An effective and efficient system of indigent defense is important for all South Dakotans. South Dakota has devoted a couple years of study, discussion and legislative action to the issue. Judges, …
It is an astonishingly large number: 5.3 billion. That’s how many meals were distributed by the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, Feeding America, in 2023 alone. In a …
During my newspaper career I was tasked with writing five editorials a week. Consequently, I wasn’t choosy about revisiting some subjects. If it was in the news, it was fair game for an …
In 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland established new, but long-needed, press protections barring federal prosecutors from purasuing journalists’ communication records with confidential …
The United States Senate is arguably the least democratic (small “d”) institution in any democracy in the world, with the possible exception of the British House of Lords. The Senate …
There’s hardly a corner of South Dakota where you won’t find a farm, ranch, or some other trace of our rich agricultural heritage — it’s the lifeblood of our state. …
It’s telling that virtually the only positive spin economists of every political persuasion are putting on Donald Trump’s latest vow to ignite a global tariff war is the possibility that …
Some obvious questions come to mind in considering Gov. Kristi Noem’s selection to lead the Department of Homeland Security in Donald Trump’s next administration. Will the ghost of …
I spent an inordinate amount of time during my journalism career writing headlines. Sometimes I miss it. Especially when a story comes along about the last meeting of the legislative Study Committee …
Donald Trump ’s cabinet nominees so far reveal a desire to disrupt Washington, and disruption is needed in many places. But as he mulls his choices for Treasury and the economic-policy posts, …
“This is what South Dakotans should do,” the governor said, emphasizing “should.” I was perplexed. It was March 23, 2020, almost two weeks since the first COVID-19 cases …
The holidays are a wonderful time to spend time together and celebrate traditions as a family. Every family celebrates in their own unique way and develops their own traditions. The Noem family has …
Anyone who cares about open government in South Dakota was cheered by the recent news of the reemergence of the Open Meetings Commission. The commission, established by the Legislature in 2004, …
This year marks 10 years of raising awareness and celebrating “National Apprenticeship Week.” Apprenticeships are an effective approach for South Dakotans to gain on-the-job training plus …
Lord, I’ve seen the world with a five-piece band Looking at the back side of me Singing my songs, one of his now and then But I don’t think Hank done ’em this way, no …
Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, a private two-year college in Boston, offers an 800-hour certificate program in HVAC and refrigeration. President and CEO Aisha Francis said …
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack says talking about the stuck-in-the-mud farm bill negotiations “ feels like ‘Groundhog Day .’” Congress is required to approve a …
At the same time the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposes to turn Lake Kampeska near Watertown into an artificial flood reservoir, it now plans to study artificially sending water from the massive …
One of the highlights of my travels across South Dakota is the opportunity to visit schools and meet young people. It’s refreshing to see their engagement with the important issues facing our …
An October legislative meeting proved to be frustrating for lawmakers. For reporters, it offered the sweet taste of vindication. At issue during the meeting of the Legislature’s Government …