Family

Brandy and Scott Louwagie of Sioux Falls pose for a photo on their couch

'The kids are what you love:' 2 foster families share their stories

State officials say South Dakota is in need of more people to help foster children. News Watch spoke to two families about the system, the challenges and what it will take to get more people involved.

A doctor check's a patient's breathing

South Dakota’s high health care costs causing many to skip treatments

Increasing health care costs are affecting almost everyone, but the unusually high costs in South Dakota are prompting some state residents to forgo necessary medical care, which in turn can drive up costs even further.

A child care provider reads a book to a baby.

Are government subsidies the solution to the child care crisis? Lawmakers weigh options.

Legislative leaders agree that the ongoing child care crisis in South Dakota represents a significant workforce problem. Advocates are worried they lack a sense of urgency.

Phil Hamman talks about the Gitchie Manitou murders

'Kids look to adults:' Responding to child trauma 50 years after Gitchie Manitou murders

When four teenagers were murdered at Gitchie Manitou in 1973, Sioux Falls high school students weren't given much support to deal with the trauma.

South Dakota rejects federal food funding despite 25,000 children going hungry

South Dakota rejects federal food funding despite 25,000 children going hungry

“Federal money often comes with strings attached, and more of it is often not a good thing."

Experts: Noem’s child care funding needed, but far from a solution to daycare crisis

Gov. Kristi Noem wants to spend $100 million to boost child care offerings across the state, but experts say it will take more than a one-time government investment to expand access to quality daycare for working parents in South Dakota. South Dakota is facing a child care crisis in which

Special report part 3: Experts offer potential solutions to child care crisis in S.D.

Two recent in-depth studies were conducted on the shortage of child care in South Dakota, one examining the situation statewide and another focused specifically on Sioux Falls. Here is a look at the recommendations on how to improve access to affordable, reliable, quality child care, according to the two reports.