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In 2019, South Dakota ranked lowest in the nation for average Medicaid base payments made to nursing facilities, covering just 60% of the daily costs of care. (Adobe Stock)

Nursing homes get a boost from SD Legislature

Nursing homes across South Dakota will soon receive a boost in support, as part of the most recent legislative session. Facilities caring for …

South Dakota ranks 49th in the country for its contribution to indigent legal defense costs, according to a 2023 report from the Indigent Legal Services Task Force. (Adobe Stock)

SD public defense duties shift from counties to state

South Dakota is creating an Office of Indigent Legal Services after House Bill 1057 passed the Legislature with nearly unanimous support this month…

Legislative supporters say had South Dakota taken part in a new federally funded summer meal program for low-income families, an estimated 54,000 children around the state would have benefited. (Adobe Stock)

Despite setbacks, SD coalition keeps pushing for childhood nutrition access

It's been an uphill battle for childhood nutrition advocates to advance meal access policies in the South Dakota Legislature. However, organizers say …

South Dakota's largest teacher's union said while the state has made progress in compensating educators, it still lags behind neighboring states. (Adobe Stock)

Teacher pay proposal advances in SD Legislature

South Dakota lawmakers are taking a close look at teacher pay this session. A specific plan to establish salary requirements cleared the House this …

To date, 40 states, including South Dakota, have expanded Medicaid with help from the Affordable Care Act. (Adobe Stock)

SD's Medicaid expansion becomes ensnared with work-requirement debate

As South Dakota continues to implement a Medicaid expansion approved by voters in 2022, controversy has emerged with some lawmakers seeking approval …

Policy experts said as it stands right now, roughly 19 million children in the U.S. do not benefit from the federal Child Tax Credit because their families' incomes are too low. (Adobe Stock)

Congress announces Child Tax Credit deal

Congress is poised to consider renewing the expanded Child Tax Credit and policy analysts said the latest effort could help tens of thousands of South…

The National Low Income Housing Coalition reported South Dakota has a shortage of about 10,000 rental homes that are affordable and available for extremely low-income renters. (Adobe Stock)

SD poverty-fighting group: Affordable home builders need to step up

January is National Poverty in America Awareness Month and in South Dakota, agencies assisting low-income individuals said access to affordable …

According to recent National Education Association rankings, South Dakota has consistently landed near the bottom in the area of teacher compensation. (Adobe Stock)

SD to see renewed debate over teacher pay

As they head into winter break, South Dakota school districts and their teachers are in a waiting period to find out what future state funding looks …

According to the Kids Count data center, child care consumes between 8% and 13% of a typical South Dakota family's income. (Adobe Stock)

Child care 'solution-driven' grants take shape in SD

Child care access has become a major focal point in the U.S., and South Dakota is no exception. More than two dozen communities are using grant …

Associations for Community Health Centers say if Congress does not extend federal funding, nearly seven million patients around the United States could lose access to primary care. (Adobe Stock)

Community Health Centers Juggle Demand, Operational Headwinds

This week is National Health Center Week. The facilities help to close care gaps in underserved communities, and regional and national leaders hope …

Some 20 states have passed laws that either ban or restrict gender-affirming care for transgender youth. (Adobe Stock)

What's Next for SD After Ruling on Arkansas' Gender-Affirming Care Ban?

South Dakota's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth is scheduled to go into effect on July 1. But opponents are looking into what the …

In findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the average annual cost of care for one child in the U.S. was $10,600 in 2021, one-tenth of a couple's average income, and more than one-third of a <br />single parent's income. (Adobe Stock)

Child Care Access Hovers Over SD Child Well-Being Report

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like South Dakota fared better in the …

Among other things, a new Minnesota law prohibits the enforcement of child removal requests from another state if a family travels to Minnesota in pursuit of gender-affirming care. (Adobe Stock)

SD's Neighbor Prepares to Serve as 'Trans Refuge' State

A new report found more than half of transgender youth in the U.S. have lost -- or are at risk of losing -- access to gender-affirming health care…

The federal government can have a say in whether states add work requirements to their Medicaid programs. But South Dakota Republicans say it is worth exploring if 2024 brings a change in administrations, despite objections from those who say voters already approved the expansion. (Adobe Stock).

