Month: February 2026

Soybeans were higher on commercial and technical buying. President Trump says China might buy more U.S. soybeans this marketing year, but there are very few details at this point. If there’s an impediment, outside of [Read More…]

South Dakotans’ biggest needs, according to 211 calls

Molly Wetsch/South Dakota News Watch SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Some of South Dakotans’ greatest needs for resources in 2025 surrounded housing, food and utilities, according to the Helpline Center’s 211 data from around the state. [Read More…]

Grant County man visits public places in Brookings, Milbank while infectious with measles

John Hult/South Dakota Searchight Visits to five total places in Brookings and Milbank by a Grant County man infected with measles prompted a notice from the South Dakota Department of Health on Wednesday. All six [Read More…]

$2.5 million teacher retention proposal moves to Legislature’s budget panel

Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight PIERRE — The South Dakota House Education Committee advanced a proposal Wednesday to create a statewide educator retention initiative. The bill, brought by Sioux Falls Democratic Rep. Erik Muckey, asks for [Read More…]

47 complaints, 14 criminal investigations of state employees logged in six months

John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight A state Public Integrity Unit fielded 47 complaints of state employee misconduct in its first six months of operations, according to the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Of those complaints, 14 [Read More…]

‘This job sucks,’ DHS lawyer says in court hearing over ICE’s response to judicial orders

Fencing surrounds the perimeter of the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on January 20, 2022 in St Paul, Minnesota. Jury selection begins today in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis Police [Read More…]

14-year-old arrested on terrorism charges after allegedly discussing plans to shoot up church in Florida

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister speaks at a press conference on Feb. 4, 2026. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office) (WIMAUMA, Fla.) — A 14-year-old is in custody after allegedly discussing plans to carry out a shooting [Read More…]

4 murders of homeless people including ex-NFL player may be connected: Police

In this screen grab from a video, law enforcement vehicles are shown at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles, where former NFL player Kevin Johnson was found dead, Jan. 23, 2026. (KABC) (LOS ANGELES) — [Read More…]

‘I was foolish’: Bill Gates denies wrongdoing after latest release of Epstein files

Bill Gates watches the Women’s Singles Final at the 2026 Australian Open, January 31, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (James D. Morgan/Getty Images) (NEW YORK) — Microsoft founder Bill Gates is speaking out publicly for the [Read More…]

Man arrested in fatal shooting of Illinois bar owner

The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office released this image of a man in connection with a homicide, Feb. 2, 2026, in rural Momence near the Illinois/Indiana border. (Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office) (KANKAKEE COUNTY, Ill.) — A [Read More…]

Supreme Court declines to block California’s new mid-decade congressional map

(WASHINGTON) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a bid by California Republicans to block a newly redrawn congressional map backed by Democrats and endorsed by voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The move [Read More…]

Megan Thee Stallion plays a recently divorced mom in ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’

Megan Thee Stallion in ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins.’ (NBCUniversal) You may know her as Megan Thee Stallion, but in The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, she stars as Denise, a recently divorced [Read More…]

Ag News

Focus on risk management ahead of spring planting

An ag economist with University of Missouri Extension says farmers should consider risk management strategies as they make planting decisions for spring. Ben Brown tells Brownfield “we just have more options now than we do [Read More…]

Ag News

Another week-to-week rise for broiler hatchery numbers

Broiler hatchery numbers are maintaining their faster than last year pace, pointing towards higher production in 2026. The USDA says 251.449 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation, falling 753,000 on the week, but rising [Read More…]

Ag News

Dairy farmers seek action on Wisconsin ag bills

Dairy farmers converged on the Wisconsin State Capitol on Wednesday to support legislation they say would help them and the dairy industry. Farmers are supporting more than a dozen bills as they met with lawmakers [Read More…]

Ag News

Grain storage gains attention as farmers wait out depressed markets