Free nonpartisan gatherings on the election and nation's 250th anniversary include discussions about civic responsibilities, how to find fact-based news and information, the ballot measures and voting.
Several free events are planned for next week in southeast South Dakota that offer information about the Nov. 3 general election and this year's 250th anniversary of the nation, and the role civics and news have played from the start.
Here are locations and details:
Brandon, Sunday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m. CT – Brandon Valley High School Commons, 301 S. Splitrock Blvd., hosted by the Brandon Historical Society. As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, organizers of an interactive presentation delve into the role civics and communications – from Revolutionary War papers to podcasters – have played in the nation's history. That includes the separation of powers among the branches of government and the system of checks and balances, the various civic duties and responsibilities of being an American, and how to find trusted sources of news and information. The hourlong session led by News Watch CEO Carson Walker, titled "250+ Years of American Civics and News," has received positive audience feedback in Yankton, Rapid City, Pierre, Brookings, Vermillion, Watertown, Mitchell, Sioux Falls and Custer State Park.
Sioux Falls, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to noon CT (note full class time) – USD-Sioux Falls 245 and on Zoom as part of the OLLI fall classes at the University of South Dakota. Walker and Jonathan Ruff, assistant professor of political science at South Dakota State University will lead a longer version of the presentation. See details of this and other OLLI sessions and register.
Yankton, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m. CT – Yankton Community Library, 515 Walnut St. Walker and Richard Braunstein, a political science professor at the University of South Dakota, will lead a session titled: What's on the ballot? A hands-on guide to voting with confidence." This nonpartisan educational event will walk participants through the voting experience, address common challenges that keep people from voting and provide information about the ballot amendments.
Related previous events include a 2025 Separation of Powers Town Hall from the South Dakota Capitol Rotunda broadcast live by SDPB. And here's a Facebook video of the civics and media presentation given to the Village Forum in Sioux Falls.
The events are sponsored by News Watch, SDPB, the League of Women Voters of South Dakota, the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota and the Mike Huether Public Service Academy at South Dakota State University.
To schedule a session with your school, service club or other organization, call 605-610-9366 or email carson.walker@sdnewswatch.org.
Molly Wetsch
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