SD Considers Adding Work Requirement to Medicaid Expansion

South Dakota is poised to launch a Medicaid expansion this summer, after voters approved the idea last fall, but there is a legislative push to add a …

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-…

It's estimated that Medicaid expansion in South Dakota will provide coverage to an additional 42,000 people. (Adobe Stock)

SD Voters Approve Medicaid Expansion

South Dakota has joined the more than three dozen states to expand Medicaid. Those who supported the ballot initiative said it goes beyond standard …

Over the past year, several polls have indicated a majority of South Dakotans support Medicaid expansion. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal Health Expert Discusses Medicaid Expansion in SD

In less than a week, South Dakota will learn whether voters support expanding Medicaid, where a researcher said approval would especially help tribal …

Health experts say child neglect can result in developmental delays, along with behavioral and emotional issues. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers Link Medicaid Expansion with Child-Neglect Reduction

As South Dakota voters prepare to consider a proposed Medicaid expansion, emerging research suggests giving these programs a bigger reach can lead to …

A new statewide poll in South Dakota showed a majority of likely voters, including 94% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans, don't want the state to hinder implementation of Medicaid expansion if voters approve the idea this fall. (Adobe Stock)

Latest Poll Shows Continued Support for Medicaid Expansion in SD

New poll results released today showed a majority of South Dakota voters support the expansion of Medicaid. This fall, South Dakotans will be asked …

In South Dakota, supporters of Medicaid expansion say rural hospitals and first responders are going above and beyond to keep their doors open as communities struggle to recruit and retain health-care providers. (Adobe Stock)

SD Medicaid Expansion Effort Gets New Endorsements

More officials from South Dakota's health care community are speaking out in support of Medicaid expansion. Voters will decide this fall whether to …

A new national study says the average cardiovascular health score - out of a possible 100 - was 64.7 for U.S. adults and 65.5 for children. (Adobe Stock)

New Study: Most Americans' Hearts Not in Great Shape

Good heart health is associated with avoiding a range of medical issues. But new research shows only one in five Americans has optimal cardiovascular …

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 …

While some tribal governments, including the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority, have been able to accelerate internet accessibility, service affordability is still a barrier for tribal members. (Adobe Stock)

Closing Tribal Connection Gap: SD Reservations Get Internet Funds

Native American communities say the pandemic severely limited their ability to communicate with the rest of the world and each other, largely because …

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nation's long-term care workforce levels are the lowest they've been in 15 years. The industry says that affects patient volume as well as a facility's ability to stay open. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Nursing Homes Under Serious Financial Stress

South Dakota continues to grapple with staffing shortages at nursing homes, and a new report found some might not be able to recover financially…

South Dakota is looking to join neighboring states in broadening the language under laws dealing with criminal sexual contact. (Adobe Stock)

SD Looks to Bolster Law Surrounding Sexual Contact

A few words not included in South Dakota's law dealing with criminal sexual contact came to light in a recent investigation, and now, child-…

In addition to providing more coverage to the uninsured, supporters of expanding Medicaid say it would act as a stimulus for South Dakota's economy. (Adobe Stock)

SD's Medicaid Expansion Campaign Pivots Back to Voters

The push to expand Medicaid in South Dakota took a brief detour to Pierre last week. Now that lawmakers have had their say, supporters are amplifying …

In South Dakota, average teacher pay is $48,984, the lowest in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Teacher Pay Bill Advances in SD

South Dakota continues to grapple with its low ranking when it comes to paying schoolteachers, but the issue is getting focus in 2022, including a …

Without Medicaid expansion, supporters of the idea say more South Dakotans would have to travel greater distances for care, because more rural hospitals in the state could close. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Older SD Voters Want State to Expand Medicaid

A coalition working to expand Medicaid in South Dakota this week announced petitions have been approved to get the question onto the fall ballot - and…

The average teacher salary in South Dakota is just below $49,000 a year. (Adobe Stock)

Following Noem Speech, SD Educators Press for Funding Increase

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota's teachers' union says while there are still a lot of unknowns, it's hopeful the governor's new budget proposal leads to …

A nonpartisan analysis says South Dakota government would have to pay for only a small percentage of Medicaid expansion costs, if approved by voters. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Medicaid Expansion for SD Enters Next Phase

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Secretary of State today is expected to receive signatures from a campaign pushing for Medicaid expansion. The …

An international investigative report says South Dakota is home to 81

South Dakota: Surprise Tax Haven in the Public Eye

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A lack of public scrutiny may have contributed to South Dakota becoming a global leader as a tax haven, and one political expert …

An estimated 48 million Americans are family caregivers, including about 90,000 South Dakotans. (Adobe Stock)

Backers of Caregivers' Credit Don't Want It Lost in D.C. Shuffle

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The pandemic is shining a new light on the burdens felt by family caregivers, and a bill in Congress would remove some of the …

The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently estimated a majority of the state's waterways are

Infrastructure Bill Could Help with SD Water Quality

RAPID CITY, S.D. - Anyone hoping for a range of new infrastructure projects across America saw a major development this week, with the U.S. Senate …

