Articles by Travis Kriens

MITCHELL, S.D. — The Mitchell Police Department is encouraging parents and guardians to talk with their children about online safety as part of Internet Safety Month in June. The department is partnering with the South [Read More…]

Archaeology Day offers free admission for children at Mitchell museum

MITCHELL, S.D. — Families will have an opportunity to explore South Dakota’s archaeological past during Archaeology Day on June 13 at the Mitchell Indigenous Archaeological Site & Museum. The event will run from 10 a.m. [Read More…]

South Dakota VFW, Auxiliary members gather in Mitchell for annual convention

MITCHELL, S.D. — Veterans and auxiliary members from across the state will gather in Mitchell this week for the 96th Annual Convention of the South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary. The four-day event [Read More…]

Candidate condemns ‘whoever’ approved a runoff law, and it turns out to be a legend from his city

Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight Republican candidate for governor Toby Doeden has some criticism for whichever South Dakota legislator got a law passed requiring runoff elections. “We should just cancel the 35% rule and just award [Read More…]

State will pay extra for county jail space amid crackdown on alleged parole violations

John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight SIOUX FALLS — The South Dakota Department of Corrections will pay the state’s most populous county a premium to house people accused of violating parole, under the terms of a short-term [Read More…]

Avera Queen of Peace partners with SDSU to train future respiratory therapists

Avera Queen of Peace is partnering with South Dakota State University’s Respiratory Care Program to provide hands-on clinical training for students pursuing careers in respiratory therapy. The partnership began in May, when students started working [Read More…]

Tuesday Sports: June 9, 2026

June 9, 2026 Travis Kriens

TUESDAY SPORTS, JUNE 9, 2026 PALACE CITY LEGION BASEBALL — Mitchell’s Palace City Post 18 Legion Baseball was swept on Monday night at Renner, losing by scores of 8-3 and 7-5. In game two, Post [Read More…]

Cassey Ver Hey Named New Head Coach of Dakota Wesleyan Cheer & Dance

June 9, 2026 Travis Kriens

MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan University Athletics and Tiger Cheer & Dance are excited to welcome Cassey Ver Hey as the program’s new head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season. Cassey Ver Hey most recently served [Read More…]

Victor Wembanyama carries Spurs to 115-111 win that cuts Knicks’ NBA Finals lead to 2-1

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama has his first NBA Finals win — and the New York Knicks suddenly have a lot of work left to end their 53-year championship drought. Wembanyama had 32 points, [Read More…]

Statewide partisan stakes surface in nonpartisan Sioux Falls mayor race

Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Serarchlight SIOUX FALLS — The race for mayor of South Dakota’s most populous city is officially nonpartisan, but some Democrats and Republicans are treating the June 23 runoff as a contest with [Read More…]

World Cup by the numbers: 104 matches, 48 teams and 3 countries make this the largest ever

This year’s edition of the World Cup will be the biggest ever with an expanded field of 48 teams, three host countries and 16 stadiums staging the record 104 matches over the 39-day tournament. The tournament being held [Read More…]

Spurs-Knicks Game 3 of the NBA Finals is a hot ticket with the potential for a wild scene

NEW YORK (AP) — Knicks fever has set the stage for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs to be a must-see event — inside Madison Square Garden and out on the streets and in [Read More…]

How a South Dakota hospital is helping solve a hometown housing shortage

Bart Pfankuch/South Dakota News Watch HOT SPRINGS, S.D. – In a first-of-its-kind project in South Dakota, the small hospital in this southern Black Hills town is investing in a subdivision project to provide housing for [Read More…]

Game, Fish and Parks doesn’t disclose employee’s landowner status in lake refuge repeal

Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight When officials with South Dakota’s Game, Fish and Parks Department sought to repeal a lake’s waterfowl refuge status, they said it was what the surrounding landowners wanted. They didn’t say one [Read More…]

Monday Sports: June 8, 2026

MONDAY SPORTS, JUNE 8, 2026 PALACE CITY LEGION BASEBALL — Mitchell’s Palace City Post 18 Legion baseball team finished 3-1 at the Lewis and Clark Classic in Crofton, Nebraska over the weekend, but missed out [Read More…]

Royals hold off Twins 6-5 after star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. exits with sore knee

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Starling Marte hit a three-run homer to back six strong innings from Noah Cameron, and the Kansas City Royals held off the Minnesota Twins 6-5 on Sunday to take three of four [Read More…]

Palace City Post 18 Finishes 3-1 at Lewis and Clark Classic, Falls Short of Championship Bracket

CROFTON, Neb. — Mitchell’s Palace City Post 18 rebounded from an opening-day loss and finished with a 3-1 record at the Lewis and Clark American Legion Baseball Classic, highlighted by a dramatic walk-off victory over [Read More…]

Witt’s RBI single caps ninth-inning comeback as Royals beat Twins 3-2

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Kansas City Royals a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. With the [Read More…]

Historic Season End with Runner-Up Finish for McCook Central/Montrose; SF Jefferson Claims AA Title with Undefeated Season

ABERDEEN, S.D. — McCook Central/Montrose capped a memorable season with a runner-up finish Saturday, highlighting a strong showing by area programs at the South Dakota Class B State Softball Tournament. The Fighting Cougars advanced to [Read More…]

Golden Knights beat Hurricanes 5-4 in 2OT in Game 3 after blowing 4-goal lead