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

New scholarships seen as path to slowing “brain drain” of South Dakota graduates leaving state

South Dakota is playing catch-up when it comes to stemming the so-called “brain drain” of college graduates leaving for careers in other states, with declining college enrollment related to the COVID-19 pandemic adding to the urgency. Major employers such as First Premier Bank and Sanford and Avera hospitals – whose operations

In contrast to some elected leaders, poll shows SD voters support more gun restrictions

In contrast to some elected leaders, poll shows SD voters support more gun restrictions

Editor’s note: This is the third 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

New poll: Majority of South Dakotans oppose total ban on abortion and want voters, not lawmakers, to make the rules

New poll: Majority of South Dakotans oppose total ban on abortion and want voters, not lawmakers, to make the rules

Editor’s note: This is the first 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

Burn pit legislation passed by Congress, but challenges await veterans needing care

Burn pit legislation passed by Congress, but challenges await veterans needing care

Combat veterans in South Dakota are encouraged by new legislation in Congress to expand treatment and benefits for soldiers exposed to toxic burn pits during deployment overseas, but questions remain about the federal government’s ability to effectively provide the needed health care. Those questions partly explain why Republican senators

New, more contagious COVID-19 variant pushing infection rates back up in South Dakota

The emergence of the latest COVID-19 variant, which makes up nearly 80% of new cases nationally, is raising additional health concerns due to its ability to infect people even if they are vaccinated or have had a prior infection, and health officials are increasingly recommending precautions such as masking indoors

South Dakota’s 24/7 Sobriety program could be rolled out nationwide

A zero-tolerance testing approach to reducing drunken driving and other alcohol-related crimes that started in South Dakota could broaden its reach nationally, despite concerns from critics that it restricts the constitutional rights of some participants. The 24/7 Sobriety program, pioneered by former South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long, requires

Updated: Concerns over dueling Medicaid ballot measures leads to compromise

Update: One ballot measure dropped in wake of News Watch story On July 11, Dakotans for Health co-founder Rick Weiland withdrew Initiated Measure 28 from the November ballot and announced that his group will join South Dakotans Decide Healthcare in pushing for the passage of Constitutional Amendment D. Both coalitions