Articles by J.P. Skelly

South Dakota Searchlight-Makenzie Huber South Dakota Public Broadcasting is bracing for potential cuts and layoffs after Congress canceled $1.1 billion in previously approved nationwide funding for public media. The federal funding went to the Corporation [Read More…]

Governor Larry Rhoden has announced the date of the special session to consider and pass legislation for a new prison. The special session will be on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 9:00 am CT. Governor [Read More…]

The Mitchell School Board unanimously approved a bid to repair the Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School roof. Superintendent Joe Childs says there were nine bidders. “The bid is just north of $255,000 to Guarantee Roofing [Read More…]

By Emily DeCock South Dakota News Watch BROOKINGS, S.D. – The South Dakota Board of Regents voted 9-0 Thursday to update its policy to comply with a new state law that allows students and others [Read More…]

A 34 year old man from Clark has been indicted for First-Degree Murder in the death of his mother. A Clark County Grand Jury indicted Bowen Fladland on Wednesday. The next hearing is scheduled for [Read More…]

The phrase, “if you build it they will come” held true during Wednesday’s open house at the new Mitchell High School. Superintendent Joe Childs felt the excitement as the doors opened. “Everybody that I’ve spoken [Read More…]

The South Dakota Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed the first human West Nile virus case of the 2025 season in a resident of Brookings County. South Dakota has reported more than 2,864 human cases [Read More…]

A 14 year old boy from Fort Pierre is dead after a shooting incident Tuesday afternoon in Pierre. Information from the Pierre Police Department says at approximately 2:45pm Tuesday, Patrol Officers were dispatched to the [Read More…]

Davison County Commissioners have named a new County Treasurer. Chairman Randy Reider says the group interviewed four strong candidates. “And we made an offer to Tonya Ford, who works in the Treasurer’s Office,” Reider said. [Read More…]

An organization dedicated to raising money to help veterans in need stopped in Mitchell to share its message in front of the Statue of Liberty mural at the Corn Palace. Kevin Stoterau is a member [Read More…]

Dakota Wesleyan University will bring a unique astronomy experience to campus this week with multiple showings of “The Cowboy Astronomer,” an exploration of the stars from a cowboy’s point of view.  Shows will be presented [Read More…]

The Mitchell School District is hosting a community open-house at the new high school on Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm. Superintendent Joe Childs is excited. “We know the building won’t be 100% complete,” Childs said. [Read More…]

Monday’s Mitchell School Board meeting featured an unusual twist as the group closed out business for the 2024-2025 school year. However newly elected board member Kimberly Lofgren was involved in a two-vehicle collision around noon [Read More…]

Inside Audio Marketing This will be a critical week for public media funding, with the Senate expected to vote on a package of $9.4 billion in funding already appropriated by Congress that President Trump wants [Read More…]

The state of South Dakota closed the state fiscal year 2025 budget year with an operating surplus of $63 million. “South Dakota is a leader in our nation – especially when it comes to disciplined [Read More…]

A man from Webster died and his passenger was injured in a single vehicle motorcycle crash early Thursday morning, five miles east of Fedora. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported around 2am, 53 [Read More…]

South Dakota Searchlight-John Hult SIOUX FALLS — The scene was surreal from the jump. There we were, a gang of eight reporters scrunched together in the claustrophobic lobby of the state penitentiary, waiting for a [Read More…]

The Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota got a boost from Central Electric’s Operation Roundup program. Representatives Merl Bechen and Tara Miller presented a check for $2,200 for kitchen appliances in its family visitation center. [Read More…]

The Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota celebrated its new home with staff, friends and community leaders at its new location at 1600 North Kimball in Mitchell. Coleen Hoffman is Safe Place executive director. “I’m [Read More…]

A 53 year old man from Webster man died and his passenger was injured in a single vehicle motorcycle crash early Thursday morning, five miles east of Fedora. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety [Read More…]