Lori Walsh

South Dakota ACLU Policy Director Libby Skarin joins Dakota Midday for a conversation about House Bill 1008, a bill to "restrict access to certain restrooms and locker rooms in public schools."

Skarin discusses the vulnerability of transgender students, the impact discrimination has on their school attendance and success, and what she says the impact of HB1008 would be on the state of South Dakota as well as on transgender and cisgender students.

District 4 State Representative Fred Deutsch of Florence joins Dakota Midday for a conversation about House Bill 1008, a bill to "restrict access to certain restrooms and locker rooms in public schools."

Rep. Deutsch discusses the timing of HB1008, how the state can support local districts in protecting the "bodily privacy of young people," and what he says the possible impact of the bill is on transgender and cisgender students.

Jessica Michak of Deadwood History outlines the acquisition of the papers of South Dakota newspaper publisher Jessie Sundstrom.

Homeless Advisory Board Coordinator Stacey Tieszen and volunteer Matt Gage discuss the nationwide annual homeless count, the conversations volunteers have with those experiencing homelessness, and how more than half of Sioux Falls homeless citizens are employed.

Tom Durkin, Deputy Director of NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium discusses the "credible possibility" of a massive new planet in our solar system as well as early findings from the New Horizons spacecraft exploration of Pluto.

Dr. Crystal Sellers-Battle and Dr. Lucia Unrau discuss classical music composed by and for African Americans. From arias to art songs to spirituals, Sellers-Battle discusses the power and influence of contemporary American classical music.

Michael Lansing, author of "Insurgent Democracy: The Nonpartisan League in North American Politics," discusses the rise and legacy of farmers who created a nonpartisan movement in Midwestern politics and what their ideology has to offer citizens today.

Watercolor artist Sarah Rogers talks about her 30 year love affair with painting. She discusses how some of her animal portraits evoke friends and family members, her deep connection to the Black Hills, and why artists must overcome doubt and failure to return, always, to the work at hand.

Vocalist Jennifer Keith talks about how classic American has become part of our collective DNA, why older songs are often her favorites, and why she's a sucker for a good melody.

The Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society presents the Jennifer Keith Quintet at the Orpheum Theater in Sioux Falls, January 22 at 8 p.m. CT.

SDPB's Jenifer Jones spent part of December working with refugees on the Greek Island of Lesvos.  Jones is now back in South Dakota.  She shared stories of her volunteer work with Dakota Midday host Lori Walsh.

University of Sioux Falls professor Kevin Cole leads the interim course "American Slave Narratives."  There are few courses like it in the nation.  Content focuses on American slave narratives written and published between the 18th and early 20th centuries.  Cole visited with Dakota Midday host Lori Walsh to detail the course.

It's estimated that half of all Americans take a health supplement every day, from fish oil to multivitamins to diet pills.  The booming $30 billion plus vitamins and supplements industry says these products can make consumers healthier, but "Supplements and Safety," a new FRONTLINE investigation with the New York Times and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, raises troubling questions.  Director/producer Neil Docherty discussed the episode which premieres Tuesday night (1/19) at 9:00 p.m.

South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson has been a judge for more than 30 years. He sits down with Dakota Midday host Lori Walsh to discuss the evolution of criminal justice, the expansion of initiatives such as veterans court,  and how judges can build lives instead of prison walls.

Speaker Wink and Senator Sutton continue the conversation of the Session's top issues ... from raising teacher salaries, to food tax relief. They also discuss how South Dakota citizens can be part of the legislative process.

Kevin Killer and Shawn Bordeaux discuss the intersection of state politics and tribal politics. From education to Medicaid expansion to the arts, the two state representatives highlight issues important to South Dakotans and call for partnerships between Native and non-Natives throughout the state. 

The January 13th, 2016  SDPB Legislative Podcast features stories on the State of the Judiciary, education, and ethics reforms efforts.

Governor Dennis Daugaard sits down with Dakota Midday Host Lori Walsh to discuss  education, criminal justice reform, transparency and accountability in state government and business, and a potential state park in Spearfish Canyon. 

SDPB's Kealey Bultena digs in to the details of education reform, breaking down the numbers for Governor Dennis Duagaard's proposed teacher salary increase and highlighting reaction from lawmakers and educators. She also lets teachers and parents know what to expect going forward and how to be a part of the lawmaking process.

Dana Ferguson (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) and Seth Tupper (Rapid City Journal) discuss the competing rights and issues of the Patriot Act, reactions to Governor Daugaard's State of the State address, and what to watch for in the 2016 South Dakota legislative session. (Includes Charles Michael Ray's interview with South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds.)

As the 2016 South Dakota Legislative session gets underway, Secretary of State Shantel Krebs sits down with Dakota Midday to discuss upcoming ballot initiatives, the spike in concealed weapons permits, and her goals for the 2016 session.

Composer Marcel Tyberg was killed in Auschwitz during the Holocaust. The South Dakota Chorale will perform two lost Masses by Tyberg, the first time they have been stage since Marcel played them himself.

SD Chorale Artistic Director Brian Schmidt shares Tyberg's story and discusses the composer, his legacy, and the concert he played for friends, just days before the Gestapo captured him in a night raid.

The National Music Museum in Vermillion kicks off its 2016 Live! series this week. T. Wilson King will play four guitars from the museum's collection. The guitarist and Arian Sheets, curator of the museum's stringed instruments, discuss the nature of improvisation, expansion efforts at the museum, and how live music plays to the overall mission of art and history.

The summer of 1927 brought President and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge to the Black Hills of South Dakota for a stay that extended throughout the summer.

From Grace Coolidge's walk in the woods that led her astray to President Coolidge's announcement that he would not seek reelection, Gary Enright, Director of the 1881 Courthouse Museum, details the highlights of the "Summer White House" in South Dakota.

Joe Tye, author of "All Hands on Deck: 8 Essential Lessons for Building a Culture of Ownership" shares insight into how business leaders can encourage employees to take ownership of their own work and how to replace the attitude of "not my job" with the spirit of "how can I help?"

EmBe's Erin Bosch discusses how women mentor and encourage other women in business and in personal development.

The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center continues its Big Read celebration of "The Maltese Falcon" with a live performance by Tomáš Kubínek.

Kubínek talks with Dakota Midday host Lori Walsh about the influence of artists such as Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, the connection between artist and audience, and his evolving relationship with trust as he endeavors to "master the impossible."

A very special Christmas gift was given to the Hisotric Homestake Opera House. Fundraising efforts spanning two years have secured the purchase of a Yamaha CX Series 7-foot grand piano that will be installed this week.

Executive Director Sarah Carlson explains the nuances of purchasing an instrument worth tens of thousands of dollars and what it means for arts lovers throughout the region.