Gov. Kristi Noem is joining other state governors urging Congress to pass the Strengthening State and Tribal Support Act.

Supporters of the bill say it would provide tribes with direct access to tax refund offsets to utilize in child and family support. It also gives broader contract access to federal tax information.

Currently, direct access to federal tax information by tribal support programs is prohibited.

Noem signed the letter asking for the change along with a bipartisan group of 20 other state governors.

HURON, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A major industry for South Dakota is agriculture. One part of the Farmer’s Union’s mission is to prepare youth to carry on the agricultural heritage of the state.

Early morning is very quiet at the Farmer’s Union Agricultural Industry Camp, but not for long. Nearly 30 children, up to age 12, start their day with a gathering around the flag pole for songs and a flag raising.

Education Specialist Samantha Bowman, who is the lead, shares the mission of this Farmer’s Union-backed camp.

“We’re hoping that it leads them down a path within the agriculture industry especially, but just leadership in general. It’s important for them to realize that even at such a young age that they do have a voice and that their voice has room at the table as we see the generations continue on,” said Bowman.

Much of the time at the camp is spent on education slanted toward the ag industry.

“There’s a lot of education behind what we do, but we try to do it all hands-on. So, kids are learning, but they’re having fun at the same time. So when they go home to tell their parents how much fun they had, they’re really telling their parents everything that they learned,” said Bowman.

Among other things, campers learn about co-ops, retail, handling money and animal science. Cadence Konechna, one of the current counselors, started as a camper herself. We asked what the most rewarding part of her position is.

“Watching kids go from being like, socially, they don’t want to participate in anything, they’re hiding in the corner, to having a large friend group and being in the center of everything and then having a huge smile on their face,” said Konechna.

The program has been going on since the 1930s.

Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The 85th Sioux Empire Fair starts on Friday, August 2 at 5 p.m. and officials say they’re excited to kick start the festivities with an event that’s the first of its kind for the fair.

CEO and President of the Sioux Empire Fair and W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Scott Wick, met with officials from the South Dakota Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with the question, “How about if we did a Hispanic night, a Latino night, a family festival type experience?”

Now Fiesta Latina is bringing live Hispanic music and cultural performances to the fair on the first night.

Wick exclaimed, “We’ve had a huge response from the local community and I think it’ll probably be one of our bigger nights!”

Another new addition to the fair this year is an additional night of rodeo to replace their motocross thrill show.

“We produce Bulls and Broncs in February every year and it’s very well attended, standing room only this last year on Saturday so on Friday we’ll have Bulls and Broncs the last Saturday we’ll have two performances of the rodeo,” Wick said.

With the new events and concerts featuring artists from varying genres, the big question is admission costs. officials say they’re bringing back a measure from the past. Going back to free admission Monday through Friday from opening till 1 p.m. Outside that timeframe, fair admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.

“We always hope for the best, but you got to plan for the weather. It is South Dakota it can be a beautiful cloud-free evening and something will put up west and move out this way so you always have to be aware of that.” Wick said.

Wick said the best way to stay up to date with everything related to the Sioux Empire Fair is to stay up to date through their website and social channels.

Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.