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Scholarship Countdown: Yankton College would like to remind potential applicants to apply for Yankton College scholarships for use at any accredited school. Scholarship applications must be postmarked by February 20, 2026.

Nicole VanZuidam, MA, LMFT The sound of a phoropter has stuck out to me since I was a child. Every time the optometrist changes out the lens, it makes a distinct sound as a different lens is slid into position. “Can you see better 1 or 2, 3 or 4?” I anticipate the adjustment my eyes will make and a process of assessment takes place, determining the clarity of the options. Supposedly, this tool has the capability of giving a near-infinite number of combinations of corrective lenses to fit the extremely unique needs of each individual’s eyes.

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In each policy proposal, we must look beyond the talking points and to the real impact on South Dakotans. Nowhere is that more important than in the property tax debate that has been getting louder in the past several years. I have lent support for proposals that provide statewide property tax relief without defunding schools, roads, and law enforcement. While I have been a supporter of property tax changes, I am more interested in getting our policy right than “getting something done,” just because it is an election year.

Many of America’s cattle ranchers who are now taking over their families’ ranching operations do not remember when the beef checkoff program was enacted. That’s because it was enacted over four decades ago.

Jim Halverson District 21 Aurora, Charles Mix, Douglas, Gregory, Tripp Counties Committees: Education, Health & Human Services Capitol Address: 500 E. Capitol Ave.

Bart Pfankuch SD News Watch Whether caused by the pervasiveness of social media, an increase in “soft” parenting without consequences or lingering trauma from the COVID-19 pandemic, South Dakota’s top education official said more public school students are being violent or aggressive in the classroom. In addition to an increase in the number of disruptive incidents, Department of Education Secretary Joseph Graves said the level of violence exhibited by students against teachers, administrators and other students has also intensified in recent years.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is not meeting the needs of South Dakotans. I hear almost every day about a lost package, delayed mail resulting in late fees, medication delays, and the questionable routing of mail. USPS delivery times continue to get worse, and it’s having a real impact on individuals and businesses. The data shows USPS service performance data has trended downward in every measurable category for every type of postage for the last four years.

As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, we’ll feature a periodic column to recount key events and people that led to our country’s independence. Christopher Columbus wasn’t looking to colonize new lands when he first contemplated a journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

Lieutenant Governor Venhuizen, Mr. Speaker, members of the House and Senate, Chief Justice Jensen, Supreme Court justices, constitutional officers, and my fellow South Dakotans: We are gathered here at the convening of another session of the South Dakota Legislature. I’ve thought a lot this past year about that word, convene. Convene means, “To meet formally as a group… for a serious purpose.” We are gathered here for such a purpose: to do the work of the people of South Dakota.