Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Craig Severtson of Flandreau, founder, and Sam Gotham, board member, of "Helping Kids Round First Base. How baseball (and softball) has opened the door to help kids in Nicaragua (and other 3rd world countries) with nutrition and even health care. (Best of)

from their website: helpingkidsroundfirst.org

Life in Nicaragua is difficult, that's why we are here to help

Extreme Poverty

Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America

Baseball is king

Like youth all around the world, kids grow up dreaming of playing in the big leagues

Lack of Resources

Few resources means few opportunities, and we are here to provide them

"We are training a group of young girls between 7-20 years old, some of them have had issues with domestic violence and drugs. Through softball they have found refuge to improve their lifestyle."

by Yahoska Rivas, Softball Coach

"The project has come to innovate and it has been great for the economy of our families and food security of the children. We are very grateful for the help, even despite the pandemic."

by Claudia Guillén, community resident

"All of the equipment and financial support has made it possible to help kids in Rivas. Without Helping Kids Round First, it wouldn't be possible for my players to reach their dreams."

by Johnny Alvarez - Coach,Working for a Dream Academy

"It's not just the community that benefits from the equipment but also the surrounding communities."

by Emperatrice Velasquez, Pastor of Lutheran Church

Published

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Public Affairs Director, Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Bob Kolbe (in the Clock business since 1972).

from chat gpt:

Based on publicly available information, Robert ("Bob") Kolbe of Sioux Falls, South Dakota is best known as a local historian, antiques dealer, and civic volunteer.

Profile

• Lifelong Sioux Falls resident with a strong interest in the history of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, and South Dakota.
• Owner of Kolbes Antiques, Books & Clocks, specializing in antiques, clocks, watches, local history books, crocks, and jugs.
• Active in historical preservation and education, giving public presentations on South Dakota history and local heritage.
• Served as president and later president emeritus/past president of the Minnehaha County Historical Society and has served on the South Dakota State Historical Society Board of Trustees.
• Has participated in public meetings of the Minnehaha County Commission, often speaking on local history and civic issues.

Based on publicly available records, Robert ("Bob") Kolbe had a local political career in Minnehaha County and Sioux Falls, centered on county government rather than state or federal office.

Political profile

• Served as a Minnehaha County Commissioner, representing Sioux Falls and surrounding areas during the 1990s.
• Ran for Mayor of Sioux Falls in the 1998 nonpartisan mayoral election against incumbent Gary Hanson and former City Council member Anne Hajek. Kolbe finished third with approximately 7.7% of the vote (1,538 votes).
• His public service emphasized county government, local fiscal management, historic preservation, and community development, reflecting his longstanding involvement in local historical organizations.
• There is no public record indicating he served in the South Dakota Legislature, U.S. Congress, or held another statewide elected office.
• Because the 1998 Sioux Falls mayoral election was nonpartisan, Bob Kolbe was not officially affiliated with a political party on the ballot, and I could not find reliable public documentation identifying him as a Democrat, Republican, or another party

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Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels talks with Sioux Falls Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nold about 1,900 employees and almost 25,000 students.

From the school district website:

Superintendent of Schools

The Office of the Superintendent is the chief executive office of the School District, providing overall leadership for the school system. The Superintendent, with the assistance of two assistant superintendents and various Senior Directors and Directors maintains a vital staff and strong curriculum for the K-12 program and early childhood; provides special programs for children of diverse backgrounds and abilities and support services such as transportation, libraries, and counselors. The Superintendent manages 24 elementary schools, six middle schools, four high schools, an alternative school, a career technical education academy, and other related buildings; prepares the annual budget and oversees the fiscal management of the District; is responsible for making policy recommendations and implementing adopted Board policies; and serves as chief liaison with the community-at-large.

Dr. James Nold has served in the field of education for more than three decades and has led the Sioux Falls School District as Superintendent since 2025. Prior to his current appointment, he served as the District's Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services for nine years.

