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Special report: How four SD small towns are managing change — Lemmon, Webster, Edgemont and Lake Andes

Editor’s note: This article is the final piece of a three-part special report by South Dakota News Watch. The “Small Towns, Big Challenges” series was supported in part by a grant from the COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program sponsored by Facebook. Lemmon has a new ‘fire in

Media expert: Loss of local news outlets leaves public less informed and damages democracy

The very framework of democracy in America is being weakened by the rapid, widespread demise of local news organizations, particularly small newspapers that once served as trusted providers of information and pillars of their communities, according to Margaret Sullivan, who spoke virtually to a South Dakota audience on Tuesday, June

Experts express optimism on future of small towns during virtual town hall discussion

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of articles by South Dakota News Watch called, “Small Towns, Big Challenges” that is examining small towns from a historical perspective and looking forward through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic. Optimism for the future of South Dakota’s small

Special report: Pandemic threatens fragile rural health care system

Editor’s note: This article is the second of three parts of a special report by South Dakota News Watch. The “Small Towns, Big Challenges” series was supported in part by a grant from the COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program sponsored by Facebook. Part three will appear next

South Dakota News Watch live virtual town hall discussion on small towns

Small towns across South Dakota are at a crossroads, facing historic declines in population and economic activity but also seeking new ways to thrive and grow. The COVID-19 pandemic, while not significantly infecting rural populations, has indirectly affected both potential paths. While the pandemic has hurt the agricultural economy and

Special report: Small towns in SD facing big challenges amid pandemic and historic declines

Editor’s note: This article is the first of three parts of a special report by South Dakota News Watch. The “Small Towns — Big Challenges” series was supported in part by a grant from the COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program sponsored by Facebook. Parts two and three will

Fire expert: Mount Rushmore fireworks show ‘ill-advised’ due to dry conditions and high fire risk

Abnormally dry conditions and a persistent risk of summer wildfires in the Black Hills of South Dakota make the fireworks display planned for July 3 at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial an unnecessary, potentially devastating and expensive event, according to one fire expert with intimate knowledge of the region. Bill