ABERDEEN, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Agriculture is a major part of the South Dakota economy, however as cities such as Aberdeen get larger, fewer people know about the contribution of farmers and ranchers.

The Brown County Fair has a first-year exhibit to help educate about the state’s agricultural contribution. In conjunction with the Farmer’s Union, they have put together a hands-on, agricultural education exhibit.

The Fair Board President Ryan Swenson talked about the board’s reaction to the idea of this exhibit.

“It was pretty unanimous. Everybody was on board. They thought the idea was great, and this is not a knock against our barns, but this is the best this barn’s ever looked. So it’s great to see that, you know, us and Farmer’s Union can have a good partnership together,” Ryan said.

Ryan continued with his enthusiastic feeling about the Ag Education Building and why it was welcomed to this year’s fair.

“It’s a very good opportunity for the Brown County Fair and the Farmer’s Union to come together and educate the community about what goes on, on farms and ranches all around the area,” Ryan said.

Here’s what Ryan felt fairgoers could gain from visiting this exhibit.

“It’s nice to have an opportunity now where anyone from a big town like Aberdeen, can come out and, you know, you can see baby cows, chicks, pigs. It’s an opportunity to be hands-on in the agricultural communities, We want to show people what the agricultural life’s all about,” Ryan followed up with.

The Education Program Specialist is Samantha Bowman, who followed up on something she learned as an intern, to bring the idea of the exhibit to the fair board.

“The biggest thing is just education, so when they go to the grocery store and they look at those labels, they’re a little more educated on what it takes to actually produce those cuts of meat, as well as, you know, the vegetables and fruits that they get. And then how it affects their local community as well. So all of these animals that we have displayed are actually local producers,” Samantha explained.

The Farmer’s Union Agricultural Education Center is open through the run of the fair, and closes on Sunday.

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Native Americans from across Wisconsin attended a tailgate before the Milwaukee Brewers took on the Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field Thursday.

But this wasn’t any ordinary tailgate — next to a table holding brats, hot dogs and a tray of cookies was another table where people could register to vote.

The event, organized by Wisconsin Native Vote, had a simple goal: increase voter turnout among Native American voters in the upcoming fall election.

“My message to you is: Sko Vote Den,” Anne Egan-Waukau, an organizer of the event, said during the tailgate.

“Sko Vote Den” is a playful, phonetic spelling of “Let’s go vote, then.”

Gloria Waabigwan Wiggins, the northern regional organizer for Wisconsin Native Vote, said the tailgate was a way to get people together to talk about the importance of voting.

“If you don’t vote, I feel like you’re surrendering your voice,” Waabigiwan Wiggins said. “As Native people, our population is so low, it’s important for us to exercise our right and make sure our voices are heard.” 

Organizers said around 1,000 people from Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes attended the tailgate and game. Several speakers talked about the importance of voting, while people could register to vote and sign up to learn more about the election during the tailgate.

Mark Denning, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, emceed the event.

“It’s (voting) so very important,” Denning said. “The least of us in number, is as important as the most of us in number in this country.” 

Wisconsin Native Vote, an initiative of Wisconsin Conservation Voices, is aimed at increasing voter turnout. Organizers with the group knock on doors and put billboards up. On Thursday, they took yet another approach to reach voters.

The 2020 U.S. Census counted roughly 60,000 American Indians and Alaskan Natives living in Wisconsin. And in a state where elections are often decided by a small margin of votes, every vote counts.

The latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump 51 to 48 percent among registered voters.

Joseph DeCora, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, now lives in Milwaukee. He said it’s exciting that Indigenous voters could help swing the national election this fall. 

“If we all get out there and vote as one, we could make a change,” DeCora said. “Our voices, our opinions, stuff that we’re voting for, the person that we’re voting for — it all will be heard.” 

A report from Native Vote found roughly 1.2 million American Indians or Alaskan Natives who can vote are not registered.

DeCora, who was at the event with his family, said he votes in every election. This election season, he has signed up to receive text alerts. He said he sometimes hears from friends and family who don’t know how to register to vote or where to do so. 

“I feel like voting is a way to get your voice out there and heard, without your voice actually being heard,” DeCora said. “That’s why I vote.” 

Organizers said issues that are important to tribal members include the opioid epidemic, cost of living, tribal sovereignty, climate change, clean water and reproductive rights. 

For Denning, he said he’s voting for his daughter Isabel, who died by suicide. He said access to mental health care is one of the most important issues he’s paying attention to this election.

“To me, when someone wants mental health(care)… whoever it is, that wants help, needs and deserves help,” Denning said.

“If politicians stand in the way of mental health and physical health of our people, all of us, we as voters need to stand and say, ‘That’s not right,’” he added.

DETROIT (FOX 2) – Detroit Judge Kenneth King has been removed from the docket in Wayne County after ordering a teenager into cuffs and a jail jumpsuit when she fell asleep in court while on a field trip.

Judge King was removed from the docket on Thursday, two days after the incident in the 36th District Court.

King had a group of students from the environmental non-profit Greening of Detroit in his courtroom when one student fell asleep twice in his courtroom. 

“Why are you being disrespectful to this court?” King said. “You sleep at home, in your bed – not in court. And quite frankly, I don’t like your attitude.”

When the judge asked the 16-year-old, “what is your problem?” She responded with, “I apologize, I’m just tired.”

FOX 2 sources say, at that point, it turned into a “Scared Straight!” simulation to send a message.

“I’m thinking maybe she needs to go to the juvenile detention facility. You do understand we have a jail for kids?” King told the teen.

King reportedly said he no real intentions of sending the girl anywhere, but instead described the conditions at the Detroit Detention Facility to all the teens on the trip.

“Not a very pleasant place to be in,” the judge said. “You guys enjoy your freedom, don’t you?” 

“Yes,” the teens responded.

The incident was captured on video by the court, via Zoom, and created an uproar around King.

Chief Judge William McConico issued a statement on Thursday, saying that a review was done and King would be removed from the bench and have necessary training to address “the underlying issues that contributed to this incident”

“We hope that these steps will help to reassure the public of the 36th District Court’s dedication to serving our community with integrity and fairness. The 36th District Court, known as “the people’s court,” remains deeply committed to providing access to justice in an environment free from intimidation or disrespect. The actions of Judge King on August 13th do not reflect this commitment,” Judge McConico said in a statement on Thursday. “We sincerely hope that this incident does not undermine our longstanding relationships with local schools. Our thoughts and actions are now with the student and her family, and we are committed to taking these corrective measures to demonstrate that this incident is an isolated occurrence. We are dedicated to ensuring that our court continues to uphold the highest standards of fairness and respect.”