Danielle Ferguson

Danielle Ferguson

Danielle Ferguson, investigative reporter, lives in Sioux Falls. She grew up in Salem and previously worked as a watchdog reporter at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

College life in South Dakota appears normal, but COVID concerns still simmer

College campuses across South Dakota have a mostly back-to-normal feel so far this academic year, but the COVID-19 pandemic remains a top concern for many students, faculty and staff. University leaders want students to experience a typical collegiate year with indoor and outdoor pep rallies, sporting events and group study

Wildlife officials express strong stances for and against S.D. pheasant predator bounty program

A former South Dakota Game, Fish and Park leader with vast experience in wildlife management has expressed strong disagreement with current GFP leadership on whether a state predator bounty program protects young pheasants or is the right way to get youths involved in outdoor activities. In an online panel discussion

Weight gain during COVID-19 pandemic in South Dakota leads to physical and mental health concerns

Many Americans, including adults and children in South Dakota, have gained weight since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that has healthcare experts worried about the potential for long-term negative physical and mental health implications. The extended stress experienced since early 2020 is seriously affecting mental and physical health,

Native American leaders in S.D. keeping close eye on legislative redistricting

Native American voting-rights advocates are concerned that the voices of South Dakota’s largest minority group may be excluded from the redistricting process.

Alcohol and tobacco sales soared in South Dakota during COVID-19 pandemic

South Dakotans bought far more alcohol and tobacco than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some healthcare professionals are concerned that residents who consumed more of the unhealthy products could suffer long-term physical and mental health consequences. Health experts say the pandemic brought on social isolation, job loss, grief and

Juvenile justice reforms working, but not as well for minority offenders in South Dakota

A series of juvenile justice reforms enacted in South Dakota over the past decade has kept more low-level youth offenders out of detention centers and away from criminal activity that could land them in the adult system, according to state officials. But state data show that youth of color — who

Halt to abortions in South Dakota during pandemic led women to get procedure in other states

A temporary halt to abortions in 2020 at the only clinic in South Dakota where the procedures take place led to a big drop in abortions performed in the state last year, but it did not prevent women who wanted to terminate their pregnancies from doing so elsewhere. During the