Best SDPB Podcasts (2025)

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Fundraising efforts strive to secure the future of SDPB 49:26

Play Pause

5d ago49:26

49:26

Ryan Howlett, CEO of Friends of SDPB, discusses what their latest fundraising campaign could and couldn't do for SDPB's journalism efforts going forward.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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Analysis: How national economic policies & indicators impact our finances 25:42

5d ago25:42

25:42

Our Dakota Political Junkies preview the upcoming special legislative session. Plus, what legislators watch for nationally when planning for the state's budget.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

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Analysis: Digging into the politics of the Black Hills water fight 49:08

5d ago49:08

49:08

We share the second half of our conversation with the Dakota Political Junkies. Seth Tupper and Brad "Murdoc" Jurgensen unpack the debate over Rapid City's water needs.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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Putting lawyers' offices back on small-town Main Street 49:40

11d ago49:40

49:40

There's a shortage of lawyers in small towns across the nation. South Dakota is leading the way with rural law programs to address the problem.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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South Dakota Magazine celebrates 40th anniversary 49:40

11d ago49:40

49:40

For four decades, the South Dakota Magazine has collected, preserved and archived stories from around the state. Editor Bernie Hunhoff shares the history of the magazine.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

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Analysis: Who counts as an American hero? 36:14

13d ago36:14

36:14

The White House wants states to remember our heroes. Our Dakota Political Junkies explore who could be memorialized in a new statue garden in the Black Hills.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

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Analysis: 'One Big Beautiful Bill' includes funding for patriotic statue garden 49:12

13d ago49:12

49:12

Seth Tupper, editor in chief of South Dakota Searchlight, and Brad "Murdoc" Jurgensen explore who counts as an American hero and whether statues qualify as art.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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To make good financial choices, you need good information 49:01

13d ago49:01

49:01

Rapid City wealth advisor Rick Kahler explores how bias could affect how you plan your financial future. Plus, Teacher Talk rings in the new year.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

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New true crime book takes intimate look at criminal justice system 48:30

15d ago48:30

48:30

Jim Reese's "Coming to a Neighborhood Near You" is part memoir and part deeply researched exploration of the nature of crime, true crime in popular culture and the criminal justice system.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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All My Relatives brings a day of music & culture to the Levitt Bandshell 49:40

17d ago49:40

49:40

An all-day event at Levitt at the Falls showcases Native art and music. We preview the All My Relatives Festival with Mato Wayuhi, Shinin' Star Style and Gabriel Night Shield.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

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Keep Up the Fire: New documentary tells stories of the 'Manchus' 49:39

20d ago49:39

49:39

A new film tells the story of the U.S. Army's 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. We speak with a Vietnam War vet and the filmmaker.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

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Are South Dakota's liberal days behind it? 49:09

20d ago49:09

49:09

We look at how candidates are campaigning in the early election season. Plus, historian Marc Johnson explores the rise and disappearance of liberal South Dakota.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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Putting more students on the path to higher ed 49:21

20d ago49:21

49:21

The Promising Futures Fund and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire are installing big projects on two Sioux Falls campuses. We learn how the community got involved.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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Analysis: The not-so-distinct messaging of 2026's candidates 16:48

20d ago16:48

16:48

Michael Card, Ph.D., and Jon Hunter examine your potential 2026 ballot. What messages are candidates sharing now to sway your vote?By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

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Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis returns to the headlines 49:06

20d ago49:06

49:06

In 2015, Kim Davis made the news when she refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Ten years later, she's appealed her case to the Supreme Court.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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Understanding the impact of large language models 49:30

25d ago49:30

49:30

We explore how artificial intelligence works, why it "hallucinates" and how South Dakota students are envisioning how it serves people in the future. A DSU assistant professor walks us through the technicalities.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

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Analysis: Newspaper closures and the future of South Dakota journalism 29:28

26d ago29:28

29:28

Long-time journalist Kevin Woster analyzes the impacts of shuttering newspapers in Brookings, Huron, Redfield and Flandreau.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

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Focus on family safety in South Dakota 49:10

26d ago49:10

49:10

We speak with the Children's Home Society and the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. They explain the complexities behind family violence.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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Four South Dakota communities to lose their local newspapers 49:13

26d ago49:13

49:13

Kevin Woster steps up to the mic to discuss the newspaper closures in Brookings, Huron, Redfield and Flandreau. We explore changes in the local journalism industry.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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R1 status could boost economic development in SD 48:35

26d ago48:35

48:35

R1 certification for a university's research program is like Division 1 status for its athletic department. South Dakota State University is pursuing the designation.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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South Dakota city reimagined as an urban forest 49:13

