South Dakota Panel Redrawing District Boundaries

     PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A panel of lawmakers working to redraw the
boundaries of South Dakota's legislative districts is discussing
how to create districts in areas with substantial populations of
Native Americans.
     Lawmakers say that once the committee draws lines for districts
that include American Indian reservations, it can begin to create
new districts in the rest of the state.
     To win federal approval, the redistricting plan must protect the
voting rights of Native Americans.
     In public testimony Tuesday, residents of predominantly white
communities near the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation asked that their
areas not be added to the district that includes the reservation.
They want to remain in a district with close ties to Rapid City.
     A special legislative session will be held Oct. 24 to approve
new district boundaries.