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Liberty Forge AI Consulting in Watertown has finalized the date and content of the upcoming Heartland AI Ethics Forum on Tuesday, April 28, at 3:45 p.m. at the Watertown Regional Library, 160 Sixth St. NE.
The forum, according to Zachary Thompson, the founder of Liberty Forge, will consist of a two-hour moderated panel including Tyler Fischella, Dr. Matthew Cole, Katy Webb, Rep. Matt Roby, Prioress Barbara Younger, and Thompson himself. The panel will be moderated by local radio host Steve Jurrens of Northeast Radio S.D.
There will be five points of discussion during the panel:
- Human dignity — what AI can and cannot replace about human judgment, creativity,
and worth. - Truth, hallucination, and the obligation to keep a human being in the decision loop.
- Data sovereignty — who owns the information generated by your farm, business, and family?
- Accountability and governance: who is actually in charge of where this technology
goes — and what happens when no one is? - Human flourishing and the practical first steps a Watertown business, school or family
can take right now.
A media release from Liberty Forge also provided some biographical information on the panelists and the moderator. 
Jurrens, the founder and news director of Northeast Radio S.D., is a Watertown native and Castlewood High School graduate. “Steve brings over seven years of professional radio experience and a proven commitment to the kind of journalism that keeps communities informed about the things that actually matter to them,” said the release. “He previously served as news director at KXLG radio in Watertown.”
Thompson’s bio said “his mission is to bring ethical, human-led AI implementation to the communities that coastal technology firms have never prioritized. The Heartland AI Ethics Forum is the first public expression of that mission — and a conversation (he) believes Watertown is uniquely equipped to lead.”
Fischella is a tech professional who brings over 12 years of experience to the conversation, according to his bio. His experience touches AI, data governance, and large-scale systems design.
“He has worked at the intersection of technology and policy, including work on AI trust and safety and regulatory compliance for some of the world’s most complex data environments,” said the release.
Fischella also has co-authored ontology research, which deals with the nature of being, alongside Google DeepMind, an artificial intelligence research lab. His research centered on a platform geared to cloud security, data privacy, and innovation.
“He brings a rare inside perspective on how AI systems are actually built, scaled, and governed,” said the release.
According to Cole’s bio, he is the founder of Pioneer BioTech, a South Dakota State University alumnus, and “next-generation” farmer from Kranzburg.
“He founded Pioneer BioTech in 2020 to develop plant-based bioproducts for crop protection using corn and soybeans as fermentation inputs – bringing agricultural innovation and biotechnology together at the SDSU Research Park in Brookings,” said the release. “(Cole’s) work is grounded in the conviction that technology should create new value for producers and rural communities rather than replace them.”
Webb, according to her bio, is a Watertown-based writer, small business owner and mother who “explores AI as a creative partner rather than a replacement for human storytelling.” Her bio said she uses AI to support brainstorming, structure, and idea development, while retaining authenticity and emotional depth.
“Katy brings a distinctly human-focused perspective to AI ethics – emphasizing balance and empowering people to create more without losing what makes their voice uniquely their own,” said the release.
Roby is a fourth generation Watertown resident and S.D. State Rep. for District 5 and practicing attorney.
“He served as the City Attorney of Watertown from 2017 to 2022 and now runs Roby Law Office, focusing on business, real estate, and estate planning,” said his bio.
Younger is the 12th Prioress of Mother of God Monastery. She served as the director of communications and technology, manager of the Harmony Hill project, and now leads the sisters’ 485-acre Village of Harmony Hill development.
Thompson also commented on the purpose of the panel.
“This isn’t a tech sales pitch,” said the release. “It’s a two-hour moderated panel with audience Q&A, focused on the questions that matter to the people who live and work here, like data sovereignty, human dignity, who’s responsible when AI makes a mistake, and whether these tools will help or hurt rural families and small businesses.”
The media release said a 40-minute block of time is also set aside just for questions from the audience.
Admission to the forum is free, and no registration is required.
Critter Mart & More goes public with HEART Pet Pantry
LeAnn Kwasniewski, the owner of Critter Mart & More at 3 10th St. NW in Watertown, has just gone public with a pet pantry to serve animals of all species.
The HEART Pet Pantry, short for “Helping Every Animal with Resources & Treats,” is the product of 11 years of giving by Kwasniewski, who had until recently been helping pet owners on a walk-in basis without advertising that she could.
Kwasniewski said the reason she started HEART, other than to continue giving back, was to help replace the Lake Area Pet Pantry which closed in 2024.
