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Seventy U.S. Supreme Court decisions and 17,000 lower court decisions have relied on Chevron, a 1984 case that set precedent and that the Supreme Court overruled in June. (Michele Ursi/Adobe Stock)

U.S. Supreme Court decision could shape animal farm regulations

By Marlena Williams for Sentient.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

South Dakota loses up to 100,000 acres of grasslands annually, according to the South Dakota Grassland Coalition. Grassland bird species are declining faster than any other group on the continent. (Gregory Johnston/Adobe Stock)

Support grows for threatened SD grasslands

About 1.6 million acres of Great Plains grasslands were destroyed in 2021 alone, according to a recent report, an area the size of Delaware. One …

A well-designed riparian buffer can prevent 80% of excess nutrients from entering rivers and streams. (Adobe Stock)

Most SD surface waters fall below state quality standards

There are nearly 150,000 miles of rivers and streams in South Dakota, but new data show many of those don't meet state standards for safe water …

After nearly facing extinction, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates about 750 black-footed ferrets now live in various locations. (Adobe Stock)

Endangered Species Act turns 50

This Thursday, the Endangered Species Act celebrates its 50th anniversary. Wildlife experts say the policy has been a big help in such states as …

South Dakota is known for native wildflowers like Sphaeralcea coccinea, known as the scarlet globemallow. (Photo courtesy of SDSU and Ben Shreves)

National parks, SDSU join the native plant party

The U.S. is home to nearly 5,000 nonnative plant species. Most are not considered harmful but there are efforts to eliminate invasive ones from …

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time, including during the growing season, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock)

'Prairie Pothole' Region, Including SD, Gets Wetland Funding Boost

Through the federal Inflation Reduction Act, South Dakota and surrounding states will receive funds to restore wetland areas. The Interior …

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, only about 500 adult American Burying Beetles remain in South Dakota. (Adobe Stock)

Wild Turkeys: A Blueprint for SD's Threatened Species

Wildlife advocates want more species to have the same shot at the type of recovery wild turkeys experienced. The game birds were once hunted to near-…

The North American river otter, also known as the northern otter, is among the 104 vulnerable wildlife species in South Dakota. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Plan Would Give SD Money for Preserving At-Risk Wildlife

This week, the U.S. House approved what's been called the most significant investment in wildlife conservation in a generation, and supporters say if …

In states like South Dakota, Native American tribes have been trying to restore populations of endangered species like the black-footed ferret. (Adobe Stock)

Giving Tribes More Support to Maintain Wildlife Habitat

Native American tribes manage millions of acres of wildlife habitat but face inequities in securing conservation funds. A bill in Congress would …

The loss of short and mixed-grass prairies in the Great Plains has significantly reduced South Dakota's swift fox population. (sdstate.edu)

Aiming to Keep SD's Wildlife Off Endangered List

RAPID CITY, S.D. -- One-third of America's wildlife is vulnerable to extinction, including 104 species in South Dakota. But a new bill in Congress …

Critics Cry Fowl Over SD Pheasant Protection Bounty Program

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – In her January inaugural address, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem promised to restore the state's pheasant population and …

South Dakota is one of six states that was not reimbursed for millions of dollars spent to keep parks open during a two-week federal government shutdown in 2013. (nps.gov)

Groups Call Feds' Response to Parks During Shutdown Shady, Reckless

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Visitors at national parks across the country are witnessing piles of trash, overflowing toilets and damaged property as …

Critics of the BLM's proposed changes to the already-approved Greater sage grouse Management Plan, that spans 11 states, say they are not based in science. (abcbirds.org)

Sage-Grouse Plan Changes Decried By Scientists

PIERRE, S.D. — Scientists are pushing back against changes proposed to the multi-state Greater Sage Grouse Management Plan by the Trump …

Milkweed is disappearing across the Midwest, putting the monarch butterfly in danger of extinction. (Pixabay)

South Dakotans Can Support Monarch Butterfly Survival

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Wildlife officials say the "king" of butterflies could meet the same fate as the passenger pigeon unless people step in to …

