Northeast Radio SD: On-Demand Local Listen

LIVE w/ SD District 4 Rep. Kent Roe - www.kentroeforlhouse.com🎙️ Catch up on the latest from SD District 4! 🎙️Representative Kent Roe recently sat down with Northeast Radio SD to discuss his re-election campaign and the key issues facing our rural communities as we head toward the June 2nd primary.In this great conversation, Kent breaks down his legislative record and what he's fighting for in Pierre, including:🚜 Rural Infrastructure: Securing critical funding (like SB 240) to help our townships maintain roads and bridges for modern agricultural equipment, plus expanding broadband access statewide.🚑 Rural Healthcare & EMS: Tackling the massive burden placed on our volunteer EMS and ambulance crews. Kent is pushing to cut the red tape and paperwork so our local heroes can focus on saving lives, while also working to bring federal rural health transformation dollars into our local clinics.💨 Wind Energy Revenue: Fighting to ensure that the tax revenue generated by local wind energy stays right here in our local counties and school districts to fund scholarships and athletics, rather than being reallocated after five years.Whether you agree on every issue or not, local elections matter. Check out the full interview to hear Kent’s thoughts on the legislative process, working with advocacy groups, and his goals for a second term.🗓️ Don't forget to vote! The primary election is Tuesday, June 2nd (polls open 7 AM - 7 PM), and absentee voting is available now at your county courthouse.#SDPolitics #District4 #SouthDakota #LocalElections #RuralHealthcare #NortheastRadioSD #KentRoePaid for by Kent Roe for SD Kent Roe for District 4 House

🚨 Are AI data centers really a win for South Dakota? 🚨
In a recent interview on Northeast Radio SD, State Rep. Josephine Garcia and energy economist Curtis Jundt shed light on the realities behind the hyper-paced AI data center expansion heading for Codington County and beyond.
While developers promise economic booms, the facts tell a different story:
⚡ Grid Strain: These centers require gigawatts of power, which could drive up electricity rates for everyday residents and businesses.
💧 Resource Drain: Millions of gallons of water from our aquifers and thousands of acres of agricultural land could be lost.
📉 The Jobs Myth: These highly automated facilities often create only 20 to 50 permanent jobs once operational.
It's time for transparency and local control. We need to pause and understand the impacts before it's too late.
🎙️ Listen to the full interview to learn more about what’s happening behind closed doors, and don't forget to vote on Tuesday, June 2!
#SouthDakota #AIDataCenters #LocalPolitics #CodingtonCounty #EnergyGrid #WaterConservation #SDLeg

✈️ FLY LOCAL: Record Growth & Seasonal Updates at Watertown Regional Airport! ✈️Airport Manager Ian Meriwether recently stopped by Northeast Radio SD to highlight the strong upward trajectory at our local terminal! Check out the latest developments shaping your travel experience:📈 Enplanements Take Off: February saw a massive 22% spike in passenger traffic, with April following strong at a 14% increase. Our direct Minneapolis connection continues to outperform past routes!🏹 Hunting Season Expansion: Heading out for pheasant season? United Airlines is launching an extra Denver-Watertown flight block to accommodate sports travel. Remember: firearms must be completely unloaded and secured inside a hard-sided case with every padlock hole locked for checked baggage.🌱 Smart Ground Management: To maintain our completely FREE parking structure, we are rolling out a strategic soybean farming RFP on excess airport land. This collaborative project with USDA wildlife biologists keeps birds clear of runways and naturally disrupts ground squirrel burrowing to preserve airfield pavement.🍔 Community Fun This Weekend: Bring the family out to the airport terminal on May 23 for the Touch-a-Truck event! Get an up-close look at our heavy-duty ARFF rescue trucks and MB5 multi-task snow plows. The fan-favorite hot dog cart will be open for lunch!Keep your eyes on the skies and remember to support local travel!Follow across Facebook, Instagram, and our brand-new X account for instant travel hacks, weather delays, and route promos.#FlyATY #WatertownSD #SouthDakota #AviationGrowth #CommunityFirst #TouchATruck

Rep. Josephine Garcia (R) On District 5 Race & The Fight For Medical/Property Freedoms - https://www.facebook.com/DrGarcia4District5House[🗳️ DISTRICT 5 CAMPAIGN – Josephine Garcia 🗳️]With the June 2 primary election approaching, Representative Josephine Garcia recently shared her platform and legislative focus for the District 5 State Senate race on Northeast Radio SD.Here are the key takeaways from her recent broadcast interview:📌 On Property Rights: According to supporter and 4th-generation farmer Ed Fishbach, Garcia has consistently voted to protect local landowners from eminent domain. Fishbach highlighted Garcia’s support of HB 1052 to restrict private corporate land takeovers, contrasting her record directly with her primary opponent’s votes.📌 On Her Background: Garcia outlined her 14-year history in the Watertown community as a nurse, educator, and owner of the Garcia Family Clinic, which includes a location dedicated to area veterans.📌 On Her Campaign Focus: Garcia stated that she enters the race with “no personal agendas,” asserting that her singular objective is to ensure District 5 constituents are directly heard in Pierre.According to the candidate, the ongoing debate surrounding corporate pipelines and land rights will remain a top priority if she is elected to the Senate.🗓️ The District 5 primary election takes place on Tuesday, June 2.#SDLeg #SouthDakota #WatertownSD #PropertyRights #District5 #Campaign2026

