State/Local
SB 45 Repeals the Annual Intellectual Diversity Report
Senate Bill (SB) 45, which would repeal the annual intellectual diversity report for South Dakota colleges passed the Senate Education Committee. The requirement for an intellectual diversity report was originally introduced in 2019. Shane Nordyke, a USD political science professor, said the bill was created in order to assess whether or not the intellectual activities […]
SD Legislature Removes Clause Limiting Drag Shows
Two House Bills (HB) were introduced in South Dakota legislation on Jan. 24 that would prohibit events like USD Spectrum’s annual drag show from occurring on campus or with children in attendance. However, only one passed, and it passed with amendments that remove the clauses involving references to drag performances. HB 1116 is the “act […]
Suspension Over for Sen. Frye-Muller
After being placed on indefinite suspension, the South Dakota Senate voted to reinstate Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller following the recommendation of a committee regarding her comments to a staffer. This follows a complaint made on Jan. 25 against the Rapid City senator by a Legislative Research Council staffer in the wake of a conversation between her, […]
Bill to Restrict Medical Treatments for Transgender Adolescents Passes Committee
As the legislative session in Pierre heats up, a bill aimed at blocking minors from receiving certain medical and surgical procedures causes controversy. Rep. Bethany Soye introduced House Bill (HB) 1080, which would ban healthcare professionals from “attempting to alter the appearance of a minor’s sex… if that appearance or perception is inconsistent with the […]
California Faced with Repeated Tropical Storms
This month, California has been ripped by several intense storms and many communities across the state have been flooded out. The L.A. Times reports at least 22 have died as a result of the flooding and landslides. Statewide, California has accumulated around 11.2 inches of rainfall. These storms are known as atmospheric rivers, or ARs. […]
Bringing New Energy to Vermillion with The W
As the small town of Vermillion continues to grow, Hailie Warren, the creative director at USD, is adding her name to the list of business owners, alongside her husband, Dante, and her daughter, Winter. The W, a social house, stay and event venue is coming soon to Vermillion. This will be a place where guests […]
Noem’s Proposal Clarifies Expenses on Pregnant Parents
On Jan. 19, Gov. Kristi Noem requested amends to Senate Bill (SB) 75 that will provide for all pregnancy expenses to be covered by both of the child’s parents, which is clarifying an existing law. Gov. Noem along with Sen. David Wheeler and Rep. Mike Stevens, hope this new bill will lessen the financial burden […]
Marijuana Dispensary Opens Downtown
Dakota Herb is the first medical marijuana dispensary to open in downtown Vermillion. It opened early November of last year and is one of three dispensaries opened by Dakota Herb in South Dakota. In 2020, South Dakota residents voted to approve Initiated Measure 26, thus legalizing medical marijuana. This allows South Dakota residents to buy […]
USD Alumni to Open New Brewery
A new brewery, XIX Brewing Co., plans to open on Main Street this year using the current Fullerton Lumber Co. building. XIX Brewing was developed by USD Alumi Katey Ulrich and Ed Gerrish. Ulrich met Gerrish through his wife, Leslie. Because of Gerrish’s experience with brewing beer, Ulrich decided to invite Gerrish to the project. […]
Grocery Stores Soon to Have No Taxes
On Jan. 17, a bill to remove South Dakota’s statewide grocery tax was introduced by Gov. Kristi Noem, Sen. John Wiik and Rep. Mary Fitzgerald. Currently, South Dakota is one of seven states that imposes a statewide sales tax on food. The other states include Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. The language of […]