I grew up on the North End of Sioux Falls, one in a long line of Lalleys who still hold ground around Terrace Park. I graduated from O'Gorman High School and the University of South Dakota. Following college, I was fortunate to spend more than two decades in journalism in South Dakota and Iowa. I love the give and take of good civic discourse, history and politics. To gain some sort of perspective on the world, I try to read books, primarily fiction for true perspective. My musical tastes were formed primarily obscure -- to most people -- pop and punk music from the '80s and '90s, though in truth any sort of jangly, smart pop music can get my attention.
Patrick Lalley
The Arc of Rich Show’s Career Shines in City’s History [OPINION]
It's Rich Show Week on The Patrick Lalley Show. If you're not familiar with Rich, you should tune in. If you are, you know him to be perhaps the most-prolific songwriter and rock-n-roll frontman in Sioux Falls history.
South Dakota Lawmakers Need Refresher on Free Speech [OPINION]
I don’t know how it’s possible that our legislators keep trying to do things that are so clearly unconstitutional. The latest example is a proposal by Rep. Sue Peterson, R-Sioux Falls, to make it illegal to alter the South Dakota state seal in any way.
Area Cyclocross Racer Dillon McNeil Takes 3rd at Nationals
I interviewed Dillon McNeil last week on The Patrick Lalley Show as he was preparing to travel to Reno, Nev., for the USA Cycling Cyclocross Nationals.
Banning Out-of-State Money is Self-Interest that Restricts Speech [OPINION]
Here's another phrase you're going to hear a lot for the next 10 months: Initiated Measure 24. That's the issue that is going to be on your ballot in November that -- if approved -- would ban out-of-state contributions to citizen-initiated campaigns.
City Council Should Never Alter Election Rules [OPINION]
A decision by the Sioux Falls City Council to change the percentage of votes needed to win a seat on the council is a fundamental and disturbing conflict with the principals of democracy.
Best Way to Beat the Deep Freeze? Go to Spearfish
A couple months ago friends asked us if we'd like to spend New Years weekend skiing in the Black Hills. This is the classic cross country type skiing.
Darth Vader, a 9-Year-Old and Bad Words on the Radio
Like most of you, I’ve been spending some quality time indoors. There’s no shame in taking refuge with a good book or binging on Netflix.
First Real Snow of Winter Was Fine — Except For the Crashing Part
You can still ride a bike when it snows. It's not always easy. Snow can be difficult to plow through when there's a lot.
Golf Course Management Contract Messed up by City Hall [OPINION]
The City Council on Tuesday decided not to approve the selection of Landscapes Unlimited of Lincoln, Neb., to manage the city’s three public golf courses. It was the culmination of several weeks of speculation and suggestion since the announcement was released in October, that the city would end its 23-year relationship with Dakota Golf Management.
The Natural World is Out There Waiting For You
I held my breath. I could feel my heart beating hard in my chest. But I wanted to listen to the world around me. The wind, the birds, the distant cars on the highway. I wanted to hear my world.