Does Governor Noem care about the massive suffering and deaths she has caused this Christmas season? Does she care about the devastation to thousands of families that will be without a loved one because of her? Does she have any empathy or understanding of the fact that she has traded these …
Dec. 30 is the deadline for people to renew their expired South Dakota driver licenses and ID cards.
On Dec. 12, a "masked up" crew of Food Pantry volunteers provided over 6,000 pounds of food to 155 Lake County families. This Christmas food distribution was the 38th year of this important event. Along with the food, 274 children received about 600 gifts through the generosity of the many w…
Last week, some S.D. newspapers carried AP's report of a climate-change speech by the UN secretary-general. The SG's message to the world is that it's essential for the planet to reduce the fossil-fuel polluting war on nature. He said that 2020 would likely be one of history's top three hott…
As we anticipate the peaceful transfer of power on Jan. 20, 2021, we are reminded of what a critic of another strong-minded executive, Teddy Roosevelt, said back over a hundred years ago: that this president had no more use of the Constitution than a tom cat had for a marriage license.
The current Madison City Commission is considering a proposal to hire a city administrator to "oversee, operate and manage municipal services."
The final chapter of Lake County (or Interlakes) Speedway has been written with the death of Eldon "Elt" Ristesund. Elt died in Howard on Nov. 23 at the age of 94.
GivingTuesday, a day to celebrate generosity for Bethel and more.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we will share lists of things for which we are grateful. I am grateful for Madison Regional Health System, that it is here in our community providing quality health care close to home, especially now. I am also grateful for our local businesses, who va…
As you may know, this year hasn't been short of its challenges. However, the human spirit if not anything is positive and adaptable.
I have some concerns and questions about the recent city council discussion to add a new layer of administration in the day-to-day operations of Madison.
I have a question for our governor, Kristi Noem. If someone who has the virus, but is asymptomatic so has not stayed home, sneezes in her face, will washing her hands prevent her from getting sick? Need I say more?
November 16-20 will mark the annual observance of American Education Week. The event presents all of us with the opportunity to celebrate education and honor the individuals who are making a difference in ensuring every child receive a quality education. It also highlights the importance of …
In a year of chaos, coronavirus, divisiveness on both sides of the political fence...
On this Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2020, we extend our appreciation and thoughts to all Americans who are fighting the war against the coronavirus; and we also wish to acknowledge the veterans of the Jones and Moskowitz families who served during major wars from the Civil War to the War On Terror.
I commend the City of Madison for installing the new playground equipment at the park on the corner of N.W. 4th and Blanche (near St. Thomas). After taking my children there three days in a row and finding the place well enjoyed by other young folk, I can say this park is a winner.
The latest from, hopefully soon to be ex-President Donald Trumpm that "If you count the legal votes, I easily win," reminds me of my friend who is a very good golfer as he only counts the good shots.
"We feel pretty good about where we're at."
The South Dakota Supreme Court just ruled that our representatives cannot grab some of that free COVID money for themselves.
If you ever walk the halls of the Fort Meade VA Hospital, as I have many times, you will notice that the walls are decorated with many pictures of WWII soldiers, sailors, Marines and their battlefield scenes.
It is time for all seniors to have a checkup on their Medicare Part D plans. I would like to encourage all seniors to look at their Medicare Part D plans and make sure that what they have is the best for their needs.
Oct. 5-9 is Pediatric Nurses Week. Within the stuttering community, parents' fear that a child is beginning to stutter is well known -- and very real.
In regard to the letter from Max Allen from Yankton, I am responding.
As I sit here in my winter coat outside my husband's bedroom window at Bethel, I have many opportunities to observe staff working with the residents.
Community owned. Customer focused. Locally controlled.
One can easily draw some conclusions from the three questions asked by Dennis Nickel in the Friday, September 25, Madison Daily Leader; and I will offer a few that I immediately thought of.
In May 1998, community representatives met to create a public transit program for Madison and Lake County, governed by an 11-member board of directors. After the official documents were created and filed, it was determined that the board lacked any knowledge or expertise on operating a publi…
God bless America, the land I love. A nation is somewhat like a garden. If you do not care for it, it goes away. Our president cares for himself rather than for the nation. This is the first such liar and criminal that is commander-in-chief while calling military personnel by rotten names wh…
In the past few days, three of my colleagues had candidate yard signs go missing from their lawns here in Madison. Presumably, the signs were stolen.
Question 1. Who pays for our governor's travel to campaign for Donald John Trump?
My name is Colton Wicks, and this is my ninth year in the 4-H program here in Lake County. This year COVID-19 has changed how 4-H meetings have been conducted, how Achievement Days were handled in Lake County, and how 4-H is being handled at the State Fair in Huron, SD.
Our nation's pandemic now appears to be beyond containment.
In this time of social distancing, many vehicles may be sitting idle for days or weeks at a time. The non-profit Car Care Council recommends starting your car at least once a week and keeping up with routine auto care to help prevent potential maintenance issues.
After Trump's rally in front of Mt. Rushmore, where he so disrespected the Great Sioux Nation and our country with his appalling performance with his hate speech, it caused me to give a lot of thought about how our government acted so wrongly in essentially stealing the Sioux's land from the…
July 4-5 is normally a time to celebrate our great nation's birthday. This year being its 244th. Like many, we spent the weekend at home. We had our United States and POW/MIA flags on their staff as usual but also placed along the walk a 13-star U.S. flag as a reminder of America's first bir…
Noem, Thune, Rounds and Johnson have joined the most racist, bigoted, sexist, hateful political party ever created since the Civil War. These South Dakota politicians have not just allowed Trump to push an agenda of hate, but they have gone out of their way to support him in this.
Editor, The Daily Leader:
As Trump's Mount Rushmore rally date approaches, it is impossible to ignore some of the glaring contrasts existing between those men represented on that monument and the guy who will be ranting in front of them.
I feel it is my duty to inform my neighbors and fellow citizens of Madison, S.D., about the lack of financial accountability in our city government. The mayor and the finance commissioner have not held our finance officer accountable, at a substantial cost to the residents of Madison.
These are some of the toughest times that most of us will live through. In the last 70 days in the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that disability and illness can be a common experience for all parts of society.
Protect and serve is the brand of America's police. Respect for each person in uniform is essential for a property-ownership economy like ours. Unfortunately, this police brand has been compromised due to numerous killings of unarmed black people.
South Dakotans are struggling with the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, and some are finding it difficult even to pay for essential services, such as electricity and water.
A special thank you to Mathew and Emily Wollmann who own and operate Wollmann Productions. Mathew, an '09 Madison High School graduate, and Emily, a '15 Madison High School graduate, donated their time and talents to produce the 2020 virtual graduation for our students. The Madison Central S…
After visiting with several people and receiving several anonymous letters, as the president of the St. Thomas Parish cemetery board, I thought I would try to shed a little light on the caretaking of the cemetery.
We're glad to see some organizations figuring out ways to keep school children busy, healthy and active during this unique summer.
On behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), I'd like to thank all those who work in nursing facilities -- doctors, nurses, food preparers, housekeepers and others -- for their unwavering dedication to compassionately caring for the vulnerable residents who are relyin…
The Graceland Cemetery Board would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who has donated to our annual fund appeal. We would not be able to maintain our large (50 blocks) cemetery without your generous contributions.
When people ask me where I'm from, I say South Dakota. When they ask me where I live, I say New York.
Memorial Day 2020 will look like no other Memorial Day in our recollection.
The current pandemic and pandemic response highlight some things that are not going so well in how our nation has structured itself, both willfully and by default. It also highlights two things we are getting right in the Madison area.
