Gestring assumed the role of USD’s 18th president on June 22, 2018, after previously serving as the university’s vice president of finance and chief financial officer since 2010 and serving on the USD finance staff since 2006. She became USD’s second alum and woman to serve as president.

As president, Gestring has remained focused on championing the university’s mission, supporting students and addressing workforce needs in the state. She has guided the university through critical periods of transformation, navigating challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and opportunities such as the establishment of USD – Sioux Falls as it exists today. Under her leadership, USD reached its highest-ever enrollment, now reporting three consecutive years with 10,000 students enrolled, as well as record fundraising achievements. The last nine years have also been shaped by Gestring’s strong financial leadership that, paired with public and private support, has strengthened programs and facilities across the university.

In reflecting on the past nine years, Gestring credits the USD community with making these achievements possible and positioning the university for success in welcoming a new president.

“Serving as USD’s eighteenth president has been the honor of my professional life,” Gestring said. “Since assuming this role in June 2018, I have had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, community partners, legislators and friends of the university. We have guided USD through a period of remarkable growth and momentum, and I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished. Together, we have laid the foundation for a strong future for USD, and we are in a prime position to welcome a new president who will lead us in the years to come.”

South Dakota Board of Regents Executive Director and CEO Nathan Lukkes emphasized Gestring’s stable leadership and commitment to serving South Dakota.

“President Gestring has always been deeply committed to her students, to South Dakota, and to higher education. It has been a privilege working alongside her,” Lukkes said. “Under her leadership, USD has reached new heights, from enrollment and fundraising records to investments in modern facilities that enhance the student experience. She has also been a trusted voice and leader among her fellow presidents and partners across the state. We are grateful for her many contributions to USD and for her lasting commitment to the university.”

In a video posted by USD on Oct. 14, Gestring shared that she and her husband Keith plan to remain in Vermillion to enjoy retirement and look forward to staying connected with the Coyote community.

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RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - A new survey is giving South Dakota drivers something to argue about — and yes, both Rapid City and Sioux Falls made the list of cities with the country’s “most entitled” drivers.

The survey from New Jersey-based Brett Rosen Law asked more than 3,000 drivers in major U.S. cities about behaviors such as risky lane changes, cutting through traffic and ignoring road rules when they’re inconvenient.

Sioux Falls ranked No. 151 nationally, while Rapid City came in at No. 153. Researchers pointed to the heavy traffic around Interstate 29 and Interstate 90 in Sioux Falls and the mix of local and tourist traffic on Rapid City-area roads as possible factors.

The survey also found that 25% of drivers said they had experienced a road-rage incident that went beyond yelling or hand gestures. 15% said they had intentionally used their vehicle to intimidate another driver, cyclist or pedestrian.

New local bookstore

My wife and I opened a used bookstore in Dell Rapids called Sam's book market! We would love for people to come check it out even if you don't purchase anything! We know it's going to be trial and error on what will sell and what won't! Any advice is very appreciated! We have a Facebook page called Sam's book market (obviously!). The page has our hours and address.

Reports of deer deaths from a viral disease have spiked as hunters take to the fields in South Dakota, and state wildlife officials are reducing some hunting opportunities and offering hunting-license refunds to protect deer numbers.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is a viral illness spread by tiny biting midges typically found along muddy shorelines. In South Dakota, the disease primarily impacts white-tailed deer, according to Game, Fish and Parks Senior Wildlife Biologist Byron Buckley.

“Because white-tailed deer generally inhabit the areas where these midges currently are,” he told the Game, Fish and Parks Commission on Thursday in Pierre.

Mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk and pronghorn can also be infected. The department says the disease usually affects deer herds in late summer or early fall. Warm conditions can extend the period when the insects are active, while a hard freeze generally kills them off, bringing a seasonal outbreak to an end.

Buckley said weather strongly influences outbreaks. This year’s outbreak started in July and continued as South Dakota experienced an unusually warm, dry September with some heavy rain.

Retired Game, Fish and Parks lead biologist George Vandel said those conditions — drier dry periods and wetter wet periods — can create the environment where midges thrive best: muddy areas that are sometimes covered by water and sometimes exposed to the air.

During the commission’s monthly meeting, Buckley said the department now has about 407 reports this year of dead deer due to the illness: 376 suspected cases and 31-lab-confirmed. During the commission’s Sept. 10-11 meeting, the count was 196, he said. Though he said it’s not unusual for a spike in reports to come in during that timeframe.

“So a lot of our reports have come from the month of October,” Buckley said. “Now, that could be because we are seeing the disease a lot more or that there’s just a lot more people on the landscape.”

Waterfowl, grouse, dove and archery deer hunting seasons all began in September.

The number of reported cases for 2026 is slightly higher than the total reported for all of 2025, according to the state’s EHD map, though Buckley described this year’s numbers as roughly comparable to the previous two years.

The state has taken several steps to limit deer hunting in outbreak-affected areas, aiming to give deer populations a better chance to recover. The department removed mentored and youth deer licenses in nine southeastern South Dakota counties where outbreaks have affected deer in the past two years. It also removed 62 unsold licenses, two in McPherson County and 60 in Dewey County. The state changed statewide archery license rules, which previously allowed hunters to take any deer, to buck-only licenses.

