South Dakota

Brock Russell making a splash in South Dakota and beyond

Published

1 year ago

July 25, 2023

Brock Russell making a splash in South Dakota and beyond

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Though anchored to the earth, or in this case the water of a pool, Brock Russell feels like swimming lifts him off the ground.

“It’s just really exciting to feel like you’re flying through the water. Sometimes I’ll have a song playing in my head, sometimes I’ll be thinking about what I need to be doing during my stroke, but if you feel good in the water it’s a great day. Cutting through the air, cutting through the water, I would imagine feel about the same thing.” Russell says.

The Mitchell native was inspired by another star swimmer from his home town, Tevyn Waddell, and began to take flight with more time and training.

“Tevyn was kind of an eye opener for I think for everybody like hey, people can come from South Dakota and do big things!” Brock says.

As he began breaking state breaststroke and medley records, and committing to the sport more, he faced a dilemma due to changes with in Mitchell’s swim program.

It led Brock to the Sioux Falls Swim team, and a lot of miles each day, to train.

“I’ll have to be up in the mornings. It’s about an hour and fifteen minute drive from Mitchell so (I get up) at like five in the morning!” Russell says.

“This winter especially there was a lot of weather and driving issues and there were days where I was like ‘wow, I did not expect to see you here today’.” Sioux Falls Head Coach Kyle Margheim says.

Practice and then after that I go to Power, at Sanford Power, to weight lift. And then after that I either stay in town till the afternoon practice or I go home and mow lawns! That’s what I do for my job!” Brock says.

“That’s a full day before he even walks into school at 8 AM!” Margheim says.

The routine has paid off. Russell made the cut to swim at both the USA Futures event in Fargo later this week and the Junior National Championships in Irvine, California, July 31st through August 4th.

“Whether they’re a University of Minnesota swimmer that’s 22, or another kid his age that is also really fast, he’s not afraid to step up and race those big dogs and push himself out of his comfort zone.” Margheim says.

Already one of the most accomplished swimmers in South Dakota history, the junior-to-be is being recruited by the likes of Minnesota, Alabama, Wisconsin and other Division One programs, with an aim to soar to even greater heights.

“I really really am trying for that (Olympic) Trials cut. Once I get there that’s going to be something like oh, I finally made it!” Brock says.

Source link

Click to comment

South Dakota

Local government cybersecurity program moves forward with administrative hire • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

Local government cybersecurity program moves forward with administrative hire • South Dakota Searchlight

Michael Waldner, of Madison, will lead the effort to establish the state’s local government cybersecurity grant program, Dakota State University announced in a news release Monday.

The Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program, under the Attorney General’s Office and in partnership with the university, aims to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure for South Dakota local governments.

Michael Waldner will serve as the director of the Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program. (Courtesy of Dakota State University)

Even though the program’s name focuses on municipalities, it’s open to cities and counties. The program will provide “secure email solutions, technical support, risk assessments, and specialized training,” based on the news release.

The Legislature approved $7 million in funding for the program last winter as a response to mounting cybersecurity concerns among city and county governments. Many lack proper training and equipment to defend themselves and the taxpayer money and information they’re entrusted with.

Waldner previously directed South Dakota’s centralized education email system, which is what lawmakers hoped to model the program after. Waldner held the role for nine years before leaving in 2008. He also served as project manager for FirstNet, the network used by law enforcement in the state. Most recently, he served as coordinator for the ConnectSD Broadband initiative, which aims to expand internet access statewide.

The need for a centralized local government email system has grown in recent years as local governments become larger targets for cybersecurity attacks.

Brown County suffered a cyberattack in 2021 affecting services, and the city of Sioux Falls sent two electronic payments to someone impersonating a vendor in 2018. Hutchinson County was hit by a ransomware attack in 2019, which temporarily shut down accounts that contained receipts and records for $4 million in county business, according to the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan.

State spends over $100,000 each year bolstering local governments’ cybersecurity

“This program is an important step toward making South Dakota a model of cybersecurity for the nation,” Attorney General Marty Jackley said in the news release.

