Civics & News Education Series Coming to Watertown as Part of Statewide 250th Anniversary Tour

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A statewide series aimed at strengthening civic knowledge and media literacy is making a stop in Watertown next month. The free, nonpartisan program, “250+ Years of American Civics and News,” will be held Monday, June 8, at the Watertown Regional Library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The hourlong sessions explore how Americans have received news and understood their civic responsibilities from the Revolutionary War era to the modern digital age. The presentations highlight the separation of powers, checks and balances, civic duties such as voting and staying informed, and how to identify trustworthy sources of information.

The Watertown event will be led by Jon Ruff, assistant professor of political science at South Dakota State University, along with Carson Walker, CEO of South Dakota News Watch.

The statewide tour has already made stops in Yankton, Rapid City, Pierre, and Brookings, where organizers say audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Additional upcoming events include:

·         Vermillion Firehouse — May 26, 6–7 p.m.

·         Sioux Falls, Siouxland Libraries — June 29 or 30 (details pending)

·         Black Hills Playhouse, Custer State Park — August 9, following the 3 p.m. matinee of “What the Constitution Means to Me”

The series is sponsored by South Dakota News Watch, SDPB, the Chiesman Center for Democracy at USD, the Mike Huether Public Service Academy at SDSU, and the League of Women Voters of South Dakota.

Organizers say the goal is to boost civic engagement during a major election year and help South Dakotans navigate an increasingly complex information landscape.

Residents can learn more or subscribe to fact‑based statewide reporting at sdnewswatch.org.