Stu Whitney

Stu Whitney

Title: investigative reporter; expertise: politics, justice, education, health care, demographics, immigration, sports; language spoken: English; contact: 605-759-4576 / stu.whitney@sdnewswatch.org

Members of the Hispanic population gathers for Cinco de Mayo in Sioux Falls

Hispanic population gains in rural counties spark South Dakota growth

South Dakota’s Hispanic population more than doubled over the past 12 years and now helps keep many small towns vibrant, a trend seen in other rural areas of the U.S., according to census data and experts.

Amid county funding struggles, Turner County Fair keeps beating the odds

Amid county funding struggles, Turner County Fair keeps beating the odds

County fairs held in small-town settings across South Dakota each summer come with a caveat. Many counties are struggling to find enough revenue to pay for public safety, sanitation, water systems and other services they’re required to provide.

SD State Fair’s events complex shadowed by cost overruns, management concerns

SD State Fair’s events complex shadowed by cost overruns, management concerns

HURON, S.D. – In her December 2020 budget address, Gov. Kristi Noem laid out a plan for a state-of-the-art events facility at the South Dakota State Fair to replace the old livestock complex, which had been destroyed by fire about a month earlier. The governor’s proposal sought to double

As population plummets, Hyde County civic leaders seek solutions

As population plummets, Hyde County civic leaders seek solutions

"It takes a special person to want to live here."

Noem’s ‘demanding’ style sparks staff turnover, turmoil: ‘It’s a tough gig’

Noem’s ‘demanding’ style sparks staff turnover, turmoil: ‘It’s a tough gig’

Lee Schoenbeck, a power broker in the South Dakota Legislature as President Pro Tempore of the Senate, had a telling response when asked about the record pace of staff turnover in Gov. Kristi Noem’s administration, including a prolonged search for a sixth chief of staff less than five years

South Dakota population on track to top 1 million by 2030 after ‘significant’ growth

South Dakota population on track to top 1 million by 2030 after ‘significant’ growth

A trend of surging domestic migration to South Dakota that began during the COVID-19 pandemic could put the state’s total population above 1 million residents as early as 2030. That growth pattern runs counter to other Midwestern states and highlights the fact that more people are moving to South

Two federal judge seats remain open in South Dakota despite busy caseload

Two federal judge seats remain open in South Dakota despite busy caseload

For the past 20 months, South Dakota’s U.S. District Court has had a judicial vacancy waiting to be filled by President Joe Biden’s administration, prompting political scrutiny of the process and a shuffling of workloads for other federal judges. Now the situation enters a new realm of