Henry School District 5th Grade Takes on South Dakota! 🎒🌲Our fifth graders just got back from their first-ever South Dakota Capstone Trip, and safe to say, they made memories (and learned a few secrets) to last a lifetime!From the classroom to the Black Hills, our students explored the best of the Mount Rushmore State:🦴 The Mammoth Site: Becoming junior paleontologists at a simulated fossil dig!⛰️ Crazy Horse & Mount Rushmore: Learning the explosive history of mountain carving (90% dynamite!) and hunting for Teddy Roosevelt’s glasses.🏛️ State Capitol: Investigating the mystery of the 11 missing blue floor tiles and spotting the upside-down marble staircase railing.🐟 Spearfish Fish Hatchery: Feeding ravenous trout and hanging out with local baby ducks.Through daily journaling and hands-on exploration, these kids proved that history is best learned out in the wild.Huge thanks to Julie Grund, Dakota Nerison, and all the parents and educators who made this inaugural trip an absolute success! Welcome home, explorers! 🦅✨#henryfalcons #southdakotahistory #CapstoneTrip2026 #HandsOnLearning #henryschooldistrict

☀️ SPLASH INTO SUMMER IS BACK! ☀️
Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Splash into Summer celebration! Codington Connects and over 30 local partners are teaming up to bring you a completely FREE, safe, and sober kickoff to the summer season!
🗓️ When: Thursday, May 28th | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Where: Foundation Plaza (Downtown Watertown) 🎟️dmission: 100% FREE and open to all ages
Here is a sneak peek at what’s waiting for you:
🎈 The Bingo Challenge: Grab a bingo card at the Big Blue Tent, visit partner booths, complete fun activities, and enter to win awesome prizes!
🌭 Free Community Meal: Enjoy fresh-grilled hot dogs donated by Reliabank, chips from the Fraternal Order of Police, popcorn from Visit Watertown, and free ice cream from the Watertown Police Department truck! (And yes, we tripled the food supply this year after serving over 1,000 people last year!)
🎯 Dunk Tank: Come try your luck at dunking some of your favorite local community members!
🧱 Big Blue Blocks: Let the kids run wild and build masterpieces on the east end of the park with giant foam play blocks from the Boys and Girls Club!
📚🎤 Music & Stories: Enjoy a live DJ by the stage and specialized children's storytime hosted by the Watertown Regional Library!
Shoutout to the Boys and Girls Club of Watertown, who are spending this week deep-cleaning facilities and executing top-tier safety, first aid, and specialized sensory training with "Spectrum Matters" to ensure our local kids have the safest, most inclusive summer ever!
Head over to codingtonconnects.com or bgcofwatertown.com for full details. We can't wait to see you there! 👋✨
#WatertownSD #CodingtonConnects #BoysAndGirlsClub #SplashIntoSummer #FamilyFun #SupportLocal #CommunityStrong

