Articles by J.P. Skelly

Mitchell’s St. John-Paul the Second elementary school has received a $1.15-million dollar endowed gift which will benefit the teachers and school families. This is the largest estate gift in John Paul Two’s history. The Bruce [Read More…]

South Dakota Searchlight-Dana Hess commentary The South Dakota Legislature, usually noted for the decorum of its public meetings, punished one of its own last month for being out of order. It’s hard for anyone but [Read More…]

The South Dakota Department of Public Safety is reporting a 65 year old man from Spearfish died in a single vehicle crash Saturday evening near exit 10 on Interstate 90. At approximately 8:05 pm, the [Read More…]

A Pennington County jury has convicted three Rapid City individuals have  in connection with the Aug. 20, 2022 double homicide of 29 year old Joseph Standing Bear of Norris and 37 year old Petan Milk [Read More…]

By Alexander Rifaat South Dakota News Watch PIERRE, S.D. – The fate of a bill tied to one of the most contentious subjects in the South Dakota Legislature this year – data centers – ended [Read More…]

Dakota Wesleyan University has signed an agreement for County Fair Food Stores of Mitchell to provide the university’s food service effective June 1. According to County Fair Food Stores president Justin Luther, “We are excited [Read More…]

The Senate Appropriations advanced bill designed to prohibit the purchase of soft drinks using SNAP benefits. Senator Paul Miskimins from Mitchell said it was highly contested. “The governor’s office, the South Dakota retailers, South Dakota [Read More…]

Attorney General Marty Jackley says the overall number of reported criminal offenses statewide in 2025 decreased by 6.03 percent compared to 2024. The Crime in South Dakota 2025 Report includes 64,261 criminal offenses in 2025 [Read More…]

South Dakota Searchlight Staff Smithfield Foods will move its pork processing facility from downtown Sioux Falls to a new plant that will be built on the northern edge of the city by the end of [Read More…]

Four teenagers were injured, one fatally, in a single vehicle crash Sunday evening in Sturgis. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported the 15 year old male driver of a Chevrolet Silverado was traveling [Read More…]

Meghan O’Brien-SD Searchlight A federal judge declined to intervene Wednesday against South Dakota Republican Attorney General Marty Jackley’s attempt to shut down a national nonprofit’s abortion-rights ad campaign. Jackley asked a South Dakota state judge in December [Read More…]

A Federal Court Jury in Rapid City recently convicted a 52 year old man from Manderson of First Degree Felony Murder, Assault With Intent to Commit Arson, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Arson. [Read More…]

The South Dakota Hall of Fame announced today that it has received the copyright to the image of Dignity of Earth & Sky, the iconic sculpture created by Sculptor and 1987 South Dakota Hall of [Read More…]

By Carson Walker South Dakota News Watch MITCHELL, S.D. – A 5th grade student from Challenge Center Elementary School in Sioux Falls won the 2026 South Dakota State Spelling Bee Saturday in the 19th round. [Read More…]

A 33 year old man from Summit died Saturday afternoon in a single vehicle crash six miles southeast of Ortley. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported around 12:25 pm, the driver of a [Read More…]

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…]