South Dakota News & Current Events

South Dakota could soon follow steps taken by states like Utah, which recently approved a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 6, 2023

SD Plan to Ban Gender-Affirming Care Stokes Privacy Debate

South Dakota is once again locked in a debate over a bill concerning transgender youth. It seeks to ban gender-affirming care, with supporters …

From 2019 to 2020, the U.S. saw a 6% increase in deaths from cardiovascular disease. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Heart-Related Deaths Increased During Pandemic's Onset

The U.S. saw a surge in cardiovascular-related deaths during the first year of the pandemic, and voices from South Dakota's health community hope it …

South Dakotans logged nearly 14 million hours of formal volunteer service, according to AmeriCorps in its latest report. (Adobe Stock)

SD Among Top States for Volunteer Work

New data about volunteering in the U.S. is good news for South Dakota. Every other year, the independent government agency AmeriCorps works with the …

In the past year, consumers saw the biggest inflation hike in 40 years, which took a bite out of grocery budgets. (Adobe Stock)

SD Enters Debate Mode on Grocery Tax Repeal

A South Dakota legislative committee has begun discussions on a plan to repeal the state's grocery tax. It has been a politically divisive issue …

South Dakota's dual-credit program allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn credit toward a diploma, while racking up college credits ahead of schedule. (Adobe Stock)

SD Plan: More Students Could 'Make the Grade' in Career Readiness

Like other states, South Dakota has a program allowing high school students to take courses offered at universities and technical colleges. Now…

Those behind a new report calling for a more robust behavioral health workforce say that, as with other professions, the pandemic has placed a lot of strain on provider networks around the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Crisis: Report Offers Clues in Beefing Up Care Network

Most South Dakotans live in federally designated mental-health professional shortage areas, and a new report recommended steps Congress and other …

According to the National Institute of Justice, childhood abuse or neglect raises the chance of juvenile arrest by 59%. In South Dakota, advocates say that's why it's important to provide more mental health providers to children and young adults so they can avoid entering the juvenile justice system. (Adobe Stock)

Reducing Effects of Childhood Trauma Tied to SD's Juvenile-Justice Efforts

South Dakota has been looking at ways to improve the state's juvenile-justice system. Recommendations could be considered in the new legislative …

Roughly 70% of cardiac arrests that do not happen in the hospital occur in homes, meaning a friend or family member is mostly likely to be the person who needs to take action. Health experts say that is why it's important to get CPR training. (Adobe Stock)

Importance of CPR Training Back in Spotlight

Lifesaving measures are getting a lot of attention this week, after an NFL player went into cardiac arrest during a game, and South Dakotans are …

With road access cut off, certain Native American tribes in South Dakota were forced to try to survive the recent blizzard with dwindling access to food, water, medicine and firewood. (Adobe Stock)

SD Tribes Hindered by Limited Resources During Brutal Storm

Conditions may have improved, but Native American tribes in South Dakota say they're still reeling from the recent blizzard that left many stranded …

To avoid waste and illness, people involved with distribution of food donations say it's best to give items that are not damaged and are in their original packaging. (Adobe Stock)

SD Food Shelf Shares Ways to Make Impactful Donations

This month, Congress gave final approval to a plan to further promote food donations and reduce waste. In South Dakota, a local food shelf says …

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS chemicals, have been used in a range of products, including nonstick cookware. (Adobe Stock)

Clean Water Advocates Cheer 3M Decision on Forever Chemicals

South Dakota and all other states have seen the effects of so-called "forever chemicals." Those pushing for their removal say 3M's announcement it wi…

At the national level, researchers say hand counting election ballots poses a greater risk for error as opposed to using electronic machines. (Adobe Stock)

SD Debates Vote Counting for Future Elections

This coming legislative session, South Dakota lawmakers could be asked to clarify a state law dealing with the counting of election ballots. It comes …

Research from the United Kingdom finds that physical abuse represents the highest risk increase for heart failure for adults who experienced childhood trauma, when compared with other forms of maltreatment. (Adobe Stock)

New Study Links Childhood Trauma with Heart Failure

Child-abuse prevention specialists in South Dakota and elsewhere say a new study underscores the need to protect kids from traumatic situations to avo…

