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Wednesday, September 18, 2024

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Medical copays reduce health care access in MS prisons; Israel planted explosives in pagers sold to Hezbollah according to official sources; Serving looks with books: Libraries fight 'fast fashion' by lending clothes; Menhaden decline threatens Virginia's ecosystem, fisheries.

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JD Vance calls for toning down political rhetoric, while calls for his resignation grow because of his own comments. The Secret Service again faces intense criticism, and a right to IVF is again voted down in the US Senate.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

SD: Civic Engagement & Voting

The Brookings Institution, a nonpartisan research group, gave South Dakota a

Monday, September 16, 2024

SD voting advocates hope to avoid ballot challenges seen in primary

Just a few months after some South Dakota absentee ballots were illegally challenged, officials are concerned slow mail delivery could affect …

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According to a poll of 50-64-year-olds, top issues of concern are strengthening the economy (80%), defending against terrorism (76%), and making the Social Security system financially sound (73%). (Adobe Stock)
Caregiving, financial security among top concerns of older SD voters

Voters over age 50 reliably show up to the polls in large numbers but sometimes candidates overlook them. In 2020, 138,000 South Dakotans ages 45-64 …

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More than one in three local election officials have experienced threats, harassment or abuse, according to a recent Brennan Center poll. (Lorie Shaull, Flickr)
More power to SD poll watchers this Election Day

A new South Dakota law will give poll watchers in the state more power on Election Day. Some say that could interfere with voting. A bill passed in …

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More than 54% of South Dakota voters approved the legalization of recreational cannabis use in 2020, a decision later overturned in court. (Adobe Stock)
Report urges lawmakers to take public health approach on legal cannabis

As South Dakotans approach a vote on recreational cannabis, a new paper makes recommendations to policymakers on implementing its legality. The …

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Women's labor force participation would be 2.6% higher in South Dakota without the state's strict abortion laws, according to an analysis by the Institute for Women's Policy Research. (Jacob Lund/ Adobe Stock)
Report: Abortion restrictions cost SD’s economy $670 million annually

Abortion bans and restrictions limit women's participation in the workforce, according to a new analysis that quantifies the negative impacts on …

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The ballot initiative to enshrine some protections to abortion in the South Dakota constitution received about 20,000 more signatures than needed to get on the November ballot. (Adobe Stock)
New group asks SD abortion petition signers to rescind

South Dakota's Secretary of State received more than enough signatures to get a decision on abortion rights on the November ballot but some signees ar…

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In a 2018 survey by the Native American Voting Rights Coalition, 32% of respondents not registered to vote in South Dakota said long distances to travel for registration were prohibitive. (Adobe Stock)
Ballot dropbox ban a barrier in SD primary

South Dakota's June 4 primary will be the first national election here since ballot dropboxes were banned in 2023. It is one of 12 states to ban …

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In a 2022 South Dakota News Watch poll, 79% of South Dakota voters said they think the state tax on groceries should be lowered or repealed. (Adobe Stock)
Measure to end sales tax on groceries could go to SD voters

South Dakotans face high prices at the grocery store and some are working to ease the burden. A new report from the Federal Trade Commission finds …

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In 2022, South Dakota voters rejected a proposal to raise the approval threshold for ballot initiatives. (Adobe Stock)
SD lawmakers debate signature rules for ballot initiatives

South Dakota is once again at the center of a debate about the future of direct democracy. A legislative plan would shake up signature rules for …

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Civic engagement groups like Common Cause say greater transparency and education about redistricting could spur more public interest, including how shifts in the political boundaries impact how much funding a community receives from state Legislatures, like the one in South Dakota. (Adobe Stock)
South Dakota gets 'C-plus' grade for redistricting

A non-partisan political group is out with state-by-state grades for recent redistricting efforts, including South Dakota. Common Cause gives South …

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In South Dakota, a voter registration form with an original signature has to be received by a county auditor's office 15 days before Election Day. (Adobe Stock)
Voting in SD: How does change of address affect registration?

When it comes to elections, all eyes are on the 2024 vote. Civic-engagement groups in South Dakota are trying to make sure people needing help with …

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A recent survey from the American Bar Association found most respondents want elected leaders who are willing to compromise, but not on specific issues. (Adobe Stock)
National Civility Month: Can a Respectful Tone Ever Return to Politics?

August is National Civility Month, and finding common ground in politics without name-calling might seem like an insurmountable task. A South Dakota …

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