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Weekly papers: How these South Dakota communities are keeping local news alive

Weekly papers: How these South Dakota communities are keeping local news alive

As South Dakota News Watch prepares to host a panel discussion on recent trends in journalism and the importance of factual reporting at the Black Hills Playhouse in Custer State Park on Sunday, June 25, here are three stories of the people behind the pages who are keeping the tradition

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

Is proposed abortion amendment ‘far more extreme’ than Roe v. Wade?

Is proposed abortion amendment ‘far more extreme’ than Roe v. Wade?

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of South Dakota News Watch stories providing analysis of potential South Dakota ballot initiatives for the 2024 election. It’s no coincidence that South Dakotans are well-versed in direct democracy. The state was the first in the nation to adopt

Dangerous wild animals encroaching on South Dakota neighborhoods

SPEARFISH, S.D. – Holly Hansen doesn’t have hard data to prove that potentially dangerous wild animals are entering residential areas with greater frequency, but she does have some pretty strong anecdotal evidence. In early May, a black bear entered her suburban Spearfish property and killed 16 ducks, chickens and

Gov. Kristi Noem pulls support for grocery tax measure over jeopardized tobacco money

Gov. Kristi Noem pulls support for grocery tax measure over jeopardized tobacco money

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of South Dakota News Watch stories providing analysis of potential South Dakota ballot initiatives for the 2024 election. A citizen-led campaign to eliminate South Dakota’s state grocery tax through a measure on the 2024 ballot won’t have the

Ballot effort would allow more South Dakotans to choose candidates. But can it pass?

Ballot effort would allow more South Dakotans to choose candidates. But can it pass?

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of South Dakota News Watch stories providing analysis of potential South Dakota ballot initiatives for the 2024 election. It’s a well-worn adage that politics are about timing, and that’s especially true when it comes to citizen-led ballot measures

Camp Lejeune contamination leaves South Dakota Marines with cancer — and resentment

Camp Lejeune contamination leaves South Dakota Marines with cancer — and resentment

STURGIS, S.D. – When he left the U.S. Marine Corps in 1983, after spending six years at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, Ronald Lawson was a strong, healthy man with a barrel chest, strong arms and a solid frame that carried his 220 pounds with ease. He was a