A presentation that delves into more than 250 years of American civics and its relationship to news and information is coming to Rapid City, Pierre and Brookings over the next few weeks.
It's part of a series of free town halls, discussions and community gatherings intended to provide South Dakotans with information about the political process and help them identify credible news sources so they can be informed.
Alexander Rifaat
South Dakota News Watch and South Dakota Public Broadcasting partnered to begin the effort in 2024. The League of Women Voters of South Dakota, the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota and Mike Huether Public Service Academy at South Dakota State University have joined.
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the interactive presentation looks at the role civics and news organizations – from Revolutionary War papers to podcasters – have played in the nation's history. It examines the branches of government and the role news plays in providing fact-based information.
Here are the upcoming locations, dates, times and who will lead each hourlong session, entitled "250+ Years of American Civics and News:"
- Rapid City, March 21 – 2-3 p.m. MT, Rapid City Public Library, 610 Quincy St.: Kathy Johnson, president-elect of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota, and Carson Walker, CEO of South Dakota News Watch
- Pierre, March 24 – 6-7 p.m. CT, Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce, 800 W. Dakota Ave.: Jana Miner, longtime Pierre lawyer, and Walker
- 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 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.
Read the Press & Dakotan's coverage of the Yankton event in January.
The presentation is among several efforts tied to the election and the nation’s anniversary.
Other upcoming events
Governor and House candidate forums
SDPB will broadcast live four candidate forums in April in front of an audience at its Sioux Falls studios, 601 N. Phillips Ave. Each starts at 8 p.m. CT. Here are the dates for each contest:
- April 6 – Democratic U.S. House
- April 9 – Republican U.S. House
- April 13 – Republican gubernatorial
- April 16 – Democratic gubernatorial
They will be moderated by SDPB's Jackie Hendry and SDNW's Alexander Rifaat.
Chiesman Center for Democracy Conference
Also on April 9, The Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion will hold its 2026 Chiesman Center for Democracy Conference.
It will feature a keynote address by South Dakota native Steve Jarding, a Harvard professor and international communications expert, who will speak on the need for leaders to improve communication to strengthen democracy.
The day will also include a range of panel discussions and conversations focused on democracy and civic life: state legislators have been invited to speak on their perspectives about the 2026 legislative session; several researchers will speak about their funded projects; an America 250 panel will examine the significance of the nation’s 250th anniversary and the role of protest in American democracy; and the first winners of the new Higher Education Civics Award will be announced.
See the full schedule, sign up for a free lunch and register.
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.
