Call Center Company in Sioux Falls, SD

MINOT, N.D. -- The Minot State Beavers held a 3-2 lead into the ninth inning, but could not hold on and fell 4-3 to the Sioux Falls Cougars on Friday at Corbett Field in NSIC action.

Sophomore Ayden Sauerbrei (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Minot State (13-18 overall, 8-15 NSIC). Sophomore Conner Meldrim was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going 2.1 shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out three.

At the plate, the Beavers were paced by junior Shane Kary, who went 3-for-4 on the day with two doubles, a home run and two RBI. Junior Oscar Pegg furnished a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Senior Seungjun Song also chipped in for Minot State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double.

Minot State hosts Sioux Falls again on Saturday in a doubleheader at Corbett Field to close out the weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for noon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Beavers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Minot State got on the board thanks to Pegg's RBI double with two outs.

The Beavers then held the Cougars scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Minot State picked up a run on Kary's leadoff home run off of junior Logan Anderson, which brought the score to 2-0 in favor of the Beavers.

Sioux Falls clawed back to even the ballgame at two before Minot State reclaimed a 3-2 advantage in the sixth inning. The Beavers recorded a run on Kary's one-out RBI double. The Beavers were unable to hold the lead, as Sioux Falls scored two times in the top of the ninth inning to grab the 4-3 win.

GAME NOTES » Kary led the Beavers, compiling three hits in the ballgame. » The Beavers got a power surge from Kary, who contributed three extra-base knocks. » The Beavers out-hit the Cougars at an 8-7 clip. » Minot State pitchers faced 42 Sioux Falls hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out six. » Kary led the Beavers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and two RBI. » Sioux Falls was led offensively by senior Ben Serie, who went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. » Serie led the Cougars pitching staff, throwing three scoreless innings.

This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.

Construction of South Veterans Parkway is starting on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, beginning with the closure of South Southeastern Avenue from Bison Trail to 85th Street. South Veterans Parkway is a joint project between the City of Sioux Falls and the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT). The first phase will start with the contractor installing utilities along Southeastern Avenue as well as hauling dirt and other materials for the roadbed across Southeastern Avenue at the proposed Veterans Parkway intersection, which is south of Bison Trail along Southeastern Avenue.

A signed detour route utilizing 85th Street, Sycamore Avenue and 69th Street for northbound traffic and 69th Street, Cliff Avenue and 85th Street for southbound traffic. Access will be open on Bison Trail and maintained for local traffic along Southeastern Avenue. Drivers are urged to use caution and reduced speeds while travelling near the construction area and may want to consider alternate routes.

For more information on traffic impacts, visit www.southveteransparkway.com

South Veterans Parkway is the remaining 8.7 miles of Veterans Parkway that will connect Interstate 29 to Interstate 90. In 2020, the northern segment of Veterans Parkway opened to traffic and the South Dakota Transportation Commission agreed to complete construction of South Veterans Parkway to accommodate regional and future growth and development. Construction will begin in summer 2023 and will occur in segments, with each segment taking about two years to complete. The project is anticipated to be fully completed in 2027. For more information, visit www.southveteransparkway.com.

Beginning after the morning commute on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the inside eastbound lane at the intersection of East Sixth Street and Sycamore Avenue will be closed and traffic will be diverted to the turn lane. The outside northbound lane will be closed on the south side of the intersection.

Action Electric will be working on the signal pole in the southeast corner.

This work is anticipated to be completed the same day.

Drivers are urged to use caution and reduced speeds while traveling near the construction area and may want to consider alternate routes.

Construction of a new intersection at Arrowhead and Veterans Parkways begins on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Arrowhead Parkway, which carries traffic east and west, will be closed east of the intersection. Veterans Parkway, which carries traffic north and south, will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction through the intersection.

Arrowhead Parkway will be closed from just east of Veterans Parkway to East 10th Street. Arrowhead Parkway will remain open west of Veterans Parkway. Additionally, South Hein Avenue will be closed from Arrowhead Parkway to the road’s dead end to the north.

This closure for Arrowhead Parkway and lane reduction for Veterans Parkway will be in place through the first phase of construction, which is anticipated to continue through the rest of 2025.

“The reconstruction of this intersection has been a long time coming and something the City team has been pursuing for years,” said Andy Berg, City Engineer for the City of Sioux Falls. “We are thrilled to kick off this important project improving a key entrance into Sioux Falls. We know there will be challenges for drivers as this project is constructed. Please use the detours and alternate routes, leave a few minutes early, and slow down for our construction workers. We appreciate everyone’s patience throughout this project.”

The construction project is anticipated to take two years. Improvements will include underground utility installation, grading, retaining walls, three pedestrian underpasses, concrete surfacing, signing, street lighting, traffic signals, and a landscaped median. The project budget is $29.3 million.

Additional information about this project and other street construction updates is available at SiouxFalls.gov/Construction.

