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When Siri Fiske founded the Mysa Microschool in Washington, D.C., in 2016, there wasn’t a widely accepted term for her small, oneroom schoolhouse model. Now, the school is referred to on its website as one of the first microschools in the nation, and Fiske has seen a growing microschool movement since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Platte-Geddes Superintendent Joel Bailey remembers an “eerily quiet” lunch room when his students were still allowed to use their cellphones during the school day. “We decided that since the kids are in class the majority of the day, they need to talk to one another during lunch.

There’s no doubt that an introduction of New World screwworm, which is advancing northward from Central America and through Mexico, would have a devastating impact on America’s livestock, wildlife and people. The USDA states the screwworm “threatens over $100 billion in United States economic activity tied to the cattle and livestock industry alone.”

There’s a new dog in town. Top Dog Plumbing recently opened shop in Gregory to handle plumbing needs such as new builds and bathroom remodels. They can change out water heaters, install propane lines, remove and replace cast iron and galvanized pipe, and put in spigots for sprinkler systems. Basically, Top Dog Plumbing can tackle any indoor plumbing projects.

Kami Ellerbroek will soon be offering her services as stylist Kami the Crazy Hair Lady at The Studio in Gregory. Kami spent a lot of time in Gregory as a young girl, visiting her grandmother who lived on Park Avenue across from the hospital.

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Christine May of Burke recently received the Harvey Dunn Award for her work in the Harvey Dunn Plein Air Paintout. Chris has taught many workshops and provided demos, not only at this DeSmet-based event, but across the Midwest.

After the Bronco fundraiser, a matching pledge challenge up to $200,000 was issued, beginning July 9, 2024. Since that time, various fundraisers have been held, and the total amount of money toward the matching funds is currently at $79,867.30, but this does not include any donations made during the month of August.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, along with 43 other Attorneys General, are demanding major artificial intelligence companies stop hurting children with certain content on their platforms.

The South Dakota Department of Revenue estimates that tax collections from the 2025 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally totaled $1,581,736, marking a 13% increase over last year’s collections of $1,399,501. These figures include revenues from state sales tax, tourism tax, municipal sales tax, and municipal gross receipts tax.