Dakotafire Media staffers were among five South Dakotans recognized in the National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest. Published works by Dakotafire Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Heidi Marttila-Losure and Managing Editor Wendy Royston were five of 17 entries forwarded from the South Dakota Press Women contest earlier in the year, after earning first place finishes in that contest. Managing Editor Wendy Royston: ... Read More »
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Dakotafire staffers among recognized Press Women
Staff of Dakotafire Media were recognized for their work at the South Dakota Press Women convention in Deadwood last month. Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Heidi Marttila-Losure: Publications Regularly Edited by Entrant: 1st “Clean and appealing design, feels very professional without being too ‘slick,’” the judge wrote. Editorial Opinion: 1st Place, for her September/October editorial from the energy edition, entitled “Power people.” ... Read More »
Tax refunds give rural families a substantial boost
The Earned Income and Child tax credits help boost people--often rural people--out of poverty each year. Read More »
Effective framing paints clearer picture of rural issues
What is rural? A table of six young leaders from across America hashed out the definition of the word “rural” during Young Leader’s Day at the National Rural Assembly in Washington, D.C. In a framing exercise, we discussed what we most want policymakers to know about the places that, to us, epitomize the institution of “rural,” as well as the ... Read More »
A federal service, local customers and distant landlords: Ownership arrangements for post offices can be challenging
by Wendy Royston, Dakotafire Media staff writer with reports by Doug Card, Sarah Gackle and Bill Krikac Editor’s note: This is the first story in a two-part series. See the second story here. A small-town post office serves as a recognizable face of the local community. “It is an identity. Your ZIP code and your post office is your town,” ... Read More »
Seasonal jobs left unfilled as students pursue other enrichment opportunities
Businesses in the rural Dakotas struggle to fill seasonal and temporary jobs with young employees, whose summers are filled with camps, clubs and athletics. Read More »
Co-opetition
CO-OPETITION is a new way of thinking about business. Some people see business entirely as competition. Read More »
Programs provide heating help to thousands
By Wendy Royston, Dakotafire Media Additional reporting by Elizabeth “Sam” Grosz Anyone who has weathered a Dakota winter knows how important a warm house can be in the dead of January. The people who are likely most acutely aware of this fact are the families struggling to pay their heating bills. “It gets cold here, and any time the program ... Read More »
Ebola fears? Just wash your hands and move on
By Wendy Royston, Dakotafire Media Should Dakotans be worried about Ebola spreading here? Probably not. Even though the 2014 Ebola outbreak is the largest ever and marks the first time the virus has been diagnosed in the United States, officials say the risk to the vast majority of Americans is tiny. Stay calm, they advise—just practice proper hygiene and use ... Read More »
The Affordable Care Act: Impacts for Seniors
If you are a senior who currently receives Medicare coverage, then you are in compliance with the Affordable Care Act and don't need to replace your coverage with a new plan, explained Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist. Read More »