prisoners from a courthouse.

(AP) — Washington pass rusher Montez Sweat said Wednesday he doesn't support the team's attempt to persuade players to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

(AP) –– Why do some people get side effects after COVID-19 vaccines?

SOUTH DAKOTA — Healthcare professionals say vaccinating young people against COVID-19 this summer is critical to reaching herd immunity against the virus and to protect youth against potentially devastating long-term effects of the virus.

DEADWOOD — For the first time in more than a year, patrons may enter Deadwood City Hall and the public library without being required to wear a face covering.

(AP) — American pharmaceutical company Moderna says it has begun the process to win full U.S. regulatory approval for the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in adults.

(AP) — Moderna said Tuesday its COVID-19 vaccine strongly protects kids as young as 12, a step that could put the shot on track to become the second option for that age group in the U.S.

DEADWOOD — While Deadwood Rec Center patrons will now enjoy a “mask encouraged” policy, patrons frequenting city hall or the public library must still wear face coverings until the subject is reviewed again at the July 6 Deadwood City Commission meeting.

NEW YORK (AP) — When do I still need to wear a mask?

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — The number of South Dakota residents receiving an initial dose of a COVID-19 vaccination has slowed dramatically in recent weeks, prompting medical experts and community leaders to turn to personal conversations to battle misinformation around getting a shot.

(AP) — The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday defended the decision to ease mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, stressing that increasing political pressure had nothing to do with the abrupt shift in guidelines.

(AP) — Dr. Michelle Rockwell lost a pregnancy in December and shared her heartache with her 30,000 Instagram followers. Weeks later, she received the COVID-19 vaccine and posted about that, too.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people on Thursday, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings.

DEADWOOD — Confidence in safe travel is up. Pent-up demand is high. Americans are planning trips and open to inspiration. South Dakota is top of mind nationally.

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — South Dakota resumed using Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccinations Monday, state health officials announced.

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — South Dakota health officials asked vaccine providers to put Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 shots on hold after a request Tuesday from federal officials.