South Dakota News Watch

Has SD seen the largest homeschool growth of any state? A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

The number of home-schooled students in South Dakota increased from 4,333 to 10,536 in a span of less than 10 years. The latest Fact Brief:

In lean year, governor offers no increase in 'Big 3' spending With sales tax revenues down, Gov. Larry Rhoden proposes no spending increases for health care and education and no raises for state employees.

"We’re in great shape. We just can’t spend money we don’t have." Gov. Larry Rhoden outlines lean #SouthDakota budget in first address.

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Did a SD city register the fastest temp change in recorded history? A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

Eighty years ago, a South Dakota community set a pair of weather-related records that still stand today. The latest Fact Brief:

Legislators plan bills to help Piedmont residents in mine fight The goal is to strengthen lax mining laws that allow some companies to mine anywhere in the state without public notification or input.

"I can’t come into your yard and dump a load of garbage, but yet they can come in and tear up the land, and bring dust and noise and blasting?" #SouthDakota lawmakers explore permitting changes.

Is Trump the first president to have Rapid City statue installed while in office? A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

City leaders waited until after the election to determine when Trump's statue would be installed if he won. The latest Fact Brief:

Showing our math: The numbers behind the latest poll South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center at USD poll summaries, stories, demographics and methodology.

The Republican race for governor headlined the latest #SouthDakota poll, but other results show where registered voters stand. Read a summary of the results.

Are SD police departments using license plate readers? A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

A #factbrief on whether #SouthDakota police departments are using automatic license plate readers.

Monument could lose millions due to Sanford Health expansion "I don't think the population is growing fast enough for what they plan to build."

Competition vs. status quo: Read why Monument Health could lose $40 million a year from cross-state competitor's plans. "It goes away and it isn't replaced."

Poll: Confidence in government shows large partisan divides South Dakota voters have low confidence in the U.S. presidency and Congress but high confidence in state government.

“This is highly indicative of the internal rifts between the Trump administration and establishment Republicans.” What some #SouthDakota voters think about our institutions.

Is South Dakota one of the easiest states to acquire residency? A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

One website touts South Dakota residency as a way to “avoid state income and other taxes, save on vehicle insurance and more.”

Financial literacy aims to boost sovereignty on Pine Ridge With the 3rd-highest poverty rate in the U.S., an Oglala Lakota County group hopes to improve tribal sovereignty by teaching kids about finances.

"The whole thing is pushing those goals to where we don't have to rely on the government, where we can get out there and be the working class." Teaching money management to kids and parents on Pine Ridge reservation. #rural #NativeAmerica #education

Fact brief: Does South Dakota have a county that doesn’t have a SNAP-eligible retailer? A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

Some South Dakota residents don't have easy access to SNAP-eligible retailers. More in our latest Fact Brief:

Sanford Health to build $500M hospital in Rapid City The Sioux Falls-based health system continues its recent expansion into the Black Hills market with its biggest plans yet for a 168-bed hospital and specialty care facility.

"One of the things I'd really love to see in #RapidCity is that we become a health care hub for the region." Sanford Health announces plans for $500M hospital campus.

Poll: Support for Trump tariffs uneven in South Dakota While opinion of Trump's aggressive policies is mixed among voters, some businesses and agricultural producers are put off by volatility.

“The more quickly we can move away from the uncertainty, the better.” Poll of #SouthDakota voters finds split support for #tariffs.

Hemp industry grows amid federal legality battle South Dakota is No. 1 in hemp fiber production. But as its farmers and processors grow the industry, federal legislation threatens some sectors of it.

"We just want to know, where are we at?" #SouthDakota farmers worry the bill to end the shutdown could hurt the state's #hemp industry, which is No. 1 in the nation.

Fact brief: Can data centers lead to higher energy prices? A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

Do data centers lead to higher energy prices in the region? The latest fact brief:

Poll: Majority of voters support new South Dakota prison With the new prison authorized, new disagreements over prison programs come to the forefront.

#SouthDakota poll shows strong support among voters for new #SiouxFalls prison as the focus shifts to rehabilitation programs. Read the survey results.

Does South Dakota have the most high school football classes? A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

South Dakota has more high school football classes than Texas, but do they have the most in the country?

Salem residents invest own money in new subdivision After 2 damaging derechos, 50 individuals and business owners donated $250K toward new housing with no promise of a return on their investment.

“It was amazing to see people wanting to invest in their community because they’re not getting any return on their money up front.” One #SouthDakota town's solution to the #housing crunch.

Effort to highlight Midwestern history and academia comes to SD Can studying a region's past help to understand it in the present? The Lost Region Recovery Project attempts to answer that question.

"So I think rural Americans, #rural #SouthDakota, will appreciate this effort to understand their place better." Conference focuses on the #Midwest.

Fact brief: Are members of Congress getting paid during shutdown? A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

As the shutdown reaches a record duration, not all government employees are feeling the pinch equally.

Poll: What South Dakotans think of their political leaders Most enjoy high approval ratings, though national positions are weighing on a couple. Challengers struggle with name recognition.

“Congress tends to be more visible and polarizing than the governor." How #SouthDakota voters perceive their elected leaders and the why behind the numbers.

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Is SD's prep football participation at a historic low A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

High school football participation had been declining for years. Is it starting to rebound?

Major power line expansions will fuel future growth in SD Major new power lines are coming to South Dakota, which could provide a path for new development over the next few decades.

“It’s essentially creating access to buying or selling whatever you need when you want to.” #SouthDakota big part of $30 billion in new transmission lines projects.
www.sdnewswatch.org/electric-pow...

'Real-life science experiment' fills critical legal gaps in rural SD "Your clients are going to be the couple down the street, the old guy across the road, your kids’ friends’ parents."

"If you're a practitioner in a small town, you have everything walking through the door." Incentive program helps fill legal gap in rural #SouthDakota.

Does SD have one of the lowest SNAP recipient rates in the country? A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.

As SNAP benefits cease on Saturday because of the government shutdown, here's how many South Dakotans will be affected:

A poll on the South Dakota U.S. House race shows it's "clear sailing" for Attorney General Marty Jackley -- unless a big name jumps into the race, polling expert says. buff.ly/UZb3n8F