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According to the newly-formed South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative, over 100,000 South Dakotans experience food insecurity, including 24,000 children. (Yakobchuk Olena/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

New SD collaborative to address food insecurity

In observance of Hunger Action Month, a new statewide collaborative has launched to address food insecurity in South Dakota. Nearly 14% of U.S…

About 25% of people covered by Medicare in 2023 used a telehealth service that year, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Jeff Bergen/Adobe Stock)

Clock ticking on Medicare telehealth provisions

Telehealth has been key to health care in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic but some of the flexibilities for this type of care for Medicare patients …

In a 2024 report from the National Education Association, South Dakota ranked 49th in the U.S. for average teacher salary, at about $53,000 a year. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Opponents: Ballot measure would have 'drastic' impacts on SD schools

A coalition of South Dakota groups is voicing its opposition to a ballot measure intended to end a state sales tax on consumables. If passed this …

Nearly 60% of people who borrowed medical equipment from Owen's Outfitters in June were enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare, according to data from the organization. Roughly 9% of clients were uninsured. (Eleanor Turner, The Legacy Foundation)

SD medical supply library prepares to go mobile

A lending library for medical and mobility supplies opened in Sioux Falls just last fall and now its parent nonprofit is making moves to go mobile…

The Federal Transit Administration's Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program has supported access to health with $24 million over five years, according to the agency. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Federal grant will upgrade SD rural transit system

The Biden administration announced nearly $8 million in grants to improve public transportation, including a large and rural system in South Dakota…

About 21,000 South Dakota children lived in high-poverty areas between 2018 and 2022, a decrease from the previous four years. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Plateaued data on SD kids’ economic well-being ‘concerning’

South Dakota ranks well in the country for the economic well-being of its kids, according to a new study, but a ranking does not tell the whole story…

Two South Dakota drought resiliency projects will supply about 130 homes with high-quality drinking water. (Adobe Stock)

New federal funds earmarked for SD rural water projects

Some rural South Dakotans struggle to get good drinking water but the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has awarded two local communities with grants to …

The deadline for Congress to pass a new Farm Bill is Sept. 30, 2024, following a year-long extension of the 2018 Farm Bill. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

SD lawmaker OK’s House Farm Bill draft, despite climate, food program cuts

After 13 hours of markups late last week, the House Committee on Agriculture passed its version of the massive piece of legislation known as the Farm …

Recent statewide figures look promising, but homelessness in South Dakota has risen more than 120% since 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Adobe Stock)

Sioux Falls programs address rising homeless population

Homelessness in South Dakota may be down overall, but the state's urban areas are an exception. New programs in Sioux Falls aim to address it…

Some groups see disproportionately high rates of suicide, including veterans, racial and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people. (Adobe Stock)

Experts spotlight youth mental health, suicide prevention

Rates of suicide among young people have increased by about 36% in roughly the last two decades and the surge has caught the attention of federal poli…

During what is known as the Medicaid post-pandemic

Report: SD Medicaid expansion enrollment remains low

Last year's Medicaid expansion in South Dakota increased eligibility to another 51,000 adults but a new report showed among people across the state wh…

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 …

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 …

SHIFT Garage, which provides free labor costs for car repairs in two South Dakota cities, estimates it receives around 250 applications each year for help. (Adobe Stock)

SD nonprofit tries to keep poverty from stalling car engines

Winter time in South Dakota can sometimes result in car engines not starting. For people with no money for repairs, there are options in some cities…

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 South Dakota Health Department data, WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding counseling for more than 13,000 participants, including 1,600 pregnant and postpartum individuals. (Adobe Stock)

SD boosts outreach for WIC participation

South Dakota health leaders have said it can be a challenge to reach people eligible for a long-standing nutrition assistance program for at-risk new …

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 …

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 …

In a new national survey, 57% of women and 63% of women of color said they're considering quitting their hospitality-industry jobs because of worsening harassment and wage theft. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Restaurant Sector 'Unlivable' for Many Women Workers

As the weather warms up, tourists will flock to South Dakota to visit sites like Mount Rushmore, stopping at restaurants along the way. As they sit …

Researchers say expanding cash payments, such as the ones seen in the Child Tax Credit, to families in need sets children up for a healthier life, as well as better test scores. (Adobe Stock)

Better Health, Education Outcomes Linked to Child Tax Credit Payments

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Supporters of the expanded Child Tax Credit are highlighting the arrival of monthly payments for eligible families. In South …

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 …

Advocates for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls say they're grateful for new state-level and federal policies, but fear a lack of local resources will keep putting more people in danger. (Adobe Stock)

New Awareness Week for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Advocates are stepping up awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) and girls, but even with efforts in South …

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 …

Nationwide, according to a new report, one-third of adults with children are likely to have to leave their homes due to eviction or foreclosure as a result of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Crisis Weighs Heavily on SD Households with Kids

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The economic fallout from the pandemic is evident in a new report on the struggles of households with children. The findings …

Unemployment fraud has proved costly in some states during the pandemic. For example, in Washington state, $650 million in jobless benefits were distributed to people filing false claims. (Adobe Stock)

Unemployment Fraud During Crisis Hinders Process for Legit Claims

PIERRE, S.D. -- The COVID-19 crisis has produced a number of other serious issues, and one is higher cases of unemployment fraud. Bogus claims have …

It's estimated that Americans own 78 million dogs and 85 million cats, but many animal shelters are seeing an increase in people giving up their pets due to challenges caused by the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Animal Rescue Groups See Greater Demand During Crisis

