Articles by Travis Kriens
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More workers than retirees drove South Dakota’s growth
Amina Aidarkhanova/South Dakota News Watch For years, retirees have been closely associated with South Dakota’s recent population growth, especially in communities known for recreation, slower pace of life and features of lifestyle. But migration data [Read More…]
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State of South Dakota faces lawsuit over proof-of-citizenship voter registration law
John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight A nonprofit organization and a Sioux Falls voter filed a lawsuit Monday in federal court over the implementation of South Dakota’s new proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration. Senate Bill 175, passed [Read More…]
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South Dakota ranked hardest-working state in America
South Dakota has been ranked the hardest-working state in the country in a new WalletHub study. The 2026 report compared all 50 states across 10 measures of work ethic, including average workweek hours, employment rates, [Read More…]
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Zebby Matthews and Josh Bell lift Minnesota Twins to 9-6 win over Athletics
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Zebby Matthews allowed six hits and one run over seven innings, Josh Bell drove in three runs, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Athletics 9-6 on Monday night. Byron Buxton [Read More…]
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South Dakota High School Football Media Poll – August 24, 2026
The South Dakota Prep Media Football Poll for the week of Aug. 24 is listed below, ranking the top-five teams in each class, record, total points and previous ranking. First-place votes are listed in parentheses. [Read More…]
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2026 South Dakota High School Volleyball Preseason Media Poll
Here is the South Dakota Media preseason volleyball poll for the 2026-27 season. Teams are listed with first place votes in parenthesis, final 2025 records, points and final 2025 poll ranking. CLASS AA 1. Harrisburg [Read More…]
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Monday Sports: August 24, 2026
MONDAY SPORTS, AUGUST 24, 2026 MITCHELL KERNELS — Mitchell girls soccer is off to a 3-0 start after a pair of home wins this weekend. The Kernels beat Spearfish 2-1 Friday, then shut out Douglas [Read More…]
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SDSU Faces Setback in Defeat at Kansas State
MANHATTAN, Kan. — South Dakota State was forced to play with a woman down for a majority of Sunday’s match at Kansas State, and the Wildcats took advantage, as the host side earned a 2-0 victory [Read More…]
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Three Second-Half Goals Power USD to Home-Opening Win
VERMILLION, S.D. — Three goals in just over four minutes powered South Dakota to a 3-0 victory over Morningside Sunday afternoon at the First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex in the Coyotes’ 2026 home opener. After [Read More…]
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Tatis homers twice, drives in 4 runs to lead Padres to 8-1 win, 3-game sweep of Twins
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. hit two homers and drove in four runs for the red-hot San Diego Padres, who beat the Minnesota Twins 8-1 Sunday for a three-game sweep in a showdown [Read More…]
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Huron’s Tiger Stadium to reopen Monday after July storm damage
HURON, S.D. — Activities will resume Monday at Huron’s Tiger Stadium following repairs related to damage from the July storm. Huron School District officials say the stadium turf has been repaired and the damaged light [Read More…]
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Padres rally behind Cronenworth, France in 7th inning to beat Twins 7-5
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jake Cronenworth raced home with the tying run on an error and Ty France singled in the go-ahead run during a four-run rally in the seventh inning that gave the San [Read More…]
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DWU Women’s Basketball Announces 2026-27 Schedule
MITCHELL, S.D. — The 2026-27 Dakota Wesleyan Women’s Basketball schedule has officially been released. The Tigers have a total of six non-conference games, and two exhibitions against NCAA opponents Northern State (S.D.) and South Dakota State, [Read More…]
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DWU Men’s Basketball Announces 2026-27 Schedule
MITCHELL, S.D. — The Dakota Wesleyan Men’s Basketball schedule for the 2026-27 season is here. The Tigers will participate in 28 contests and a lone exhibition game in the new year against Division I opponent South [Read More…]
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Dakota Wesleyan Volleyball Wins Three of Four Matches at Siouxland Invitational
NORTH SIOUX CITY, Iowa — No. 16 Dakota Wesleyan Volleyball competed in four matches across two days at the 2026 Siouxland Invitational at the CNOS Fieldhouse down in Iowa. The Tigers opened the slate of competition [Read More…]
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Solutions-based programs filling resource gaps in schools
Elena Tittel/South Dakota News Watch SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Two expanding grassroots efforts are supporting South Dakota schools by providing kids with experiences they might not otherwise receive. Among them: a Book-A-Month Club, field trips, [Read More…]
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Senator Mike Rounds subjects Postal Service to multiple pressure points
Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight About two years ago, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, started hearing increasing complaints about slow mail delivery. Veterans weren’t receiving their prescriptions on time, he said, or medications got lost [Read More…]
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Avian flu affects 77,700 South Dakota birds, raising state’s four-year outbreak total to 8.1 million
Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight Bird flu has returned to South Dakota, with federal officials confirming detections in two flocks this month after nearly a month without U.S. cases. The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus — [Read More…]
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Western South Dakota lawmaker takes plea deal to drop road-damage charge from felony to misdemeanor
John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight A South Dakota Republican state lawmaker pleaded no contest Friday to a misdemeanor for damaging a road in Butte County in a case that began with a felony charge. Rep. Travis [Read More…]
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South Dakota High School Football Scores – August 21, 2026
South Dakota High School Football Scores – August 21, 2026 CLASS 11B 1. Elk Point-Jefferson 28, McCook Central/Montrose 13 2. St. Thomas More 41, Mobridge-Pollock 6 3. Winner 12, Hot Springs 0 4. Deuel 22, [Read More…]