Public News Service

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported one in 36 children around the U.S. has autism spectrum disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Creating a supportive classroom for students with ASD

April is Autism Acceptance Month and as rates grow, support organizations in South Dakota hope more children on the spectrum get the tools they need …

According to recent National Education Association rankings, South Dakota has consistently landed near the bottom in the area of teacher compensation. (Adobe Stock)

SD to see renewed debate over teacher pay

As they head into winter break, South Dakota school districts and their teachers are in a waiting period to find out what future state funding looks …

According to the Kids Count data center, child care consumes between 8% and 13% of a typical South Dakota family's income. (Adobe Stock)

Child care 'solution-driven' grants take shape in SD

Child care access has become a major focal point in the U.S., and South Dakota is no exception. More than two dozen communities are using grant …

Groups trying to prevent bullying say simple things such as sparking conversations in the classroom about each student's favorite TV show can help establish inclusiveness. (Adobe Stock)

Sense of community at heart of anti-bullying messaging

This weekend marks the kickoff of National Bullying Prevention Month. Those raising awareness hope schools in South Dakota and elsewhere work toward …

According to South Dakota Health Department data, WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding counseling for more than 13,000 participants, including 1,600 pregnant and postpartum individuals. (Adobe Stock)

SD boosts outreach for WIC participation

South Dakota health leaders have said it can be a challenge to reach people eligible for a long-standing nutrition assistance program for at-risk new …

Health and environmental experts say even just low-level exposure to lead in drinking water can negatively affect a child's development. (Adobe Stock)

Education, Environmental Groups Press for Safe Drinking Water in Schools

With kids in South Dakota and around the nation back in school, the issue of whether all students and staff have access to safe drinking water …

In 2020, the University of South Dakota became the latest academic institution to develop a graduate-level studies program, inspired by the Zero Abuse Project, that gives students a more realistic experience in responding to child maltreatment cases. (Adobe Stock)

SD Sees Progress in Boosting Training for Child-Abuse Case Workers

A South Dakota academic program that enhances training for those who respond to child abuse and neglect cases is gaining momentum. In the past …

Organizers behind a community-driven approach in South Dakota to prevent child maltreatment say residents volunteering as tutors can be one way to provide much-needed stability for at-risk youth. (Adobe Stock)

SD Sees Growth with Community Approach to Prevent Child Maltreatment

The federal COVID-19 public health emergency may be over, but there is lingering concern about the mental state of children. In South Dakota…

In findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the average annual cost of care for one child in the U.S. was $10,600 in 2021, one-tenth of a couple's average income, and more than one-third of a <br />single parent's income. (Adobe Stock)

Child Care Access Hovers Over SD Child Well-Being Report

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like South Dakota fared better in the …

According to the National Education Association, there's been a 2% increase in the average public school teacher salary across the country. (Adobe Stock)

In SD, Complexities Surround Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is underway. In South Dakota, there's a mixed outlook from educators on whether they feel supported. Coinciding with this …

A report published in late February says children of mothers who are abused or neglected were more likely to demonstrate symptoms and behaviors linked to depression, along with other health issues. (Adobe Stock)

New Research Links Child Maltreatment to Generational Health Outcomes

New findings suggest health effects stemming from child maltreatment can be passed on to the next generation. In South Dakota, leaders in early-…

A new national study says rates of online childhood sexual abuse are particularly high for girls at 23% compared to 7% for boys. (Adobe Stock)

Internet Task Forces Balance Tips, Tech Hurdles in Protecting Kids

South Dakota investigators say they're carrying heavy caseloads dealing with internet crimes against children. There's hope new research and pressure …

South Dakota could soon follow steps taken by states like Utah, which recently approved a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. (Adobe Stock)

SD Plan to Ban Gender-Affirming Care Stokes Privacy Debate

South Dakota is once again locked in a debate over a bill concerning transgender youth. It seeks to ban gender-affirming care, with supporters …

According to the National Institute of Justice, childhood abuse or neglect raises the chance of juvenile arrest by 59%. In South Dakota, advocates say that's why it's important to provide more mental health providers to children and young adults so they can avoid entering the juvenile justice system. (Adobe Stock)

Reducing Effects of Childhood Trauma Tied to SD's Juvenile-Justice Efforts

South Dakota has been looking at ways to improve the state's juvenile-justice system. Recommendations could be considered in the new legislative …

Research from the United Kingdom finds that physical abuse represents the highest risk increase for heart failure for adults who experienced childhood trauma, when compared with other forms of maltreatment. (Adobe Stock)

New Study Links Childhood Trauma with Heart Failure

Child-abuse prevention specialists in South Dakota and elsewhere say a new study underscores the need to protect kids from traumatic situations to avo…

Health experts say child neglect can result in developmental delays, along with behavioral and emotional issues. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers Link Medicaid Expansion with Child-Neglect Reduction