An annual well-being report says South Dakota has seen worsening child obesity numbers over the past decade. (Adobe Stock)

SD Ranks Near Middle for Child Well-Being

PIERRE, S.D. -- A mixed bag of news can be found for South Dakota in the latest report measuring child wellbeing in the U.S. As families emerge from …

A new economic analysis predicts if the remaining states holding out on expanding Medicaid reversed their decisions, more than 1 million jobs would be created nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Report: SD Would See Economic Benefits from Medicaid Expansion

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Boosting health-care access and tapping into federal aid often are cited as reasons to expand Medicaid, but a new report says …

Supporters of a Medicaid expansion in South Dakota say it's time to join the many surrounding states that have taken such action. (Adobe Stock)

Drives for Medicaid-Expansion Ballot Issues Ramp Up in SD

PIERRE, S.D. -- South Dakota residents might be seeing and hearing more appeals to sign petitions for a Medicaid expansion, because a pair of …

Community groups say those behind on their rent payments because of COVID should take advantage of emergency aid programs before eviction moratoriums eventually expire. (Adobe Stock)

SD: Don't Leave Emergency Rental Assistance on Table

PIERRE, S.D. -- A state housing agency and community-assistance groups hope South Dakotans in need hear their message to apply for emergency rental …

During the pandemic, a handful of South Dakota school districts have given bonuses to teachers, but advocates say the state needs to live up to its promise to gradually boost educators' salaries each year. (Adobe Stock)

SD Lawmakers to Debate Teacher Pay Raises

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota lawmakers begin the 2021 session next week. As the budget takes shape, how big a raise public school teachers could …

Mirroring a national trend, South Dakota has seen a significant increase in recent years in the number of kids not covered by health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

South Dakota Sees Dramatic Spike in Uninsured Children

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Despite a pre-pandemic period of economic stability, the number of South Dakota children lacking health coverage spiked between 2…

South Dakota is among nearly a dozen states that have so far refused to accept a Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. (Adobe Stock)

SD Joining Voter-Driven Movement for Medicaid Expansion

PIERRE, S.D. -- When the Affordable Care Act was adopted, most states that expanded Medicaid did so through their legislatures. But in states that …

Outside of government relief assistance, many Native American tribes, including the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, are appealing for online donations to help with their response to COVID-19. (Rosebud Tribe)

Spending Rules for Relief Funds Put Tribes in Tough Spot

ROSEBUD, S.D. -- Native American tribes are in a difficult situation in putting COVID relief money to use. The aid came several months after the …

Educators want state lawmakers to consider South Dakota kids when they allocate budget revenues, which are higher than originally predicted. (HollyDornak/Pixabay)

Will South Dakota Lawmakers Fund Education Per State Statute?

PIERRE, S.D. - Supporters of public education in South Dakota hope the state's brighter revenue picture means legislators will focus on schools and …

Cancer is a leading cause of death among American Indian populations, but palliative care in South Dakota is often a long drive from the state's Indian reservations. (aamc.org)

Expanding Palliative Care on South Dakota Reservations

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Finding a balance between traditional customs and modern health care is the goal of a national research project in South Dakota…

In her second State of the State address, Gov. Kristi Noem promised to grow South Dakota's economy, which has lagged behind the nation's. (foundationforgovernment.org)

Gov. Noem: South Dakota "Open for Business"

PIERRE, S.D. -- In her second State of the State address, Governor Kristi Noem stressed that South Dakota is "open for business," citing tax laws …

The closure of nursing homes in rural communities across the Midwest means loved ones live farther away from families and their communities. (sbinevanerp/Pixabay)

South Dakota Communities Struggle With Nursing-Home Closures

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The number of rural communities with few options for elder care continues to grow across South Dakota. The Hudson Care and …

Retail prices for widely used prescription drugs increased more than the general inflation rate in 2017 for the 12th year in a row, according to a new AARP Public Policy Institute report. (kalhh/Pixabay)

SD Seniors Put Heat on Lawmakers for Lower Drug Prices

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Seniors and other South Dakotans are awaiting prescription drug pricing legislation that would allow the federal government …

Ten percent of South Dakota's campsites were unavailable in 2019 because of conditions created after severe spring flooding. (Nate Wek/listen.sdpb.org)

SD Seeks Comments on Proposed Fee Increases at State Parks

PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota parks saw a decrease in usage this year because of spring flood damage. And now state residents are being asked to …

Some farmers in the Midwest this year did not get all the corn planted they normally would due to rain, snow, cold and flooding. (1778011/pixabay)

Corn Growers Press for New NAFTA Deal in Congress

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – America's corn growers are in Washington this week urging Congress to ratify a new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico…

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SD: Budget Policy & Priorities