Author
Avera receives $2.5 million in federal money for rural nurse shortage
South Dakota-based Avera Health recently received over $2.5 million to address nursing and health care workforce shortages in rural South Dakota through virtual nursing and education. The funding comes from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. South Dakota’s nursing shortage is years in the […]
White River School District gets $1.5M surprise donation from billionaire philanthropist
A rural western South Dakota school district is one of several across the country to receive a surprise donation from billionaire philanthropist Mackenzie Scott. White River School District got $1.5 million from Scott about a month ago. Scott, who has a 4% stake in Amazon, has donated just under $2 billion over the last seven […]
Fewer South Dakotans fishing, prompting worries of state revenue loss
Fewer South Dakotans are fishing, and that could spell trouble for the state Game, Fish and Parks department. A majority of the department’s Division of Wildlife revenue funding comes from the sales of hunting and fishing licenses. GF&P relies on that money to conserve the state’s wildlife and outdoor recreation. Over 10,800 fewer resident fishing […]
State hopes $1.7M telemedicine program will boost rural ambulance service
South Dakota Emergency Medical Service (EMS) agencies and paramedics hope a partnership between the state and a Sioux Falls-based telemedicine provider will bolster rural ambulance service. The partnership with Avel eCare addresses questions of viability for South Dakota’s 130 ambulance services. Several EMS agencies operate in areas up to an hour’s drive away from a […]
Social Studies standards revision meeting draws nearly 900 public comments before deadline
The South Dakota Board of Education Standards will hold its second meeting since revealing the revised social studies standards that drew controversy again this summer. A day before the official deadline to register or submit public comments, the Board had received nearly 900 comments from teachers, school board members, parents, school administrators and more. The […]
Tabulator catches human error in Tripp County post-election audit
The case of Tripp County’s 75 “missing” ballots has been solved, County Auditor Barb Desersa said this week. The discrepancy emerged last week after a hand count of ballots in the only county in South Dakota in nearly 20 years to perform one. The mismatch does not have any impact on election results. Tripp County […]
‘Workforce behind the workforce’: Businesses, organizations tackle child care in new program
The child care crisis is, above all else, a workforce crisis in South Dakota. Gov. Kristi Noem addressed it as such on the campaign trail, and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul Tenhaken says its one of the most common issues presented to him in recent years. But it hasn’t been treated as a “crisis” by businesses […]
Western SD needs more water. Could a $2B Missouri River pipeline be a solution?
The western side of Pennington County doesn’t have enough water to last through an extended drought, according to a 2019 study by the South Dakota School of Mines. The region, which includes Rapid City, relies on ground and surface water to supply its city populations, commercial districts and agricultural needs. But given the increase in […]
South Dakota DMV to delay vehicle title printing due to paper shortage
The South Dakota Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division will not print paper titles, effective immediately, due to paper supply issues, according to a news release. The department will not print paper titles until mid-February 2023, unless a person makes a request online that is approved by the department. Reasons for requesting a printed paper […]
Tripp County will need court order to investigate mismatch between hand count and audit
Barb Desersa was awake 40 hours straight between Election Day and Wednesday. Nearly a quarter of that time was spent supervising volunteers hand-counting ballots for Tripp County. “We left at 5:30 a.m.,” said Desersa, who serves as auditor for Tripp and Todd counties. “We went home, showered and then went back to work.” Several races […]
State prepares to implement Medicaid expansion next summer, expects ‘significant’ hiring
A solid majority of South Dakotans voted to expand eligibility for the state’s Medicaid programs Tuesday. Constitutional Amendment D passed with 56% of the vote, or 191,781 votes, according to unofficial reporting from the Secretary of State’s Office. “It’s long overdue,” said Rick Weiland, committee chair and treasurer for Dakotans for Health, which campaigned in […]
Cheyenne River nonprofit receives federal funding to monitor air quality on reservation
Just over $400,000 in federal funds for air quality monitoring will soon land on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Funds were awarded to the Keya Foundation, an Eagle Butte-based nonprofit that aims to “empower underserved communities in South Dakota through education, social health and cultural renewal,” according to its website. The funding will help the organization […]