Lee Strubinger

1 week ago | sdpb.org | Lee Strubinger

A collaborative sculpture, four years in the making, is now available for public view in west Rapid City. The sculpture is meant to honor children who lost their lives while attending the Rapid City Indian Boarding School. Young singers with the Oceti Sakowin Community Academy open up the sculpture dedication with a prayer song. Their voices carry through the wind as they stand in front of 50 plaques with names of those who died while at the boarding school—a reminder of the lives lost here.

1 week ago | sdpb.org | Lee Strubinger

A legislative task force focused on property taxes is organizing itself into three working groups. The group wants to lower property taxes. But some on the task force worry its biting off more than it can chew. The three working groups will look at the education funding formula, local government spending and state government spending, respectively. Each will have an emphasis on reform or spending cuts to reduce property taxes.

1 week ago | sdpb.org | Lee Strubinger

The South Dakota Department of Social Services is seeking public comment on its Medicaid work requirement waiver. To qualify for Medicaid expansion coverage, people must have a job, be enrolled in school or job training, or be the parent or caregiver of a dependent child or disabled individual. For the next 30 days, the Department of Social Services is taking input on eligibility requirements and exemptions.

1 week ago | sdpb.org | Lee Strubinger

A conservative Aberdeen businessman has formally announced he’s running for governor. Toby Doeden vows to shake up Pierre if elected governor. During a campaign announcement in Aberdeen Wednesday night, he said he will not take a salary as governor, shred executive branch credit cards and halt airplane use for out of state travel. Doeden said he would utilize “external revenue” to fund state government, but did not indicate what those sources would be.

1 week ago | sdpb.org | Lee Strubinger

The value of assets held in South Dakota trusts is worth over $800 billion dollars. The new peak represents a trend of about $100 billion spikes in asset values year over year. In 2024, the value of assets held in South Dakota trusts rose by $135 billion, from $680 billion to $815 billion. That’s according to values released earlier this month by the state Division of Banking, which tracks the numbers.