South Dakota

Miss South Dakota joins figure skaters at Black Hills clinic

Published

5 months ago

February 16, 2025

Miss South Dakota joins figure skaters at Black Hills clinic

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Dozens of skaters were in Rapid City this weekend for the 18th annual Black Hills Gold Rush competition and Sunday clinic. They were joined by this year’s Miss South Dakota, Joelle Simpson. Simpson is the only U.S. Figure Skating Quadruple Gold Medalist born in the Mount Rushmore State.

Club coach Debbie Minter led the clinic and helped teach a variety of skills and techniques, including the importance of building confidence.

”Some people are naturally confident and fearless and that’s awesome if they are, most of us are not and we have to learn it,” Minter said. “It 100% can be learned so we do work on that. One thing I think builds confidence is being prepared. Working hard enough that all the elements you are required to do are correct, good technique, many many repetitions, so that comes out when you perform.”

As Miss South Dakota, Simpson has taken a gap year from college at the University of Minnesota and has found herself wanting to give back to the Black Hills Figure Skating Club.

”I always knew that when I became a high level skater that I wanted to make sure that I could inspire others,” Simpson said. “And that’s one of the most important things that I try to instill every time that I skate but also as a coach now.”

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South Dakota

New residential treatment program for women to be built in Yankton

Published

2 hours ago

July 16, 2025

Press Room

New residential treatment program for women to be built in Yankton

YANKTON, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Governor Rhoden announced on Wednesday that Avera Sacred Heart Hospital will receive $3.8 million in state funds to build an 18-bed facility for women, including pregnant mothers, undergoing residential substance use disorder therapy.

Funding made available from SB196 in the 2022 legislative session is being provided to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, following their grant application with the Department of Social Services.

“This facility will support pregnant and young mothers struggling with addiction. It will prove a safe, supportive place for these mothers to receive clinical support for their addiction,” said Governor Larry Rhoden.

Avera Sacred Heart Hospital will construct and own the facility and will partner with Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services to provide programs and services.

DSS will also accredit the treatment services to be delivered in the new facility.

“These programs provide a safe, supportive environment where women can begin to heal, rebuild their lives, and access the comprehensive care they need to achieve long-term recovery,” said DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff.

“We are grateful for Governor Rhoden and the State of South Dakota’s support of this work and caring for this important population,” said Victoria Hanson, PhD, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital Regional President & CEO.

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South Dakota

South Dakota Chislic Festival returns to Freeman next weekend

Published

22 hours ago

July 15, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota Chislic Festival returns to Freeman next weekend

FREEMAN, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Thousands are expected in Freeman later this month for the South Dakota Chislic Festival.

The free, family-friendly event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on July 26 at the Freeman Prairie Arboretum.

This year marks the final annual festival. Going forward, the event will move to an every-other-year format to allow for future upgrades and new attractions.

Learn more at SDChislicFestival.com.

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South Dakota

South Dakota DOH secretary talks future of AI in healthcare

Published

2 days ago

July 14, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota DOH secretary talks future of AI in healthcare

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Healthcare in a state like South Dakota, with a small population and a lot of land, can be a large task to manage.

At the Rotary Club meeting of Sioux Falls, a group of healthcare advocates discussed some of the issues facing the system today.

The Secretary of the Department of Health spoke with Dakota News Now about how Artificial Intelligence can help bridge the gap between some of these issues.

Secretary Melissa Magstadt says the department has incorporated AI for small tasks such as summarizing big documents and writing emails, and has also used AI for a range of purposes in its epidemiology department.

“Using this capability, I don’t think we understand quite yet, but we’re looking into the Department of Health on how we use it to analyze our data more thoroughly, how do we use it for our planning decisions,” Magstadt said.

Magstadt says the use of AI, along with consistent investment in tools like telehealth or mobile clinics, will help expand healthcare to South Dakota’s urban population, but especially its rural communities.

“All of those pieces will add to a part of how we deliver healthcare easily to the people that need them, no matter where you choose to live, whether it’s in the frontier of South Dakota or an urban area, they all have their challenges.”

At the next Rotary Club meeting, a panel will discuss developing health care providers for the next generation of South Dakotans.

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