As South Dakota voters prepare to consider a proposed Medicaid expansion, emerging research suggests giving these programs a bigger reach can lead to …

A new Indigenous academy in South Dakota, geared for younger students, says it wants the kids to have a deep sense of belonging, higher engagement and motivation. (Adobe Stock)

New SD Tribal Academy Readies for Fall Start

Organizers behind a new Indigenous school in western South Dakota hope they can give young Native American students a more optimal learning environmen…

An annual report measuring child well-being puts South Dakota in the bottom half of states in such areas as health, education and family/community. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health is Focus of New SD Child Well-Being Summary

A new report said South Dakota has made strides in the past decade to improve child well-being, but its authors say there are still plenty of …

The national Girls on the Run Program has been available in South Dakota since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

'Girls on the Run' Looks to Build Life Skills for SD Youths

In early August, fall registration opens at several South Dakota locations offering a national program geared for grade-school-age girls. It combines …

Depression and lower rates of academic attainment are among the effects that can persist in a child's lifetime after losing a caregiver. (Adobe Stock)

Losing a Caregiver to COVID: Helping Kids Grieve

Roughly 200,000 children in the U.S. have lost a caregiver to COVID-19. In South Dakota, mental-health experts say these cases can have added …

As of early May, the nationwide out-of-stock percentage for baby formula is 43%. (Adobe Stock)

Dos and Don'ts for SD Parents in Baby-Formula Shortage

South Dakota is among the states hardest hit by the lack of baby formula in stores. There is debate about the underlying factors, but one health …

The average teacher salary in South Dakota is just below $49,000 a year. (Adobe Stock)

Following Noem Speech, SD Educators Press for Funding Increase

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota's teachers' union says while there are still a lot of unknowns, it's hopeful the governor's new budget proposal leads to …

A new report says child-care expenses make up roughly 10% of a family's income in South Dakota. The percentages are much higher for families of color. (Adobe Stock)

New Report Details Child-Care Issues in SD

RAPID CITY, S.D. -- If South Dakota wants to turn out a thriving economy, quality affordable child care needs to be a vital component, according to a …

This is one the new homes in the Simply Smiles Children's Village on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. The specialized homes provide culturally specific foster care to Indigenous children. (Simply Smiles)

New SD Project Builds Foster Homes in Tribal Communities

LA PLANT, S.D. -- South Dakota has struggled to establish a network of foster parents in tribal communities, but solutions are in play, including a …

In addition to abuse and neglect, a new study says economically disadvantaged children have a risk of premature death that is 1.9 times higher than other socioeconomic groups. (Adobe Stock)

Study Underscores SD Efforts to Minimize Impact of Child Abuse

PIERRE, S.D. -- A new study links premature deaths in adulthood with people who experience abuse as children, and South Dakota groups say it …

Researchers say expanding cash payments, such as the ones seen in the Child Tax Credit, to families in need sets children up for a healthier life, as well as better test scores. (Adobe Stock)

Better Health, Education Outcomes Linked to Child Tax Credit Payments

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Supporters of the expanded Child Tax Credit are highlighting the arrival of monthly payments for eligible families. In South …

An annual well-being report says South Dakota has seen worsening child obesity numbers over the past decade. (Adobe Stock)

SD Ranks Near Middle for Child Well-Being

PIERRE, S.D. -- A mixed bag of news can be found for South Dakota in the latest report measuring child wellbeing in the U.S. As families emerge from …

A number of U.S. surveys from this past school year indicated students encountered difficulties in learning, especially in math and reading, as they adjusted to the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Helping SD Students Recover from COVID Learning Loss

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The school year is winding down, but many educators and parents will make use of the summer to ensure kids can get back on track …

During the pandemic, a handful of South Dakota school districts have given bonuses to teachers, but advocates say the state needs to live up to its promise to gradually boost educators' salaries each year. (Adobe Stock)

SD Lawmakers to Debate Teacher Pay Raises

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota lawmakers begin the 2021 session next week. As the budget takes shape, how big a raise public school teachers could …

Nationwide, according to a new report, one-third of adults with children are likely to have to leave their homes due to eviction or foreclosure as a result of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Crisis Weighs Heavily on SD Households with Kids

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The economic fallout from the pandemic is evident in a new report on the struggles of households with children. The findings …

A new report says most parents are under the assumption that a child can always voice a preference in a custody dispute. But 13 states don't require the court system to consider the child's opinion. (Adobe Stock)

Report: SD Among States that Limit Child’s Custody Preference

PIERRE, S.D. -- More than a dozen states, including South Dakota, don't require a judge to factor in a child's preference when making custody …

According to a new survey, 62% of South Dakota educators who responded said they didn't feel they were given enough training to navigate both in-person and online lessons during the crisis. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: SD Teachers Say They're Overwhelmed During COVID

PIERRE, S.D. -- Nearly two months into the school year, South Dakota teachers say they're feeling the weight of extra work brought on by the crisis…