Detours: (see detour map below)

Tips for Drivers:

Detour Map: Arrowhead and Veterans Parkways Intersection Detour Map_March 2025.pdf

Arrowhead and Veterans Parkways Intersection Renderings:

MINOT, N.D. – There was no lack of fight in the Beavers on Saturday but in the end, Minot State just couldn't slow down visiting Sioux Falls enough.

Minot State made a strong charge late in the opener of an NSIC doubleheader against the Cougars at Corbett Field, only to fall 8-4, then traded runs early in the nightcap before Sioux Falls pulled away for a 10-4 win to complete the twinbill sweep.

The Beavers (13-20 overall, 8-17 NSIC) get little time to rest now as they hit the road for another NSIC doubleheader, playing at the University of Mary on Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

GAME 1 | Sioux Falls 8, Minot State 4 MINOT, N.D. -- Junior Oscar Pegg went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI for the Minot State Beavers in an 8-4 loss to the Sioux Falls Cougars on Saturday.

Sophomore Jacob Thompson (1-3) got the ball to start for Minot State and took the loss. Sophomore Conner Meldrim was a bright spot for the Beavers, coming out of the bullpen and throwing one shutout inning, allowing no hits, with no walks and two strikeouts.

Offensively, the Beavers were led by Pegg, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run and an RBI. Senior Connor Hill compiled a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Junior Jake Orthner also chipped in for Minot State, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED Trailing 8-0, the Beavers first put runs on the board in the fifth inning. Minot State got an RBI single from Orthner, scoring junior Shane Kary from second base.

The Beavers kept the Cougars off the board before narrowing the gap further in the sixth. which brought the score to 8-4 in favor of the Cougars. Hill had an RBI double, Michael Williamson singled in a run and Pegg's solo home run capped the rally.

The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

GAME NOTES » Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across. » Minot State went 3-for-5 (.600) with runners in scoring position. » Minot State pitchers faced 33 Sioux Falls hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out six. » Pegg led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. » Sioux Falls was led offensively by senior Jaxon Haase, who went 3-for-4 with three home runs and four RBI. » Freshman Jace Coleman led the Cougars pitching staff, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings.

GAME 2 | Sioux Falls 10, Minot State 4 MINOT, N.D. -- The Minot State Beavers had a tough showing on Saturday, falling to the Sioux Falls Cougars 10-4 despite the efforts of senior Grant Gabbert, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.

Junior Anthony Disantis (2-2) got the ball to start for Minot State and took the loss. Junior Devin Marton was a bright spot for the Beavers, coming out of the bullpen and throwing one scoreless inning, allowing one hit.

HOW IT HAPPENED Trailing 1-0, the Beavers first put runs on the board in the third inning. Minot State got an RBI single from senior Connor Hill, scoring junior Noah Madas from second base.

The Cougars broke the tie and re-took the lead heading into the fourth inning, when the Beavers got back on the scoreboard. Minot State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Gabbert, which brought the score level at 2-2.

Sioux Falls broke that tie and grabbed a 4-2 lead heading into the fifth, when Minot State narrowed the gap to 4-3. The Beavers notched a run on Hill's leadoff home run off sophomore Johnny Checheris.

The Cougars expanded their lead to 7-3 before the Minot State offense got back in action, cutting into that lead in the sixth. The Beavers drove home a run on Gabbert's one-out solo home run off Checheris, tightening the Sioux Falls lead to 7-4. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as Sioux Falls added three runs to their tally on the way to a 10-4 final.

GAME NOTES » Minot State went 2-for-5 (.400) with runners in scoring position. » Minot State pitchers faced 46 Sioux Falls hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out nine. » Gabbert led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. » Sioux Falls was led offensively by senior Ryan Gouldin, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. » Senior Garrett Oswald led the Cougars pitching staff, throwing one scoreless inning.

This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.

Book sharing between libraries could be limited, or come with a cost to patrons

Checking out some books through local libraries could soon cost more than a standard library card fee.

Libraries were instructed Monday to immediately suspend use of the state’s interlibrary loan courier program.

The courier service transports books and other library materials across South Dakota from the libraries that have them to those that don’t, typically faster and more efficiently than would be possible though the U.S. Postal Service.

The State Library relies on federal funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to pay for the program.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March directing the head of that federal agency — which provides a federal grant that funds around half of the South Dakota State Library’s services — to cut its operations to the “maximum extent allowable by law.”

State Library faces Trump threat to federal funding after escaping the Noem knife

Former Gov. Kristi Noem sought to cut state library funding in her proposed budget to a level too low for the state to continue receiving federal matching funds. The state Legislature, however, approved a pared-back library budget large enough for the state to maintain access to about $1.4 million in IMLS funding.

While South Dakota hasn’t gotten confirmation its funding is cut, Department Secretary Joe Graves told the state Board of Education Standards on Monday, the federal government notified other states they’re receiving cuts.

