Articles by J.P. Skelly

One individual has been arrested in connection with an incident reported early Friday morning in Wagner. South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation and working closely with local law enforcement to secure [Read More…]

The Annual State of the Schools luncheon offered an update on several levels of education in Mitchell. Mitchell School Superintendent Joe Childs led off the program with a few words regarding the new high school. [Read More…]

South Dakota authorities have released the name of a man from Belle Fourche who died in a single vehicle crash last Saturday night southwest of Platte. Preliminary crash information indicates around 11:25 pm, 21 year [Read More…]

In 2025, South Dakota recorded 110 fatal crashes resulting in 123 deaths, marking a five-year low and a significant improvement in roadway safety, according to preliminary data from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety’s [Read More…]

SD Searchlight-John Hult South Dakota doesn’t recognize emergency medical services as essential under state law, and that wouldn’t change under an ambulance bill passed Monday by a state Senate panel. A legal designation of “essential” [Read More…]

A 22 year old man from Yankton has been sentenced to 22 years in Federal Prison for selling fentanyl resulting in the death of a young woman. The U-S Attorney’s Office reported Evan Nelson was [Read More…]

A 50 year old man from Brunswick, NE died in a single vehicle crash Friday afternoon, one mile southeast of Avon, SD. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported around 3:25 pm, the driver [Read More…]

SD Searchlight-Ariana Figueroa WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing mounting criticism, including from some congressional Republicans and moderate Democrats, for her response to a second killing by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. [Read More…]

Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that 11 people, including seven prison inmates, three private citizens, and one person who was contracted by the state at the time, have been indicted in connection with a November [Read More…]

South Dakota Searchlight-Jacob Fischler A partial federal government shutdown appeared Sunday to unexpectedly be on the horizon, after another fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis led key U.S. Senate Democrats to say they [Read More…]

Dakota Wesleyan University’s in-person A.S. nursing program based in Sioux Falls has a new home.  The program moved from a downtown location to a new location in early January. The program is now occupying part [Read More…]

When the USS Pierre was commissioned as the newest addition to the U.S. Navy fleet in November 2025, Pheasantland Industries’ Print Shop played a creative and meaningful role in commemorating the historic event. Working closely with [Read More…]

SD Searchlight-Makenzie Huber PIERRE — A South Dakota state representative was reassigned to different committees recently after tempers flared over a committee’s seating arrangement, in an episode one lawmaker described as “unprofessional and juvenile behavior.” [Read More…]

SD Searchlight-Josh Haiar State Sen. Tim Reed opened a bill hearing Wednesday by saying a former state economic development commissioner “complied with the statute as it exists today” when the ex-commissioner waited one year before [Read More…]

 Two people died and several were injured in a multi-vehicle crash Friday afternoon, five miles west of Reliance, SD. Preliminary crash information indicates Drew Allen Kellison, the driver of a 2025 Kenworth, was traveling westbound [Read More…]

Two people died and several were injured in a multi-vehicle crash Friday afternoon, five miles west of Reliance, SD. The names of the persons involved have not been released pending notification of family members. Preliminary [Read More…]

State Representative Jeff Bathke announces his re-election campaign, representing District 20 and the great State of South Dakota. District 20 includes the communities and citizens of Jerauld, Sanborn, Miner and Davison Counties. Representative Bathke has [Read More…]

The Kelley Center for Entrepreneurship at Dakota Wesleyan University announces two local women will serve as the university’s Kelley Center 2026 Entrepreneurs in Residence. According to Assistant Director for the Kelley Center Jessica Dollahon, “This [Read More…]

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and Charles Mix County State’s Attorney Steve Cotton announced a man from Wagner has been arrested in connection with a fatal vehicle-related incident that occurred Saturday night near Wagner. [Read More…]