South Dakota

Senators, representatives discuss South Dakota Public Broadcasting, state library

Published

5 months ago

March 3, 2025

Senators, representatives discuss South Dakota Public Broadcasting, state library

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – With the South Dakota legislative session coming to a close at the end of the month, citizens still have concerns and questions about various bills and funding.

Funding for the state library and South Dakota Public Broadcasting has been discussed since the beginning of the session, and was among the topics discussed at Saturday’s legislative crackerbarrel in Deadwood.

Senator Randy Deibert and Representatives Scott Odenbach and Mary J. Fitzgerald all discussed their support of SDPB.

“I wouldn’t bet a lot of money that those cuts are going to be sustained,” Odenbach said. “What I do think is, we need to take a look at cuts to government, whether it’s the rate of growth or an outright cut. I think it needs to be, and this was a discussion I had with the governor, they should be more across the board and not necessarily just targeting for destruction or elimination of one agency like PBS.”

Fitzgerald agreed.

“I do think that public TV and the state library will be fine,” Fitzgerald said. “I think that they are doing everything they can to make sure that we can keep those available to the residents of South Dakota.”

Deibert said without public broadcasting, whether it be in the form of radio or television, the citizens of South Dakota would have much less information available to them.

He added he had more concern for the state library.

“It’s come out of appropriations with an $800,000 cut,” Deibert said of House Bill 1041. “We haven’t discussed that in our caucus yet, but it will be interesting if that stays on. But, I don’t support that cut. I think we need to make cuts and watch spending, but we need to do that as a group. We need to review that in our caucuses and with members of our body.”

House Bill 1041 passed committee with 16 yeas and two nays. It will now head to the House floor.

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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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