SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(South Dakota News Watch)- South Dakota News Watch and South Dakota Public Broadcasting are building on an effort they started ahead of last year’s election with several upcoming televised and in-person events.

The League of Women Voters of South Dakota and Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota have also signed on as partners.

The series of town halls, discussions and community gatherings is intended to increase civic engagement and media literacy. It will provide South Dakotans with information about the political process and what’s on the ballot and help them identify credible media sources so they can be informed.

The free events start Sept. 18 with a live, televised town hall from the Capitol rotunda in Pierre about the separation of powers. Those taking part will include the governor and lieutenant governor, two Supreme Court justices, and House and Senate legislators from both major parties.

“What this is, is understanding government,” said Cara Hetland, director of radio and journalism content for SDPB. “Hearing directly from elected officials as to how they understand how government works and understanding the media in the process.”

On September 18th in Pierre from 8-9:30pm and airing on SDPB will be “Separation of Powers Town Hall” on how the system of checks and balances works in South Dakota. Representatives from each branch of government who plan to take part: Gov. Larry Rhoden and Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen; Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen and Justice Patricia DeVaney; Republican Rep. Scott Odenbach of Spearfish, House majority leader, Republican Sen. Carl Perry of Aberdeen, Senate assistant majority leader, Democratic Rep. Erik Muckey of Sioux Falls and Democratic Sen. Jamie Smith of Sioux Falls, assistant minority leader. A limited number of tickets will be available.

South Dakota News Watch’s Carson Walker will be doing the Chamber Connections series at the K.O.Lee Public Library on Thursday, September 25th starting at 8:45AM.