A Dakota Boom Town, but Not the Kind You’d Expect
by James Fallows
Why is this boom town different from other boom towns? (Read it here.)
Why Local Money Matters: The Middletown Story
Why Local Money Matters: The Middletown Story
by James Fallows
“Absentee ownership changed everything.” (Read it here.)
‘When’s Your Birthday? January First!’ Report from Sioux Falls
‘When’s Your Birthday? January First!’ Report from Sioux Falls
by Deborah Fallows
Sioux Falls began welcoming Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s, and it continues welcoming refugees today, including most recently Sudanese, Somalis, and Nepalese. I say “welcoming” deliberately, as the outreach and cooperation among churches, schools, civic groups, the city, and community volunteers is deep and obvious. The phrase I heard most often in my talks with those who work with refugees is something like “embrace the challenge.” (Read it here.)
Welcome Marketplace Listeners, to American Futures
Welcome Marketplace Listeners, to American Futures
by James Fallows
Kicking off a new collaborative project. (Read it here.)
How to Make Nice with the Call Center
How to Make Nice with the Call Center
When we arrived in Sioux Falls, I was very excited about hearing the Dakota accent. Think Frances McDormand in the movie Fargo. Or try listening to the language in this mash-up video (not embeddable) between McDormand and Sarah Palin. Those “O’s” ; the friendly “you betcha’s”! Having spent 7 formative childhood linguistic years in nearby Minnesota, I find the Dakota way of speaking familiar and comforting. (Read it here.)
Welcome to Sioux Falls
Welcome to Sioux Falls
by James Fallows
A successful, energetic, rough-edged, and therefore typically American town (Read it here.)
American Futures: Grand Finale Holland-Palooza
American Futures: Grand Finale Holland-Palooza
by James Fallows
A small arena in which many dramas are being played out. (Read it here.)
The Next Lesson From Holland: Why Local Money Matters
The Next Lesson From Holland: Why Local Money Matters
by James Fallows
In an age of globalized companies and relentless focus on “shareholder value,” a reminder of what local ownership can mean. (Read it here.)
The Surprising News From One Small Town About Immigration Reform
The Surprising News From One Small Town About Immigration Reform
by James Fallows
In a place as unlike Miami, New York, or L.A. as you can imagine, America’s unsettled immigration policy has a profound effect. (Read it here.)
Rapid City Report: What Does ‘Green’ Mean?
Rapid City Report: What Does ‘Green’ Mean?
by Deborah Fallows
At the Adoba Hotel, the carpet is composed of individual tiles, which show up as tan and dark brown in the photo above; the tiles are made from recycled natural grass, stone, and fibers from other carpets. The carpet backing is made from sugar, salt, sand, and rubber. If carpet tiles get soiled or stained, they can be replaced one by one. When the carpet wears out, the Meralis can sell the tiles to a recycler, who will remake them into new carpet tiles and maybe even sell them back to the Meralis. (Read it here.)
American Futures 