Bart Pfankuch

Bart Pfankuch

Title: content director; expertise: agriculture, state government, education, rural issues, Indigenous people, poverty; language spoken: English; contact: 605-937-9398 / bart.pfankuch@sdnewswatch.org

As 2022 election approaches, vast majority of South Dakota voters see civility declining in America

As 2022 election approaches, vast majority of South Dakota voters see civility declining in America

Editor’s note: This is the fourth and final article based on a recent statewide poll conducted by South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota, and is the latest segment in the ongoing “South Dakota Matters” series of polls and panel

An artist's rendering of a Sanford research building showing about three floors with lots of glass construction.

Experts: Timing is right for Sanford Health’s $350M expansion in telemedicine

For those who have watched the slow but steady evolution of telemedicine in South Dakota and across the U.S., the recent announcement by Sanford Health that it is building a $350 million virtual health center in Sioux Falls might seem a bit perplexing. After all, the telemedicine services provided

Statewide poll shows referendum on recreational marijuana legalization in SD could fail in November

Statewide poll shows referendum on recreational marijuana legalization in SD could fail in November

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of articles based on a July 2022 statewide poll conducted by South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota, and is the latest segment in the ongoing “South Dakota Matters” series of

Fraudulent farmers live lavishly until caught

BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. – Farmers and brokers who commit organic grain fraud have shown a propensity to spend big money on lavish lifestyles until the authorities catch up with them. When Belle Fourche organic grain broker Kent Duane Anderson turned to fraud, he made millions of dollars and used the

Fraud and weak USDA oversight chip away at integrity of organic food industry

Trey Wharton of Sioux Falls has made numerous sacrifices in his life in order to maintain a healthful lifestyle centered around a vegan diet and consistent consumption of organic foods. To afford organic products that are sometimes double or triple the cost of conventionally grown foods, Wharton works two jobs,

Panel discussion on politics and education set for Thursday, June 16, 2022

Panel discussion on politics and education set for Thursday, June 16, 2022

In the latest segment of its ongoing “South Dakota Matters” series of polls and panels, South Dakota News Watch will host a one-hour panel discussion on the effect of increasing politicization of public education and its impact on the worsening teacher shortage on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 7:30

Special report part 1: Teachers in SD endure new stress as politics and culture war seep into classrooms

Jason Connelly is exactly the kind of young educator the South Dakota public school system would love to add to its depleted teacher workforce. Connelly grew up in Sioux Falls and attended Catholic schools before pursuing a history and teaching degree at Augustana University, which he obtained this year. Connelly