Legislation poses threat to transgender athletes in South Dakota

The South Dakota State Legislature is facing two bills which would eliminate the ability of transgender women athletes to play college sports in South Dakota Board of Regent (SDBOR) institutions. Senate Bill (SB) 46, “An Act to protect fairness in women’s sports,” and House Bill (HB) 1006, “An Act to promote continued fairness in women’s […]

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House Bill 1012 to protect students from critical race theory

House Bill (HB) 1012 “An Act to protect students from critical race theory” was introduced Jan. 5 by The Committee on Education at the request of the Office of the Governor. HB 1012 states institutions of higher education cannot compel a student to personally affirm, adopt or adhere to believing any race, color, religion, sex, […]

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Legislature divided on trans rights, governor defends Opportunity Center

On Jan. 27 the state capitol held press conferences and multiple house and senate sessions to wrap up their third week. Reporters asked multiple questions about similar topics between the Democrats, Republicans and Gov. Kristi Noem.   Democrat Sens., Troy Heinert and Jamie Smith, discussed Senate Bill 46 which would not allow transgender women to […]

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Dwight Vaught accepts position as director of National Music Museum

For years, Dwight Vaught has dedicated his career to studying and embracing the music field. He knew that music and the arts were going to be a big part of his life’s journey, and he continues to follow that course as he embarks on his next journey: the director of the National Music Museum (NMM) […]

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Fernson Brewing features USD tribute drink

Earlier this fall, Fernson Brewing Company, the largest craft brewery in South Dakota, debuted a beer as a tribute to USD. The beer, called “Yipeeo!,” is a red ale that is darker in color but similar in taste to a light beer.  “It is a red ale, which is kind of a unique style, it’s […]

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House begins investigation on Ravnsborg

Ahead of the special legislative session to determine if South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg should be impeached, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and the South Dakota Newspaper Association filed a lawsuit to the state Supreme Court. The two newspapers filed a joint suit against House Speaker Spencer Gosch, who won’t release the names of […]

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South Dakota legislature redistricts Clay County

Every 10 years, legislators redraw the legislative districts of South Dakota. This year, the State House and Senate differed on their approaches. The State House’s draft plan, along with other differences from the final plan, included splitting the city Vermillion into three separate districts.  Lee Schoenbeck, District 5 legislator and president pro tempore of South […]

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South Dakota Department of Education cuts indigenous history, culture from draft standards

Educators and other South Dakotans working to craft new state social studies standards said Tuesday that Gov. Kristi Noem’s administration deleted elements dealing with Native American history and culture from their draft standards, according to the Associated Press. Members of the group, appointed by South Dakota’s Department of Education to review the standards, said the […]

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Coffee with USD Veterans promotes SVRC

In order to honor this coming Veterans Day, the Student Veterans Resource Center (SVRC) hosted an event, Coffee with Veterans, where students could get coffee and donuts and talk with USD veterans. Jacob Aus is the SVRC coordinator and helped plan the event. “The importance of this event is to get people in the USD […]

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School board passes gender equity policy 3-2

The Vermillion School Board passed a district-wide Gender Equity and Access policy that will allow students to use restrooms of the gender with which they identify Monday night. “Absent a compelling, specific, and documented concern for safety, the District shall permit a student to use the restroom for the gender with which they consistently, persistently, […]

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