News Watch Update: In-depth reporting on statewide issues
To our supporters:
How do you measure the impact of good journalism on a democracy?
Americans have been debating that provocative question as long as our country has been around and it’s still hard to answer. But the times we are in now offer at least two ways to
Wind farm surge drawing vocal opposition in South Dakota
HIGHMORE, S.D. – After years of lagging behind neighboring states, South Dakota is suddenly poised for dramatic growth in wind energy production.
That means hundreds more wind towers are headed to South Dakota in a frantic pace that could triple the size of the wind industry in the state over
Messy debate: Waste piping issue pits neighbors against large farming operations
BIG STONE CITY, S.D. – Kathy Tyler drove past a section of Grant County farmland she owns in the fall of 2016 and noticed that a metal culvert had been installed under a small driveway on her land.
No one had asked permission to be on her property or alerted
Payday loans gone, but need for quick cash remains
RAPID CITY, S.D. – For 15 years, South Dakota residents who needed a small amount of money in a hurry could turn to storefront lenders who made so-called payday loans at annual interest rates that could rise well over 500 percent.
The industry thrived, and payday lending businesses that made
Black Hills gold mine plan ignites protests
ROCHFORD, S.D. – One paved road leads in and out of Rochford, a remote Pennington County town that suddenly has become the center of a heated and growing debate over a proposal to mine for gold in a pristine part of the northern Black Hills.
With state permits in hand,
March 2018 Update: Word is spreading as we deliver quality journalism
To our supporters:
It’s been a thrilling two weeks since the launch of South Dakota News Watch, which is gaining traction around South Dakota as a timely source of in-depth news about issues of statewide interest.
On behalf of our board and staff, thank you for your enthusiastic support
Sales tax breaks: Consumers pay, big businesses get exemptions
You pay it when you buy a pair of jeans, a couch or a loaf of bread. Many shoppers don’t even notice the small tax assessed at the bottom of the sales receipt.
But Margaret Straley does. And last month, the Sioux Falls woman’s explanation to lawmakers how