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Dakota Midday: Majority Of State In Drought

Kealey Bultena SDPB

The lack of snow this past winter and limited rainfall this spring have created severe drought in the state for the first time in a year-and-a-half. The U.S. Drought Monitor Index released last Thursday shows drought conditions continue to worsen across South Dakota. More than 77 per cent of South Dakota is in moderate or severe drought,  an increase from 69 per cent from the previous week.

State climatologist Dennis Todey says models show different areas could get one to two inches of rain this week, but not enough to fix things. "It'll only to move us down the road a little bit," he says. "We have soils that are several inches short of moisture at this point, and what is really critical throughout the growing season is having moisture in the soil so the crops can take advantage of that moisture during the dry times of year and carry them through dry periods."

Todey joined Dakota Midday and discussed the latest drought report and the outlook for the next few months.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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