The top 10 most popular local stories from the past year ranged from refugees resettlement in Aberdeen to the state's newest archeology dig. Here are the stories from SDPB that you clicked on the most:
1. Aberdeen Possible Direct Refugee Resettlement Site
This story about the possibility of Aberdeen possibly becoming a direct resettlement site for refugees was by far the most-read story from SDPB in 2016. It generated a flurry of shares on social media and a fair amount of disagreement on the issue.
2. Crow Creek Rescinds Contract with the State
In response to South Dakota's offer of aid to North Dakota law enforcement at a pipeline blockade near the Missouri River, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe announced they were rescinding any and all contact with the State of South Dakota.
3. Ranch Families Face Lost Cattle, Hay, Fences in Cottonwood Fire
The Cottonwood Fire, which burned almost 60 square miles of western South Dakota rangeland and killed more than 130 cattle, also took much of the hay and fencing for several ranch families in the area.
4. Lakota Group Marches Near Sturgis Over Bear Butte Encroachment
In August, a Lakota group marched near Rosebud Lodge near Bear Butte to the new Full Throttle Saloon location in an attempt to reach out to bar owner Mike Ballard.
5. Seeing the Good in the Face of Grief
Kealey Bultena brought us this story of how one woman is channeling her grief over lost loved ones into improving the lives of others because that’s what her son did.
6. Governor Opposes Pe`Sla Land Trust Status Due to Reservation Tribal Members' Needs
In 2012, a coalition of four tribes bought 2,000 acres in the Black Hills and asked the Federal government to grant it trust status. State of South Dakota officials questioned the Department of the Interior's ability to make such a move.
7. Blizzard Conditions Force Interstate 90 Closures in South Dakota
A Christmas Day blizzard created havoc and difficult travel conditions at the end of 2016.
8. High School Wresting Champion Overcomes Extended Illness
A Lemmon High School wrestler overcame a bout with French Polio to make it to the state championships just a few months later. Chynna Lockett brought us his story of courage.
10. Prison Inmates Lead Lutheran Congregation
A Lutheran congregation called St. Dysmas has more than 100 churchgoers in the 700-person South Dakota State Penitentiary.
10. Archeologists Probe 850 Year Old Buffalo Jump in James River Valley
Archeologists began a dig on an ancient buffalo jump site near Ree Heights in the summer of 2016 after a rancher found bones sticking out of a hillside.
