Dakota Dialogues

Civics Uncovered- Table of Contents

Civics Uncovered explores how government works in South Dakota by examining the institutions, officials, and community leaders who shape public life across the state. Hosted by USD students Norah O’Neil and Evan Firman, the series features conversations with elected officials, public administrators, tribal leaders, and civic participants about topics ranging from city councils and county commissions to tribal governance, courts, school boards, and the state legislature. The season aims to strengthen civic literacy by demystifying the structure and function of government while encouraging greater public understanding and engagement in democracy.

1. School Boards (Listen)
   Exploring the role of school boards in shaping public education, budgeting priorities, curriculum decisions, and community engagement across South Dakota. Hosts Norah O’Neil and Evan Firman speak with Bailey Rami of Watertown and Dawn Marie Johnson of Sioux Falls about leadership, accountability, and the challenges facing local schools.

2. County Commissions (Listen)

A conversation about the structure and responsibilities of county government in South Dakota, including infrastructure, public services, budgeting, and regional governance. Guests Gary Drewes of Pennington County and Geoffrey Gray-Lobe of Clay County discuss how county commissions balance local needs with long-term planning.

3. State Executive Branch (Listen)

Norah and Evan travel to the South Dakota State Capitol to learn how the executive branch operates and how statewide policy is implemented. Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen and Governor’s Office General Counsel Katie Hruska discuss executive leadership, intergovernmental coordination, and the day-to-day work of state government.

4. City Councils (Listen)

Examining how municipal governments address local priorities such as public safety, economic development, and citizen engagement. Callie Meyer of Rapid City reflects on recent successes in local governance, while Brayden Beaner of Garretson discusses transparency, responsiveness, and serving smaller communities.

5. Tribal Governance (Listen)
   An exploration of tribal sovereignty, representation, and governance through a conversation with Christian Skunk, current USD law student and former member of the Lower Brule Tribal Council. The episode highlights the unique governmental authority and responsibilities of tribal nations in South Dakota.

6. South Dakota Courts (Listen)
   Understanding the structure and function of South Dakota’s judicial system. Greg Sattizahn, State Courts Administrator, joins Norah and Evan to discuss the organization of the courts, judicial administration, and the role courts play in maintaining the rule of law and resolving disputes fairly.

7. Special Districts (Listen)
   A look at the often-overlooked governmental entities that provide essential public services such as water management, fire protection, utilities, and infrastructure. Dr. Fairholm from the University of South Dakota joins the hosts to explain how special districts operate, why they exist, and the important role they play in local governance.

8. Local Citizen Boards (Listen)
   Exploring the influence of appointed boards and commissions in shaping community policy and local decision-making. Norah and Evan sit down with Anita Wetsch of Sioux Falls, a current member of the Business Improvement District (BID) Board, to discuss civic participation, economic development, and citizen leadership in local government.

9. Initiatives and Direct Democracy (Listen)
   Examining South Dakota’s long tradition of ballot initiatives and referenda, including the history, opportunities, and controversies surrounding direct democracy. Host Evan Firman speaks with John Fiksdal of Media One in Sioux Falls about the evolution of the initiative process and his firsthand experience working on recent statewide campaigns.

10. South Dakota State Legislature (Listen)
    An inside look at the legislative process in Pierre and the responsibilities of elected representatives in state government. Hosts Norah and Evan discuss the structure and function of the South Dakota Legislature with Representative David Kull (District 2) and Senator Randy Deibert (District 31) during live interviews conducted at the Capitol during the 2026 legislative session.

11. Season Finale with Dr. Julia Hellwege and Dr. Michael Card (Listen)
    Norah and Evan conclude the Civics Uncovered series with reflections on the conversations, lessons, and themes that emerged throughout the season. Joined by Dr. Julia Hellwege and Dr. Michael Card, the hosts revisit favorite moments and discuss the importance of civic knowledge, public engagement, and understanding how government works in South Dakota.