Leah Miller

We have had a busy week as we prepare for the President's Day holiday - and there is still more work to do!

We have officially reached the half way point of the 2019 South Dakota legislative session.

Despite the cold, South Dakota advocates flocked to the Capitol this week to meet with their elected officials and make the priorities of South Dakota's 50+ known. Clad in their signature red vest, advocates from communities across our state had lunch with many of our State Senators and Representations, as well as Governor Noem, Lt Governor Rhoden and Attorney General Ravnsborg. Photos from the event are attached below.

Many of your state legislators return home after each week in Pierre to reconnect with their communities and to hear from members of their constituency. AARP SD is one of the many groups who help to facilitate these conversations by sponsoring legislative coffees in cities across the state. We encourage you to take an opportunity to get to know your elected officials and to let your lawmakers know you are watching what happens in Pierre!

The bitter cold hit much of SD, but Pierre is heating up! Despite it being a holiday week, AARP SD was busy taking steps to help expand access to human, health and disaster resources across our state.

Though, we have just been in Pierre for 8 days so far, we are already nearly 25% done with the 2019 SD legislative session!

From January 29 through April 15, the AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income across South Dakota through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 51st year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention to the older population.

A new year means a new legislative session in South Dakota and the Capitol is busy with newly elected officials. AARP SD advocates are in Pierre making sure your new representatives are up-to-date on the issues that matter most to you.

As we enter the holiday season, once again it pays to be vigilant to avoid scams or slip-ups that could put a damper on your celebrations. Here are some of the ways you can keep your holidays happy:

2017-2018 was a high severity flu season with record breaking levels of influenza illness, hospitalization rates and reported pediatric deaths. The best protection against flu is getting a flu vaccine.