Bart Pfankuch
Total 302 Posts
Surprise inspections part of oversight reforms for SD youth homes
For the first time in South Dakota, unannounced surprise inspections would be conducted at private youth treatment centers as part of a sweeping oversight reform package being pushed by Gov. Kristi Noem.
Noem has proposed a major overhaul to how South Dakota oversees, inspects and updates the public about conditions
A look inside a CAFO: SD farmers share stories of a life in livestock
MILLER, S.D. – The expansion of concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, in South Dakota is without a doubt one of the most controversial topics in agriculture.
CAFOs are large livestock farms that generally house 1,000 or more animals in a confined, indoor space at any one time.
Supporters
State financial incentive program for CAFOs criticized as ‘bribery’
The state of South Dakota entered the fray over siting of new large livestock operations in the state when it created an economic development initiative in early 2019 that can provide large payments to counties that approve new concentrated animal-feeding operations.
The program, which has not yet distributed any funds,
Human health, environmental and antibiotic concerns follow CAFO development
A growing body of research into the rising number of concentrated animal feeding operations across the United States reveals deepening concerns over impacts on human health and the environment.
The high concentration of manure and other wastes created by animals housed in confined areas — and the storage and spreading of
Expansion of large CAFO livestock farms causing division and concern across South Dakota
Editor’s note: This is the first of a four-part series on expansion of CAFOs in South Dakota.
The livestock industry in South Dakota — among the state’s largest economic engines — is undergoing a fundamental transformation that may alter farms, farmers and rural communities for generations to come.
Despite a
What it takes to produce a South Dakota News Watch story
South Dakota News Watch Content Director Bart Pfankuch discusses some of the challenges of producing in-depth articles about significant statewide topics.
Charter school legislation seen as path to improved outcomes for Native students
A push is underway for legislation to allow creation of charter schools that would integrate Indian culture, language and history into a curriculum designed to improve academic achievement among Native American children, who have historically underperformed in South Dakota.
Charter schools are publicly funded, tuition-free schools run independently of traditional