USD professors denounce recent science bill

A bill that allows school teachers to teach the “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theories in classrooms, titled “An Act to protect the teaching of certain scientific information,” passed in the South Dakota Senate last month. The bill, which hasn’t yet been enacted into law, has sparked controversy as a possible defense of teaching creationism in public schools. […]

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Local state candidates talk policy issues at town hall debate

Candidates running for the Clay County House and Senate seats were involved in a townhall-style debate on Tuesday. The candidates running for the Democratic House are Mike Winegar and Ray Ring. For the Republican House, Nancy Rasmussen and Debbie Pease. Lastly, for the Senate, Democrat Shane Merill and Republican Arthur Rusch are running. All of […]

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Good Samaritan Bill signed by Daugaard, becomes law

After more than five years of discussion in Pierre, the Good Samaritan Bill has finally been signed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard this month. House Bill 1078 grants immunity from arrest for certain alcohol-related offenses to underage persons who assist someone in need of emergency assistance or who are themselves in need of emergency assistance. “It’s for the […]

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Pending bill helps combat drug overdoses, could help save lives

Recent legislation is making it easier for healthcare professionals in the state to combat drug overdoses with the use of Naloxone, an antagonist used to reverse the affects of opioid overdoses. The passage of Senate Bill 14 during the 2015 legislative session made it legal for trained first responders to possess and administer Naloxone. House Bill […]

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Daugaard vetoes ‘Transgender Bathroom Bill’

Governor Dennis Daugaard vetoed the so-called “Transgender Bathroom Bill” on Tuesday afternoon. The bill would have required transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their sex at birth. “House Bill 1008 does not address any pressing issue concerning the school districts of South Dakota,” Daugaard said in his letter to the House of […]

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Legislators flip flop on S.D. teacher pay increase

Governor Dennis Daugaard’s plan to raise teacher pay is moving forward to the South Dakota Senate, after the bill initially failed by one vote in the House of Representatives last week. The half-cent sales tax hike passed a revote Monday 47-21, which hit the required two-thirds majority needed for tax hikes. “Thank you to the bipartisan […]

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Legislature addresses transgender rights in K-12 schools

A rise in transgender culture has swept through pop culture and media this past year, and now there are multiple bills regarding the rights of transgender students now being evaluated by the South Dakota Legislature. House Bill 1008 would require that public schools must provide transgender students with “reasonable accommodations,” and restrooms, locker rooms and […]

6 mins read