State/Local
Vermillion restaurant hosts prom for local community
Bunyan’s Bar and Grill hosted its 10th annual prom at their restaurant Saturday night. The event welcomed the Vermillion public to come together for a cause to support a fellow community member. This year, the restaurant raised funds for Leo Taggart to assist him with medical and travel expenses after suffering a stroke. Heidi Schoellerman, […]
Vermillion’s Dakota Center hosts party for community to view 2022 Super Bowl
Having been open for about a month now, the Dakota Center hosted a Super Bowl viewing party for Vermillion community members this past weekend. On Feb.13 members of the community gathered to watch the game. Owner Eric Vanvoorst said the Dakota Center decided to host a Superbowl as part of community outreach to help bring […]
Public Library hosts self-awareness workshop
Kelley Ashby of Kelley Ashby Consulting will be hosting a workshop at the Vermillion Public Library on the Benefits of Self-Awareness & How to Develop It on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. The event focuses on teaching others how to become more self-aware in one’s mental health. Ashby has presented similar workshops in the past […]
Heartland Humane Society in desperate need of foster families
Heartland Humane Society in Yankton is having difficulties finding foster families. They’ve been experiencing the staffing shortage since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 and the numbers haven’t risen to the point they need yet. Executive director Kerry Feilmeier has been working with Heartland Humane Society since 2011. She said Heartland could easily use a […]
SHED lobbies South Dakota Legislature in Pierre
Students in Higher Education Days (SHED) is a student lobbying group that goes to Pierre during the legislative session to encourage the legislature to pass certain bills. SHED takes place on Jan. 30 and 31. The first day students get training on how to lobby and they get together for a social. On day two, […]
Legislature to reinstate diploma privilege for law school, bill killed in committee
House Bill (HB) 1073 was introduced to the South Dakota House of Representatives this legislative session by Rep. Mary Fitzgerald from Lawrence County. HB 1073 would have allowed people graduating from the law school at USD to practice law in the state without taking the bar exam. However, the bill was killed during the House […]
Current Vermillion jail unusable, new jail in works
The jail in Vermillion is on the way out and a new one is on the way in. The Courthouse, Jail and Law Enforcement Facility Planning Committee was organized to assist with the process of developing a new jail. Steven Waller, the chair of the committee in Vermillion, said the current and future situation of […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]