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House approves $200 million to spur housing projects across the state
03/08/22 Lee Strubinger

South Dakota House lawmakers are approving $200 million in loans and grants to help with housing infrastructure.

Similar proposals failed in the chamber several times in the last few days.

The funding includes $50 million from federal coronavirus relief packages. The state will spend $150 million from the general fund. Some estimate it’s one of the largest appropriations the state has ever made.
Third time is not the charm: Legislature declines to help fund public shooting range
03/08/22 Arielle Zionts

A third time was not the charm for a bill that would have provided $2.5 million for a public, state-of-the-art shooting range near Rapid City.

The state House of Representatives voted 39-30 on Monday to support the bill. That did not meet the 47 votes — a two-thirds threshold — needed to "smoke out" a bill.

A smoke-out is a procedure for bringing bills to the House or Senate floor after they die in committee.

The Game, Fish and Parks Department says it would cost around $12 million to purchase the land and develop the range. Most of the funding would come from federal dollars and donations.
Lawmakers turn to budget in final two days of session
03/08/22 Lee Strubinger

With several contentious bills out of the way, state lawmakers are now zeroing in on the budget.

Some are cautiously optimistic the budget will get set by Thursday.
Appropriators are piecing together the state budget department-by-department.

Republican Sen. Gary Cammack, of Union Center, says legislators are working on a few odds and ends left this session.

“We’re going to be working down the line on different items we’re considering, but we got a lot of the big ones done,” Cammack says.
Sioux Falls reports record highs in overdose deaths and seized fentanyl
03/08/22 Jordyn Henderson

The Sioux Falls Police Department reports record amounts of overdose deaths and fentanyl seized in 2021, while several other crimes decreased in frequency.

The department seized 2,028 grams of fentanyl in 2021, after seizing 308 grams in 2020. There were 29 overdose deaths in the city in 2021. The previous high was 28 in 2019. 

Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum presented statistics Tuesday on crimes since the year 2019. Thum said homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, robbery and vandalism dropped in the year 2021 compared to 2020.
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Listen: SDPB reporters discuss the final week of legislative session
03/08/22 In the Moment

There's no shortage of news during the state legislative session--especially in the waning hours as lawmakers work in conference committees and craft the state budget.

Here to untangle the latest are SDPB reporters Lee Strubinger, Arielle Zionts, and Jackelyn Severin.
Watch: Step Into My Studio | The foundry
03/08/22 Dakota Life

It takes a lot to appreciate a finished piece of sculpture art.

Creating a work of art and then creating another that looks like it is hard work.

There are several steps from concept to appreciation, from clay to bronze. That's where Rick Haugen and the artists at the Bronze Age Foundry come in.
NorthWestern Energy pledges net zero by 2050
03/08/22 Megan Feighery

NorthWestern Energy announced its goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

Net-zero is a state where greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere are offset by the removal of gases from the atmosphere.

The company plans to reduce its methane and carbon emissions by 30% over the next eight years by investing in new technologies and additional pipeline infrastructure, including leak detection. 

The company says it will continue to invest in hydro, wind and solar resources. NorthWestern Energy says in a statement, “We are sufficiently confident in technological advances that we have committed to only procuring non-carbon emitting generation resources after 2035.”
Watch: This Sioux Falls 12-year-old has been a mascot for half his life
03/08/22 Dakota Life

Nick Ellerbroek is only twelve years old. But he’s been a mascot for over half his life. His journey started after seeing his first mascot in Sioux Falls.
Listen: 'Friends of the Big Sioux River' are on a mission
03/08/22 In the Moment

In February, the organization “Friends of the Big Sioux River” hosted a film festival at the State Theatre in Sioux Falls.

The festival raised over $8,000 dollars to support stewardship and cleanliness of the Big Sioux and its tributaries. Managing Director Travis Entenman joins us in our Sioux Falls Studio to discuss the mission of Friends of the Big Sioux, and what efforts can be made to increase conservation.
In Play with Craig Mattick: Steph Schueler
03/08/22 Nate Wek

She was one of the top girls' hoops players of her generation.

Steph Schueler of Sioux Falls Lincoln is a former Gatorade Player of the Year and a three-time first-team all-state team honoree in girls basketball.

She's also the first four-year letter winner in Sioux Falls history for girls or boys hoops.
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