State/Local
Building Beds and Building Community: Students Help Families in Need
Students are stepping up to ensure children in need have a safe place to sleep through a partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a national nonprofit with a location in Sioux City, Iowa. The initiative, coordinated by the Office of Service Learning and Community Engagement, involves assembling and delivering beds to families in the […]
The Vermillion Community Combats Opioid Epidemic with Free Narcan Kits
Free naloxone kits are now available at Pump ‘n Pak to help prevent the loss of future community members from the devastating epidemic of opioid overdoses. On Dec 23 of 2023, Kelcy, the daughter of Jenny and Jim Orr, was found deceased in her room, poisoned by accidental exposure to fentanyl. Kelcy, a 15-year-old Vermillion […]
South Dakota’s Political Prominence Brings Change and Uncertainty
In the wake of the 2024 general election, South Dakota has seen some of its politicians sent to prominent positions. Senator John Thune won a bid to become the Senate Republicans next leader, replacing Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. “I wasn’t surprised by that at all,” said political science professor Julia Hellwege. “I think has […]
Dakota-Days Number of Arrests Down
With unusually warm temperatures for the 110th Dakota Days, arrests were unusually low compared to previous years. From Thursday evening to Sunday morning, the Vermillion Police Department booked 26 individuals into jail. Most were released within two hours. According to Clay County Sheriff Andy Howe, there were 55 charges against those 26 individuals arrested. Howe […]
An Overview of South Dakota Elections
South Dakota has a near record number of ballot propositions this year: seven in total. There are four constitutional amendments, two initiated measures and a referred law. Spanning three pages, some voters may feel fatigued after reading every question and unsure how to vote. Here is the rundown of each issue. A constitutional amendment changes […]
Clark St. Construction Leads to Natural Gas Leak on USD’s Main Campus
On Monday, Oct. 21, The University Police Department (UPD) issued two Timely Warnings through the Everbridge mobile app alerting both students and faculty members of a discovered gas leak taking place on USD’s main campus. “At approximately 2:40 PM, UPD sent officers to the south side of the Vermillion campus after receiving a report of […]
Former USD Basketball Player Has Been Deported Following Rape Conviction
After a six-month incarceration, former USD basketball player Mihai Carcoana was deported on Oct. 3. Clay County Sheriff Andy Howe says this is the first time during his tenure an inmate was deported immediately after a sentence. “We’ve never had in my history a person here on state charges that then was released to be […]
The Healing Power of Sound: A New Tool to Contribute to Mental Health
A vermillion resident offers a new way to help students with stress and emotional ailments. Mecia Graham, self-proclaimed Soul Seamstress and the secretary for the USD Theater Department, performs sound baths for community and students alike throughout the year. Graham started her sound bath journey in late 2023, however, previously, she’s been working with members […]
Clark Street Construction Efforts Begin Phase two
Students returning to campus this semester were in for a surprise: Clark St. construction. On July 10, the city of Vermillion closed Clark St. from Prentiss Park to University St. at Slagle Hall. This section reopens this week, bringing an end to a detour from Prentiss St., down to Main St. and to University. Per […]
South Dakota Union Opens for Business After Almost two Years of Renovations
After nearly two years of construction, the South Dakota Union is open for business. According to the Clay County Historical Preservation Society’s Campus & Historic Buildings: Walking Tour, the South Dakota Union opened in 1930 as the student union. In 1965, the building became an office and classroom space when a new student union was […]