Skip to main content

Search

Pair of hands at a desk during a health consultation.

Income-Based Health Insurance Options

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a comprehensive health care reform law enacted in 2010 to make affordable health insurance available to more people. The law provides consumers with subsidies, otherwise known as premium tax credits, which lower costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.

Doctor at laptop with insurance paperwork.

Health Insurance Benefits: Don’t Let Them Go to Waste

As the end of the calendar year approaches, does your health insurance calendar year also end? Health insurance often provides free preventive care checkups or funds for flexible savings accounts (FSA) or health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Woman navigating Health Insurance Marketplace on laptop.

What You Need To Know To Enroll in Health Insurance Through the Marketplace

The Health Insurance Marketplace allows consumers to complete a streamlined application to determine qualification for coverage under different health care plans. Learn some tips for getting started during the open enrollment period of November 1 through January 15.

A herd of cattle gather around a stock pond on a vast, lush grassland. Courtesy: USDA [CC BY 2.0]

2017 Weed Control: Pasture and Range

There are 24 million acres of native and tame pasture and range as well as 1.4 million acres of grass hayland in South Dakota.

A color-coded map of the United States indicating precipitation outlook for June 2019.

June 2019 Climate Outlook for South Dakota

As South Dakota emerges from the wettest 12-month period in 124 years of climate recordkeeping (June 2018-May 2019), June has started warmer and drier than average. The outlook, however, turns towards cooler and wetter than average again for the middle of the month.

Calculator and pen sitting atop a bill

Health Savings Account vs. Flexible Savings Account: Which is best for me?

Having a health insurance plan does not mean that all medical expenses are covered. Health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible savings accounts (FSA) are designed to help consumers budget for deductibles, co-pays, prescription costs, out-of-pocket costs, and other unexpected medical expenses.

Color-coded map of the United States indicating predicted precipitation for July 2019. South Dakota is set to experience above normal precipitation.

July 2019 Climate Outlook: Challenges Continue

This year’s seasonal pattern of wetter than average conditions is projected to continue through July and the rest of the summer season. The latest climate outlook, released June 20, 2019, shows an increased chance of wetter than average conditions in the next one to three months for the state of South Dakota.

A map of the Big Sioux River Basin.

Big Sioux River Flood Information System Sees Heavy Use During Spring 2019

The Big Sioux River Flood Information System is the result of a combined effort between the SD Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local governments, and private industry, to create a product that can be used to predict the impact of flood events in the Big Sioux River Basin.

A thick patch of yellow, flowering leafy spurge plants growing in a pasture.

Spot Treatment Options for State Noxious Plants

When controlling grassland weeds, the mindset of row crop weed control may be put into practice too often. In most cases, broadcast control of weeds in grasslands is rarely necessary. Most often, spot treatment can be used more effectively to manage the noxious and invading weeds.

Grazing exclosure constructed in a rangeland area.

End-of-Season Monitoring

The end of the grazing season is a great time to monitor your pasture/rangeland resources. Learn about some strategies and tools available to help assess where you stand at the end of the season.