“I’ve always helped people if they came to me and asked for help,” she said. “I just never made it public.”
She also said she’s done work with Feeding Pets of the Homeless, an organization that’s geared toward keeping pets with their owners while they are out of a home. Along with that, she’s also donated to SARA’s Treasures (Shelter Animal Resource Alliance) and provided free boarding for people in need.
“That means a lot to me,” she said about her charity work. “Sometimes pets are a lifeline to keep people going.”
Kwasniewski also spoke more specifically about how HEART Pet Pantry came about.
“I figured since our pet pantry is no longer here in town, (and) I’m doing everything like a pet pantry, helping people where I can,” she said, “now I’m going to make it public.”
Before she went public with her own pet pantry, she did a coat drive to stock up on coats for creatures.
“I did a coat drive this winter, I called it ‘Coats for Critters,’” she said. “It turned out phenomenal. I had so many people drop off coats and leashes and everything you could think of.”
The success of her coat drive made her think running a pet pantry was possible for Critter Mart.
According to Kwasniewski, Critter Mart will accept just about anything so long as it can be used to support pets and pet owners. Right now, she’s looking for anything and everything to stock up with, but she prefers lighter-weight pet food bags, such as 12-pounders, which will be easier for her to store, she said.
“About anything that’s pet related, I will take in just in case somebody needs it,” she said.
Anybody, regardless of their situation, can take advantage of the HEART Pet Pantry if they visit Critter Mart, and provide their name, number of pets and their species, and contact information. For food, Kwasniewski said she can give about one bag a month for three consecutive months before a waiting period kicks in.
She said she’s also willing to be flexible.
“If I’m able, I’m going to give it to them,” she said. “I’ve owned the store for 11 years. Before, people would come in (looking for pet food). … I would just give them a box of samples.”
Kwasniewski hopes the pantry will, “help those that may run across hard times,” she said “I know they’re out there. … I just want to give those people a second chance.”
All donations should be dropped off at Critter Mart & More on 10th Street.
WACF Youth Council Awards $15,000 in Grants to Support Local Youth
The Watertown Area Community Foundation Youth Council awarded $15,000 in grants across nine organizations that serve youth in Watertown and the surrounding region.
According to a media release from the council, “The Youth Council, made up of local high school juniors and seniors, reviews community needs, visits nonprofit organizations, and makes funding decisions focused on improving opportunities for young people.”
2026 grant recipients include:
- Beacon Center – $1,800 to support the Healthy Relationships Project curriculum.
- Boys & Girls Club of Watertown – $1,295 for supplies for a summer gardening program in partnership with Coteau Prairie Master Gardeners.
- Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton – $2,000 to provide youth transportation through the “Dawg Days of Summer” program.
- Goss Opera House – $2,000 to support a free summer youth theater residency with Missoula Children’s Theatre.
- Interlakes Community Action Partnership (ICAP) – $1,905 for outdoor play equipment at Head Start.
- Joy Ranch of South Dakota – $2,000 to support Young Timber Camp for at-risk boys ages 11–14.
- Watertown Area Foster Closet – $2,000 for teen clothing and essential supplies for youth in foster care.
- Watertown Cares – $1,000 for bus tokens supporting residents experiencing homelessness.
- Watertown Police Department – $1,000 to support Camp Chance.
The WACF Youth Council promotes healthy philanthropy, community awareness, and leadership in young people, said the release. Current members include seniors Siri Bach, Leila Byer, and Whitney Martinsen, and juniors Abby Kruger, Kate McElroy, and Owen Muller.
During their two-year term, students work with local nonprofits and community leaders while taking part in a “structured grantmaking process.”
“A key part of their work includes conducting a ‘youth perspective’ needs assessment to better understand and prioritize the challenges facing young people in the community,” said the release.
Senior member Siri Bach spoke about this year’s grant meeting.
“This year’s grant meeting went really well,” said Bach. “We were able to use what we learned from our needs assessment and our visits with local nonprofits to make granting decisions we feel confident in. It’s rewarding to see how those dollars will make a real difference.”
Since 2001, when the organization was founded, the Youth Council has awarded more than $233,000 in grants to youth-oriented efforts. A total of 78 students have served on the council.
“As the program approaches its 25th anniversary in 2026–2027, the Foundation looks forward to celebrating the impact of Youth Council with alumni, along with the whole community, while continuing to invest in the next generation of community leaders,” said the release.
