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

Poll shows strong statewide support for Gov. Noem, except on marijuana legalization

Poll shows strong statewide support for Gov. Noem, except on marijuana legalization

With nearly three years as governor complete, and as she kicks off a reelection campaign, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is enjoying strong statewide support for her performance, according to a new poll. The poll of 500 registered voters conducted in late October showed that a majority of South Dakotans

Home heating costs high and getting higher in South Dakota

Many South Dakota consumers already facing high prices for gasoline and groceries should also expect to pay far more to heat their homes this winter, with prices for propane and heating oil already far higher than last year and rising fast. Some experts worry the high prices could push some

As holidays approach, cellphones and speeding remain major roadway risks in SD

Despite new laws and public-information campaigns, distracted driving and cell phone use behind the wheel continue to make roadways in South Dakota and across the country more dangerous. New survey data from the American Automobile Association show a significant reduction in some unsafe behaviors in recent years — including impaired driving,

South Dakotans overwhelmingly support teaching of Native American history and culture in public schools

South Dakota education officials have struggled to revise social studies standards that include guidelines for teaching Native American history and culture, but a new poll suggests state residents are very firm in their support for inclusion of Native studies in public schools. The poll of 500 registered South Dakota voters

Poll shows strong public support for removal of SD attorney general

Poll shows strong public support for removal of SD attorney general

As the South Dakota Legislature prepares to undertake impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, who killed a pedestrian with his car in 2020, a new poll shows that a strong majority of state residents is in favor of removing him from office. The late October poll of 500 registered

Investigation part 3: Lawmakers call for inquiry into Cammack COVID grants

Two South Dakota legislators are calling for further investigation into more than $700,000 in state COVID relief grants given to Chris Cammack, son of Senate Majority Leader Gary Cammack. The calls for deeper inquiry into the grants follow an Oct. 11 South Dakota News Watch investigation that raised questions

Investigation part 4: Federal government relied largely on local lenders to vet more than $800 billion in COVID loans

Investigation part 4: Federal government relied largely on local lenders to vet more than $800 billion in COVID loans

Significant direct oversight of the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which provided more than $800 billion in forgivable loans to U.S. business during the pandemic, was placed in the hands of the community banks and lending institutions that issued the loans. Jaime Wood, South Dakota director for the U.S.