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The Dakota Scout

Sioux Falls

Turning tragedy into a ‘Greater Good’

Murders spur popular reflection series on life’s positives

Dorene Weinstein's avatar
Dorene Weinstein
Nov 02, 2025
∙ Paid
The Rev. Val Putnam and Jennifer Kirby. (Dorene Weinstein)

Last summer’s fatal shooting of Minnesota lawmakers was a flash point for longtime friends, Jennifer Kirby and Rev. Val Putnam.

“How we treat one another matters most,” says Kirby, a Sioux Falls community volunteer.

As a result, the duo decided to focus on what unites us rather than what divides us.

“We are all connected. When one of us suffers, we all suffer,” Kirby says.

That concept sparked an idea to feature a speaker series to foster positivity.

Prison task force 2.0 faces steeper test after Gov. Rhoden's $650M promise

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Joe Sneve
·
October 30, 2025
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A guest post by
Dorene Weinstein
I’m a writer, crafter and a grandmother.
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