Earlier this month, I gave Northern Plains News my list of the top five South Dakota political stories of 2013:
- Feds investigate South Dakota EB-5 program.
- October blizzard hammers West River.
- Kristi Noem fails to pass farm bill.
- South Dakota passes school gunslinger bill.
- Shantel Krebs pushes Jason Gant aside.
That was my subjective read of the news. But here are the 26 South Dakota stories that got the most clicks from you, dear readers, on the Madville Times in 2013 (I take 13 times 2 to get a larger sample of what you found interesting this year):
Eight of those stories dealt with the Annette Bosworth–Chad Haber medicine show. While Bosworth's candidacy is not likely to have major political impact, her weird web of financial mystery and misdealing clearly captivates readers.
GOED/EB-5/Benda-gate also rivets your attention. Just the suicide angle of the story placed four stories in the top ten, suggesting that stories about the death of one man, alone in a grove of trees on a sunny Sunday afternoon, compel interest in a way that stories about the financial complexities of the Northern Beef Packers bankruptcy and the secretive EB-5 visa investment program do not. But remember: Benda's death is the hook that focused everyone's attention on this big story; the financial investigations, the corruption they uncover, and the reforms we undertake to rid South Dakota of that corruption will drive the news throughout 2014.
I tread on thin ice whenever I write about agriculture. I'm not a farmer or rancher, so I depend on commenters and other sources to supplement my knowledge about one of South Dakota's biggest industries. But you readers do crave ag stories: the October blizzard, Grant County pig CAFO, and even the ranchers' hissy fit about Joan Jett's veganism drew lots of reader attention.
The duck stamp story drew lots of readers and comments from near and fear. A little sex helps the Google juice (the USD's Don Juan professor didn't strike me as a big story, but it snuck to the top of the list). So does Kevin Woster, whose departure from the Rapid City Journal drew great appreciation from you readers for one of South Dakota's best storytellers.
And you readers love the chance to participate in civic conversation. In less than a week, my call for reader suggestions for legislation to submit to Pierre pole-vaulted over 1400 other blog articles that I wrote this year to make the top-26 list. (And you still have plenty of time to participate!)
I'm happy to have these numbers to share with you. I'm happy to see the number of readers (and contributions to the tip jar!) keep going up, even as I blog about South Dakota from exile. You readers have made this a wonderful year for me. I hope my work to inform, provoke, and entertain you has made your year better as well. With a big Legislative session brewing, followed by a surely contentious primary and general election season, I look forward to blogging even more for you all in 2014. Happy New Year, South Dakota!
As I was reading your list without having the click numbers to add on my napkin I was thinking that it seemed Dr. Bos was the most popular topic.
I, for one, think it is partially because people are fascinated with pretty women who are insaner than most.
Happy New Year to all here, particularly Cory. MT is without a doubt the best political blog in South Dakota and among the best I've seen anywhere.
Happy New Year from me too. I'm grateful for all the effort you put in that keeps this South Dakota loving ex-pat in the loop. You, Cory, are my #1 and most trusted source for SD news.
Source for news, Ms. Geelsdottir? Have you tried a news paper or tv show? They do some news. This here is blogging.
Personally, I will choose Cory's "blog" over the fluff in our local media any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Thanks for all you do! Happy New Year!
Ditto on the best blog. I don't have much time to write but I turn to Madvilletimes to get the latest in-depth news in a conceive read. His hyperlinks to Johns blog has been just as educational and in its own right! A great blog. Do I see the tip jar filling up?
Indeed, I am not saying Mr. H. doesn't do a fine job because he does. I'm just saying that this is a blog. A blog.
That Damm autocorrect....concise not conceive. And FYI. I can not use PayPal on iPad to tip? Back in office on a Dell and will tip then.
Thanks for a great job Cory! Happy New Year to everyone!
Madville is indeed the best "news" and commentary blog in South Dakota. I get more hard news here than I do from the Rapid City Journal and local tv news is much irrelevant.
Cory is more of an investigative reporter than a blogger, and excellent one at that. Thanks Cory for you vital service.
Happy New Year to all!
"news" is a good way to put it, Mr. Cornelius. Happy New year here in another 90 or so. I have a pot pie to put in to be ready by then.
The libby candidates are paying Mr. H now??? That is a very neat trick, Mr. H. We all figured you were paying him.
Grudz, not a candidate, just an admirer of local Madison talent, and a fan of investigative news.
Aren't you running for something, Mr. Weiland? If I'm mistaken, I apologize. Have a good New Year, sir.
Grudz---here's hoping for an epiphany for you in 2014!! And if I had to rely on the RCJ for info without MT I'd be quite less informed. Congrats and best Wishes Cory for a good year to come.
Hey grudznick, as often as you post on here, I thought that you used it as your source for news also. You ought to put something in the tip jar as well.
Happy New Year to all and particularly to CAH.
Kevin isn't on a ballot yet, but I'd welcome him to jump on. Hey, Kevin, are you in District 32? Maybe Governor Daugaard can appoint you to Senator Adelstein's seat!
And to you all, thank you very much. And hey, we made it! Happy New Year! I look forward to even bigger, better blogging in 2014.
(Paypal not working on iPad? Interesting... is there some Flash widget preventing that from working?)
Mr. Stricherz, may I call you Lanny? Lanny, what makes you think I haven't?
My dear Grudz, may all your breakfastez be hot in this new year.
Madville is inching toward 2 million hits: please join me and send Cory some money.