State/Local
Federal stimulus bill: How will the American Rescue Plan impact South Dakota?
President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion stimulus and economic relief bill, into law March 11. The bill has a number of wide-ranging impacts, including short-term expansions of unemployment benefits, money for state and local governments, changes to health insurance exchanges, a modification of the Child Tax Credit […]
Trans Rights March held in response to House Bill 1217
In seven cities across South Dakota, people gathered Saturday morning to make a statement and to protest a bill against trans lives and their future in sports. All events had mandatory mask requirements and were held in Pierre, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Brookings, Watertown, Eagle Butte and Vermillion. The protests were led by The Transformation […]
Coyote Business Consulting Group Version 2.0 moves forward
USD’s Coyote Business Consulting Group kicked off its 2021 session Monday. The program, launched last year during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, connects USD students with South Dakota businesses, allowing students to gain real-world experience and businesses to take advantage of students’ knowledge, while for things like the accounting of a business, getting […]
SD Department of Agriculture will merge with Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are merging into one department. “South Dakota will be the only state in the United States that doesn’t have its own designated environmental agency,” Ailee Johns, 2020 South Dakota state senate candidate for District 17, said. Gov. Kristi Noem and South […]
New public library program helps children develop reading skills before starting school
The Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library started a new program this year. “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” is a program designed to encourage exposing children to reading and books prior to kindergarten. The program has 21 kids enrolled, and they have collectively read 1388 books so far this year. Amanda Raiche is the Youth Services […]
Eats with Ashley brings African food to Vermillion
Beginning in January, a USD student used her personal cultural knowledge to bring diverse eating options to the Vermillion community once a week. Junior exercise science major Ashley Charlie started Eats with Ashley when she noticed that there was a lack of cultural foods in Vermillion. When Charlie came to USD, she made connections within […]
Vermillion Historic Preservation Commission seeks new member
The Vermillion Historic Preservation Commission, established by the Vermillion City Council in June of 2018 to educate the community on historic preservation and to protect historical buildings and properties, is seeking to fill a vacancy created by a member’s retirement. Johnny Beyers, the retiring member, is working out of town and is anticipating moving in […]
The Vermillion Welcome Table continues to provide through COVID-19
Food programs in Vermillion had to find new ways to serve the community when COVID-19 hit its doors March of last year. The Welcome Table, who hosted weekly Monday meals for the community, switched to takeout boxes in May to continue providing meals for those in need. John Lushbough, the head of the Vermillion Welcome […]
“Marquee Messages Fundraiser” lets donors run custom messages
The Dakota Hospital Foundation is in the midst of its “Marquee Messages Fundraiser,” where donors can submit custom messages to be shown on the LED sign located outside Sanford Vermillion. Cindy Benzel, director of the Dakota Hospital Foundation, said the messages people submit tend to be holiday greetings, birthday and anniversary wishes and congratulations for […]
Vermillion area Toastmasters adapts to remote events
The USD-Area Yappin’ Yotes, a local chapter of the nearly 100-year-old public speaking club Toastmasters, has had to find ways to combat COVID-19 regulations and technical challenges. Officers in Toastmasters chapters serve one year terms. Steven Thum, the current sergeant at arms for the Yappin’ Yotes, said his job, which normally involves setting up physical […]