Mirroring a national trend, South Dakota has seen a significant increase in recent years in the number of kids not covered by health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

South Dakota Sees Dramatic Spike in Uninsured Children

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Despite a pre-pandemic period of economic stability, the number of South Dakota children lacking health coverage spiked between 2…

Union leaders say South Dakota educators and schools have seen some issues in obtaining PPE. That's why they say requiring masks in schools would be a big help in preventing the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff. (Adobe Stock)

SD Teachers Union Says Masks Can Limit Schedule Disruptions

PIERRE, S.D. -- Most South Dakota students are back in class, but that hasn't erased concerns about the coronavirus spreading in schools, with some …

According to the CDC, South Dakota had a fertility rate of 73.6 in 2018, the highest in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

SD's Birth Rate Underscores Calls to Count All Kids in Census

BROOKINGS, S.D. -- A common theme for the 2020 census is making sure all young children are counted. That's been an issue in previous counts…

Many educators say the recent protests over systemic racism should inspire more training for school teachers to discuss these issues in the classroom. (Adobe Stock)

Talking to Students About Systemic Racism

PIERRE, S.D. -- The killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis has amplified calls for white people to openly discuss systemic racism…

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Juvenile Justice Alternatives Initiative, more than 200,000 young people a year are admitted to detention facilities in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Juvenile-Justice Reform Movement Aided by Detention Decline During Crisis

PIERRE, S.D. -- A downward trend in juvenile-detention populations during the pandemic is renewing hopes among reform advocates. The numbers are …

Education experts say the learning inequities made worse by the pandemic could persist into the next couple of school years. (Adobe Stock)

SD Not Immune to Distance-Learning Disparities

STURGIS, S.D. -- Concerns over distance learning gaps have popped up with schools around the country shut down in the pandemic, and those concerns …

The South Dakota State Capitol is bracing for protests today from LGBT groups who oppose a bill restricting treatments for children who considering gender reassignment. (Sharon McCutcheon/Pixabay)

Bill Banning Transgender Treatment Advances to SD Senate

PIERRE, S.D. -- In her annual address last month, Gov. Kristi Noem stressed economic expansion and diversification, and the current spotlight on …

Legislation under consideration at the South Dakota Capitol would criminalize doctors for providing gender transition treatment to children younger than age 16

SD Lawmakers Consider Restricting Medical Care for Transgender Youth

PIERRE, S.D. -- A South Dakota bill that would punish doctors who provide treatments for transgender youths is similar to others making their way …

Sex trafficking is believed to be a $90 billion-a-year industry that exploits more than 20 million adults and children worldwide. (dosomething.org)

Gov. Noem Backs Human-Trafficking Bill Introduced at SD Capitol

PIERRE, S.D. - New laws meant to crack down on human trafficking will be introduced at the South Dakota Capitol today. According to the Human …

in 2016, South Dakota lawmakers implemented a new half-cent sales tax to improve teacher pay, the state's first sales tax increase since 1969. (Tom Griffith/sdnewswatch.org)

Report: How Fair Is South Dakota School Funding?

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - South Dakota is doing an excellent job of distributing school funding, but a new report gives the state a failing grade for the …

South Dakota's median household income of $56,521 was $3,800 lower than the median U.S. household income in 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (commondreams.org)

SD's 2020 Minimum-Wage Hike Falls Short of 'Livable'

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Starting on Jan. 1, South Dakota's minimum wage will increase 20 cents - from $9.10 to $9.30 an hour. At the same time…

About one in three of the toy-related emergency room visits are associated with children between the ages of 1 and 5. (ohmydearlife/Pixabay)

Report: Unsafe Toys Still Lurk on Retail Shelves

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Choking hazards, loud sounds and hidden toxins are some of the dangers still lurking on toy shelves, according to a new …

Harrisburg elementary teacher Amanda Harris, left, this week received the 2020 Teacher of Excellence from South Dakota Education Association President Mary McCorkle. (SDEA)

South Dakota Schools Celebrate American Education Week

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota educators and school support staff are celebrating the 98th annual observance of American Education Week by …

Research suggests detention of juveniles can increase the likelihood that they will commit another crime. (aclu.org)

South Dakota Initiative Successfully Reduces Juvenile Detention

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – In the past six years, the youth detention population in South Dakota has decreased significantly and the number of …

South Dakota schools are required by law to have a bullying policy that defines the behavior and outlines procedure to report it. (geralt/Pixaby)

Bullying Gets the Boot in South Dakota Schools

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Bullying once was viewed as a childhood rite of passage, but now it is recognized as having lifelong implications for …

Approximately 11.4% of South Dakota's population consistently struggles with food insecurity, meaning they don't always know where their next meal is coming from. (hungertaskforce.org)

Empty South Dakota Food Pantries Request Donations

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Organizations that help feed hungry South Dakotans are concerned their supplies will run short this holiday season unless …

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