A number of arts programs for seniors involve painting on canvas. But community outreach leaders say something even simpler, such as doodling on a notepad, can help an older adult exercise the creative parts of their brain. (Adobe Stock)

Getting Crafty to Inspire Healthy Aging in SD

Winter is here, leaving many older South Dakotans vulnerable to social isolation. But a growing body of research, as well as opportunities, shows …

Kelsey Scott, left, operates DX Beef in South Dakota. Scott is a fourth-generation Native American farmer who practices regenerative agriculture. (Jennifer Zeller)

Decolonizing Regenerative Cattle Ranching

By Ray Levy Uyeda for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

Fire-safety experts recommend keeping space heaters at least three feet away from things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture. (Adobe Stock)

With Heating Costs Up, SD Residents Reminded About Safety

After the calendar flips to December, South Dakota will see the return of colder temperatures during a period of higher natural-gas costs. Fire …

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-…

South Dakota's LGBTQ population is roughly 25,000 people, but advocates say harmful rhetoric in the current political climate prevents some community members from being open about their gender or sexual identity. (Adobe Stock)

SD LGBTQ Voices on Colorado Shooting: 'It's a Thin Line'

The LGBTQ community continues to mourn those killed at a shooting at a Colorado nightclub over the weekend. In South Dakota, advocates said such …

The average teacher salary in South Dakota is just below $50,000. Organizers behind a recruiting program say connecting with high schoolers about the profession can help overcome some of the barriers. (Adobe Stock)

SD Embraces Movement to Inspire Future Teachers

Teacher shortages have been a focal point in the world of education, but some working in the field say there should be more conversations about the …

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 …

On a single day in 2020, domestic-violence hotlines in the United States received 21,321 calls, an average of almost 15 calls every minute. (Adobe Stock)<br />

SD Group: Multi-Faceted Approach Needed to Stop Domestic Violence

October is winding down, but groups working to prevent domestic violence still are hoping the public hears their message during Domestic Violence …

Oglala Lakota College is one of 32 fully accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities in the United States. (Photo courtesy olc.edu)

Tribal Colleges: Strong Voter Turnout Helps SD Campuses

South Dakota is home to three tribal colleges and universities. Higher education leaders for Indigenous populations say they hope to see strong …

Supporters of legalizing marijuana say it removes barriers that stem from an arrest for simple pot possession, including securing employment and finding a place to live. (Adobe Stock)

Recreational Marijuana Makes Another Appearance on SD Ballot

Just as in 2020, voters across South Dakota will have a chance in November to decide whether the state should legalize possession of small amounts of …

Some 14% of likely voters in the SDSU Poll, taken in the last two weeks, say they're undecided about whom to vote for in the governor's race. (Adobe Stock)

Poll Shows Tight Race for SD Governor

South Dakotans have some pretty big decisions to make casting their ballots this fall, including the race for governor. A new poll has somewhat …

In a recent lawsuit, a federal judge found nearly 10 examples in which the State of South Dakota had made it difficult for Native Americans to register to vote. (Adobe Stock)

Following Settlement with Tribes, SD Phases In Voting-Access Reforms

This election season, South Dakota is starting to implement voting-access reforms in light of a recent settlement with Native American tribes…

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 …

Researchers say if states required more lighting and reflection on farm vehicles, traffic crashes involving this heavy equipment could decrease by more than half. (Adobe Stock)

Rules of the Farm Road: Safety Tips for Fall Harvest

As the fall harvest season takes shape in South Dakota, an agricultural specialist said there are many ways motorists and farmers can avoid crashes …

Educators from across South Dakota say newly proposed social studies standards might help students memorize facts for tests but will not help them develop critical-thinking skills for the outside world. (Adobe Stock)

SD Holds First Public Hearing in Social Studies Standards Debate

A South Dakota education panel has kicked off the public-hearing phase in the state's latest effort to update social studies standards. Many …

Federal health officials say falls result in more than three million injuries each year that require an emergency-room visit. (Adobe Stock)

Helping Older Populations Reduce Their Risk for Falls

From COVID infections to dangerously hot weather, older South Dakotans have had a lot of warnings the past couple of years to adhere to. But experts …

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 …

Some environmental groups say carbon capture might be worth exploring, but only on a smaller scale to ensure it can work as part of climate-change solutions. (Adobe Stock)

Policy Expert: Too Many Unknowns about Carbon Capture

South Dakota regulators could get an updated map proposal this fall from a company behind a multistate pipeline for underground storage of carbon diox…

South Dakota has one of the highest suicide rates in the country, with 20 suicide deaths per 100,000 residents. (Adobe Stock).

