Ellen Koester

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Articles

Rise in political violence may have chilling effect on democracy

1 week ago | sdpb.org | Lori Walsh |Ellen Koester

On today's show... Long-time journalist Kevin Woster unpacks some claims that 2026 gubernatorial candidate Jon Hansen made on last week's episode. He explains why South Dakota always balances its budget without a deficit (1:00 to 19:08). Our Dakota Political Junkies round up some political headlines from the weekend. Lisa Hager, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, and David Wiltse, Ph.D, professor of political science, from South Dakota State University join us.
Remembering Sally Roesch Wagner

1 week ago | sdpb.org | Lori Walsh |Ari Jungemann |Ellen Koester

On today's show... Sally Roesch Wagner was a pioneer in women's studies, the retelling of women's history, and intellectual thought. She passed away in June 2025. We share her 2019 Brown Bag Book Club interview. An author and lecturer, Roesch Wagner was one of the first women in the United States to receive a doctorate for work in women's studies. She was also the founder of one of the country's first college women's studies program and taught women's history for 48 years.
McGovern Center responds to Mitchell prison debate

1 week ago | sdpb.org | Lori Walsh |Ari Jungemann |Ellen Koester

On today's show... Two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses were shot this weekend. Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband passed away. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were injured. We hear from former Rapid City Journal reporter and current Star Tribune reporter Christopher Vondracek. We also get a statement from South Dakota Republican leader Rep. Scott Odenbach (1:00 to 7:57). Then, SDPB's Jackson Dircks brings listeners an update on the statewide prison debate.
South Dakota women veterans: Bonnie Schmidt

1 week ago | sdpb.org | Lori Walsh |Ari Jungemann |Ellen Koester

On today's show... Bonnie Schmidt grew up moving around the Midwest. Her career with the Army moved her around the world. Schmidt shares her experiences while in service and after. From basic training to becoming the head nurse of a VA specialty clinic, she walks listeners through her varied military career. It starts with filling out form after form after form, all filled out using a memorably smelly blue ink. Then, a New Mexico missile range and military base.
Analysis: Early 2026 gubernatorial announcements sees similar candidates

2 weeks ago | sdpb.org | Lori Walsh |Ellen Koester

This interview originally aired on "In the Moment" on SDPB Radio. Our Dakota Political Junkies join us today with their analysis on campaigns of the past and future. Seth Tupper is editor-in-chief of South Dakota Searchlight, and Jonathan Ellis is co-founder of The Dakota Scout. They dissect the Harris presidential campaign from 2024 and look ahead at the 2026 South Dakota race for the governor's seat.
News roundup: Early candidates announce for gubernatorial race

2 weeks ago | sdpb.org | Lori Walsh |Ellen Koester |Ari Jungemann

On today's show... We get a Supreme Court update from Mike Thompson, J.D., associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Sioux Falls. He discusses a case with a unanimous ruling, a case that split the court and a case that they declined to hear (1:00 to 6:13). SDPB's C.J. Keene reports on how South Dakota's doctors are reacting to the state's first measles case of the year (6:13 to 10:15). Read his full reporting here.
Living with nature's nuisance animals

2 weeks ago | sdpb.org | Ellen Koester |Ari Jungemann |Lori Walsh

On today's show... A pest is in the eye of the beholder, according to Bethany Brookshire, author of "Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains."She discusses what makes a pest and explores a six-ton pest that farmers deal with half a world away. The elephant is dangerous and damaging — but also protected (1:00 to 22:30). We then meet a few of South Dakota's pests.
South Dakota's plants, birds & butterflies in a warming world

2 weeks ago | sdpb.org | Ellen Koester |Ari Jungemann |Lori Walsh

On today's show... The state climatologist explores how gardeners and growers can choose the right plants in a shifting climate. Laura Edwards unpacks the USDA's plant hardiness zone map and its recent changes (1:00 to 8:41). The skies are alive with the sound of bird song. David Swanson, Ph.D., introduces us to a few of the singers and their sounds. Swanson is director of the Missouri River Institute and a biology professor at the University of South Dakota.
SDPB has a new radio station in Mitchell

3 weeks ago | sdpb.org | Lori Walsh |Ari Jungemann |Ellen Koester

On today's show... SDPB's signal in Mitchell just got a lot stronger. A new full-power FM radio station (KWSD 89.1) is up and operating now in the community. We learn what it took behind the scenes to get the new station up and running. SDPB's SeVern Ashes, director of engineering and operations, shares more (1:00 to 14:20). Eli Koppenhaver, one of SDPB's field engineers, gives a tour of the 89.1 FM tower (14:20 to 19:02). We head into town and stop by the mayor's office.
Heading down two South Dakota roads to history

3 weeks ago | sdpb.org | Lori Walsh |Ellen Koester |Ari Jungemann

On today's show... The Aberdeen Area Arts Council has a full schedule of summer events ahead. From music and festivals to murals and tiny galleries, we learn about the musical and visual arts happening in the area. Grace Chipman is the executive director of the Aberdeen Area Arts Council (1:00 to 8:09). Christina Oey, executive director of the South Dakota Humanities Council, offers a funding update for her organization (8:09 to 16:42).