Travis Kriens

Federal government pays $53M for SD farmer discrimination, $2.2B nationwide

August 1, 2024 Travis Kriens

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight More than 360 South Dakota agricultural producers are receiving a total of $53.4 million through the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday. Eligible applicants allege they experienced [Read More…]

Head of state prison system wants to ‘close the doors’ to public scrutiny of security incidents

August 1, 2024 Travis Kriens

John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight The leader of the South Dakota Department of Corrections told lawmakers she doesn’t want to answer to the state’s Corrections Commission, a body that exists to provide oversight and guidance to [Read More…]

Dozens of children from tribes in South Dakota died at boarding schools, report says

July 31, 2024 Travis Kriens

Seth Tupper, South Dakota Searchlight A new report on federally supported boarding schools for Native American children says at least 33 of the students who died while attending them — and likely more — were [Read More…]

Impact of grocery tax ballot measure could range from $134M to $646M, legislators told

July 31, 2024 Travis Kriens

Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight A new analysis of the Nov. 5 ballot measure aiming to eliminate state sales taxes on groceries projects state revenue losses ranging from $134 million to $646 million annually. On Tuesday in Pierre, [Read More…]

State officials peppered with questions on price tag for new men’s prison

July 31, 2024 Travis Kriens

John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight Lawmakers expressed frustration Tuesday in Pierre over the uncertain price tag for construction and operations of a proposed men’s prison in Lincoln County. Members of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee also had [Read More…]

Man Confronted by Online Group in Hanson County Commits Suicide Amid Child Pornography Allegations

July 26, 2024 Travis Kriens

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the Hanson County Sheriff’s Office are investigating an incident in which Donald Letcher, 60, took his own life after being confronted by an online group called ‘Predator [Read More…]

What to expect during an audacious opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics

July 26, 2024 Travis Kriens

PARIS (AP) — Paris has long been a city of dreamers: Just look at the Eiffel Tower, for decades the world’s loftiest structure. Audacity also underpins the French capital’s plans for its first Olympic Games in [Read More…]

Max Kepler’s infield single in the 9th gives Twins a 5-4, walk-off win over the NL-leading Phillies

July 25, 2024 Travis Kriens

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Max Kepler’s infield single drove in the winning run with one out in the ninth inning, giving the Minnesota Twins a series-clinching 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. Trevor Larnach was hit [Read More…]

Vikings’ Addison contrite and remorseful following DUI arrest, finding respite in start of camp

July 25, 2024 Travis Kriens

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Jordan Addison relished the start of training camp as much as anyone with the Minnesota Vikings, finding a sunny space to set aside for a few hours his non-football stress. Addison, after [Read More…]

IOC awards 2034 Winter Games to Utah and pushes state officials to help end FBI investigation

July 25, 2024 Travis Kriens

PARIS (AP) — What was expected to be a simple coronation of Salt Lake City as the 2034 Winter Olympic host turned into complicated Olympic politics Wednesday, as the IOC pushed Utah officials to end [Read More…]

NBA says it has signed new 11-year media rights deal with Disney, NBC and Amazon

July 25, 2024 Travis Kriens

The NBA signed its 11-year media rights deal with Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video on Wednesday after saying it was not accepting Warner Bros. Discovery’s $1.8 billion per year offer to continue its longtime [Read More…]

Mitchell’s Markus Talley Commits to Augustana

July 24, 2024 Travis Kriens

Mitchell’s soon-to-be senior point guard Markus Talley has announced his commitment to Augustana University in Sioux Falls. Talley led the Kernels to their first state championship in 19 years this past March, ending the season [Read More…]

President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns

July 21, 2024 Travis Kriens

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just [Read More…]

First South Dakota measles case in nine years appears in Rapid City

July 19, 2024 Travis Kriens

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota News Watch The first case of measles in South Dakota in nine years was reported Thursday by the state Department of Health. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause [Read More…]

Widespread technology outage disrupts flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world

July 19, 2024 Travis Kriens

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A global technology outage grounded flights, knocked banks and hospital systems offline and media outlets off air on Friday in a massive disruption that affected companies and services around the world and highlighted [Read More…]

MLB batting average near half-century low and velocity at all-time high

July 16, 2024 Travis Kriens

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Baseball can’t run away from its lack of runs. Batting averages are near half-century lows. Velocity is at an all-time high. “Run scoring, it’s not easy to do. It’s hard and [Read More…]

Paul Skenes in spotlight, starting All-Star Game after just 11 major league games

July 16, 2024 Travis Kriens

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Paul Skenes looked like a summer intern reporting for duty in a light gray suit, white shirt and cream-colored tie, teenage acne on his face and wonder in his voice. In [Read More…]

Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández wins the Home Run Derby

July 16, 2024 Travis Kriens

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — When Teoscar Hernández needed a moment to calm down during the Home Run Derby, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger got a boost from a former teammate who just happened to be [Read More…]

Embattled CEO of major South Dakota social services agency steps down

July 16, 2024 Travis Kriens

Bart Pfankuch, South Dakota News Watch The CEO of one of the state’s largest nonprofit social services agencies, who was the subject of a federal sexual harassment and toxic workplace settlement in 2022, has quit [Read More…]

Judge dismisses lawsuit against abortion-rights ballot measure

July 16, 2024 Travis Kriens

Joshua Haiar, South Dakota Searchlight SIOUX FALLS — A judge on Monday dismissed the lawsuit challenging South Dakota’s abortion-rights ballot measure, saying the litigation should have targeted the Secretary of State’s Office rather than only the group [Read More…]