skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump claims 'powerful mandate' after Fox News projects he has won the US presidency; experts express caution over post-election AI deepfakes; Colorado's housing crisis linked to billionaire investors; Election Day is over; now it's a waiting game.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump wins the White House. Republicans will take over the Senate after flipping several seats, and seem to be on track to hold the House. In spite of bomb threats and charges of fraud, a very high-turnout election mostly went smoothly.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

Sioux Falls, Pierre rank high in the nation for 'livability'

play audio
Play

Wednesday, November 6, 2024   

Two South Dakota cities scored well this year on a national ranking of livable communities.

In AARP's 2024 Livability Index, Pierre ranked 15th in small communities and Sioux Falls ranked 14th in the large community category. The platform scores towns based on indicators like housing, transportation, environment and health. Pierre and Sioux Falls scored highest in the "opportunity" and "engagement" categories.

Lindsey Holmquest, associate state director of community outreach for AARP South Dakota, said such qualities are often underestimated.

"The piece that is often overlooked is that social connection piece," Holmquest pointed out. "It's important for people to feel connected to their community, their neighborhood, their neighbors, their service providers. The people that make up a place are just as important as the infrastructure."

Holmquest noted the index could be a useful checklist for ensuring communities are welcome places for people of all ages. The "neighborhood" category, for example, considers access to grocery stores, parks, libraries and more.

Whether a town made the list, the ranking system could be useful for any community.

Steve Watson, partner at Teton Ridge Consulting, has helped communities across the state with development projects. He said city leaders, economic development organizations and city councils could all use the index.

"I think it would be a really good framework to help ensure that the policies they're creating, the investments they're making, the decisions they're making kind of tie back to these indicators," Watson outlined.

Watson used the Tatanka Trail as an example. The Fort Pierre project, currently in design, includes a pedestrian bridge, plaza, outdoor exhibits and a trail. The project has received federal funding through the American Rescue Plan.

Disclosure: AARP South Dakota contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Political scientists said even in elections where the youth vote surges in certain areas, it is still heavily outnumbered by older voting populations. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

As results continue to come into focus post-Election Day, factors like the youth vote are expected to be scrutinized. Experts said it is important …


Social Issues

play sound

Although Florida was not considered a swing state this year's election, its diverse demographics reflect national trends, and political observers are …

Social Issues

play sound

The brisk pace of voting continued on Election Day, and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson expects the battleground state to shatter a 64-…


The City of Dearborn has partnered with others in Wayne County to apply for and implement several federal programs funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. (Branden/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

The mayor of Dearborn has adopted a "health-in-all-policies" approach, a pledge to prioritize health, environmental justice and climate action in …

Social Issues

play sound

pro-Palestinian groups are hosting a demonstration today starting at Red Arrow Park in downtown Milwaukee. The groups Students for a Democratic …

The addition of more than 750 megawatts of renewable energy for rural portions of Kentucky significantly reduces the amount of greenhouse gases developed by natural gas and coal-fired generators. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

New funding from the federal Empowering Rural America program will allow the East Kentucky Power Cooperative to add more than 750 megawatts of solar e…

Social Issues

play sound

A new report quantifies the contribution of Wyoming's arts and culture sector to the state's economy and shows it is significant. Wyoming in 2022 …

Social Issues

play sound

In Minnesota and across the U.S., poll workers are being praised for stepping up during another big election. Administrators hope the goodwill …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021