SCOUTING REPORT | Marriage decline, Pierre’s nursing school, scoring 700, knowing the Constitution

A weekly digest of interesting local, state, national and even international developments

South Dakota’s marriage rate sank to its lowest in state history in 2023, according to recently released Department of Health statistics. In fact, it dipped below the national average with just six marriages per 1,000 people. Nationwide, there were 6.2 marriages per 1,000.

The number of births in the state also decreased to its lowest rate ever. There were 12.2 births per 1,000 people. That’s above the national rate of 10.8 births, but in 2009 there were 14.7 births in South Dakota per 1,000 people.

For traditionalists, these are likely grim numbers.

Still, there are positives out there for the traditionalists.

South Dakota's answer to 'street takeovers' in Sioux Falls racing toward Gov. Rhoden's desk