Articles by Travis Kriens

Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight RAPID CITY — Firefighters who’ve been busy battling wildfires in South Dakota’s Black Hills celebrated the opening Monday of two state-funded buildings to house their trucks, equipment and training. Jay Wickham, [Read More…]

Prison reform group will hear public comment and plans for seminary program, drug treatment

John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight Members of a Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force plan to talk through South Dakota’s options for a prison seminary program, learn more about behavioral health at a soon-to-open Rapid City women’s prison [Read More…]

Tuesday Sports: April 21, 2026

TUESDAY SPORTS, APRIL 21, 2026 MITCHELL KERNELS — Mitchell Kernels softball picked up its first win of the season Monday, defeating Aberdeen Central 13-0 in a five-inning run-rule game at McWhirter Field. The Kernels jumped [Read More…]

Edwards and Randle rally Timberwolves past Nuggets 119-114 to even series at 1 apiece

DENVER (AP) — A big early deficit in Denver didn’t bother the Minnesota Timberwolves, who two years ago staged the biggest Game 7 comeback in NBA history, clawing out of a 20-point hole to beat [Read More…]

Twins right-hander Mick Abel lands on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins placed right-hander Mick Abel on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation on Monday. The move was made retroactive to Friday. Abel, 24, is 1-2 with a 3.98 [Read More…]

Mitchell Boys Tennis Split Duals with Lennox and Sioux Falls Christian

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Sioux Falls Christian shut out Mitchell 9-0 in boys tennis action Monday at Tomar Park, while the Kernels rebounded later in the day with an 8-1 win over Lennox. Against Sioux [Read More…]

Johnson’s lead grows in new poll on race for Republican governor nomination

South Dakota Searchlight U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, has opened up a bigger lead in the race for the Republican nomination for governor, according to new poll results. The poll, commissioned by South Dakota News [Read More…]

Advocates protest outside Air Force base where Lakota woman was allegedly killed

Amelia Schafer/ICT ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — Sahela Sangrait’s family, friends and community aren’t done demanding justice for her. Roughly one dozen community members gathered outside Ellsworth Air Force Base on April 17, in [Read More…]

Forest Service plan to close research stations stokes fear as wildfire season approaches

Alex Brown/Stateline The U.S. Forest Service’s plan to close scores of research stations could threaten the nation’s wildfire readiness, many foresters fear, and erode decades of work to understand timber production, soil health, pests and [Read More…]

Monday Sports: April 20, 2026

MONDAY SPORTS, APRIL 20, 2026 MITCHELL KERNELS —Mitchell baseball split a doubleheader on the road Sunday against No. 2 Yankton, winning the opener 6-1 before dropping the game two 5-3. The split moves Mitchell to [Read More…]

Mitchell Splits Road Doubleheader at Yankton, Moves to 8-2

YANKTON, S.D. — Mitchell High School baseball split a doubleheader on the road Sunday against No. 2 Yankton, winning the opener 6-1 before dropping the game two 5-3. The split moves Mitchell to 8-2 on [Read More…]

TJ Friedl has 3-run double in 9th, and Reds rally for 7-4 win in 10 for 3-game sweep of Twins

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — TJ Friedl hit a go-ahead, three-run double in the ninth inning, Rece Hinds added a two-run double in the 10th, and the Cincinnati Reds rallied past the Minnesota Twins 7-4 on Sunday [Read More…]

Jackrabbits Drop 10-2 Decision to Oral Roberts

After winning the first two games of a Summit League baseball series after jumping out to to early leads, Oral Roberts followed the same recipe Sunday afternoon to complete a sweep of South Dakota State, [Read More…]

Omaha Beats South Dakota State in Close Series