PNS Daily Newscast - January 19, 2020
The Biden inauguration speech seen as a potential launching point for a resilient democracy; an increase in mental distress noted in Virginia.
2021Talks - January 19, 2021
Trump expected to issue around 100 pardons and commutations today. Biden and Harris celebrate MKL and prep for first days in office. Voting rights legislation introduced in Congress could expand access to voting and reduce partisan gerrymandering.
Public News Service - SD: Civic Engagement

PIERRE, S.D. -- Gov. Kristi Noem is getting involved in a legal challenge to the marijuana-legalization ballot initiative approved by South Dakota voters in November. A civil-rights group says the move adds to frustration being felt by voters in the current political environment. Last week, Noem i

PIERRE, S.D. -- Questions remain about the future of recreational marijuana in South Dakota despite a constitutional amendment approved by voters. With Republicans still opposed, a political expert says their response might signal how other "red" states will deal with future scenarios. In November

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Federal officials are working with drug companies on novel coronavirus vaccines, some of which could be available this month for groups prioritized for early rollouts. A South Dakota health-care group hopes underserved residents aren't overlooked, and urges patience. Yesterday,

VERMILLION, S.D. -- Election officials across the U.S. say there's no evidence of illegal votes helping Joe Biden win the 2020 presidential race. But President Donald Trump and some of his allies are still claiming fraud. GOP Gov. Kristi Noem is a staunch Trump supporter and among those echoing sen

MILBANK, S.D. -- Plastic barriers, extra hand sanitizer, safe distance reminders: Those are a few of the safety measures South Dakota voters may have observed on Election Day to protect them from COVID-19, and a local election official says some of those protections may never go away. Heading into

BROOKINGS, S.D. - Calls have amplified for South Dakota to issue a statewide mask rule in light of surging COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. As that debate plays out, some local governments have decided on mandates of their own - or are considering them. Throughout the pandemic, the City of Bro

RAPID CITY, S.D. -- Time is running short for South Dakotans who haven't voted yet to consider how they will cast their ballots. With COVID-19 still ravaging the state, a detailed plan is strongly encouraged. South Dakota's voter-registration deadline was earlier this week. For those who took that

RAPID CITY, S.D. -- Many South Dakota schools returned to in-person learning this fall. But that's not an easy decision for all families during the pandemic. And one Rapid City church is trying to help students who face extra burdens because of COVID-19. Earlier this month, St. Andrews Episcopal C