Dr. Nold served as the Principal of Washington High School from 2006 to 2016. He has also been an Assistant Principal, Teacher, and Coach. He received his Doctoral Degree at the University of South Dakota after earning his Master’s Degree at South Dakota State University, his Specialist Degree at the University of Sioux Falls, and his Bachelor’s Degree at Augustana University, where he also competed in collegiate wrestling.

Demonstrating his deep beliefs that all children deserve educational opportunities, Dr. Nold considers it a great honor to have twice led an education team to Ethiopia to establish an English Literacy program at schools that serve the poorest of poor in that country.

He and his wife Tammy, a school counselor, have two children, Hailey, a clinical counselor for a mental health agency in Minnesota, and Riley, a Physics Doctoral student at UC Berkeley.

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Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Becky Rasmussen, President and CEO, and Jessie McPherson, Outreach Coordinator of Call To Freedom.

From Chat GPT:

Call to Freedom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, dedicated to serving victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation through holistic, survivor-informed services. The organization operates on a continuum of care model, providing safety, transitional housing, medical assistance, and case management to help individuals navigate their path from victim to survivor.

Since 2016, Call to Freedom has served nearly 1,900 individuals, addressing the complex needs of those impacted by exploitation. Beyond direct client services, the organization engages in community education, training businesses, schools, and law enforcement to recognize trafficking indicators, and advocates for legislative changes to decriminalize illegal activities survivors may have been forced into.

The organization is located at 4501 S Technology Dr, Sioux Falls, SD 57106. It is fully funded by donations and relies on volunteers for various roles, requiring a year-long commitment to ensure program continuity. Call to Freedom also offers training and awareness programs to help the community identify and support those at risk.

Rapid City Location

• Call: 605-777-3469

• Fax: 605-777-7095

• Email: info@calltofreedom.org

• 9am-5pm Monday – Friday

• Mailing Address: 217 Kansas City Street, Suite 100, Rapid City, SD 57701

• 217 Kansas City Street, Suite 147, Rapid City, SD 57701

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Public Affairs Director, Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Neliesha Daws, Supervising Librarian (Birth to 5 yrs.) and Leah Tanis, Supervising Librarian on Kindergarten to 5th grade.

from Chat GPT:

Siouxland Libraries serves Sioux Falls and most of Minnehaha County through 13 branch locations, all sharing one catalog and library card. You can borrow or return materials at any branch and request books be delivered to the location that's most convenient for you.Some of the most popular Sioux Falls branches are:

• Downtown Library – 200 N. Dakota Ave.
• • Largest collection
  • Local history and genealogy resources
  • Public computers, meeting rooms, art exhibits, and events
• Caille Branch – 4100 S. Carnegie Circle
• • Meeting and study rooms
  • Mobile printing, scanning, faxing
  • Children's programming
• Ronning Branch – 3100 E. 49th St.
• • Public computers, Wi-Fi
  • Meeting space and technology services
• Oak View Branch – 3700 E. 3rd St.
• • Study rooms
  • Public computers and printing
  • Family-friendly programs

Other branches are located in:

• Baltic
• Brandon
• Colton
• Crooks
• Garretson
• Hartford
• Humboldt
• Valley Springs
• Colman
• Prairie West (west Sioux Falls)

Free services A Siouxland Libraries card gives you access to:

• Over 500,000 books and other materials
• eBooks and audiobooks through Libby
• Movies, magazines, and music
• Free Wi-Fi
• Public computers
• Printing, scanning, and faxing
• Meeting and study room reservations
• Interlibrary loan
• Online learning and research databases
• Children's story times, teen events, book clubs, and adult classes

If you're interested in history, Sioux Falls' original public library was the Carnegie Free Public Library, built in 1903 at 235 W. 10th Street. The building still stands and now serves as Carnegie Town Hall, home to the Sioux Falls City Council.

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Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Kelly Schelling, Office Manager, and Tim Wendt, Chaplain at Kingdom Boundaries prison aftercare.

from chat gpt:

Kingdom Boundaries Prison Aftercare Ministry is located at 417 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 and can be reached at 605-201-8493.