The eradication of milkweed in South Dakota has reduced food for monarch butterflies, now included on the endangered species list. (nature.org)

Groups Urge Swift Action to Protect Threatened Wildlife Species

PIERRE, S.D. – Wildlife experts say about one-third of all wildlife species in the United States are in decline or vulnerable – which …

Trumpeter swan populations are in decline in South Dakota, according to the state. (Cecil Sanders/Flickr)

Bipartisan Bill Could Reduce Cost to Protect Threatened Species

PIERRE, S.D. – What if states had the resources to prevent animals from ending up on the Endangered Species list? A bill introduced in …

Conservation groups are calling for bipartisan cooperation and action to preserve public lands and wildlife. (Jerry Oster)

Cooperation Needed to Protect Public Lands, Wildlife

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Conservation groups are speaking out now that the election is over, calling for bipartisan action on issues affecting the …

As part of Latino Conservation Week, community members are being encouraged to show their passion for protected areas, including the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. (Hispanic Access Foundation)

Latino Conservation Week Highlights Importance of SD's Protected Lands

PIERRE, S.D. -- This week marks the third annual Latino Conservation Week, and organizers are shining a spotlight on the Latino community's concern …

A group of hunters, anglers and conservationists wants Congress to maintain federal outdoor funding levels in 2017. (iStockphoto)

Sportsman's Group Urges Congress to Hold Line on Wildlife Funding

PIERRE, S.D. - Access to good hunting, fishing and hiking lands has been shrinking for some sportsmen in recent years, and one conservation group is …

Organic farmers can start applying for a program to help them pay for conservation buffers on their lands. (iStockphoto)

USDA to Give Organic Farmers New Conservation Tool

PIERRE, S.D. – Organic farmers in South Dakota and across the nation soon will have a new tool to help their bottom lines while protecting the …

More protections may be on the way for a bumblebee that is disappearing across the Midwest. Credit: Jerry Oster

Meet the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee – Before It's Too Late

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Protections could be on the way for a bumblebee that used to be commonly found in parts of South Dakota and across the …

PHOTO: Bees are disappearing in South Dakota and around the globe, and scientists say a class of insecticides known as neonicotinoids is contributing to the decline in bee colonies. Photo credit: miniperium/morguefile.com.

Concern in South Dakota Over Bee-Killing Pesticides

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The sound of a buzzing bee may signal the threat of a sting, but it also means important pollinators are doing their job as …

PHOTO: The Clean Water Act was passed 42 years ago to protect surface water. Changes have been proposed that have become controversial. Photo credit: Jerry Oster

Advocates: Don’t Muddy the Water

YANKTON, S.D. - The Clean Water Act celebrates its 42nd anniversary this weekend. It was passed in 1972 to protect the chemical, physical and …

PHOTO: A new report from the National Wildlife Federation outlines how climate change is connected to a proliferation of menacing outdoor pests, from poison ivy to ticks. Photo credit: Deborah C. Smith

Report Details Buggy Trends in South Dakota

YANKTON, S.D. - Climate change is connected to all kinds of creepy-crawly critters, with a new National Wildlife Federation report detailing how …

PHOTO: A new rule clarifying where the Clean Water Act applies seems to be drawing a lot of support from farmers like Steph Larsen, seen here watering her sheep. Photo courtesy of Steph Larsen.

Support Grows for “Clearing the Waters” of the Clean Water Act

YANKTON, S.D. - A change in federal clean-water rules appears to be popular with some major stakeholders, especially farmers, hunters and anglers…

PHOTO: South Dakota groups, along with almost 300 nationwide, want to be sure conservation components of the 2013 Farm Bill aren't left behind. Photo credit: Ryan Stockwell

Farm Bill Conferees Hear About Ag-Conservation Connection

YANKTON, S.D. - Another deadline is looming for the next Farm Bill, as U.S. House and Senate conferees continue to work out details. Two of those …

PHOTO: Fallow season in South Dakota could turn into growing season. New reports from the National Wildlife Federation encourage producers to think about cover crops for in-between seasons. Photo courtesy NWF.