Here is a detailed summary of the live newscast from Northeast Radio SD broadcast on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, hosted by Steve Jurens and sponsored by the Watertown Development Corporation.
Local News & Community Updates
Watertown Area Chamber Celebrates "Leadership Lab 2.0"
The Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce is highlighting the success of its revamped leadership program, Leadership Lab 2.0.
The Program: Developed alongside Dr. Melissa Meidinger of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), this 8-week course focuses on emotional intelligence, navigating hard conversations, and real-world collaboration, redefining leadership as "passion over titles."
Graduation & Next Cohort: 22 local professionals recently graduated from the program. Registration is currently open for the Fall 2026 cohort, which begins September 21st at Mount Marty University. Space is capped at 30 participants, and details can be found at watertownsd.com.
National EMS Week & Watertown Fire Rescue Innovations
In honor of National EMS Week 2026, Watertown Fire Rescue is focusing on life-saving technologies and the unique challenges faced by rural emergency services.
New Equipment: EMS Chief Gary Langrock and Paramedic Blane Marlow highlighted tools like the Lucas CPR device and Stryker Power-LOAD cots, which effectively act as extra crew members to lift survival rates and enhance safety.
Survival Statistics: Watertown boasting a cardiac arrest survival rate of 17.5%, significantly outperforming the national average of 10.5%.
Community Reminders: Officials urge residents to learn CPR, noting that survival chances drop 10% for every minute passed without intervention. They also emphasized learning the "BE FAST" acronym for identifying strokes, supporting first-responder mental health, and securing funding for rural volunteer EMS teams.
Community Foundation Marks Youth Council's 25th Anniversary
The Watertown Area Community Foundation is celebrating 25 years of its Youth Council and welcoming its newest members for the 2026–2027 term.
Membership: Incoming juniors include Harper Bastian, Ashley Hauger, and Braxton Tilbury, who will join returning seniors Abby Krueger, Aidan McRoy, and Owen Muller.
Impact: The council awards roughly $10,000 annually to youth-centered non-profit organizations, totaling more than $233,000 distributed since 2001.
Seniors Honored: Graduating seniors Siri Boach, Leila Buyer, and Whitney Martinsen were recognized at a send-off event at Foundation Plaza. Foundation Director Cami Mengwasser noted the program continues to foster confidence and community compassion in young leaders.
Watertown Police Unveil Armored Rescue Vehicle
The Watertown Police Department introduced its new Lenco BearCat armored rescue vehicle, designed explicitly for severe weather rescues and high-risk emergencies.
Safety First: Officials stressed that it is a defensive, life-saving asset rather than a tool for routine patrol operations.
Public Debut: The public can view the vehicle at the "Touch a Truck" event at the Watertown Regional Airport on May 23rd. WPD also plans to host a "Fill the Rescue Vehicle" food drive to collect donations for local families while educating the public on its emergency capabilities.
State & Regional News
Wildland Fire Readiness Briefing in Custer
An annual pre-season wildland fire briefing was held in Custer, South Dakota, alongside state officials to review seasonal readiness.
Infrastructure Upgrades: The state recently opened new fire facilities in Rapid City and Hot Springs, added an East River Fire Management Officer, and secured $5 million in PPE grants for volunteer fire departments.
Legislative Support: Lawmakers have officially approved funding allocations covering firefighter meal allowances, controlled burns, and suppression costs to ensure a strong defense for the 2026 fire season.
Brookings Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Child Abuse
Bailey D. Melcoor of Brookings was sentenced to 30 years in the state penitentiary by Judge Abigail Howard following a guilty plea to aggravated battery and assault charges.
Melcoor admitted to throwing, choking, and slapping his three-month-old daughter, inflicting broken ribs and internal bleeding. State's Attorney Dan Nelson called the case horrific, noting the maximum sentence brings justice as the infant continues her recovery.

Leadership isn’t a title—it’s heart, passion, and action! ❤️💼
We sat down with Tim Sheehan, McKenzie Ries, and Alex Kahnke from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to recap the massive success of Leadership Lab 2.0! Partnered with Dr. Melissa Meidinger (SBDC), this program is officially changing how Watertown builds, grows, and sustains local leaders.
🏆 Huge congratulations to the 22 local rockstars who just graduated from the inaugural cohort!
Here is what makes Leadership Lab 2.0 different:
🧠 Deep Dive into Emotional Intelligence: Shifting from standard management to self-aware, human-first leadership.
🗣️ Tackling Hard Conversations: Gaining real-world tools to navigate difficult staff coaching, structural changes, and team alignment.
🤝 South Dakota Relations: Embracing community connection, active listening, and slowing down in a fast-paced world.
🚨 FALL 2026 COHORT OPEN FOR REGISTRATION 🚨
The next 8-week session kicks off September 21, 2026, at Mount Marty University (Mondays from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM).
⚠️ Seats are strictly limited to 30 participants to maximize hands-on, high-impact group learning!
Secure a spot for yourself or your rising team members today at 🌐 watertownsd.com or call the Chamber at 📞 605-886-5814.
#LeadershipLab #WatertownChamber #GOED #SouthDakotaBusiness #ProfessionalDevelopment #WatertownSD #LeadWithHeart