Suicide Prevention Month: A Focus on Spotting Warning Signs

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Despite more public willingness to address the issue, mental-health advocates in South Dakota say …

Roughly 30% of South Dakota high school graduates do not move on to post-secondary education. That's prompted calls for making college more affordable to ensure these students can obtain more credentials before joining the workforce. (Adobe Stock)

Student Loan Forgiveness Impact on SD Trade Schools

Reactions keep pouring in following this week's student loan forgiveness announcement by President Joe Biden. In South Dakota, the trade school …

Around 72% of survey participants in a new college affordability study for Indigenous students reported running out of money at least once in the last six months. (Adobe Stock)

New Study Details College Cost Barriers for Indigenous Students

The biggest obstacle facing Indigenous students completing college degrees is cost, according to a collaborative study by the National Native …

A new Indigenous academy in South Dakota, geared for younger students, says it wants the kids to have a deep sense of belonging, higher engagement and motivation. (Adobe Stock)

New SD Tribal Academy Readies for Fall Start

Organizers behind a new Indigenous school in western South Dakota hope they can give young Native American students a more optimal learning environmen…

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 …

An annual report measuring child well-being puts South Dakota in the bottom half of states in such areas as health, education and family/community. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health is Focus of New SD Child Well-Being Summary

A new report said South Dakota has made strides in the past decade to improve child well-being, but its authors say there are still plenty of …

Americans received roughly 50 billion automated phone calls in 2021, and about 42% were placed by scammers, according to the National Consumer Law Center. (Adobe Stock)

New Nationwide Battle Against Robocalls Includes South Dakota

South Dakota is joining a nationwide effort to crack down on illegal robocalls. Along with attorneys general from 49 other states, South Dakota has …

The national Girls on the Run Program has been available in South Dakota since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

'Girls on the Run' Looks to Build Life Skills for SD Youths

In early August, fall registration opens at several South Dakota locations offering a national program geared for grade-school-age girls. It combines …

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 …

South Dakota's Black Hills region was once a hotbed for gold mining. Today, opponents of proposed drilling projects worry about going down that path again. (Adobe Stock)

SD Group: No Gold Rush in Black Hills, Please

Public comments are being accepted for a proposed project in the Black Hills National Forest that would involve exploratory drilling for gold…

South Dakota was one of nearly a dozen states that had so-called trigger bans on abortions ready to take place in the event of federal protections being overturned. (Adobe Stock)

With Ban in Place, Abortion-Rights Rallies Planned for SD

Opponents of South Dakota's abortion ban are mobilizing efforts to get the attention of policymakers. Rallies will be held this weekend as organizers …

South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation has its own Public Safety Department to uphold tribal and federal law. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Decision Prompts Concerns about Tribal Sovereignty

Tribal advocates are closely analyzing the potential impact of a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling dealing with state investigations of certain crimes on …

In the 2020 election, one survey showed that nearly half of voters cited climate change as a

SCOTUS EPA Decision Seen as Not Aligned with Voters

Environmental groups are criticizing a U.S. Supreme Court decision, which narrowed the scope of the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to …

Planned Parenthood in Minnesota says it is bracing for an influx of patients from the Dakotas. (Fibonacci Blue/Adobestock)

Special SD Legislative Session Planned on Abortion Policy

The South Dakota state Legislature is expected to convene in a special session to reassess abortion laws. Gov. Kristi Noem vowed to call the special …

South Dakota will soon transition to a temporary state Attorney General following the impeachment and removal of Jason Ravnsborg. (Adobe Stock)

SD Political Expert: Attorney General's Removal Reflects Public Will

On the heels of Tuesday's removal of South Dakota's attorney general, a political expert says it appears lawmakers followed through on what voters …

Depression and lower rates of academic attainment are among the effects that can persist in a child's lifetime after losing a caregiver. (Adobe Stock)

Losing a Caregiver to COVID: Helping Kids Grieve

Roughly 200,000 children in the U.S. have lost a caregiver to COVID-19. In South Dakota, mental-health experts say these cases can have added …

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