Exciting News on the Horizon: Expansions, Funding for Law Enforcement, and New Programs for Artists and Prisoners”.

On today’s show, we learned about several big news items. Firstly, Avera Health announced their plans to expand their women’s, children’s, and digestive health services. Chief Nursing Officer Tamera Larsen-Engelkes shared more details about the expansion and what it will mean for patients.

Next, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley talked about his office receiving funds to create a digital investigation unit and expand how law enforcement uses technology. This is an exciting development that has the potential to improve public safety in the state.

The editor of the Garretson Gazette, Garrick Moritz, stepped in as our Dakota Political Junkie this week. He dived into the controversy surrounding Senate Bill 201 and discussed the compromise that was reached. It was an interesting discussion that shed light on some of the challenges facing lawmakers in South Dakota.

We also learned about a new program aimed at helping women and trans musicians take their open mic performances to the next level. This is an exciting initiative that has the potential to give more opportunities to talented artists who might not have had access to professional resources before.

Finally, SDPB’s Jackie Hendry previewed her upcoming “South Dakota Focus” episode on juvenile justice. She shared why she sees this story as a hopeful one and explained how she plans to approach it in her documentary. We are excited to see what insights she will provide on this important topic.