The episode begins with a sponsorship message from Thomas James and Bechtold Jewelry, the oldest jewelry store in South Dakota. It then announces that on March 9th, 1987, Governor Richard Knipe passed away. Knipe was raised in Elkton and worked in Salem before retiring to Sioux Falls. His political life included his lieutenant governor turning against him and running against him near the end of his first term. Knipe participated in a Saturday Night Live hosting series called Anyone Can Host, but viewers selected Miskel Spillum, an 80-year-old German grandmother, instead. He resigned from office a few months before his third term ended to become the United States ambassador to Singapore, appointed by President Jimmy Carter, serving from July 1978 to September 1980. Knipe holds the distinction of being the only South Dakota governor elected to three consecutive terms. He was elected to two-year terms in 1970 and 1978, and after a law change, a four-year term in 1974. In 1986, he ran for governor again but lost the Democratic Party nomination to Ralph Lars Hertzeth. The episode concludes with a sponsorship message from Thomas James, reflecting on Sioux Falls history. The format is a solo narrative by host John Small, based on information from author Joshua Sweets. It focuses on historical facts and anecdotes about Knipe's life and career. Recurring themes include political milestones and personal quirks of historical figures. Key moments include the mention of Knipe's death, his electoral achievements, his ambassadorship, and the Saturday Night Live anecdote. The tone is educational and narrative, presenting a straightforward account of local history.
