Articles by Travis Kriens

John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight The owners of a western South Dakota survival bunker community are legally justified in pursuing the eviction of a man who brandished a firearm on the property, the South Dakota Supreme [Read More…]

Friday Sports: April 24, 2026

FRIDAY SPORTS, APRIL 24, 2026 MITCHELL KERNELS — A big third inning led Brandon Valley to a 18-2 run-rule win over Mitchell softball on Thursday. The Lynx broke open a 6-2 game by scoring 12 [Read More…]

Timberwolves take a 2-1 lead on the Nuggets with a dominant defensive effort in a 113-96 win

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jaden McDaniels and the Minnesota Timberwolves flexed even more of their defensive muscle against the flagging Denver Nuggets, seizing a 2-1 lead in the first-round NBA playoff series with a dominant 113-96 victory on Thursday night. [Read More…]

Mets survive bullpen mix-up after Bichette’s 3-run double, beat Twins 10-8 for 2nd win in row

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets survived a ninth-inning bullpen mix-up when Huascar Brazobán went to the mound as closer Devin Williams started walking in, then hung on to beat the Minnesota Twins [Read More…]

Dakota Wesleyan Swept by Dordt, Slides Into Tie for Third in GPAC Standings

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — Dakota Wesleyan Tigers softball saw its once-red-hot season hit another bump Thursday, dropping both ends of a doubleheader to Dordt Defenders softball at the ASB Dome. The Tigers, who recently set [Read More…]

Padilla Powers Mitchell at Pierre Legion Relays

PIERRE, S.D. — Mitchell Kernels track and field leaned on a standout performance from Alexier Padilla while turning in a solid team showing Thursday at the Pierre Legion Relays. Padilla delivered a dominant day on [Read More…]

Childs, Larson Lead Mitchell Girls Golf to Win at Yankton Quadrangular

YANKTON, S.D. — Behind a deep and balanced lineup, the Mitchell Kernels girls golf rolled to a convincing team title Thursday at the Yankton Quadrangular at Fox Run Golf Course. Maddie Childs finished first individually [Read More…]

Poll: Majority of South Dakotans unsatisfied with current state of democracy

Alexander Rifaat/South Dakota News Watch PIERRE, S.D. – A majority of South Dakotans are unhappy with democracy in America but believe state lawmakers are largely being held accountable, according to a new poll sponsored by [Read More…]

Early voting begins in some South Dakota counties after delay

Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight Early and absentee voting for the June 2 primary election is beginning in some South Dakota counties after a delayed start, though others remain in limbo awaiting ballots. Davison County, which [Read More…]

South Dakota one of five states without state-funded preschool, report says

Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota is one of five states without state-funded preschool, according to a national report released Wednesday. The Mount Rushmore State is joined by Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and New Hampshire. The [Read More…]

Report cites 2-degree rise and urges South Dakota leaders to act on climate change, renewable energy

Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight SIOUX FALLS — South Dakota’s annual average temperatures have risen by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900, leading to more extreme and costly weather events such as flash flooding, windstorms and [Read More…]

Cost savings and improved outcomes emphasized at men’s prison groundbreaking

April 22, 2026 Travis Kriens

John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight SIOUX FALLS — State and local leaders broke ground on the costliest state-funded capital project in South Dakota history on Wednesday, with a prediction to bring it in under budget and [Read More…]

Wednesday Sports: April 22, 2026

WEDNESDAY SPORTS, APRIL 22, 2026 MITCHELL KERNELS — Mitchell Kernels softball lost at home to O’Gorman 16–6 on Tuesday, scoring eight runs in the first three innings. Mitchell managed six hits and scored in three [Read More…]

Mets drop their 12th straight as Devin Williams struggles again in 5-3 loss to Twins

April 22, 2026 Travis Kriens

NEW YORK (AP) — Embattled Mets closer Devin Williams allowed a tiebreaking RBI single to Luke Keaschall in the ninth inning, and New York lost its 12th consecutive game, falling 5-3 to the Minnesota Twins [Read More…]

Local, Regional and National Sport stories

2026 Elite Eight Girls Athletes of the Year

Athletes must be a Junior or a Senior, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, be involved in community and school activities, be an elite athlete, and be nominated by their coach or administration. The [Read More…]

Local, Regional and National Sport stories

2026 Elite Eight Boys Athletes of the Year

Athletes must be a Junior or a Senior, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, be involved in community and school activities, be an elite athlete, and be nominated by their coach or administration. The [Read More…]

$35 Million Gift to Avera to Fund Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Avera Health has received a $35 million donation to support construction of a new children’s hospital, marking the largest single gift in the system’s history. The contribution comes from philanthropist and [Read More…]

State wildfire division celebrates $4 million investment in new facilities amid busy season

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