“South Dakota, at least to my knowledge as of 8 a.m. this morning, hasn’t heard. So we don’t know what’s going on with that,” Graves said Monday.

Email to librarians signals service loss

The State Library cannot renew the contract with its interlibrary loan courier service at the end of April because of “uncertainty” about funding, according to an email sent to librarians that same day, which was reviewed by South Dakota Searchlight. Department of Education Spokeswoman Nancy Van Der Weide confirmed the suspension.

“The South Dakota State Library will not be renewing the contract until it is certain that the funding to support this service is in place,” she said.

Van Der Weide did not answer questions about any other impacts to the State Library expected as a result of the Trump executive order. She told South Dakota Searchlight recently that “we do not have a clear indication” of what might happen with future grant funding.

Congress authorized grant funding through federal fiscal year 2025. The department “is waiting on a grant award” for 2025, Van Der Weide wrote in an email last month.

Libraries could charge for, limit service

About 70% of South Dakota libraries share books with each other through interlibrary loan, according to the State Library website. Without the courier service, local libraries and governments will need to pay to ship books to other libraries across the state, according to South Dakota Library Association President Elizabeth Fox. That costs an average of $5 an item each way, she said.

To pick up the new cost, local libraries could limit how many interlibrary loans an individual can make, or charge a fee when someone requests an interlibrary loan.

“Each library will have to determine how they deal with this,” Fox said.

Hill City Public Library Director Tammy Alexander plans to discuss the impact with members of her library’s board of directors next week. She sent requested books through the mail yesterday to Brookings and Chamberlain libraries.

“Like all budgets right now, even our small city budget will have cuts for 2026,” Alexander said. “My board will have to decide if they’ll allow me to include that.”

Trump order would gut agency that gives library grants to SD

The State Library also pays for subscription-based academic databases, accessible at no cost through any public library in the state. It also provides support for summer reading programs, organizes professional development workshops, and offers Braille and talking book services for readers with disabilities.

Noem’s proposed cut would have pared down services to those last two items.

‘This is disheartening,’ lawmaker says

Lawmakers softened budget cuts this winter with the expectation they’d budgeted enough money to preserve the IMLS federal grant funding. The plan spared the jobs of all but 3.5 State Library employees, but dissolved the board that oversees the State Library.

Rep. Terri Jorgenson, R-Piedmont, worked closely with the Education Department on the compromise.

“After all our hard work we put into this to restructure and save this program, this is disheartening,” Jorgenson said.

Interlibrary loans are crucial for homeschool students as well as students in public and private schools, she told South Dakota Searchlight on Tuesday. Burdening local governments with shipping costs and potentially passing the cost onto families will add up quickly.

Jorgenson and other lawmakers will need to explore funding options for library programming in the wake of the news, she said.

“Ultimately, this means we’re going to have to get creative,” Jorgenson said, “to save money and work to still provide this important service.”

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with a statement from the South Dakota Department of Education.

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

Last updated 3:19 p.m., Apr. 15, 2025

Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.

April 8, 2025

An economic development leader from the Sioux Falls area is becoming the next president and CEO of South Dakota Trade.

Jesse Fonkert, who most recently served as the deputy commissioner in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, will take on the role April 21.

He succeeds Luke Lindberg, who has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the undersecretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Lindberg will continue leading South Dakota Trade until his nomination is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

“Jesse is a statewide leader who has tremendous respect in the business community and with South Dakota Trade’s stakeholders,” Joe Beck, chair of the organization’s board, said in a statement.

“I’m confident this transition will be seamless, and Jesse will build upon the momentum Luke has generated for the association. We are excited that there will be some overlap between when Jesse joins South Dakota Trade and prior to Luke’s departure.”

Fonkert served as president and CEO of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance before his role at GOED.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead South Dakota Trade at a time like this, when we are finally standing up for America’s small and medium-sized businesses and ensuring they have a level playing field as they compete for international sales,” Fonkert said.

“My tenure as the head of this association will be to carry on the important work Luke and the team have begun — our state is fortunate to have had Luke’s vision and leadership in the early days of South Dakota Trade.”

Gov. Larry Rhoden called Lindberg a friend “and someone who delivers outsized results. He has left a lasting impact on trade here in South Dakota, and I know he will do the same for our farmers and ranchers across America,” Rhoden said. “I’ve worked with Jesse in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, so I know what he’s capable of. He is cut from the same cloth as Luke and will be a successful diplomat for our state.”

South Dakota Trade is a 501(c)(6) association that navigates international trade for South Dakota. The association has offices in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.

“Jesse is the right man for the job,” Lindberg said.

“Leading South Dakota Trade has been a huge honor and joy. Our team has done incredible work in a short period of time, and I will forever be thankful that stakeholders all across our great our state came alongside me to create South Dakota Trade. I will watch with great excitement how the organization continues to make a major impact on our economy under Jesse’s leadership. ”