According to a new poll, a wide majority of South Dakotans support their right to make laws at the ballot box through the citizen-led ballot initiative process. The poll of 500 state residents by South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy also revealed that a majority of respondents do not want the Legislature to make the process more difficult.
The COVID-19 pandemic surely dampened the mood of many South Dakotans, but some economists point to long-term financial hardships and historically low wages for workers as the principal reasons that some residents expressed pessimism for the future in a recent poll conducted by South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota.
A recent statewide poll conducted by South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota provides a glimpse into how South Dakotans feel about the economy and democratic institutions. The poll, part of the ongoing South Dakota Matters series of polls and panel discussions hosted by News Watch, shows that some South Dakotans are pessimistic about the future and that many more are not happy with how democracy is functioning in America.
Listen in and ask questions of three education experts who will gather for a discussion of the new South Dakota Civics and History Initiative proposed by Gov. Kristi Noem. The event on Wed., April 14 at 7:30 pm Central is free but registration is required.
South Dakota News Watch sponsored a virtual town hall on higher education on Dec. 7; top experts in education shared views on a number of topics, including ways to reduce barriers to a college degree.
A recent poll of South Dakota residents found that support is far lower among women compared to men for Gov. Kristi Noem, her policies and the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts say there are several reasons that South Dakota women, who often are primary caretakers of children and the elderly, and who have suffered greater economic and emotional burdens due to the coronavirus, are less approving of Noem's performance.
A recent poll sponsored by South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy revealed that women are less supportive than men of Gov. Kristi Noem and the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. News Watch contacted a handful of South Dakota women to get their views on the governor and the ongoing pandemic.
Two veterans of national political journalism told a South Dakota audience that they should expect ongoing turmoil in the coming months as President Donald Trump fights to retain his post and President-elect Joe Biden attempts to prepare to transition into the presidency. The pair -- USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page and Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei -- spoke during a virtual town hall sponsored by South Dakota News Watch on Nov. 9.
In an online webinar sponsored by South Dakota News Watch, Washington Post media columnist and author Margaret Sullivan expressed her concerns that the closure or diminishing of local newspapers and other news organizations will lead to a less-informed citizenry and a weakened democracy.
Four panelists discussed the challenges and opportunities facing South Dakota small towns in a virtual town hall hosted by South Dakota News Watch on June 25. While recognizing that some hurdles to stability, vitality and growth do exist, all four experts were overwhelmingly hopeful that small towns will weather the COVID-19 pandemic stronger and more able to thrive.
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