For lots of South Dakota families, including ours, May is graduation season. It’s a season of milestones and memories. If there is any one image that stands out in my mind this graduation season, it’s of a bouncing red ponytail. I first became acquainted with it somewhere in my daughter’s... Continue Reading
All of us have special people in our lives who have guided us, loved us, and made us into the individuals we become. For many of us, no one person does more for us than our mothers. As Mother’s Day approaches, we are once again reminded of how much our... Continue Reading
South Dakota’s farmers deserve to take considerable pride in the fact that they are able to coax such abundant yields out of land that can appropriately be described as temperamental. Harsh winters, periodic droughts, flooding, and other challenges create uncertainty, but the resilience of our state’s agricultural producers leads to... Continue Reading
Spring has arrived in South Dakota, and we are once again reminded of how critical thriving farms are to our state. South Dakota farmers and ranchers work hard to maintain their lands, knowing that proper land management increases the likelihood of future success. Through conservation and smart land management, South... Continue Reading
Members of Congress from both parties as well as President Obama have been talking a great deal recently about creating jobs and moving the economy forward. What has generated far less discussion, however, is where new jobs might be created. The White House and Democrats in Congress have pursued policies... Continue Reading
Banks and other financial institutions play an important role in our economy and in the day to day financial needs of South Dakota families. Most of us who have bought a home or even a car have borrowed money from a financial institution, and we trust them to act responsibly... Continue Reading
South Dakotans want to see the federal government take steps to make it easier for businesses in our state to create jobs and remain strong. Unfortunately, some of the proposals coming out of Washington today would have an opposite effect. One such policy is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan... Continue Reading
Across South Dakota, high school seniors are looking to the future, which for many of them will include attending college. Unfortunately the costs of attending college can create a challenging and stressful situation. Many students choose to borrow money for college, but the federal government may soon limit the choice... Continue Reading
The talk coming out of Washington about creating jobs is all well and good, but the truth is that since passage of the stimulus bill last year, the government has only shown an ability to create government jobs. Real, sustained job growth comes from the private sector, particularly small businesses.... Continue Reading
In addition to warmer, longer days, one of the surest signs of spring in South Dakota is the annual state basketball tournaments. This year, young men and women from across South Dakota will compete for the AA, A, and B division crowns, an accomplishment that will be a lasting memory... Continue Reading
In recent months, Congress has focused primarily on the health care reform debate and the discussion of how to create conditions for economic growth and job creation. While these issues front and center in the news, it is important for policy makers in Washington as well as citizens in South... Continue Reading
Our nation has seen many changes over the last 100 years. The Internet has replaced telegraph wires; air travel has supplanted the railroads. Some things have remained constant, however, including the Boy Scouts of America, which recently marked its 100th anniversary. Scouting, both for boys and girls, is a tradition... Continue Reading
