Articles by Travis Kriens

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ryan Jeffers went 3 for 5 with three RBIs, Connor Prielipp threw 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball in his return from the injured list and the Minnesota Twins beat the Athletics 11-8 on [Read More…]

Strong Thunderstorms Produce Damaging Winds Across Eastern South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The National Weather Service says strong thunderstorms produced widespread damaging winds across eastern South Dakota and northwest Iowa Saturday evening, with peak wind gusts reaching 92 mph near Tea. The storms [Read More…]

Sunday Sports: July 26, 2026

PALACE CITY LEGION BASEBALL — Palace City 14-and-under baseball won a pair of games on Saturday at the Class A State Tournament in Pierre, defeating Rapid City Post 320 10-6 and Watertown 7-1. Play continues [Read More…]

Roden’s 2-RBI single, and Rojas’ strong start on short notice help Twins top Athletics 2-0

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Alan Roden hit a two-run single to snap Minnesota’s scoreless streak at 14 2/3 innings and the Twins beat the Athletics 2-0 on Saturday night. The Twins had not scored in 25 [Read More…]

State fund helps 911 centers consolidate, with more mergers on the way

Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota has awarded more than $630,000 in the last year to facilitate three emergency dispatch consolidations, using funds from a statewide fee increase on phone lines that lawmakers approved to [Read More…]

South Dakota universities’ Native American enrollment rises to pre-pandemic level

Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight Native American student enrollment at South Dakota public universities has returned to its pre-pandemic level, according to a new report. Black Hills State University in Spearfish had 227 Native American students during [Read More…]

Hiker rescued from Black Elk Peak after suffering broken leg

CUSTER, S.D. — A hiker was rescued from the summit of Black Elk Peak Saturday morning after suffering a broken leg while climbing rocks. Custer County Search and Rescue responded after receiving a report of [Read More…]

Aberdeen police warn residents of donation mail scam

ABERDEEN, S.D. — The Aberdeen Police Department is warning residents about fraudulent mailings that falsely appear to be from the department and request donations. Police said the mailers are not affiliated with the department, which [Read More…]

Mitchell Area Arts wraps up third annual summer concert series

MITCHELL, S.D. — The Mitchell Area Council of the Arts has concluded its third annual summer concert series, ending the season with a performance by Chris Miller at Bradley’s. Organizers said this year’s series expanded [Read More…]

Lopez allows 1 hit in 5 innings, Butler and Soderstrom drive in runs as A’s beat Twins 2-0

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jacob Lopez allowed one hit in five innings, Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom drove in runs and the Athletics beat the Minnesota Twins 2-0 on Friday night. Lopez (5-4) has allowed two [Read More…]

LeBron James is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers, saying it will be his ‘last decision’

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — LeBron James is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer made the announcement on social media Friday, saying it will be his “last decision” and that it comes after [Read More…]

Big paydays result from $50 million auction of South Dakota T. rex skeleton

Bart Pfankuch/South Dakota News Watch Multi-million dollar paydays are in store for the company that excavated the Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil that sold last week for $50.1 million, the rancher whose western South Dakota land it [Read More…]

Universities ask for $24.5 million to launch and maintain artificial intelligence system

Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight The board that oversees South Dakota’s public universities plans to ask state lawmakers for nearly $60.5 million for building projects and maintenance, the launch of a national defense center in Rapid City, and [Read More…]

Billionaire-funded national group seeks to influence voters in South Dakota runoff election

Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight Some of the political postcards mailed to South Dakota voters in the week ahead of Tuesday’s runoff election for the Republican nomination for governor are financed by a national group that [Read More…]

NCAA Division I board: No plans to change age-based eligibility rule being challenged in court