How nonprofits are teaming up to fight hunger in South Dakota
113,000 South Dakotans in 2023 were considered food insecure, and South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative aims to fix that.| South Dakota News Watch
113,000 South Dakotans in 2023 were considered food insecure, and South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative aims to fix that.| South Dakota News Watch
The South Dakota city of 23,000 is among those crowdsourcing solutions to community challenges like housing, child care and labor.| South Dakota News Watch
The latest news about South Dakota News Watch for our community of readers, donors and media partners --- News Watch co-sponsors multiple events 'Separation of Powers' town hall Members of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of South Dakota state government take part in the| South Dakota News Watch
A lax state mining law and lack of county land-use regulations allowed the operation to be approved without input from the public or local government.| South Dakota News Watch
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.| South Dakota News Watch
More than 150 plaintiffs could be part of $17 million legal action at the "prepper" complex in southwest South Dakota.| South Dakota News Watch
State competition will be Feb. 7 at DWU in Mitchell and include up to 40 elementary and middle schoolers.| South Dakota News Watch
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.| South Dakota News Watch
Opponents of the new prison raised concerns about the "chaos" in the DOC. A former corrections officer claims he faced retribution for complaining about problems at the Jameson Prison.| South Dakota News Watch
From breeding to birth: How South Dakota cattle producers use technology to lose fewer calves and get more sleep.| South Dakota News Watch
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.| South Dakota News Watch
Visitor spending topped $5 billion last year and supports 9% of the workforce, or nearly 59,000 jobs, many of them smaller operators. "We have the ability to do things that maybe other hotels don't."| South Dakota News Watch
"I believe that it is an act of sovereignty for a tribe to take control of their cultural history by telling their own story."| South Dakota News Watch
Report: 39% of South Dakota child care centers can't find enough workers. "The current model we have to child care is not sustainable."| South Dakota News Watch
Laura Ingalls Wilder, Wild Bill Hickok and other famous (and infamous) figures contribute to state tourism.| South Dakota News Watch
Property owners see opportunity but must navigate a patchwork of local policies.| South Dakota News Watch
Jackie Hendry| www.sdnewswatch.org
Amid a rocky tourism year, pheasant season is giving hunters and small towns confidence for the fall and winter: "Pheasant ties everything together."| South Dakota News Watch
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.| South Dakota News Watch
Some years, the town of 2,500 added just 1 home, prompting city leaders to invest taxpayer money and resources to jump-start housing development.| South Dakota News Watch
A list of entities and programs that can assist in developing or obtaining housing as well as links to News Watch reporting on housing solutions.| South Dakota News Watch
A March-to-December growing season in South Dakota? Above-ground plastic buildings expand crop outputs and product quality.| South Dakota News Watch
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.| South Dakota News Watch
To highlight some of the projects that tax increment financing districts have helped fund, here are 10 examples in South Dakota from the past 20 years.| South Dakota News Watch
CEO 605-610-9366 carson.walker@sdnewswatch.org| South Dakota News Watch
Judges and staff will explain how the state court system works and how journalists and state residents can access court documents and attend hearings.| South Dakota News Watch
At a celebration of new citizenship for immigrants held at Mount Rushmore hosted by Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem, the ongoing national crackdown on illegal immigration was never mentioned.| South Dakota News Watch
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.| South Dakota News Watch
Concern over the future of the teaching profession in South Dakota has led to more aggressive efforts by education officials to train and inspire a new generation of classroom leaders,...| South Dakota News Watch
While the Legislature works to address teacher pay, groups like Educators Rising tap current students to consider a future career in education| South Dakota News Watch
Teacher pay has risen in South Dakota, but an analysis shows educators are losing purchasing power at an even greater rate.| South Dakota News Watch
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.| South Dakota News Watch
Rollback of climate regulations in Trump administration highlights policy differences between South Dakota and Minnesota.| South Dakota News Watch
USDA spokesperson says cutting roughly $1 billion in federal funding for locally grown food for schools and charities signals "a return to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives."| South Dakota News Watch
Solutions| www.sdnewswatch.org
Pilot project uses storytelling and civic engagement to identify and share solutions to challenges impacting communities across the state.| South Dakota News Watch
Small towns may have to tackle a small project first in order to encourage larger developments down the road.| South Dakota News Watch
Agriculture| www.sdnewswatch.org
Turkeys, cattle, cats and pheasants in South Dakota have been infected with bird flu. Scientists worry: Is a large human outbreak next?| South Dakota News Watch
"You had critters here who were completely dependent on the defendants for their lives, and for whatever reason, they neglected that duty."| South Dakota News Watch
Tourism data from 2024 indicates that several counties in the state had a spike in visitor spending, and most of those are rural.| South Dakota News Watch
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the grants for students to attend tech schools in Watertown, Mitchell, Rapid City and Sioux Falls, the result of a partnership among the state, First Premier Bank and industry.| South Dakota News Watch
Indigenous| www.sdnewswatch.org
Sen. Mike Rounds secured $9.4 million for 35 public stations run by tribes after federal cuts.| South Dakota News Watch
“There's this amazing resurgence of cowboy and Western films, right? But have you seen any of them that are told through the voices of women?"| South Dakota News Watch
