After the uncertainty of last summer, we look forward to local baseball more than ever.

Gov. Kristi Noem told South Dakota's tourism industry on Monday to prepare for a strong rebound this summer, following effects of the coronavirus pandemic on nationwide travel (see story in Tuesday's Daily Leader).

A Canadian company would like to mine uranium in southwest South Dakota and is seeking appropriate permits from the state. While that process is necessary, we believe the project should be rejected just based on common environmental sense.

COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on our community, our nation and the world. Families have experienced the loss of loved ones, businesses have closed or experienced severe cutbacks and, as a nation, we've been shut-ins.

Public schools and universities are planning for a more "normal" school year after more than a full year of adapting to the coronavirus.

As reported in the Daily Leader, the Madison Aquatic Center suffered damage over the winter when the ventilation system failed, leading to corrosion of important components of the mechanical systems.

The Lake County Road and Bridge Advisory Committee has begun reaching out to community groups. Created in August to make recommendations to the Lake County Commission, the concept of the advisory committee has merit and should provide valuable input; however, we would like to see the meeting…

Former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday on three counts related to the killing of George Floyd in 2020. We did not watch the entire trial and, therefore, can make no conclusions about the verdicts.

The Madison City Commission merged the recreation trail committee into the overall Park Board last month, but that shouldn't mean our city's interest in expanding recreational trails is ending.

It's serious business when school districts talk consolidation.

Two weeks back, we wrote about the academic research success of South Dakota's public universities. Now, we follow up with a recommendation: use that research to improve health, business, justice and many other parts of our lives.

We'll admit skepticism when former Gov. Mike Rounds proposed nearly two decades ago the state's public universities dramatically step up their research efforts.

South Dakota is accustomed to large-scale projects. The Oahe Dam near Pierre is composed of 92 million cubic yards of earth fill and creates the fourth largest reservoir in the United States. Crazy Horse memorial between Custer and Hill City, when finished, will be the second largest sculptu…

Lake County will have very little state-sponsored road construction this year.

The South Dakota Legislature approved a $5.1 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. Conservative budgeting will likely provide plenty of leftover funds a year from now.

The South Dakota Legislature has appropriated an additional $75 million investment in broadband internet capacity in the state. Gov. Kristi Noem proposed the investment in her December budget address.

Madison city commissioners approved advertising for bids this week for a project to build a new aircraft parking apron at the Madison Municipal Airport.

We're glad to see South Dakota's public universities and special schools have announced a return to more normal operations in the fall.

Due to drought conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it may consider water conservation measure later this year on the Missouri River.

City of Madison crews will be cutting down trees in the boulevards along city streets this summer. We usually don't like to see trees taken down, but in this case, it's the right thing to do.

American governments, federal and state, have made many mistakes in the Covid-19 pandemic. But the great success -- the saving grace -- was making a financial bet in collaboration with private American industry on the development of vaccines. That effort is now letting the country see the po…

Nearly 2,000 Lake county residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, a pace we believe bodes well for the health of local residents.

Madison's city commission approved a grant application

We're excited to see the Dakota State University women's basketball team qualify for the NAIA national tournament, scheduled to begin March 12 or 13. The Trojans will learn who their first round opponent is during a selection presentation Thursday.

The bitter cold temperatures this week are causing considerable strain on all sorts of utility infrastructure. But despite some real challenges, they are holding up well.

South Dakota legislators are discussing changes to voting laws in the state, most of them under the banner "let's make a good system better."

Dakota State University was founded 140 years ago next month as Dakota Normal School. While 140 years may not be a big round number like 100 or 200 years, we need to reflect and celebrate the journey the school has taken.

United States Senate committee appointments were announced this week, and the two senators from South Dakota scored excellent assignments that will involve both the nation and South Dakota.

Our politically divided country needs to find some common ground. Civics education may provide a path. But conducted poorly, it could make things worse.

We've read stories about embezzlement cases in South Dakota for many years, and we're concerned about the process of conviction and punishment.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has been clear about her frustration over the slow pace of the Jason Ravnsborg fatal car accident investigation. We agree with Noem.

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…