There will be a lighting ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Tuesday night to honor those killed by the coronavirus. The Presidential Inaugural Committee invites communities around the country to join in lighting up buildings and ringing church bells in a national moment of unit…
All 50 state constitutions mandate that the governor give an annual (or regular) report to the state legislature on the condition of the state. This speech is most commonly referred to as the State of the State address, although it is known as the Condition of the State address in Iowa and t…
There is some speculation of further protests and possible violence at state Capitols, following the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol last week.
The South Dakota Department of Health has clarified its plan for widespread coronavirus vaccinations in the state and the priority in which they are given.
The South Dakota legislature will convene for its annual session in only twelve days, and from a distance, it doesn't appear as if it's ready for this mid-pandemic session.
Despite limited gatherings, many people in Madison and Lake County had abundant food last week, with hams, turkeys, side dishes and desserts overflowing on plates.
Only a few doses of the new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered locally, but even those have helped boost the spirits of people in Madison and Lake County.
As if politics in 2020 couldn't get stranger, we look at the runoff Senate elections in Georgia.
Gov. Kristi Noem is recommending the South Dakota spend $100 million to fully connect the state to broadband internet access over the next few years.
A new program can help Madison's businesses -- as well as others throughout South Dakota -- with air quality and reducing the spread of COVID-19.
A new grant program to improve the appearance of downtown Madison is a great idea, and we urge property owners and business tenants to take advantage of it.
The United States Army has fired or suspended 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, in what is called "chronic failures of leadership" that contributed to widespread violence, including murder, sexual assault and harassment.
The collection of data for the 2020 Census is complete, and statisticians are starting to put it all together for the purposes established by law.
South Dakota Circuit Judge Craig Pfeifle has issued an order saying judges won't appear in the Custer County courtroom, after county commissioners passed an ordinance allowing guns in the courthouse.
Nearly 8,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses will arrive in South Dakota this month. While there will be plenty of debate as to who should receive the vaccine first, we're confident that the state Department of Health will prioritize as well as possible.
Madison Central Schools and Dakota State University have done an excellent job working through the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Dakota's weather can change at any time, but at the moment the first week or two of December looks pretty mild.
As Thanksgiving moves into the Christmas season, we have an opportunity to really help our community.
Vehicles have brake lights, backup lights, turn signals, seat belts and air bags. Infants are given vaccines. Adults get shots for the flu, pneumonia, shingles. Roads feature traffic signs, lanes and curbs are painted, railings installed. Foods and drugs are monitored, meat is inspected. Pro…
On May 16, my wife called 911 in Madison. My defibrillator went off several times. Needless to say, I needed help.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Daily Leader and Leader Printing. Despite the difficulties of COVID-19, we're thankful for all those involved with our operation.
The head of the largest health system in South Dakota said he's not going to wear a mask.
Dakota State University in Madison and Sanford Health announced an expansive alliance to pursue "cyberhealth."
A side effect of staying home to avoid COVID-19 is that people aren't as physically active.
A federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling Thursday that cleared Harvard University of discrimination against Asian American applicants.
Several state and federal agencies are working together to provide a COVID-19 testing event in Madison, as well as nine other South Dakota towns (see Monday's Daily Leader).
Many schools, businesses and other parts of our lives have struggled with the pandemic, and most of us are trying to help organizations and people affected by COVID-19. Another one to think about: the arts.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced a new program last week that will provide internet service at no cost to eligible K-12 students in their homes for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
South Dakota voters will cast ballots Tuesday whether to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. We urge a No vote.
South Dakota voters will cast ballots Tuesday whether to amend the state constitution to allow gambling on sports in Deadwood. We recommend voting no.
We need to fix things we can't see or feel while driving.
There appears to be a consensus that Lake County roads need improvement. That isn't new. But the approach is changing, and we think it's for the better.
Merriam-Webster's definition: Journalism is the act of collecting and presenting news and information through the media. Our refinement: Journalism is not rumor, speculation or deception.
At first glance, the wildfires burning in forests and vineyards in California would seem to have nothing to do with us in eastern South Dakota.
The South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) -- and Gov. Kristi Noem - continue to actively recruit businesses to relocate to South Dakota. Some observers believe that is an unsafe thing to do during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Directors and staff of the Smith-Zimmerman Heritage Museum met with community members on Monday to talk about opportunities for the future.
We see plenty of harvesting equipment in nearby farm fields, as corn and soybeans are brought in for the year.
As summer turns to fall, we're watching a few local civic projects nearing completion that may be challenged by weather.
It's far too early to make final conclusions about an alleged fatal accident involving South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg and Joseph Boever in rural Hyde county. The incident is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety, the Hyde County Sheriff's Office and the North D…
Last year's September floods are fresh in our minds, and we should continue to work on mitigation efforts to prevent similar events in the future.
We didn't expect the Postal Service to be dragged into the political arena this year, but it was. Despite the rhetoric, it appears that mail-in ballots will be delivered promptly for this year's general election.
After decades of hand-wringing, housing construction is on a big upswing in Madison.
It's way too early to declare victory, but we're pleased with the reported numbers so far in Dakota State University's effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
The Madison Public Library board decided to decline a grant for additional mobile Wi-Fi hotspots because of a condition to place content filters on them.
Nearly 20% of Lake County's active registered voters have requested an absentee ballot, and we expect that figure to rise.
Cropland in parts of northeast South Dakota is battling salinated soils, but we're glad to see that potential solutions are available.
The Daily Leader reports information in every edition about COVID-19 cases in South Dakota and Lake County, with the data coming from the state Department of Health.
Both Dakota State University and the Madison Central School District have established sounds plans for reopening school during the coronavirus pandemic. We'll soon know if they reduce transmission of the virus.
South Dakota legislators and Gov. Kristi Noem are deciding whether to call a special legislative session to decide how to spend most of the coronavirus relief funds given to the state by the federal governments.
When it comes to human needs, it doesn't get any more important than good food. And we're glad to see Lake County organizations focusing intently on that basic need.