Buckley said the department is now offering a further option: Hunters holding deer licenses in 16 counties along the Missouri River corridor can voluntarily return their licenses for a full refund.

Wildlife Division Director Tom Kirschenmann said the department may add counties as more October reports arrive.

“We’re trying to be somewhat strategic about it, but we’re also trying to be proactive about where we offer this up,” Kirschenmann said.

The department asks people to report sick or dead deer via methods listed at gfp.sd.gov/contactus. Buckley said officials enter reports into a system that updates the department’s public online map.

- Anyone done the physical test at LE academy in Pierre?

- What’s your experience with physical requirements of the individual departments versus the academy?

- Do RCPD/SFPD/PCSO/LCSO/MCSO/etc have different requirements or are they mostly the same across the board? From what I can tell, they are not the same.

I’ve been losing weight and training a lot, especially now that I’m in the early hiring process for a PD out west. PD hasn’t mentioned any physical test (besides academy) yet, but I don’t want to be surprised or unprepared.

My concern is the 1.5-mile/16 mins. I’m currently doing 17 mins/mile in walking and jogging intervals. Stamina isn’t the issue - my calves are just on fire. I’m 6 months postpartum coming from a sedentary job. I see improvements every day so I’m feeling optimistic.

Can any LE answer my questions or give some advice? I’m really passionate about making this a reality. Thanks!

Some dude got a cool and rare photo of a bobcat waiting for a prairie dog breakfast! (Not my photo)

Hey everyone,

My buddy and I went hunting today for the resident opener. It was about 88-90 degrees and very windy. We had a German Short-haired Pointer that we've hunted with alot and know is good at hunting. We hunted at several places that we'd hunted last year and always saw pheasants. But today we got completely skunked. We saw one pheasant that flew from somewhere but didn't have a shot. And that was it. Was this everyone else's experience? What was going on today? Why was the hunting so hard?

South Dakota Republicans reminding voters how to goose-step.

Hello! My buddy and I were looking to move to Gaylord South Dakota. Does anyone have any experience with this wonderful little town?

source from coin news

I love this stupid event.

Hey there! I’m in Sioux Falls and a hobby photographer. I’m beginning to work on a collection of photos of abandoned old cars and trucks and am trying to source locations if anyone would be willing to share. Here are some examples that I’ve taken near Interior and Chamberlain.

A pilot program at Racing Magpie in Rapid City works with Lakota elders to share language and foodways ‘to honor them as cultural leaders.’

Hello! Im not sure where else to post this lol, I’m looking for anyone that has attended USD and done their online programs. I have plans to do that in the future and wanted advice/recommendations about how others have experienced it and if they were happy with how its been going/gone. Thank you!

Genuine question. What are your thoughts? Wildly different? Or the same?

I'm relocating to the Aberdeen area and am looking for a home inspector who has experience inspecting older/historic homes, particularly houses from the early 1900s. I'm looking at purchasing an older property that may need some TLC, so I'd like someone who understands the construction and potential issues associated with houses of that age.

I'm looking for personal recommendations from people who have actually used an inspector they were happy with. Thanks! （＾∀＾●）ﾉｼ

(SOUTH DAKOTA SEARCHLIGHT) - An appeals court shut down an attempt from South Dakota’s attorney general and governor to overturn a decision that blocks enforcement of a law that criminalizes abortion pill advertising in the state.

Gov. Larry Rhoden and Attorney General Marty Jackley, both Republicans, filed the appeal in August after a lower court blocked enforcement of the law while a lawsuit over the law’s constitutionality played out.

Nancy Turbak Berry, a Democratic former state legislator from Watertown, and New York-based nonprofit Mayday Health filed a lawsuit in May against Rhoden and Jackley. Rhoden signed the legislation into law in March after lawmakers approved it, but it wasn’t scheduled to take effect until July 1.

South Dakota already has a near-total ban on abortion, except when it’s necessary “to preserve the life of the pregnant female.”

The new law prohibits the dispensing, distribution and advertising of abortion pills and other abortion-related items, and makes violations punishable by prison time and fines.

In mid-July, a federal judge in Rapid City ruled the state could not enforce the new law while the lawsuit played out. Rhoden and Jackley sought to overturn that decision.

“Mayday’s activities are an irreparable threat to unborn life and maternal health,” Jackley wrote in his appeal.

The 8th Circuit Court denied that bid, which means the state cannot enforce the law while a case of whether or not the law is constitutional plays out.

Mayday Health and Turbak Berry say the law illegally restricts Turbak Berry’s free speech. As an example, the lawsuit says the prohibition on advertising would prevent her from wearing a sweatshirt sold by Mayday. The sweatshirt says abortion pills can be obtained in all 50 states and encourages people to learn more on Mayday’s website.

“Unless this court grants relief, Turbak will be deterred from wearing the sweatshirt,” and thereby deterred from engaging in First Amendment-protected speech, the lawsuit says.

U.S. District Judge Camela Theeler wrote in her July ruling that the state’s lawyers have “not shown that Mayday advertises with the specific intent that another person engage in specific criminal conduct and thus have not shown that Mayday’s advertising is integral to criminal conduct.”

Hey everyone! I’m trying to find new thrift stores. What are your favorites?