Jobs abound, but low wages hamper South Dakota workforce

Jobs are plentiful in South Dakota, but most positions pay far below the national average and lower than neighboring states. In fact, South Dakota has the third-lowest average wage for employed people in the country behind only Arkansas and Mississippi. A News Watch analysis shows that the lowest-paying jobs — in

Breaking news: Shopko plans to close Chamberlain, Custer stores

The struggling ShopKo retail chain has added Chamberlain and Custer to the growing list of small towns in South Dakota that will lose their only department store in the coming months. A spokeswoman for the Wisconsin-based retail chain said Thursday that it will begin liquidating merchandise at its stores in

Economic fears follow ShopKo store closures in SD small towns

WAGNER, S.D. – The pending closure of ShopKo department stores may have devastating effects on six South Dakota small towns that will suffer job losses, decreased access to basic necessities and reductions in sales-tax collections that could limit municipal services. The announcement that the retail chain will close several stores

In 30 years, gaming has revitalized and challenged Deadwood

As Deadwood saunters into its 30th year with legalized gaming, the Wild West town made famous by Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and a posse of other western legends, doesn’t resemble its former self. The historic place perched in the highest reaches of the northern Black Hills once glittered

Women to have ‘larger voice’ in 2019 South Dakota Legislature

In South Dakota and across the country, women will play a larger role in lawmaking and policymaking at almost all levels of government in 2019. The new U.S. Congress will feature a record number of women in both the House and Senate. South Dakota will have its first female

Little-known law forces adult children to pay for nursing home care for parents

An obscure South Dakota law can force adult children to pay the cost of long-term care for their parents if the elder family members cannot pay on their own. The civil law has been on the books in South Dakota since 1939, and is rarely used. But as the cost

Wave of nursing home closures hitting small South Dakota communities

The health and stability of some of South Dakota’s most vulnerable residents are being threatened by a wave of closures of long-term care facilities across the state. Three nursing homes closed over the past three years and two more are slated for closure by February. Another 17 former Golden
You've successfully subscribed to South Dakota News Watch
Great! Next, complete checkout for full access to South Dakota News Watch
Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.
Unable to sign you in. Please try again.
Success! Your account is fully activated, you now have access to all content.
Error! Stripe checkout failed.
Success! Your billing info is updated.
Error! Billing info update failed.