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.
Dakota State University's Heston Hall is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. It's a beautiful building and a great example of how a structure can be repurposed from one use to another while retaining its great architectural features.
We recognize that the whole idea of honoring persons and creating statues is under pressure. The current effort to reduce racism in America includes removing names, statues or other honors of people who exhibited racism in the past.
Sen. Mike Rounds and other U.S. senators have introduced the TRUST Act of 2020 to be included in projected COVID-19 Relief Legislation. Members of the U.S. House have introduced a companion bill.
The budgeting process for the city of Madison is a well-established practice.
Making plans for the K-12 fall semester is among the hardest things this generation of school administrators have ever had to do.
The state of South Dakota closed its budget year (June 30) with a surplus, a remarkable event considering the nation's economic decline due to the coronavirus pandemic.
We need to face the facts: The algae problem in local lakes is not getting any better. And this is after decades of study, concern, complaints and more concern.
Gov. Kristi Noem has announced that the state is using a portion of Coronavirus Relief Fund money that came from the federal government to replenish the South Dakota Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
Moody's Investors Service recently announced that South Dakota's AAA Issuer Credit Rating has been affirmed. It's the highest rating available.
In a time when national statues and symbols are being questioned and removed, we started thinking about those in Lake County.
Madison has a good construction season under way, and we're particularly glad to see so much private investment throughout the city.
The Lewis & Clark Regional Water System is enjoying a busy construction season, but this year's work will not include a final pipeline to Madison.
Construction progress continues on a beautiful new residence hall at Dakota State University, with the four-story, 122-bed facility to be ready for occupancy by fall 2021.
There may be a time in the near future when a vaccine for COVID-19 is discovered. It will be a joyous day, perhaps one of the best medical advances of all time. Hundreds of thousands of lives will be saved.
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in South Dakota was 100 days ago, but for some people, it seems like a lot longer.
We noticed volunteers working on Sunday at the Madison location that will one day be a new veteran's park. The efforts of volunteers will both improve the likelihood of completion and give it a richer heritage.
Statues are being toppled around the country as one of the forms of protest of racism in America.
Wenzel Cummings resigned as the Legislature's code counsel after one year, and some very important issues have surfaced regarding the relationship between the Legislative Research Council (LRC) and the state Legislature.
Dozens of drug companies are racing to develop an effective vaccine for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. But the successful discovery may have a bad ending.
South Dakota's public universities, including Dakota State University in Madison, are trying a new fall semester schedule.
Most of us don't remember much about commencement speeches at graduations ceremonies. But 73 years ago this month, U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall gave the commencement speech at Harvard College. We aren't exaggerating by saying his remarks that day changed the course of history.
The Saturday launch of a manned rocket bound for the International Space Station, for those old enough to remember, may not seem like a big deal.
Today is Monday, June 1, and the reconstruction of S. Washington Ave. in Madison is still incomplete.
South Dakota's state parks had a huge boost in visitors over the Memorial Day weekend, which suggests South Dakotans have grown tired of staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Madison and Lake county residents have an important election coming up, and we haven't shaken the hand of a single candidate yet.
We're facing an intersection of high unemployment and environmental needs. Let's respond the same way we did last time, nearly 90 years ago.
We're glad to see a charitable focus on food during the current coronavirus pandemic.
There are times when people chafe over having to file paperwork with local governments, or to document transactions, or to keep certain records about real property.
Statistics and anecdotes indicate the planting season in Lake County is off to a good start.
We admire the spirit of the Class of 2020 for making the end of their senior year memorable.
Madison's Memorial Creek enters the city from the north and exits to the southeast. Along the way, it passes through parks, residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. The stone walls are among the city's most attractive features.
Madison's Parks & Recreation Board has voted to recommend to the city commission to not open the Madison Aquatic Center this summer.
We're most familiar with the situation at the Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls, but other meat processing plants around the country have been shut down due to coronavirus outbreaks.
South Dakota officials said Friday they will continue to make a malaria drug available to treat COVID-19, even as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned against its use outside of hospital and research settings.
Just 45 days ago, we wrote that when the weather warmed up to an acceptable level, D&G Concrete Construction should work quickly to complete the S. Washington Avenue project.
Madison's city commissioners approved another phase of the city's electrical system upgrade this week as part of a multi-year plan to improve the infrastructure.
A new report issued by the Governors Highway Safety Association said pedestrian deaths rose last year to their highest level in 30 years, even as other traffic fatalities declined.
We have the opportunity to make a big, one-time impact on the economy of Madison.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is making adjustments, like all of us, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
This year's collection of census data is a bigger challenge than most years, since census workers are hindered from home visits by the coronavirus pandemic.
One hundred thirty years ago this week, the Madison Daily Leader began publishing. We're honored to have served Madison and Lake County for all these years.
The finales of winter sports and all spring sports have now been canceled in South Dakota due to the coronavirus pandemic. That goes for both high school and college sports.
We wrote Monday about how the final day of the 2020 South Dakota legislative session would be like no other in the state's history. It lived up to that distinction, and more.
The South Dakota Legislature was meeting Monday as scheduled for something known as Veto Day. The day, however, will be like none other in our Legislature's 130-year history.
Construction crews were pouring the foundation this week for the new domestic violence shelter in Madison. With the slowdown of so much economic activity, we're glad to see this project under way.
The most vulnerable in our population to the coronavirus are those who have other health issues and the elderly. Many senior citizens check both boxes.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem issued an executive order on Monday concerning actions of South Dakotans during the coronavirus pandemic.
The latest wave of postponements appears to be local elections.
A potential task force -- created by a bill passed by the legislature, but not yet signed by the governor -- could help control future tuition costs at public universities in South Dakota.