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In recognition of National EMS Week 2026, representatives from Watertown Fire Rescue sat down to share an inside look at the evolving world of Emergency Medical Services. This year’s national theme, “Improving Outcomes Together,” serves as a backdrop to highlight not only the incredible technological advancements in modern medicine but also the critical challenges facing rural first responders.
The interview featured EMS Chief Gary Langerock and Firefighter/Paramedic Blaine Marlow, who discussed everything from advanced local survival statistics to the mental health protocols keeping their crew safe.
The History and Daily Focus of EMS Week
First established by President Gerald Ford in 1974, National EMS Week is sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). Each day of the week emphasizes a specific pillar of emergency care:
Sunday: Health and Wellness Day
Monday: Education Day (highlighting the 60 hours of continuing education required every two years for recertification)
Tuesday: EMS Safety Day
Wednesday: EMS for Children Day
Thursday: Save a Life Day
Friday: EMS Recognition Day
Saturday: EMS Remembrance Day
“When you look at the history of the world, EMS is really in its infancy,” noted Chief Langerock, tracing the origins of medical corps back to ancient Rome and Napoleon’s first flying ambulances, before fast-forwarding to the systemic setups born out of the American Civil War.
Modern Technology: “An Extra Person on the Crew”
Watertown Fire Rescue operates essentially as an “emergency room on wheels.” Marlow and Langerock highlighted two pieces of advanced technology that have completely changed the field:
The Lucas CPR Device
An automatic chest compression machine is carried on every Watertown ambulance. Marlow described the device as essentially “another person” on the team. It delivers perfect-depth, perfectly timed chest compressions indefinitely, eliminating the human fatigue factor during prolonged lifesaving efforts.
Stryker Power-Load Cots
Automated stretcher systems that lift and load patients into the ambulance at the touch of a button. With patients frequently weighing up to 400 or 500 pounds, this technology is vital for preventing debilitating back injuries among first responders.
Beating the National Average: Cardiac Arrest Survival
One of the standout revelations from the interview was Watertown’s impressive cardiac arrest survival data. Taken from the national CARES (Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival) database, the statistics paint a clear picture of local excellence:
Metric
National Average
Watertown Average
Cardiac Arrest Survival Rate
~10.5%
~17.5%
Chief Langerock attributed this higher survival rate to rapid response times, early bystander CPR, and the immediate deployment of advanced paramedic care.
A Critical Call to Action
First responders stress that bystander intervention is the ultimate bottleneck. Statistics show that 58% of cardiac arrests happen at home, and 37% happen in public.
“A person’s chance of survival decreases by 10% for every single minute they go without CPR,” Langerock warned. Residents are heavily encouraged to take a local CPR class or rely on 911 dispatchers, who are fully trained to coach bystanders through chest compressions over the phone.
Recognizing Stroke Symptoms: BE FAST
The department also emphasized the updated BE FAST acronym to help the public recognize the signs of a stroke immediately:
B - Balance: Sudden dizziness or loss of coordination.
E - Eyes: Sudden vision changes or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
F - Face Drooping: One side of the face sags or is numb.
A - Arm Weakness: One arm drifts downward when raised.
S - Speech Slurred: Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
T - Time to call 911: Also notes the sudden onset of a severe headache.
Supporting Rural EMS and First Responder Mental Health
While Watertown benefits from a paid, full-time staff who are dual-trained as firefighters and paramedics, the surrounding rural communities rely almost entirely on volunteers. These individuals manage regular full-time jobs while responding to calls on their own time.
Rising equipment costs and flat revenues have put many rural and “super rural” EMS districts in South Dakota under severe financial strain. To address this, the state legislature is conducting a summer study to explore enhanced funding mechanisms to ensure these vital community resources can keep their doors open.
Finally, the department highlighted the importance of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). Watertown features a peer-driven CISM team designed to help firefighters, paramedics, and police officers debrief and decompress after experiencing traumatic calls.
“The guys at the department are almost like family,” Marlow said, noting that informal kitchen-table debriefings remain one of their strongest tools for processing the daily trauma of the job.

📢 District 4: Your Voice, Your Future! 📢The South Dakota Primary Election is on June 2nd—just two weeks away! 🗓️Senator Steph Sauder has been driving thousands of miles across District 4, listening to your concerns and sharing her proven vision for our community. As a 5th-generation resident, a 30-year veteran teacher, and a proud farm owner, Steph understands the challenges facing our families, our schools, and our agricultural heritage.🌾 Standing Up for South Dakota Ag: Carrying on her father’s legacy ("Mr. Ag"), Steph is fiercely defending family farms and voting to block foreign adversaries from buying South Dakota land.🩺 Investing in Rural Healthcare: Steph proudly championed the Rural Health Transformation Bill, securing $400 million to stabilize local clinics, expand telemedicine, and support our critical rural EMS workers. 🚀 Focusing on 2055, Not 1955: From tackling inflation and housing affordability to utilizing top-tier cybersecurity talent from DSU, Steph is focused on keeping South Dakota globally competitive.🗳️ A Message From Steph: "In the last primary, only 17% of voters turned out. We can do better, District 4! I am elected by some to represent all, and I need your vote on June 2nd to keep moving South Dakota forward."🔗 Have questions about her voting record or future plans? Don't rely on rumor—reach out directly! Visit the official campaign page at Sauder for Senate to get informed and get involved.Paid for by Stephanie Sauder for State Senate#SauderForSenate #District4 #SouthDakota #AgIsKing #RuralHealthcare #LocalControl #VOTESD #PrimaryElection2026- https://www.facebook.com/sauderforsenate