State and local governments experienced 148% more malware attacks and 51% more ransomware incidents during the first eight months of 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, according to a Center for Internet Security report.

The 2024 report on ransomware in state and local government identified a 51% drop in ransomware attacks, which is attributed to fewer governments paying ransoms, making them less attractive targets to cybercriminals. But when the attacks are successful, they’re growing more costly to local governments.

The state effort is a four year program, set to end during the summer of 2028, according to the university. An advisory council including representatives from state, local and federal government departments and agencies, as well as cybersecurity organizations in the state, will provide assistance.

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

Source link

South Dakota

Rep. Dusty Johnson talks South Dakota leaders in D.C.

Published

10 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

Rep. Dusty Johnson talks South Dakota leaders in D.C.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Following the election, President-elect Donald Trump and other politicians in Washington D.C. made last week a big one for South Dakota leaders.

It all started when Trump announced Governor Kristi Noem would be appointed to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday, then on Wednesday Senator John Thune was elected to be the Senate majority leader.

South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson said he spoke with the President-elect on Wednesday morning and had a chance to discuss Noem and her appointment.

“The President seemed pumped to have her on board and he has a pretty bold vision for this country,” Johnson said.

Johnson added that he believed Noem would be a great Secretary of Homeland Security. Johnson also said he believes Thune will do well in his new position.

“John Thune works hard, he is trusted by his Republican colleagues. It is a major accomplishment to be selected to be the leader of the United States Senate. This is the second time in just a generation that South Dakota has had the Senate majority leader. I think it says a lot about how our hardy prairie, and mountain folks are able to go out to Washington D.C. and make a difference,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he believes it will be an exciting next few months in Washington.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.

Source link

South Dakota

South Dakota at Western Michigan odds, tips and betting trends – November 20

Published

18 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

South Dakota at Western Michigan odds, tips and betting trends – November 20

The Western Michigan Broncos (2-3) hit the court against the South Dakota Coyotes (4-1) on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Below, we analyze the Western Michigan vs. South Dakota odds and lines around this game.

The Broncos and the Coyotes meet with no line currently set for the matchup.

Western Michigan has compiled a 2-2-0 record against the spread this season, while South Dakota is 0-2-0. The Broncos have gone over the point total in two games, while Coyotes games have gone over one time.

Here’s everything you need to prepare for Wednesday’s college basketball action.

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Western Michigan vs. South Dakota prediction

South Dakota 86, Western Michigan 71

Against the spread

Western Michigan has a record of 2-2-0 against the spread this season.
The 71.8 points per game the Broncos put up are the same as the Coyotes give up.
The Coyotes score an average of 86.0 points per game, 18.2 more points than the 67.8 the Broncos give up to opponents.
South Dakota is 0-2 against the spread and 4-1 overall when it scores more than 67.8 points.
Western Michigan’s record is 2-2 against the spread and 2-3 overall when it allows fewer than 86.0 points.

Players to watch

Western Michigan

Javaughn Hannah posts a team-best 12.0 points per game. He is also posting 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists, shooting 46.9% from the floor and 33.3% from beyond the arc with 1.0 made 3-pointers per game.
Owen Lobsinger is tops on his team in rebounds per contest (7.8), and also averages 11.0 points and 1.6 assists. At the other end, he posts 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocked shots.
Markhi Strickland is putting up 10.2 points, 1.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per contest.

South Dakota

Chase Forte tops the Coyotes in assists (3.6 per game), and produces 12.0 points and 2.2 rebounds. He also puts up 2.0 steals and 0.2 blocked shots.
Isaac Bruns is posting team highs in points (14.0 per game) and assists (0.4). And he is delivering 4.4 rebounds, making 54.5% of his shots from the floor and 27.3% from beyond the arc, with 1.2 treys per game.
Quandre Bullock is posting 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest, making 47.2% of his shots from the floor and 34.8% from beyond the arc, with 1.6 treys per game.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Sportsbook Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Source link