29d ago49:13

49:13

A new book explores the story of Sioux Falls through the leaves of its trees. Paul DeJong and Mike Cooper take listeners into the pages and pictures of "If Our Trees Could Talk."By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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Exploring the impacts of more frequent flooding 49:03

1M ago49:03

49:03

We check in on the northeast corner of the state and the rainy summer they've seen. Plus, a look back at the record-breaking flash flooding at McCook Lake in June 2024.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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'East of Wall' showcases modern-day cowgirls 48:56

1M ago48:56

48:56

Director Kate Beecroft found Tabatha Zimiga's story by chance. And she got a feature film deal by chance. She shares the story behind the story she told in "East of Wall."By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

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Before the school bell rings 49:40

1M ago49:40

49:40

The next school year is nearly upon us. We hear from superintendents, educators and elementary students before the first school bell of the year rings across South Dakota.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

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Analysis: Is Operation Prairie Thunder about public safety or politics? 23:07

1M ago23:07

23:07

Our Dakota Political Junkies take a closer look at the goals of South Dakota's new immigration enforcement initiative. And based on those goals, how do we know it's working?By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

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Analysis: The shifting model of U.S. presidential authority 24:28

1M ago24:28

24:28

Our Dakota Political Junkies explore how President Trump may be claiming more spending power than previous administrations.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

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Analysis: Project Prison Reset causes some budgetary woes 32:27

2M ago32:27

32:27

Two former appropriators who were on the first prison committee unpack the final recommendations from the Project Prison Reset committee.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

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Analysis: How the One Big Beautiful Bill might impact South Dakota 21:59

2M ago21:59

21:59

President Donald Trump's budget bill will enact much of his domestic agenda. Our Dakota Political Junkies discuss how the tax and program cuts could be felt here at home.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Secretary Kristi Noem's finances face fresh scrutiny 23:27

2M ago23:27

23:27

A ProPublica investigative report alleges Noem took a cut of political donations and didn't disclose it. Our Dakota Political Junkies offer their analysis.By Lori Walsh

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Analysis: Too many headlines can distract voters 25:16

2M ago25:16

25:16

Our Dakota Political Junkies discuss how some political actions are being buried right in barrage of stories and headlines.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Concerning poll results & shocking political violence 12:22

3M ago12:22

12:22

In light of recent shootings, we explore a poll that showed a troubling rise in the percentage of people who said political violence could be "justified."By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Early 2026 gubernatorial announcements sees similar candidates 17:46

3M ago17:46

17:46

Our Dakota Political Junkies discuss the two candidates in the running for the 2026 governor's race (so far): Jon Hansen and Toby Doeden.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: New report says state will need another prison in 10 years 30:55

3M ago30:55

30:55

Former legislators Jean Hunhoff and Linda Duba unpack what they found unsurprising in the new prison report. Plus, a look at bureaucracy in the state. Do we need a DOGE?By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: A speech, a protest & an ICE 'raid' in Madison 23:08

4M ago23:08

23:08

Our Dakota Political Junkies discuss why Secretary Kristi Noem's commencement address at Dakota State University sparked protests. Plus, a "raid" on a Madison business.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Career-minded Republicans are navigate political 'minefield' 21:11

4M ago21:11

21:11

For Republicans thinking about re-election, our Dakota Political Junkies say they have to carefully weigh their words and actions in the current environment.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
West River land dispute attracts political muscle 11:31

4M ago11:31

11:31

The Dakota Scout's Jonathan Ellis breaks down his coverage of the dropped charges against the Maude family. He also discusses the crowded race for South Dakota's next governor.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

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Analysis: Trump's executive actions & ratings for his first 100 days 18:39

4M ago18:39

18:39

Our Dakota Political Junkies take a look at how Trump's actions have deviated from the presidential norm. They also explore what we can really glean from the latest polls.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: SD's former governor remains in the media spotlight 23:20

5M ago23:20

23:20

Secretary Kristi Noem appeared in several news headlines over the weekend. South Dakota Searchlight's Seth Tupper takes a look at how she works coverage in her favor.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Sen. John Thune as senate majority leader 38:39

5M ago38:39

38:39

Jon Hunter and Michael Card, Ph.D., scrutinize Thune's performance as majority leader. They round up national headlines and stories about the South Dakota congressman.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Pierre property taxes proposal might not work for Sioux Falls 21:28

5M ago21:28

21:28

Patrick Lalley says property taxes aren't the biggest concern for Sioux Falls residents. He shares who you should really call if you're dissatisfied with your tax bill.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester