This week is Sunshine Week – a national observance of the importance of open government and the public’s right to know. As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said more than a century ago: “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” It is a proverb often cited by journalists and others when making a case for why transparency in government is important.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is working with a diverse group of partners to offer two new incentives and new rates for water quality improvement opportunities in the Big Sioux River watershed through its Riparian Buffer Initiative (RBI).

In South Dakota, we know our people. We know they desire flexibility, affordable care and freedom to make their own choices regarding practitioners, insurance, facilities and treatment options. I believe that the government’s role in healthcare is to empower, support and partner – not mandate, control and lock down.

Nineteen students from Dakota Valley chosen to participate in the South Dakota Music Educators Association Regional Festival Choir. The Festival Choir performed on March 6, in Beresford, SD, in conjunction with March – Music In Our Schools Month.

The City of North Sioux City has been trying to determine more activities that could be implemented at the North Sioux City Senior Center. While doing research, administration reached out to the Siouxland Center for Active Generations (SCAG) in Sioux City.

The Sioux City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), also known as the Siouxland tri-state region, retained the nation’s top spot for economic development for populations under 200,000 for the fourth year in a row according to results released March 1 by Site Selection magazine in their 2022 annual rankings. The news, hailed by elected officials, including South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and local business leaders, represents the 11th time Siouxland has ranked first in the nation since initially earning the coveted spot in 2007.

The Elk Point-Jefferson Huskies defeated Canton and Vermillion to make it through region play into the SoDak-16. The first game against the Canton C-Hawks got off to a fast start for the Huskies, putting up 22 points to the C-Hawks 16.

The Panther boys varsity basketball team closed out February with a siren as they won huge in the first round of South Dakota Region 4A play against the Parker Pheasants. Dakota Valley (DV) played at home and outscored their opponents in every quarter to win 85-31 on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

.

The South Dakota High School Sports Awards announced the nominees for all of the fall sports played in the state of South Dakota. The winners of each of the following sports will be announced during the live show to be held June 12 at the Mary W. Sommervold Hall at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls.