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Special report part 2: Daycare shortage especially hard on parents in rural and reservation communities

While waiting lists for child care are common in cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City, it can be impossible to find any child care options in rural and reservation communities in South Dakota. According to a recent report by South Dakota Kids Count, a non-profit data center, seven counties

Special report part 1: Child care crisis in SD hurting families, employers and state economy

The signs of the workforce shortage in South Dakota are as omnipresent as they are ominous. “Now hiring” signs on nearly every business. Fast-food restaurants with shuttered dining rooms. Delayed building construction. Long wait times for consumer goods and services. And a nursing shortage that in mid-December led Monument Health

South Dakota Matters: Child care crisis in South Dakota — on online panel discussion Dec. 16, 2021

South Dakota is experiencing a crisis in regard to a lack of access to quality, affordable child care across the state, and the situation is causing great stress and pressure on working families, daycare providers and employers who are struggling to find workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has further restricted access

Poll shows strong statewide support for Gov. Noem, except on marijuana legalization

Poll shows strong statewide support for Gov. Noem, except on marijuana legalization

With nearly three years as governor complete, and as she kicks off a reelection campaign, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is enjoying strong statewide support for her performance, according to a new poll. The poll of 500 registered voters conducted in late October showed that a majority of South Dakotans

Home heating costs high and getting higher in South Dakota

Many South Dakota consumers already facing high prices for gasoline and groceries should also expect to pay far more to heat their homes this winter, with prices for propane and heating oil already far higher than last year and rising fast. Some experts worry the high prices could push some

Many South Dakota parents hesitant to get children vaccinated against COVID-19

Compared to other Great Plains states, South Dakota is off to a slow start in getting children ages 5-11 vaccinated against the coronavirus. With child vaccines available for nearly a month, so far only about one in 20 eligible South Dakota children aged 5-11 has received a dose of the

As holidays approach, cellphones and speeding remain major roadway risks in SD

Despite new laws and public-information campaigns, distracted driving and cell phone use behind the wheel continue to make roadways in South Dakota and across the country more dangerous. New survey data from the American Automobile Association show a significant reduction in some unsafe behaviors in recent years — including impaired driving,