A community gathering that delves into more than 250 years of American civics and its relationship to news and information will be in Brookings in April.
It's part of a series of free events intended to provide South Dakotans with information about the political process and help them identify credible news and information sources.
Carson Walker
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the interactive presentation looks at the role civics and communications organizations – from Revolutionary War papers to podcasters – have played in the nation's history.
Here are the upcoming locations, dates, times and who will lead each hourlong session that's nonpartisan and interactive, entitled "250+ Years of American Civics and News:"
- Brookings, April 14 – 6-7 p.m. CT, Woster Celebration Hall in the South Dakota State University Alumni & Foundation building, 815 Medary Ave.: Jon Ruff, assistant professor of political science in SDSU's School of American and Global Studies, and Carson Walker, CEO of South Dakota News Watch.
- Black Hills Playhouse, Aug. 9 – Kathy Johnson, president-elect of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota, and Walker
Snacks will be served at all gatherings and the League of Women Voters will be present to help people register to vote if they aren't already.
Alexander Rifaat
South Dakota News Watch and South Dakota Public Broadcasting partnered to begin the civics and news series in 2024. The League of Women Voters of South Dakota, Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota and Mike Huether Public Service Academy at South Dakota State University have joined the effort.
The presentation is among several events tied to the election and the nation’s anniversary.
Primary candidate forum
SDPB will broadcast a live forum with the Republican candidates for governor at 8-9 p.m. CT Monday, April 13, in front of an audience at its Sioux Falls studios, 601 N. Phillips Ave.
It will be moderated by SDPB's Jackie Hendry and SDNW's Alexander Rifaat.
South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at sdnewswatch.org. Contact CEO Carson Walker: 605-610-9366/carson.walker@sdnewswatch.org.
