State/Local
12th Annual Harlan and Rita Temple 5k
This year the occupational therapy program at USD hosted the 12th annual Harlan and Rita Temple 5k race at Prentis Park. The race was started by Harlan and Rita Temple to raise money for students in the occupational therapy field after Harlan was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and lost most of the motor function in […]
South Dakota Has No Place for CO2 Pipelines
Last Wednesday, the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) denied a permit for a CO2 pipeline in five South Dakota counties. Earlier this year, Navigator CO2 Ventures, a Texas-based carbon management company, announced plans to build a carbon dioxide pipeline from North Dakota to Illinois. The pipeline would carry carbon dioxide from around two dozen facilities […]
Increase in Bar Checks Causes Controversy
Bar checks are on the rise in Vermillion. In the first three months of 2023, underage drinking arrests rose by 300% compared to this time last year. Likewise, arrests for fake IDs are up 271%. According to Vermillion Police Chief Crystal Brady, bar checks have increased due to recent officer hirings after years of short-staffing. […]
Increase in Student Volunteers at Humane Society
USD student involvement at the Heartland Humane Society in Yankton had increased in the past year. Currently, there are over 150 volunteers with a mix of community members and students. In total, there are 25 students volunteering this year. The Heartland Humane Society is an animal shelter for unwanted animals. They take care of a […]
Non-Profit Celebrates 50 Year in Vermillion
Sesdac, a non-profit organization that provides services and supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, celebrated 50 years of service to Vermillion on March 24. Sesdac held an open house for USD students and Vermillion residents. Dr. Don Monroe was the founder of the Southeast South Dakota Activity Center, Inc., later known as Sesdac, in […]
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. […]