Politics

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

Statewide poll shows referendum on recreational marijuana legalization in SD could fail in November

Statewide poll shows referendum on recreational marijuana legalization in SD could fail in November

Editor’s note: This is the second 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

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

Attorney general intrigue: Future roles uncertain for Jackley, Natvig — and Ravnsborg

Jason Ravnsborg’s decision to not pursue re-election as South Dakota attorney general doesn’t rule out the possibility of him serving in state government following the November election, several South Dakota Republican officials told News Watch. The speculation is part of a larger sense of uncertainty and intrigue that

Panel discussion on politics and education set for Thursday, June 16, 2022

Panel discussion on politics and education set for Thursday, June 16, 2022

In the latest segment of its ongoing “South Dakota Matters” series of polls and panels, South Dakota News Watch will host a one-hour panel discussion on the effect of increasing politicization of public education and its impact on the worsening teacher shortage on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 7:30