Government/Politics
Total 272 Posts
South Dakota News Watch is one of the few news organizations in the state with a full-time reporter who lives in Pierre. These stories explain how what happens in the Capitol impacts all residents, hold publicly elected leaders accountable, investigate complex issues and help voters make informed choices when they go to the polls through accurate, balanced reporting.
Special report part 1: Child care crisis in SD hurting families, employers and state economy
The signs of the workforce shortage in South Dakota are as omnipresent as they are ominous.
“Now hiring” signs on nearly every business. Fast-food restaurants with shuttered dining rooms. Delayed building construction. Long wait times for consumer goods and services. And a nursing shortage that in mid-December led Monument Health
Poll shows strong statewide support for Gov. Noem, except on marijuana legalization
With nearly three years as governor complete, and as she kicks off a reelection campaign, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is enjoying strong statewide support for her performance, according to a new poll.
The poll of 500 registered voters conducted in late October showed that a majority of South Dakotans
Home heating costs high and getting higher in South Dakota
Many South Dakota consumers already facing high prices for gasoline and groceries should also expect to pay far more to heat their homes this winter, with prices for propane and heating oil already far higher than last year and rising fast.
Some experts worry the high prices could push some
Poll shows strong public support for removal of SD attorney general
As the South Dakota Legislature prepares to undertake impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, who killed a pedestrian with his car in 2020, a new poll shows that a strong majority of state residents is in favor of removing him from office.
The late October poll of 500 registered
Investigation part 3: Lawmakers call for inquiry into Cammack COVID grants
Two South Dakota legislators are calling for further investigation into more than $700,000 in state COVID relief grants given to Chris Cammack, son of Senate Majority Leader Gary Cammack.
The calls for deeper inquiry into the grants follow an Oct. 11 South Dakota News Watch investigation that raised questions
Investigation part 4: Federal government relied largely on local lenders to vet more than $800 billion in COVID loans
Significant direct oversight of the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which provided more than $800 billion in forgivable loans to U.S. business during the pandemic, was placed in the hands of the community banks and lending institutions that issued the loans.
Jaime Wood, South Dakota director for the U.S.
Investigation Part 2: South Dakota outsourced management and auditing of COVID relief grants
The state Bureau of Finance and Management is not conducting its own auditing of individual grant applications or grants awarded under the Coronavirus Relief Fund, according to Colin Keeler, director of financial systems in the department.
The state hired an independent firm to manage both the application and award process