The third graders at Dakota Valley showcased historical figures, holidays and events at the elementary school’s annual Living Timeline on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

The South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation received a gift from the Steve Peterson Family of Salem, South Dakota. The gift is in memory of their wife and mother, Cathy. This donation is the lead gift to the Foundation, kicking off “Operation: Mobility,” a fundraising campaign to purchase up to 30 allterrain track chairs and trailers to be distributed throughout the state of South Dakota.

The Department of Education published the 2021-22 Report Card today. The online resource provides a wealth of data to help parents, educators, and community and state leaders understand how their public schools perform on select metrics.

SDSU Extension is excited to welcome Graham (Geb) Bastian as a new Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist. Bastian will be based on the main SDSU campus in Brookings, where he will conduct applied research in nutrition education and behavior and provide evaluation support for Food and Families programming.

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 8.7 percent in 2023, the Social Security Administration announced. On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January.

Results of the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) were released. While some states experienced double-digit declines in average test scores, South Dakota scores stayed above the national average and experienced less volatility than other states.

If Gov. Kristi Noem doesn’t fulfill her campaign pledge to repeal the South Dakota sales tax on food during the 2023 legislative session, voters may get a chance to decide the issue on the 2024 ballot.

USDA announced that distressed borrowers with qualif ying USDA farm loans have already received nearly $800 million in assistance, as part of the $3.1 billion in assistance for distressed farm loan borrowers provided through Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA directed USDA to expedite assistance to distressed borrowers of direct or guaranteed loans administered by USDA’s Farm Ser v ice Agency (FSA) whose operations face financial risk.

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Erin Kuper, who is a Physical Education Teacher at Elk Point-Jefferson, was named as the SHAPE SD New Physical Education teacher of the year. “She is a graduate of SDSU and has made a difference in the profession as a student and as a teacher,” said Nikki Heinz of SHAPE SD Awards.