SETH TUPPER

Opinion: SOS for small towns

Last week, Gov. Dennis Daugaard referenced the largely forgotten name of Robert S. Vessey to make a point about the fleeting nature of power and fame.
Daugaard, addressing the Legislature during his first State of the State address, said it was 100 years ago when Vessey became the first governor to deliver a State of the State address in the then-new Capitol building in Pierre.

By Seth Tupper , January 21, 2011

Opinion: Don’t overlook impact of candidates’ spouses

I’m both horrified and entertained by the “Jaywalking” segment on Jay Leno’s late-night television show.
The gag is simple: Jay walks out on the street with a camera and a list of trivia questions that pretty much every American should be able to answer, and he stops people and asks the questions.

By Seth Tupper , January 07, 2011

Opinion: 'Westernizing' The Daily Republic

I’m a sucker for all things western, and I don’t make any attempt to hide it.
The fascination started early. When I was a toddler, one of my first words was “bupablo” — my attempt to say “buffalo” — and I cherished a stuffed-animal buffalo that my parents bought for me. Shortly after my daughter was born, one of the first gifts I gave her was a stuffed-animal buffalo I bought at Wall Drug. We — or I, to be honest — named it “Chippy.”

By Seth Tupper , December 23, 2010

Opinion: Widespread moderation not likely in eating or politics

When I was in high school, I traveled through Germany as part of a tour for students who’d studied the German language.
The first week, I stayed with a host family. My host mother was an enthusiastic and prolific cook, and she offered a memorable pearl of wisdom to me one day as I was enjoying the fruits of her culinary labor.
“All food is good for you,” she said, “in moderation.”

By Seth Tupper , December 10, 2010

Opinion: Explosions may be more preventable than we think

Shouldn’t we be doing more to prevent house explosions?
In just the past three years, there have been four house explosions in our little part of South Dakota. One caused a death, two left their single occupants badly injured, and one occurred when nobody was home. Three were caused by natural gas leaks, and one was caused by a propane leak.

By Seth Tupper , November 26, 2010

Opinion: Time to enforce ‘food for votes’ law

In the wake of the Nov. 2 election, I’m tired of hearing politicians talk.
I’m especially tired of hearing them talk — and never act — on so-called “food for votes” scandals.
On Oct. 14, The Daily Republic was among the first to report that Democratic voter feeds and early voting rallies scheduled that day on the Crow Creek and Lower Brule reservations — plus one held previously on the Pine Ridge reservation — were allegedly illegal.

By Seth Tupper , November 12, 2010

No good news, you say? Allow us to present the 2010 Progress edition

If there’s one thing we journalists get tired of hearing, it’s that old refrain about how the newspaper only contains “bad news.” Readers who say that to reporters, editors and the publisher at this newspaper are liable to get a polite earful. It’s simply false to say that our newspaper is full of bad news.

By Seth Tupper , August 27, 2010

Opinion: Dorm life sure has changed in recent years

I’m not that old, but I’m old enough to remember when going to college meant roughing it.
When I moved into Mathews Hall at South Dakota State University in the fall of 1997, my room was sparsely furnished. In fact, it wasn’t all that different from a prison cell.
As I recall, the room was tiny, with cold, tile floors and concrete-block walls. It had no air-conditioning and was outfitted with only the basics for its two occupants: two beds, two sets of drawers, two desks and a phone hookup. Our one luxury was cable TV, which I think we splurged for out of our own pockets. There was one laundry facility and one kitchen for the entire building. Both were in the basement.

By Seth Tupper , July 06, 2010

Opinion: As rain falls, take advice of Hank Williams Jr.

When I was a kid, I thought it was ridiculous that all the adults around me were so concerned about the weather. I found humor in the knowledge that so many people were so concerned about something they had absolutely no control over.
I realized, of course, that many of the adults I knew in Wessington Springs and then in Kimball were directly or indirectly involved in agriculture, and because of that, they had a very good reason to be weather-watchers. But even farmers can’t control what falls from the sky. So why worry?

By Seth Tupper , June 15, 2010

Tupper promoted to editor of The Daily Republic

The Daily Republic has filled its vacant editor position by promoting an employee from its newsroom. Seth Tupper, the newspaper’s assistant editor and city hall reporter, was promoted to editor Thursday. The position opened March 15 when then-editor Korrie Wenzel was promoted to publisher.

By Staff reports , April 02, 2010