Articles by J.P. Skelly

Mike Moen-Greater Dakota News Service Political researchers said the government shutdown situation swirling around Washington, D.C., might turn even more people off to civic engagement but a South Dakota expert said even during tumultuous times, [Read More…]

As the sun set Saturday evening, a large crowd gathered at the Corn Palace Plaza to welcome the twelve runners heading east on this year’s 437 Project relay raising awareness of suicide prevention and supporting [Read More…]

Seth Tupper-SD Searchlight RAPID CITY — When John Thune disagrees with people, he tries to do it “in a respectful way,” he said Friday. So his description of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. might be as [Read More…]

James Valley Drug and DUI Court Thursday celebrated yet another graduation from its intensive rehabilitation program. Judge Donna Bucher shared that graduate Kyle-M was convicted of a felony and received a suspended prison sentence. Since [Read More…]

SD Searchlight -John Hult SIOUX FALLS — A state-spanning sting operation in June drew indictments for the owners of five smoke shops in South Dakota this week, according to Attorney General Marty Jackley. The indictments, [Read More…]

The South Dakota Department of Corrections is reporting the death of an inmate by an apparent suicide. 57 year old offender Keith McLain was found unresponsive in his cell at the South Dakota State Penitentiary [Read More…]

The South Dakota Legislature has green-lighted the $650-million dollar funding bill for a new men’s state penitentiary in Sioux Falls. District 20 Senator Paul Miskimins voted “yes”. “I know it’s a huge investment, but basically [Read More…]

John Hult-SD Searchlight PIERRE — After 144 years, South Dakota lawmakers decided Tuesday it’s time for “the Hill” to retire. The required two-thirds of each legislative chamber voted to endorse a 1,500-bed, $650 million replacement [Read More…]

By Todd Epp, South Dakota Broadcasters Association A joint legislative committee advanced Governor Larry Rhoden’s $650 million men’s prison plan on Tuesday, 13 to 2, after extended testimony on cost, size, and inmate care. Lieutenant [Read More…]

Two Mitchell area 4-H members are recipients of state-level 4-H scholarships. Both Delaney Zoss of Sanborn County and Willam Kreth of Davison County received $1,500 Sokota Scholarships. Zoss graduated from Mitchell High School and is [Read More…]

Josh Haiar-South Dakota Searchlight One of South Dakota’s wealthiest businessmen says an aspect of economic development often gets overlooked — great public schools. “If families know their children can get a top-quality education in Mitchell, [Read More…]

Two people were injured Friday night, one fatally, when their motorcycle struck a deer, four miles east of Hot Springs, SD. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported shortly after 7 pm a motorcycle [Read More…]

Attorney General Marty Jackley says five people, including one former state correctional officer and two current inmates, have been indicted for transporting contraband into the South Dakota State Penitentiary. “Transporting illegal items into the prison [Read More…]

South Dakota Searchight Governor Larry Rhoden has appointed John Shubeck of Beresford to the South Dakota House of Representatives on Wednesday, filling a seat left vacated by the death of Rep. Richard Vasgaard, a Republican [Read More…]

John Hult-SD Searchlight South Dakota’s first state public defender and his staff of four have taken on 43 cases since taking their first this winter. Lawmakers created and funded the Office of Indigent Legal Services [Read More…]

YES Michael Klinski-South Dakota News Watch Diverging diamond interchanges (DDI) reduce crashes and improve traffic flow compared to traditional intersections. There are three diverging diamond interchanges in South Dakota. The busiest two – Lacrosse Street [Read More…]

A 51 year old man from Reliance is sitting in a federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Heath Choal was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by three [Read More…]

Makenzie Huber-SD Searchlight A program supporting rural and first-generation college students pursuing graduate degrees in biomedical research at the University of South Dakota is among the victims of Trump administration grant cancellations upheld recently by [Read More…]

A 27 year old woman from McCall, Idaho died in a single motorcycle crash seven miles south of Keystone Saturday evening. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported around 5:05 pm, the driver of [Read More…]