Legislative session wraps up

The 2026 South Dakota Legislative Session wrapped up last week and as your representative, I wanted to share a straightforward recap of what happened in Pierre this year, especially the parts that matter most to us in the rural northeast corner of our state.The session ran from mid-January through...

Five things to know about open government

March 15-21 was Sunshine Week – a national observance highlighting the importance of openness and transparency in government at all levels.South Dakota News-Media Association and our partner members – the newspapers and digital news outlets across the state – have long been supporters of Sunshine...

South Dakota governor signs budget bills, including one to fund state Capitol restoration

A sulfuric, rotten egg smell permeated the chamber of the South Dakota House of Representatives on March 10, delaying lawmakers’ afternoon session at the state Capitol in Pierre.At least one representative took shelter in the Senate chamber, where lawmakers were debating whether to create a Capitol...

Information is the lifeblood of a free government

Every year on March 16, a date that might otherwise slip quietly by on the calendar, we observe Freedom of Information Day. It isn’t a holiday marked by parades or sales, but in a nation built on open government, it carries a significance that arguably deserves both.The date is not random.

The amazing support of a community around the Bearcat boys basketball season

If there’s one thing I love about high school sports more than anything, it is seeing a community rally around a group of kids who leave everything on the floor every game.

Filling waiting time with music

Being put on hold is usually a pretty boring experience. Most of the time I spend just staring off into space, waiting for the other end to respond.

OLE & LENA

lenaOle had a heated argument with Mrs. Lindstrom. Finally, in exasperation, Mrs. Lindstrom exploded.

Why I decided to learn to read music after 13 years of playing piano

Music has played a major role in my self expression since I began playing piano at the age of eight. It quickly became an art form I realized I innately understood and began composing my own pieces by age nine.

Live like there’s no tomorrow, because there may not be

Not too long ago, I celebrated another of many 29th birthdays. This week, we feature a woman who is less ashamed of her age than I.In fact, Alice Simonson of Webster may hold the title as oldest living South Dakotan.

Avocado green and eight-track tapes

Avocado green is a trendy color for 2026. This news came via an unwanted internet ad that appeared during my failed search for a replacement freezer part.Unbelievable. I thought avocado green, harvest gold, burnt orange and other hideous shades from my youth were gone forever. Nope.