Broadcaster Press 5 January 21, 2020 www.broadcasteronline.com ACLU Of South Dakota Opposes House Bill 1057 The ACLU of South Dakota opposes House Bill 1057, a bill that would criminalize doctors for providing medically necessary care for transgender youth. The bill, which was introduced Tuesday, would make it a felony for medical providers to treat youth consistent with evidence-based treatment protocols. HB 1057 continues the streak of bills that would codify discrimination against transgender youth that the South Dakota Legislature has attempted to pass over the last five years. Like all health care, health care for transgender youth is individualized and based on the needs of each particular person. This bill would take away private health care choices around the provision of medical care consistent with prevailing medical and scientific standards. Such choices should be made between a doctor and a patient, not politicians. “Transgender kids, like all kids, deserve a chance to experience joy, to learn in a safe environment, to get the health care that they need, and to survive into adulthood,” said Libby Skarin, policy director for the ACLU of South Dakota. “When the government proposes laws that would stigmatize them and undermine their care, they lose those opportunities.” By blocking medical care supported by every major medical association, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, the legislature is compromising the health of trans youth is dangerous and potentially life-threatening ways. Research shows that transgender youth whose families affirm their gender identity have a 52 percent decrease in suicidal thoughts, a 48 percent decrease in suicide attempts and significant increases in self-esteem and general health. No other state has passed a law like HB 1057. It is unconstitutional to single out one group of people and categorically ban all care, no matter how medically necessary. “Every year, South Dakota lawmakers zero in on transgender youth and every year the transgender community is hurt while meaningful problems go unaddressed,” Skarin says. “The more we legislate solutions in search of problems, the more our communities suffer. It’s time we stop these attacks and focus on issues that matter to the people of South Dakota. Discrimination against a marginalized group is a distraction from the state’s real needs and hurts us all.” About the ACLU of South Dakota Decisions made during the annual sessions of the South Dakota Legislature have a deep and lasting impact on our state’s people and communities. As new laws are created and others repealed or written, it’s important to ensure that these changes preserve and strengthen our constitutional rights. Based in Sioux Falls, the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU of South Dakota is part of a threestate chapter that also includes North Dakota and Wyoming. The team in South Dakota is supported by staff in those states. The ACLU believes freedoms of press, speech, assembly, and religion, and the rights to due process, equal protection and privacy, are fundamental to a free people. In addition, the ACLU seeks to advance constitutional protections for groups traditionally denied their rights, including people of color, women, and the LGBTQ communities. The ACLU of South Dakota carries out its work through selective litigation, lobbying at the state and local level, and through public education and awareness of what the Bill of Rights means for the people of South Dakota. Game Shop Expands In Parker, South Dakota Reports Approved For MicroLOAN First Flu Deaths Of Season PARKER, S.D. – Turbulent Games LLC in Parker, S.D., is a main street shop that sells board games, card games and miniatures, or tabletop games. The company was approved for a $33,750 MicroLOAN in December. Company owners Keegan Batson and Russell Carlson say the approved funds will go toward the purchase of a 1,427 square-foot building, as they’ve already outgrown their existing location on main street. “Small, main street businesses are the heartbeat of any community, no matter the size,” said GOED Commissioner, Steve Westra. “The MicroLOAN program makes it possible for small business owners like Keegan and Russell to grow and reinvest in their community. The addition of Turbulent Games to the community gives kids and their families an opportunity to create memories and traditions that will hopefully last for generations to come.” “We never expected this kind of success, but the community, especially our youth, has really helped grow this business into something bigger than we ever could’ve imagined,” said Batson. “Russell and I started this business in an online space, and as we grew, we realized that although technology and digital gaming is a huge market, there’s something to be said about sitting down with family and friends and playing card or tabletop games. There’s camaraderie and nostalgia to playing games and we’ve been fortunate to be able to tap into that market.” Batson and Carlson, both Illinois natives, have always had a passion for games. When Batson left Illinois to attend college at the School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, he met his wife and the couple eventually moved back closer to her hometown. Batson quickly fell in love with the well-knit small town and convinced his lifelong friend, Russell, to make the move to South Dakota, too. “We ended up renting a 190 square-foot shop from a family friend. It’s enough space for our inventory and a small table to play games, but as interest quickly grew, we knew it was time to expand, so that’s where the MicroLOAN came in,” Batson said. “The new space will allow more room for customers and gamers to play, as well as provides expanded space for future gaming tournaments.” According to Batson, South Dakota’s business and tax climate, coupled with GOED’s willingness to assist with the application process, made the decision to expand a no-brainer. “It’s not even a question about our ability to succeed in South Dakota compared to Illinois,” Batson said. “Sure, we could’ve started our business back home, but in South Dakota we’re not getting knocked on taxes, the people here have a genuine involvement and shared success of our business, and for that we couldn’t be more grateful.” “Turbulent Games of Parker” can be found on Facebook. For more information about the MicroLOAN program and other finance programs offered through the GOED, go to sdreadytowork.com/ financing-incentives. 48th Annual Black Angus Production Sale Saturday ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Featured Sires: Mill Brae Conf Plus 7059 S Powerpoint WS 5503 N A F Ten X 509 PA Fortitude B1062 Bartels Asset 3050 624 PA Destination 6023 PA Scale House 517 S A W Payweight 676 PA New Day 635 Carter Longevity 6347 February 15, 2020 1:00 p.m. Selling 105 Head Registered Angus Cattle 70-2-year old bulls 25-yearling bulls 10-bred heifers PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota reported on Jan. 14 three flurelated deaths, the first deaths of the 2019-2020 season. The deaths were reported in Deuel and Mellette counties and the individuals were all aged 50 years and older. To protect patient confidentiality, additional information about the deceased is not being released. “Our sympathy is with the families. Their losses serve as a reminder to us all that influenza can be a very serious illness,” said Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist for the department. “It is not too late to get vaccinated for this flu season, and if you haven’t yet received your annual flu vaccination, the time to do so is now.” Clayton noted that flu activity in communities across South Dakota is classified as widespread. To date, the state has reported 1,555 labconfirmed cases of flu and 59 flurelated hospitalizations. Each year, an average of 46 South Dakotan deaths are reported to the Department of Health following influenza infections. To protect against flu complications, annual flu vaccination is recommended FREE Community Concert Monday, February 10, 2020 7:00 p.m. Lewis & Clark Theatre Leader Angus Farm Gordon Leader (402)388-4949 OR Mark Leader (605)660-1933 55368 Hwy 12 Crofton, NE Sale Will Be Held At The Ranch… 2 Miles East of Crofton, NE on Highway 12 2 Miles West of the Highway 81 and 12 Junction for everyone age 6 months and older. Groups like pregnant women, children younger than 5 years, people over 65 years and people with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for flu-related complications, such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. Healthcare workers and household contacts of high-risk populations, such as those with young infants, should also be vaccinated. Influenza is a viral infection spread by respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include a fever of 100 degrees or greater, cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, body or muscle aches, and runny or stuffy nose. In addition to vaccination, to prevent the spread of the flu: • Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel; • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; and, • Stay home if you are sick. Learn more at http://flu.sd.gov. 328 Walnut St., Yankton For your free tickets go to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. www.afheartlandband.eventbrite.com Click on Yankton concert. Click on green “register” button. Select number of tickets and then click on check out. Enter information requested and complete registration. Click on blue “go to my tickets” button. Click on free order and print your tickets. If you do not have internet access you can pick up tickets at the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, 319 Walnut, Yankton. This concert brought to you by the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, Yankton Hy-vee and Lewis & Clark Theatre Company.