Community Vigil In Sioux Falls Raises Awareness For Overdose Crisis

Even though South Dakota has one of the lowest overdose rates in the country, our state's trend has not declined as sharply as in other parts of the nation.

More than 80 South Dakotans died of overdoses between March 2024 and March 2025 - a 2.4% decrease, compared to a 25% national decline during the same period.

In Minnehaha and Lincoln counties alone, sheriff’s offices have reported 46 fatal overdoses in the past 18 months.

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Public health experts indicate that the larger national decline is due to the availability of Naloxone in more places, growth in treatment options, and opioid settlement funds reaching communities.

This Sunday, August 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day. To commemorate this, the community will gather for a vigil at the Downtown Sioux Falls River Greenway under the Arc of Dream at 8 PM.

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This annual candlelight vigil, organized by Emily’s Hope, Helpline Center, Face It Together, and Midwest Street Medicine, provides a space to honor the lives lost to overdose and fentanyl poisoning, support survivors, and raise awareness about the ongoing crisis.

The Arc of Dreams will be lit in purple, the international color of overdose awareness.

Angela Kennecke from Emily's Hope will emcee the event, and the program will feature powerful stories from:

Police Chief John Thum - Addressing the community's continued efforts to respond to the crisis
Cameron Nielson, who will share his experience surviving an overdose, alongside his mother, Lisa Nielson.
Sammi and Stephanie Swier, who will speak about the devastating loss of their cousin, Marie Swier Anderson, to fentanyl poisoning.

This event is free and open to the public.

You can find out more about Emily's Hope by clicking here.

Meet 4 South Dakota- Born Super Scientists

South Dakota has produced its share of famous people over the years. Actors like January Jones and Catherine Bach. Media personalities like Bob Barker and Tom Brokaw. Athletes like Brock Lesnar and Chad Greenway. And don't forget Laura Ingalls Wilder.

But, I want to talk about scientists. The super scientists that South Dakota has produced. Here are four that were born in South Dakota. Their work was important to nuclear physics, computer science, and agriculture; and affects us to this day.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

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Gallery Credit: Bethany Adams