Articles by Travis Kriens

Seth Tupper, South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem’s troop deployments to the nation’s southern border now have another cost: $42,000 to settle a lawsuit over a watchdog group’s document request. The federal [Read More…]

Delayed farm bill punted until after election with Congress stuck on how to pay for it

Allison Winter, States Newsroom WASHINGTON — Sweeping legislation that would set food and farm policy for the next five years is in limbo, waiting for lawmakers to decide its fate after the election. The latest [Read More…]

Lennox Man Dies from Injuries Following September Crash in McCook County

McCook County, S.D.- A Lennox, SD man died yesterday from injuries sustained in a September 19 crash in McCook County. The names of the persons involved have not been released pending notification of family members. Preliminary [Read More…]

Three Arrested in Sioux Falls Kidnapping Case; More Suspects Sought

Three individuals have been arrested in connection to a kidnapping in Sioux Falls. Samantha Talent Adams, 43, was charged with first-degree kidnapping and aggravated assault after being apprehended on October 1st. The charges stem from [Read More…]

North Carolina candidate’s inclusion in Sioux Falls event divides SD Republican Party

Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight SIOUX FALLS – A political fundraiser featuring a video message from a controversial Republican candidate for governor of North Carolina further divided the factions within the South Dakota Republican Party on [Read More…]

Mitchell Girls Tennis Claims ESD Conference Title

Mitchell Kernels girls tennis team claimed the ESD Conference title on Tuesday in Watertown, led by six flight champions. With a total of 321 points over the two-day event, Mitchell outpaced second-place Yankton (266 points) [Read More…]

South Dakota teachers’ real wages have fallen recently, report says

South Dakota Searchlight – The typical South Dakota teacher’s pay fell by 7.6% over the past six years when adjusted for inflation, according to a new report from a nonprofit economic research and analysis organization. The [Read More…]

State defends decision to double-charge cannabis company

A Puffy’s Dispensary location is pictured on Oct. 1, 2024, on West Main Street in Rapid City. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight) John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight VERMILLION – A Rapid City medical marijuana dispensary wants [Read More…]

Attorney General Jackley Announces Ex-Prison Employee Pleads Guilty to Sexual Contact with Inmate

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a former prison employee has pleaded guilty to one count of a Prohibited Sexual Act Between a Prison Employee and a Prisoner. Cassandra Jelsma, 36, [Read More…]

Rapid City Shooting Claims Life of 18-Year-Old Central High School Football Player

Rapid City Police confirmed the death of 18-year-old Marquise Walker following a Monday night shooting near an apartment on the 4000 block of Range Road. Walker, a senior and football player for Central High School, [Read More…]

Amid rash of school threats, authorities encourage reporting while warning of penalties for sharing

Joshua Haiar, South Dakota Searchlight Students who see a school threat on social media should report it to authorities, but those same authorities want students to know that sharing threats on social media could be [Read More…]

Home Explosion in Gary, South Dakota Leaves Two Seriously Injured

A home explosion in Gary, South Dakota, left two individuals seriously injured on the morning of September 30, 2024. Emergency crews were dispatched to the 800 block of Lac Qui Parle Street, where the two [Read More…]

Pete Rose, baseball’s banned hits leader, has died at age 83

NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Rose, baseball’s career hits leader and fallen idol who undermined his historic achievements and Hall of Fame dreams by gambling on the game he loved and once embodied, has died. [Read More…]

South Dakota High School Football Media Polls – September 30

The South Dakota Prep Media football poll for the week of Sept. 30 is listed below, ranking the top-five teams in each class, record, total points and previous ranking. First-place votes received are indicated in [Read More…]

South Dakota High School Volleyball Media Polls – September 30

Here is the South Dakota Media volleyball poll for the week of Sept. 30, 2024. Teams are listed with first place votes in parenthesis, record, points and previous ranking. CLASS AA 1. Harrisburg (14) 9-0 [Read More…]

Kernels Boys Golf Competes at ESD Tournament in Aberdeen

Mitchell Kernels boys golf placed seventh out of 10 teams at the ESD Tournament in Aberdeen on Monday at Moccasin Creek Country Club. The Kernels shot +54 as a team, just two shots behind Yankton [Read More…]

Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter and actor, dies at 88

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kris Kristofferson, a Rhodes scholar with a deft writing style and rough charisma who became a country music superstar and A-list Hollywood actor, has died. Kristofferson died at his home in Maui, [Read More…]

Wind turbine technicians top South Dakota’s list of fastest growing jobs

The fastest growing occupation through 2032 in South Dakota will be wind turbine service technicians, according to new projections from the state Department of Labor and Regulation. The department recently released its occupational employment projections for the [Read More…]

Twins will bring back Rocco Baldelli as manager despite late-season collapse

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rocco Baldelli will return next year as manager of the Minnesota Twins despite a late-season freefall that left the defending AL Central champions out of the playoffs. President of baseball operations Derek [Read More…]

Nebraska law enforcement investigating after fatal Omaha police shooting