Black Hills Fires; State Senator Shantel Krebs; U.S.-Dakota War of 1862; and Julie Hoffman

Dakota Midday - 07/23/2012

SDPB News Producer Charles Michael Ray reports on wildfires that took place over the weekend. More than 40 new wildfires were reported in the Black Hills over the weekend and some are still burning. Also, State Senator Shantel Krebs talks about her recent trip to Asia. Krebs represents District 10 and chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee. She recently returned from a goodwill trip to Asia to discuss trade. She says an upcoming vote in Taiwan presents a huge potential gain for South Dakota beef exports if their congress decides to lift a ban on U.S. beef rising out of opposition to ractopamine, an additive common to American herds. The concern is the additive makes beef more lean, a goal in the U.S. but an issue in Asian culture that values the full animal, including its fat. U.S. officials have defended the drug as safe and healthy.

Dean Urdahl, a Minnesota State Representative and historian, talks about the U.S.-Dakotan War of 1862. Urdahl sponsored legislation in 2009 asking Congress to repeal the Indian Removal Act of 1863 that authorized Dakota expulsion. The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 followed years of broken treaties and promises to the Dakota people combined with a burgeoning white population. In August 1862, when late annuity payments and the refusal by agents and traders to release provisions found some Dakota facing starvation, factions attacked white settlements, the Lower Sioux Agency and Fort Ridgely in south central and southwestern Minnesota. A significant number of Dakota were against the war and did not participate. The fighting lasted six weeks. Between four and six hundred white civilians and soldiers were killed. The number of Dakota killed in battle is not known. Troops under the command of former Gov. Henry Sibley were sent to support Fort Ridgely and the settlers, ultimately defeating the Dakota forces and bringing the war to a close by the end of September 1862. After a trial by military tribunal, 38 Dakota men were hanged in Mankato on Dec. 26, 1862. It remains the largest execution in U.S. history.

Julie Hoffman of East River Nursery in Huron talks gardening. She'll discuss the impact the hot and dry weather has had on gardens and lawns in the area.

Click here for .mp3 (mobile device)

Get the Flash Player to see this video.