Rural

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.

The Rapid City wastewater treatment plant.

Use it or lose it: SD rushing to invest $700 million on water projects

Federal money would improve 207 water and sewer systems across the state but must be spent: 'An investment in our future.'

Road construction on US Highway 385 in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Highway 385 project will close road critical to $2 billion Black Hills tourism industry

A $72 million project to rebuild 15 miles of U.S. 385 will cause major disruptions to tourism in the Black Hills the next two years.

A racoon in a cage

South Dakota predator bounty program to continue despite opposition

Despite data or evidence, state is 'confident that this bounty program is enhancing nest success.'

A fully grown Bourbon Red heritage tom turkey stands in a pasture at Bear Butte Gardens in South Dakota.

Demand remains high for 'heritage turkeys' grown in South Dakota

A few South Dakota organic farms are raising smaller heritage turkeys, and interest is rising. “Once that breed is gone, they’re gone and gone forever.”

As South Dakota veteran population declines, honor guards carry on

As South Dakota veteran population declines, honor guards carry on

South Dakota's veteran population has declined 20% since 2010, and finding veterans to participate in honor guard ceremonies is getting more difficult. “I feel like we need to continue to have these remembrances.”

A pheasant is shown standing on a South Dakota road.

South Dakota road hunting laws the most lax in the Great Plains

“It’s kind of been a strong issue with me, that it may be legal but it’s not smart,” said Ron Kolbeck of Salem, who has taught state HuntSAFE programs for more than 20 years.