Articles by Travis Kriens

Seth Tupper, South Dakota Searchlight Gold production was up and silver production was way up last year at South Dakota’s only active large-scale gold mine, according to new numbers reviewed Thursday by a state board. [Read More…]

Federal bench at full strength in South Dakota following confirmation of Camela Theeler

John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota’s federal courts once again have a full slate of judges after the U.S. Senate voted 90-4 on Thursday to confirm Camela Theeler’s nomination to the federal bench. The [Read More…]

Advocates press U.S. House to extend radiation exposure fund that includes SD

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers and advocates rallied outside the U.S. Capitol Thursday, urging House lawmakers to extend a fund for victims of U.S. nuclear testing that is set to expire in less than a month. But [Read More…]

State board approves $3.5 million in loans to businesses

South Dakota Searchlight A state government board recently approved three loans to businesses totaling $3.5 million. The Board of Economic Development approved the loans, which will be administered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. [Read More…]

Van Fire in Brookings Causes Significant Damage, No Injuries

A fire involving a 15-passenger van in Brookings on Tuesday night caused significant damage to the vehicle but resulted in no injuries. According to Brookings Fire Chief Pete Bolzer, the incident occurred around 9:11 p.m. [Read More…]

Man Killed in Vermillion Shooting Identified

Authorities have identified the man killed in a shooting Tuesday night in Vermillion as 38-year-old Chase Kinchen. Kinchen, who violated a protection order, forced his way into a home armed with a handgun and threatened [Read More…]

High school graduate eyes child care career path in South Dakota

Editor’s note: This is the ninth in a series of stories on children that Jackie Hendry, producer and host of SDPB’s “South Dakota Focus” is writing for South Dakota News Watch. Each month, she previews the [Read More…]

After Lower Brule vote, eight of nine tribes have endorsed Noem ban

John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight Eight of nine tribal governments in the state of South Dakota have endorsed the banishment of Gov. Kristi Noem from their lands. The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe unanimously approved a [Read More…]

Jokic scores 40, Nuggets shut down Edwards in 112-97 win over Wolves for a 3-2 series lead

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic received the Michael Jordan award from Commissioner Adam Silver before tipoff, then delivered a memorable playoff performance to celebrate his third MVP trophy Tuesday night. Jokic scored 40 points and [Read More…]

Giancarlo Stanton’s HR, Carlos Rodón’s 6-plus strong innings power Yankees past Twins 5-1

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton homered and Carlos Rodón overcame a shaky start and worked six-plus strong innings as the New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins 5-1 on Tuesday night. Alex Verdugo added a [Read More…]

Caitlin Clark struggles early in WNBA debut before scoring 20 points in Fever’s loss to Connecticut

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — The Caitlin Clark era in the WNBA has officially begun, although it got off to a slow start. Clark went scoreless for nearly the first 15 minutes, before getting more comfortable [Read More…]

Brunson scores 44, Knicks beat Pacers 121-91 to move a win away from conference finals

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks have one more step to climb to reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. Jalen Brunson, after a couple rough games, looks ready [Read More…]

Noem hires former Oglala Sioux police chief for state post as another tribe votes to ban her

John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight Gov. Kristi Noem appointed a former Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety chief to a post in the state’s Department of Tribal Relations on Tuesday, alleging he “found himself [Read More…]

Feds incentivize better biosecurity at dairy farms for bird flu

Jared Strong, Iowa Capital Dispatch The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced it will pay dairy farms with confirmed avian influenza infections to help contain the virus’ spread to people and more cows. Federal funding [Read More…]

Anti-abortion group is behind calls labeled a ‘scam’ by state election official

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight Hundreds of phone calls this week that the South Dakota secretary of state has labeled a “scam” are originating from an anti-abortion group seeking to disqualify an abortion-rights ballot measure. [Read More…]

Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Becomes Seventh to Ban Noem from Reservation

The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe joined six other tribes in South Dakota this week by voting to ban Governor Kristi Noem from their reservation. President Peter Lengkeek expressed frustration over the governor’s recent offer of [Read More…]

15-Year-Old Charged with First-Degree Murder in Huron Shooting

A 15-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released, is facing first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of 41-year-old Nichole Klich in Huron. Beadle County State’s Attorney Michael Moore confirmed Klich as the victim [Read More…]

Chip Seal and Fog Seal Projects Planned in the Mitchell Area

MITCHELL, S.D. – Beginning Wednesday, May 15, 2024, chip seal and fog seal applications will be applied to several highways in the Mitchell area of the state. The contractor will move from one project to [Read More…]

Name Released in Union County Fatal Motorcycle Crash South of Beresford

Union County, S.D.- A 66-year-old man died Saturday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash one mile south of Beresford, SD. Preliminary crash information indicates the Gene J. Eli, the driver of a 2004 Kawasaki VN750 motorcycle was southbound [Read More…]

Hometown of Laura Ingalls Wilder set for a growth spurt