DELMONT, S. D. -- Some people deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic are making the heartbreaking decision to give their pets up for adoption…

South Dakota's median household income of $56,521 was $3,800 lower than the median U.S. household income in 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (commondreams.org)

SD's 2020 Minimum-Wage Hike Falls Short of 'Livable'

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Starting on Jan. 1, South Dakota's minimum wage will increase 20 cents - from $9.10 to $9.30 an hour. At the same time…

Public school teachers will spend on average $459 on school supplies for which they're not reimbursed this year, with California teachers spending the most and North Dakota teachers spending the least. (tjms.fairlawnschools.org)

Out-of-Pocket School Supplies Add Up for South Dakota Teachers

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Across the U.S., salaries of many public school teachers continue to stagnate, with some looking to a second job to help …

Residents of the Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation in southwest South Dakota are in recovery mode after severe flooding, while high water continues to threaten livestock in the north-central part of the state. (commondreams.org)

SD Flooding Causes Food, Water Shortage on Indian Reservations

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Flooding that began in the Midwest two weeks ago continues to affect the 20,000 residents who live on the Pine Ridge Indian …

Nearly 90,000 South Dakotans received SNAP benefits in Nov. 2018, according to the South Dakota Department of Social Services. (nokidhungry.org)

Report: Enrollment Surges for SD Health, Social-Service Programs

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A new report shows more South Dakotans are relying on safety-net programs that help lower-income families. South Dakota's …

Healthcare occupations are projected to make up about 14 percent of South Dakota's projected workforce by 2024. (University of South Dakota)

Study: Female Healthcare Workers Short-changed

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — About three-quarters of the people working in healthcare jobs are women, and many of them are living below the poverty line…

In South Dakota, 53 percent of the residents of Oglala Lakota County live below the U.S. poverty rate, the highest of any county in the state or the nation. (stjo.org)

Health Crisis Ongoing for SD's Native Americans

RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakota is one of 14 states that has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, a move that would improve …

For retirement readiness, South Dakota ranks lowest among the states, according to a new survey by Ubiquity Retirement and Savings. (aarp.org)

Social Security COLA: A Win, But Not a Windfall

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The cost of living increase, or COLA, that takes effect in 2019 for people on Social Security will be the most generous in …

Rural residents across America rely on Medicaid to get health coverage, at the same time Medicaid helps rural hospitals keep their doors open and provide health care and jobs. (evolutionnews.org)

SD's Low-income Residents Have Nation's Highest Uninsured Rates

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - South Dakota is not one of 33 states that expanded its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act, but a new report contends …

Most SNAP-eligible households include children. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the House version of the Farm Bill would end or reduce benefits for nearly 2 million people. (sidwic.org)

Farm Bill Stalls Over SNAP Work Rules

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Congress may not be able to finish a new Farm Bill by the end of the month, when the old one expires. One deadlock is a …

Since 1993, the number of South Dakota households headed by women has increased 112 percent. (pixabay)

Over 25 Years, SD Child Poverty Rate Remains Constant

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A new report says the overall number of children living in poverty in South Dakota hasn't changed much in the past 25 …

A neighborhood's walkability score can be an indicator of the health of its community members' hearts. (Don Graham/Flickr)

Study: ZIP Code Big Factor in Heart Health

SIOUX FALLS, S. D. – New research has found where people live has a strong influence on the health of their hearts. The study, published in the …

Supporting families is integral to closing the opportunity gaps for Native American children in South Dakota, according to a new report. (Hamner_Fotos/Flickr)

Report: Disparities Greatest in Nation for Native-American Children in SD

PIERRE, S.D. – A new report reveals the persistent disparities for children of color and those in immigrant families, in South Dakota and …

South Dakota ranks 21st for child well-being, according to a report from The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Craig Springer/USFWS)

What Would It Take to Improve SD Children's Well-Being?

PIERRE, S.D. – What would it take to make South Dakota the best state for children? The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual data book measures …

The organization Feeding South Dakota is trying mobile food pantries this summer to reach more rural South Dakotans. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Report: SD Children Face High Risk of Food Insecurity

PIERRE, S.D. – Although the number of South Dakotans considered "food insecure" has fallen slightly this year, nearly one in eight still isn't …

Children at M&M Day Care in Huron are among those benefiting from the use of early childhood education to integrate refugees from Myanmar into the community. (M&M Day Care)

SD Town a Model of Early Childhood Education's Power to Unite

HURON, S.D. – The small town of Huron in East Central South Dakota has become a heartwarming example of how early childhood education can bring …

Deadlines are Approaching for Affordable Care Act Signup

YANKTON, S.D. -- Republicans in Congress are going all-out to repeal the Affordable Care Act. But it hasn't happened yet, and coverage is still …

Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act begins Nov. 1. (Jerry Oster)

Details Fuzzy as ACA Signup Approaches

LAKE ANDES, S.D. — The signup for insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act opening on November 1st, but there are still a lot of …

Improving quality of life in rural communities means involving young people and giving them reasons to stay and grow businesses there. (faungg's photos/flickr)

Movement Aims to Help "Lost Generation" of Rural Americans

PIERRE, S.D. – A nationwide movement aimed at improving the quality of life in rural America, including South Dakota, says it's focused on …

The financial costs of involvement in the juvenile-justice system can be overwhelming for youths and their families. (iStockphoto)

Money for Justice: SD Youth Facing Debtors' Prison

PIERRE, S.D. – When a young person is unable to pay court-related costs, he or she can face what's known as "debtors' prison," a practice a new …

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SD: Poverty Issues