Topic: South Dakota

US government waives pollution laws for 1,500 underground water supplies

The Environmental Protection Agency has granted some energy and mining companies permission to pollute underground water supplies across the US, according to an investigation by ProPublica.

Modern Parenthood
Christmas parenting wisdom: 'It's Jesus' birthday, not yours'

Christmas parenting wisdom from a grandfather shapes a family culture: 'It's Jesus' birthday, not yours.' There’s a lot of empty space under our tree, but our homes are filled with friends and festivities.

In Texas, a town where the teachers carry guns (+video)

Harrold, Texas offers a window on how one school manages guns in the classroom. After the Sandy Hook shooting, Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota and Oregon have said they may propose laws allowing teachers and school administrators to carry firearms at school.

Gun sales spike in some states, while others stock up on armored backpacks

The Sandy Hook Conn. school shooting has lead to mixed reactions amongst shoppers. Some states have seen record gun sales, while self-defense retailers have also noticed an increase.

The Simple Dollar
Low-cost attractions offer cheap getaways

If you plan a vacation in which the primary activities are inexpensive, then the vacation is going to be inexpensive, Hamm writes.

Sandy Hook tragedy: Pro-gun senator says it's time to ban assault rifles (+video)

The support of pro-gun Democrats, such as West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, is boosting prospects for a new drive to ban semi-automatic weapons and high-ammunition clips.

Jenni Rivera, the 'Diva de la Banda,' lost in Mexico jet crash (+video)

Jenni Rivera died Sunday when her Learjet 25 crashed. Jenni Rivera was a mother, grandmother, and the queen of the grupero music scene in Mexico. Her death was confirmed by US officials Monday.

Saving Money
'Tis the season for free gift cards

Freebies attached to full-price gift cards are abundant during the holidays. Now is a good time to stock up on gift cards, both for you and for others. 

Decoder Wire
Women step up in House GOP leadership. Why that's just a start.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers rises to the No. 4 position in the House GOP leadership, which saw a net add of one woman to its roster. But the party lags badly in having women among its ranks in Congress.

If your side lost the election, time to secede from the Union?

That will never happen, but people on the losing side of the presidential election are venting via a petition, on a White House website, to have their state secede from the Union. Petitioners in Texas lead the pack.

Spinach recall for Fresh Express. Are you affected?

Spinach recall from Fresh Express involves 9-ounce bags in as many as 18 western US states due to possible contamination with salmonella. Customers affected by the spinach recall should throw the product away and call Fresh Express for a full refund.

Congress: Will fiscal cliff, election results lead partisans to stand down?

Post-election, the GOP-led House still sees its mandate as tax-hike prevention. Obama and the Democrats still want to raise taxes for the wealthy. But if they don't work together, the looming 'fiscal cliff' – which no one wants to see – may doom them all.

Voter turnout: the 6 states that rank highest, and why

Which state will have the highest voter turnout on Nov. 6?

On average, about half (51.6 percent) of eligible US voters cast ballots, but six states averaged more than 60 percent. The policies and attitudes in these states may hold lessons for those trying to get out the vote around the country.

How the 2014 elections tip prospects for a 'grand bargain' on US deficits

Whoever wins the White House – President Obama or Mitt Romney – will need help from the other side of the aisle in the Senate to reach a deal on meaningful debt- and deficit-reduction. But key senators up for reelection in 2014 face wrenching tradeoffs.

Backchannels
In US politics, foreign things are very suspicious ...

... and market-oriented approaches to greenhouse-gas emissions are 'radical.' But I missed the moment when corndogs became un-American.

Russell Means: Native American activist and Hollywood actor

Russell Means was one of the leaders of the Native American armed occupation of the South Dakota town of Wounded Knee, a 71-day siege in 1973. Russell Means also starred in "The Last of the Mohicans" and was guest star in the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

George McGovern: A war hero who fought for peace

Former US Senator George McGovern was a war hero who inspired many in his opposition to the Vietnam War. Always a proud liberal, he was crushed in his 1972 challenge to Richard Nixon.

20 banned books that may surprise you

The following books may seem harmless to most readers, but they all made it onto banned books lists at one time or another.

Zombees: First 'zombie' bees found in Washington state

The infection is another threat to bees that are needed to pollinate crops.

Decoder Wire
Battleground state polls: Are there any positives for Mitt Romney?

Curiously, the polls of battleground states show President Obama leading Mitt Romney by wider margins than do national polls. The question of which are more accurate could be crucial.

In Gear
Where do America's best (and worst) drivers live?

A new report ranks the drivers in America's major cities, from best to worst. Which metro cam out on top (and bottom)?

Despite cooler temps in Plains, historic drought worsens

The lack of rain allowed exceptional and extreme drought conditions to continue expanding in the area from northern Missouri and into Kansas and Nebraska

The Eighteen-Day Running Mate

With the Paul Ryan announcement, writer Joshua M. Glasser's book is timely as well as impeccably researched.

Train cars explode after freight train derailment in Montana

Fifteen tanker cars containing the fuel additive denatured alcohol and one car hauling cardboard derailed Sunday between Baker and Ismay, about 180 miles northeast of Billings.

Cover Story
New breed of ranchers shapes a sustainable West

These green cowboys try to marry good stewardship of the land with making money.