What they provide

• Transitional housing after release from prison
• Help with employment and job applications
• Assistance obtaining clothing, furniture and other practical needs
• Mentoring, accountability and Christian/spiritual guidance
• Help with reentering the community and rebuilding family relationships

They have housing for men through their downtown facilities and a House of Grace for women at 600 W. 12th St.

Main rules for residents

• No alcohol, illegal drugs, or marijuana — they have a zero-tolerance policy. Residents agree to drug testing and room searches, and cannot go to places where alcohol or illegal drugs are present. Refusing or tampering with a drug test can result in termination.
• No weapons or knives on the property.
• No smoking/vaping inside. Smoking is restricted to the designated rear area and has additional time restrictions after curfew.
• No pets, including fish or snakes.
• Curfew is graduated. It starts more restrictive and can expand as the resident gets a job, completes requirements, establishes a financial plan, etc. The listed maximum is generally 6 a.m.–10 p.m., subject to parole-officer approval and individual adjustments.
• Passes require approval. Requests generally have to be submitted 24 hours ahead and approved by both KBPA staff and the parole officer.
• Visitors require advance permission. No overnight guests, and unauthorized people cannot stay in the apartment.
• Employment is a major expectation. Residents are expected to prioritize getting a job and turn their income over to KBPA for management through a resident account/budget.
• Chores and maintenance are mandatory, including cleaning, snow removal, lawn care and general facility maintenance.
• Christian participation is required, including the discipleship program, weekly individual/group meetings, church involvement and a KBPA-approved weekly Bible study.
• Cell phones and vehicles require permission from both KBPA and, where applicable, the parole officer.
• Cameras and door monitoring are used, and interfering with surveillance/security can result in immediate notification of the parole officer and dismissal.
• Residents generally agree to at least 10 weeks at the transitional housing before moving on.

One particularly important point: the written covenant says it can be revised, so the agreement a particular resident actually signs may contain updated rules.

Kingdom Boundaries’ official site

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Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Josh Brewer, CEO of Lifelight about their festivals in Cuba, Africa, Rapid City and Sept. 6 in Downtown Sioux Falls

ChatGPT:

LifeLight is a Christian nonprofit ministry and music-festival organization based in South Dakota. Its main purpose is to use Christian music, worship, and community events to share the message of Jesus Christ.

The LifeLight Festival is its best-known event. It brings together Christian musicians, speakers, churches, food vendors, and family activities. The Sioux Falls event on September 6 is part of those LifeLight events.

LifeLight official website

LifeLight Festival is returning to Sioux Falls on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Nelson Park. It is a free, one-day Christian music festival.

Details:

• 📅 Sunday, September 6, 2026
• 📍 Nelson Park, Sioux Falls
• 🎟️ Free admission
• 🕛 Festival activities are listed as noon–9:30 p.m.
• 🎵 Artists listed include Danny Gokey, Cochren & Co., and Rhett Walker
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family activities, food trucks, vendors, speakers and Christian music are planned.

The official festival page is here: LifeLight Sioux Falls Festival

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Public Affairs Director, Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Dr. Cass Ingram about his book about Lyme Disease.

From Amazon Books:

Destroying Lyme with natural cures without any side effects? That s precisely what Dr. Cass Ingram achieved after contracting a potentially deadly case of this disease.
With Dr. Ingram s natural medicine protocols, there is no way for the pathogen to hide. Lyme can be cured. Learn how you can do so with this exclusive program of natural medicines, the most potent of which is oil of wild oregano.
Learn how you can:
destroy all traces of the Lyme bacillus and any co-infections with powerful natural medicines
prevent tick bites and, therefore, the transmission of the disease by taking simple, basic steps
build up the body s resistance against the disease with sound nutritional advice, whether you have Lyme or are free of it: prevention is the best medicine
Also, discover the role of biowarfare research in the spread of this dreaded disease.
Dr. Cass Ingram is the author of over 30 books, including The Cure is in the Cupboard, Natural Cures for High Blood Pressure, and Natural Cures for Killer Germs. A popular media personality he has appeared on over 5000 radio and TV interviews. A much sought after lecturer, he teaches the public and professionals about the powers of natural medicine.

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