May 23, 2012
Watch Fed President Speech at Data Matters Forum Live Stream

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolise President Narayana Kocherlakota is addressing a crowd in Rapid City, S.D., on the campus of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. 

Thank you everyone for watching the live stream. The recorded video from the even will be up shortly

February 13, 2013
Wounded Knee Occupation of 1973

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the 1973 occupaton of Wounded Knee.

This information is provided as a tool to help the user determine the historical context and significance of the events discussed. Information has been aggregated from academic journals, reference books, online databases, and newspaper articles.

November 28, 2012
Uranium Map of Dewey-Burdock

COURTESY/U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Draft statement claims cumulative impacts of proposed Dewey-Burdock mining small in the context of all energy production proposals the area could face. The proposed uranium mine would be located some 50 miles west of the Pine Ridge Reservation.

November 7, 2012
Voter Turnout High But Sliding in SD

After a high point in the 2004 Daschle-Thune Senate race, the Rushmore state's voter turnout is on a downward trend.

Of South Dakota's 528,621 registered voters, 348,201 voted in Tuesday's election, for a 66 percent voter turn out, the Rapid City Journal reports.

This year marks the second presidential election with declining voter turnout statewide. One political science expert is not surprised, noting the state's blockbuster 2004 U.S. Senate race between Democrat Tom Daschle and Republican John Thune.

September 25, 2012
South Dakota Leads Nation in Income Growth

A federal report released Tuesday shows incomes in the Rushmore state rose by nearly 12 percent last year.

The U.S. Deptartment of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis said its analysis shows South Dakota incomes rose 11.8 percent in 2011 and 12.8 percent in 2010, according to a press release from the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

South Dakota still ranks 50th for wages and salary income, according to the BEA, but a state study shows incomes rank 26th when adjusted for cost of living and other factors.

August 17, 2012
Rapid City and City Growth

 

July 17, 2012
Rapid City Public Library Sponsors Archives Roadshow for the Public

When the Antiques Roadshow came to town, the Rapid City Public Library hosted the Archives Roadshow.

The public was invited to bring in photographs that show the history of the area. KEVN did a segment on the roadshow and why the library is looking for photos from the public to add to their archives. If you have photographs taken in Rapid City or the Black Hills area, they may be of value to the archival project. Contact publicservices@rapidcitylibrary.org for more information.

 

June 21, 2012
State Resources

State Departments

South Dakota Department of Labor

The DOL promotes economic and financial opportunites and security to workers and business owners with quality assistance, safe business practices, and employment solutions in today's workforce.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

June 19, 2012
Game, Fish, and Parks News

New Walleye Limits Take Effect for 2012-1013

June 16, 2012
Pennington County Commissioners to Consider Funding Rail Spur to Local Business

Pennington County Commissioners to consider $375,600 loan to local wood chip and pellet company.

On Tuesday June 19, 2012, Pennington County Commissioners will be consider a proposal to loan money to local business Deadwood Biofuels, LLC.  The company would use the money to build a rail spur to its plant at 5406 Old Folsom Road, Rapid City, SD.   Located at the former Dakota Craft site, Deadwood Biofuels manufactures wood pellets used in heating and grilling and wood chips used for playgrounds and parks.  Currently, the pellets are trucked to downtown Rapid City for loading into rail cars. According to owner Randy Kr

June 16, 2012
Rapid City Flood Survivors Share Story On South Dakota Public Broadcasting

Ron and Lavonne Masters, survivors of the 1972 Black Hills Flood, share their account of the night.

Survivors of the 1972 Black Hills Flood shared their tale of that night in Rapid City on South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Ron and Lavonne Masters, who lost three children in the flood, had previously been recorded for the Rapid City Public Library's collection of oral histories.

June 13, 2012
Oglala Cartoonist Honored

Marty Two Bulls, Sr. receives award from Society of Professional Journalists for his editorial cartoons.

From Natve Sun News

Story by Jesse Abernathy

RAPID CITY –– “Our enemies call us the Sioux.” This is the intriguing guiding mantra of talented Oglala Lakota artist Marty Two Bulls Sr., as emblazoned on the home page of his recently relaunched commercial design website, m2bulls.com.

June 11, 2012
American Indian Community Reflects on Flood's Impact

Pow wow and Wiping of the Tears ceremony remember those who lost their lives in the flood of 1972.

Billy Good Voice Elk Junior, a Lakota spiritual advisor, consoled those who attended ceremonies at the Mother Butler Center in rememberance of the 1972 flood. Don Loudner, a member of the South Dakota National Guard in 1972 who helped rescue people that night, offered memories. 

For more on this story, watch the newscast on KOTA News.

June 11, 2012
Rapid City Pays Tribute to 238 People Lost In Black Hills Flood

Hundreds of residents and visitors attended a memorial service to honor the 238 people who lost their lives in the 1972 Flood.

Hundreds of people attended the memorial service at the Rapid City Civic Center to pay tribute to the 238 people who lost their lives in the Black Hills Flood of 1972. Current Mayor Sam Kookier spoke at the June 10 service, as did former mayor Don Barnett. Others shared memories of the past and lessons learned.