The Aberdeen businessman boosted Republican populist candidates in last year's legislative primaries and is exploring his own run in 2026.| South Dakota News Watch
Production based on classic novel about Norwegian settlers will be performed April 26-27 at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls.| South Dakota News Watch
Gov. Larry Rhoden and U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune received higher marks for their job performance than the former governor.| South Dakota News Watch
A survey of 500 Republican voters in South Dakota showed that nearly three-quarters approve of Trump’s presidential leadership so far in 2025.| South Dakota News Watch
Survey of 500 Republicans shows Jackley in third place as contenders begin to emerge for 2026 primary showdown.| South Dakota News Watch
Stu Whitney| www.sdnewswatch.org
Lifestyle| www.sdnewswatch.org
South Dakota's median household income more than doubled over the past two decades, from $37,618 in 2000 to an estimated $72,421.| South Dakota News Watch
Latest newspaper, radio and TV developments demonstrate the fast-pace of change in how people are informed.| South Dakota News Watch
Chronic liver disease is now the leading cause of death of South Dakotans in their 30s. “Alcohol is particularly challenging because it's prevalent. It's relatively cheap, and it's not in any way illegal."| South Dakota News Watch
A new movie supposedly set in the state shows desert vistas and Southwestern-style buildings because it was shot in New Mexico.| South Dakota News Watch
From 'Dances With Wolves' to 'National Treasure,' these notable movies were filmed in South Dakota.| South Dakota News Watch
"There's been a lot of tears in rehearsals, not out of frustration but out of joy."| South Dakota News Watch
A nonprofit that tells investigative stories, verifies claims and engages with communities to identify solutions.| South Dakota News Watch
Soybean farmers are nearing panic mode and corn growers are expecting low prices and profits, but cattle ranchers may see record revenues this year.| South Dakota News Watch
Environment| www.sdnewswatch.org
Idea was prompted by USGS study that found some underground aquifers aren't recharging fast enough to keep up with growth.| South Dakota News Watch
Most of the 7.5 million pounds of chemicals emitted in 2024 were treated prior to release and were within regulatory limits.| South Dakota News Watch
Water supplies are not sufficiently recharging in the most populous areas of the Black Hills. Is a $2 billion Missouri River pipeline the answer?| South Dakota News Watch
By the end of 2026, South Dakota residents from the far corners of the Black Hills to the southeastern tip of the state could be sharing an energy provider.| South Dakota News Watch
Education| www.sdnewswatch.org
Vote aligns policy with a state law passed this year to allow concealed carry weapons on state's 10 universities and tech schools.| South Dakota News Watch
Attorneys can go their entire career without any mandatory training or continuing education while other licensed occupations require annual or biennial training to remain on the job.| South Dakota News Watch
Cuts to federal education grants could cost South Dakota almost $26 million a year, nearly 11% of all federal education funding received by the state.| South Dakota News Watch
"Yes, the funding has been cut, but so what? These kids are getting it done anyway, and the Boys and Girls Club isn't going anywhere."| South Dakota News Watch
Budget cut was to 1 South Dakota State agricultural program; 3 other public and tribal universities take $1.6M hit.| South Dakota News Watch
"We get the kids that fall through the cracks, and the mission is to take someone from poverty and give them an education and training."| South Dakota News Watch
investigative reporter emily.decock@sdnewswatch.org| South Dakota News Watch
Tom Eiesland, who lives next door and worked the farm for more than 40 years, said the project will 'absolutely destroy the community.' The final story in a 3-part series.| South Dakota News Watch
The former Republican who believes in limited government and a strong border faces long odds against incumbent Dusty Johnson.| South Dakota News Watch
Republican Public Utilities Commission chair takes break from re-election effort but still aims for another term in Pierre.| South Dakota News Watch
A list of entities and programs that can assist in developing or obtaining housing as well as links to News Watch reporting on housing solutions.| South Dakota News Watch
A team effort, optimistic attitude and innovative leadership put Wall at the forefront of new efforts to develop housing and pave the way for economic and population growth in rural South Dakota.| South Dakota News Watch
Title: host and producer of South Dakota Public Broadcasting's "South Dakota Focus"; expertise: statewide issues; language spoken: English; contact: 605-202-1951 / jacqueline.hendry@sdpb.org| South Dakota News Watch
Ray Robinson left his Alabama home to take part in 1973 South Dakota uprising, but he never returned. He is likely buried on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.| South Dakota News Watch
investigative reporter and content director bart.pfankuch@sdnewswatch.org| South Dakota News Watch
Educators from around the world are working on temporary visas and helping alleviate teacher shortage in South Dakota, including rural areas.| South Dakota News Watch
"You have a home and your work or school, but you need a third place to go and experience things. And the library can be that place."| South Dakota News Watch
Inflation, an uncertain national economy and Canada comments from President Trump could add up to a soft year for tourism in South Dakota.| South Dakota News Watch
With new wind farms leading the way, South Dakota and its strong technical college system have put the state on the forefront of training needed energy workers.| South Dakota News Watch
The 3-year construction project on U.S. 385 through the Black Hills will result in traffic tie-ups but also a smoother, safer roadway.| South Dakota News Watch
Stu Whitney| South Dakota News Watch
outdoors, arts, culture, religion, sports| South Dakota News Watch
From fields of grass to fields of dreams: First $50 million project would provide indoor space for basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, track and sports performance.| South Dakota News Watch
News Watch and USD's Chiesman Center for Democracy polled 500 South Dakotans on the gubernatorial election, Kristi Noem, Donald Trump and more.| South Dakota News Watch
Norwegian American Historical Association lost $300,000 history grant but will try to forge ahead with project.| South Dakota News Watch
