Great Plains Zoo Conservation Leader on 'Drew Barrymore Show'

It's not every day that someone from Sioux Falls ends up on a daytime talk show discussing pigs! But, that is exactly what happened.

Stephanie Arne is the Great Plains Zoo Conservation Leader in Sioux Falls and she was on the Drew Barrymore Show in February 2024 as part of a segment with Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams.

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How did Stephanie Arne End Up on The Show?

Stephanie was contacted by a producer she knew from when she worked on the show Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and asked if she wanted to do the show. Her answer was a resounding yes.

She had actually done some videos as auditions for The Drew Barrymore Show years earlier but had never sent them. So it was good karma that this happened.

What happened on The Drew Barrymore Show?

Drew surprised Maisie Williams (who starred on Game of Thrones) with an animal she loves and Stephanie will shared a message of conservation as part of the "Not A Pet" campaign.

According to Sioux Falls Simplified, Stephanie grew up in South Dakota and Iowa and has always been obsessed with animals.

She got her Bachelor of Science at South Dakota State University and has worked any and everywhere that she could be close to animals.

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Was Stephanie Arne on Wild Kingdom?

Yes, she won a contest to be a one-time host on the show, but ended up hosting it until 2018 and that is how she met her husband too.

How did Stephanie Arne end up in Sioux Falls?

Stephanie came to Sioux Falls after she found out that the Butterfly House & Aquarium and the Great Plains Zoo would be merging.

She was offered a position in 2022 but now has become the full-time Conservation Leader.

Where and when can we watch The Drew Barrymore Show in Sioux Falls?

Weekdays at 10 AM on Fox (KDLT2), and also Pluto TV, YouTube TV, Roku channel, Sling TV, and more.

For more information, see Sioux Falls Simplified and the Great Plains Zoo Facebook page.

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown

10 Wild South Dakota Snowstorms

Even though snow is blanketing the Sioux Empire, some snowstorms still do not compare to these ten dreadful snowstorms that hit South Dakota.

Only In Your State highlighted ten snowstorms in South Dakota as a reminder for people to always be aware of the road during the winter. South Dakotans are well aware of the fact that the state’s winters can be harsh which is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for the worst.

Do you remember any major snowstorms that hit South Dakota?

Gallery Credit: KXRB