Advice to SD Farmers: Take Cover

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Fallow season in South Dakota could turn into growing season. A pair of new reports from the National Wildlife Federation …

PHOTO: A new report says migratory birds are having a tough time adjusting to a changing climate. Courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Report: Birds Can't Fly Faster than Climate Change

YANKTON, S.D. - Birds are feeling the negative effects of a warming climate, according to a new report from the National Wildlife Federation…

PHOTO: As honeybees continue to decline, native bees, including bumble bees, are being studied as a safety net for agriculture. Photo credit: Deborah C. Smith

Native Honey Bees – Invite Them and They Work for Free

YANKTON, S.D. – Honeybees are still in decline across the United States, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that …

Wildlife Icon Makes Top Ten List - New Concerns for Whooping Cranes

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Whooping cranes have landed on a new list highlighting 10 species deemed at risk because of fossil fuel development, storage and …

Report: South Dakota Resident One of Many Conservation Success Stories

PIERRE, S.D. - A four-footed South Dakota resident is a prime example of a wildlife conservation success story. Bruce Stein, associate director for …

Bed Bugs Make Comeback in SD: What You Can Do

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - All across the state of South Dakota, bed bugs are making a comeback. The resurgence is attributed to increased travel, an …

Next Step for Wilderness Designation in South Dakota

RAPID CITY, S.D. - A U.S. Senate subcommittee recently held a hearing on a bill that could add 50,000 acres of new South Dakota wilderness. The …

South Dakota a Leader in Sage-Grouse Habitat?

PIERRE, S.D. - A pair of federal agencies, the National Resources Conservation Service and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, have signed an …

Support Growing For West River Wilderness Area

PIERRE, S.D. - There's growing support in South Dakota for more wilderness designations in the West River region, the large part of the state lying …

Global Warming Responsible for Wacky Weather?

PIERRE, S.D. - Global warming is having odd effects on winter weather in South Dakota and around the northern United States, and the National …

Prairie Pothole Study: Corn Ethanol is Crowding Out Critters

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Government incentives and mandates to plant corn for ethanol are bringing some unintended consequences for wildlife, according to a …

Rainy Days and Recession Breed Mosquitoes

PIERRE, S.D. - You may not care for the rain or the recession, but mosquitoes in South Dakota are loving it, and now experts are predicting they'll …

Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Traced Back to South Dakota

Baton Rouge, LA – There is an area off the coast of Louisiana and Texas that is so starved for oxygen it's called a "dead zone," or, in …

Earth Day in SD - A Time to Reflect on Environmental Progress

Washington, D.C. – Earth Day, an observance that began 39 years ago and blossomed into a global event, is being celebrated today. Campaign for …

Landmark Public Lands Bill Awaits President’s Signature

Washington, DC – The largest public land protection measure passed by Congress in more than 15 years is awaiting President Obama's signature…

U-S Senate Approves Legislation Declaring Millions of Acres Wilderness

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved legislation that will provide for the largest increase in wilderness …

Minnesota PUC to Rule on Big Stone II Transmission Line Permits

St. Paul, MN - A controversional decision pits "old" energy against "new" today (Tuesday) as the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission hears final …

Endangered Species Act Endangered?

Rapid City, SD - Conservation groups say the Endangered Species Act will be endangered itself if a new set of rules proposed by the Bush …

S.Dak. Endangered Species Day Celebration Targets Mountain Lions

Rapid City, SD – The Oglala Sioux Tribe is making a study of mountain lions an environmental priority, now that the Black Hills Mountain Lion …

Global Warming Forum: State Sportsmen, Wildlife Will "Feel the Heat"

Watertown, SD – South Dakota sportsmen will hear some troubling news tonight at a global warming and energy forum in Watertown, sponsored by …

South Dakota Climate Challenge Conference – Money, Weeds and Wildlife

Sioux Falls SD – Scientists are sounding the alarm that South Dakota is already experiencing the effects of climate change –- and that it …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 20, 2024

2024Talks - September 20, 2024

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SD: Endangered Species & Wildlife