• As newspapers close, Sioux Falls paper steps up to help. The Dakota Scout announced it'll expand coverage after five newspapers abruptly shut down this week – including the Brookings Register and The Daily Plainsman in Huron.
  • Strategic help or criminalizing homelessness? That was the big question at the heart of debate Wednesday night over a proposed city ordinance that would prohibit "certain structures" in public areas – essentially a crackdown on encampments. The proposal spurred quite a bit of public input calling the ordinance a way to criminalize homelessness rather than offer support.
    • However, city Homelessness Coordinator Michelle Treasure said the ordinance is a tool that allows for "protecting public spaces while upholding the dignity and humanity of our most vulnerable," and the ordinance was also endorsed by Police Chief Jon Thum.
    • Councilors agreed to advance the proposal to a second reading, but there were hesitations from Councilors Miranda Basye and Rich Merkouris.
    • "At the moment, this is 100% personality based," Merkouris said, noting that the police department culture could change overnight under a different chief. "The effective collaboration is not baked in the system of government."