June 9, 2012
New Building Codes Commence June 11th

On Monday in Rapid City, new city building codes changes will go into effect.

Due to building code changes, commercial and residential construction projects in Rapid City will have to abide by some new rules starting June 11th. Changes pertain to replacing siding in historic districts, residential roofing permits, and residential contractor licensing. City Council signed off on the changes in their May 7th meeting and new ordinances go into effect twenty days after publication.

June 9, 2012
Who Is Behind the Deadwood Standard Project?

As the interest grows behind the Deadwood Standard Project in Spearfish Canyon, the individuals behind the project explain their involvement and their backgrounds.

As the Spearfish Canyon mining project gains more attention, interest is growing as to who is behind the Deadwood Standard. The individuals backing the project include doctors, geologists, farmers, ranchers, business owners and miners, in which 7 out of the 10 are from South Dakota, according to the Black Hills Pioneer. For the full story, click here.

June 8, 2012
Former Rapid City Mayor Returns To Today Show 40 Years After Flood

Former Rapid City Mayor Don Barnett appeared on the Today show after the 1972 flood, and again to mark the 40th anniversary.

Five days after the 1972 flood that destroyed parts of Rapid City and surrounding areas, Mayor Don Barnett appeared on the "Today" Show. Among his concerns was the potential that the damage of the flood would be compounded by a loss of tourism. During his appearance, he was given seven minutes to speak on national television about the state's beauty and need for tourists.

June 8, 2012
Lawrence County Delays Mine Decision

Debate focuses on the potential positive and negative effects on the economy including tradeoffs between new jobs and the impact on property values in Spearfish Canyon.

Lawrence County planning and zoning commissioners voted to delay a decision on a proposed Spearfish Canyon gold mine, as reported by the Black Hills Pioneer. Click here for full story.

Additional coverage by Black Hills Fox - KEVN News.

 

June 8, 2012
Rapid City Remembers Black Hills Power's Important Role in Flood Restoration Effort

Retired Rapid City lineman remembers working nearly around the clock to make sure customers were safe.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, June 8, 2012

Mayor Sam Kooiker

Mutch Usera, Director of External Affairs & Sarah Folsland, Communications Manager

Rapid City and Black Hills area communities rallied to recover from the historic events of 1972, and those efforts included the Black Hills Power linemen (now referred to as line mechanics) who were charged with restoring electric power after the devastation.

Jack Naugle, retired lineman, remembers working nearly around the clock to make sure customers were safe.

June 4, 2012
The Reason for Low Unemployment in the Black Hills May Be... Altruism?

High rates of community engagement in South Dakota are likely to contribute to the state's low unemployment rate, according to a study by the National Conference on Citizenship. When people volunteer with community organizations, vote in local elections, and help out their neighbors, they are more likely to work together to solve economic problems.

We know the health and vitality of a community are directly linked to the community's information infrastructure. The Black Hills Knowledge Network began as a project to help move local information through this infrastructure, giving decision-makers and leaders current and background information on the issues of today. Did you know that states that scored higher in a civic health study also had lower unemployment rates? This is good news for South Dakota.

May 31, 2012
Infant Mortality In South Dakota

With Infant Mortality Rates in South Dakota higher than the national average and surrounding states, Governor Daugaard authorizes a task force to examine the issue.

Infant mortality rates in the United States as a whole have been dropping, but South Dakota has seen a rise in recent years. Since 2000, South Dakota has seen an average infant mortality rate of 7 (infant mortality rate defined as the number of deaths between birth and one year out of 1000 births), edging out the national average of 6.8, and considerably higher than surround states of North Dakota (5.9), Minnesota (5), Iowa (5.2), Nebraska (5.9) and Montana (6).

May 25, 2012
Tourism Employees Learn About Lakota Culture

The Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce hosted a two-day cultural training session for employees of the region's major tourist attractions.

The Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce offered a two-day diversity training for more than 100 employees of various tourist attractions in the Black Hills. The event took place at Crazy Horse Memorial. The program focused on prevailing stereotypes and addressing concerns about safety on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Read the story in the Washington Post.

May 24, 2012
Rapid City's Horace Mann Swimming Pool Opened 41 Years Ago

On June 7, 1971, the Horace Mann Park swimming pool opened in Rapid City.

The original swimming pool cost $237,000 to build. Forty-one years later the citizens of Rapid City are considering designs for a new swimming pool in the park.

May 23, 2012
Pennington County Residents Will See Tax Increase

Pennington County Commissioners approve property tax increase.

A unanimous vote by Pennington County Commissioners will increase property tax rates.  By law, the county could have raised the rate up to 5%.  Instead, commisioners chose the lower figure of 2.1%.  Department heads are still being asked to reduce their proposed budgets.

Read the full article in Rapid City Journal.

May 23, 2012
Rapid City Seeks Citizens to Serve on Code Enforcement Board of Appeals

Rapid City citizens invited to apply to serve on new board of appeals.

The newly formed Rapid City Code Enforcement Board of Appeals is seeking citizen applicants.  Working 2-4 hours per month, board members would preside over and hear appeals from people cited for code enforcement violations under Rapid City's municipal code. 

The Citizen Interest Form may be completed by an on line application; deadline for application is 5:00 PM June 4, 2012.