Articles by Travis Kriens

South Dakota Searchlight Dan Ahlers, the executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, said Monday that he plans to run for governor. Ahlers said in a news release that he’ll formally launch his campaign [Read More…]

Governor vetoes bill that would ban lab-grown meat, but says he’d support a moratorium

Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight PIERRE — Gov. Larry Rhoden vetoed a bill Monday that would effectively ban lab-grown meat in South Dakota, but also suggested a moratorium on the products as a compromise approach. The vetoed bill [Read More…]

Governor signs two bills that could boost emergency medical staffing

Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight A pair of bills aimed at strengthening emergency medical services in South Dakota earned Gov. Larry Rhoden’s approval on Monday. Rhoden said in a statement that “EMS teams are on the [Read More…]

Excess school taxes and minimum state funding: Lawmakers move education funding bills forward

Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight PIERRE — An attempt to make it easier to refer excess school property taxes to voters passed the South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee with a 6-3 vote on Monday at [Read More…]

Tuesday Sports: February 10, 2026

TUESDAY SPORTS, FEBRUARY 10, 2026 MITCHELL KERNELS — Mitchell Kernels basketball takes on Aberdeen Central on Tuesday at 7 pm. The girls travel to Aberdeen, while the Kernels boys will be at home. Coverage starts [Read More…]

South Dakota High School Basketball Media Poll – February 9, 2026

The South Dakota Prep Media Basketball Poll for the week of Feb. 9 is listed below, ranking the top-five teams in Class AA, top-10 teams in Class A and Class B, the team’s record, points [Read More…]

North Dakota State Football Joining Mountain West Conference

FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State University announced today that it has accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference as an affiliate member for football, competing at the Football Bowl Subdivision level beginning this fall. The move [Read More…]

Pairings Announced for 2026 DWU/Culver’s Boys Classic at the Corn Palace

MITCHELL, S.D. — The matchup schedule has been finalized for the 2026 DWU/Culver’s Boys Classic, set for Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. Nine games are scheduled throughout the day, including two [Read More…]

Local, Regional and National Sport stories

Pairings Set for 2026 DWU/Culver’s Girls Classic at the Corn Palace

MITCHELL, S.D. — Pairings and game times have been announced for the 2026 DWU/Culver’s Girls Classic, scheduled for Friday, February 13 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. The event will feature nine matchups throughout the [Read More…]

Monday Sports: February 9, 2026

MONDAY SPORTS, FEBRUARY 9, 2026 MITCHELL KERNELS — Mitchell Kernels basketball takes on Aberdeen Central on Tuesday at 7 pm. The girls travel to Aberdeen, while the Kernels boys will be at home. Coverage starts [Read More…]

Neuendorf, Rosenquist Lift Dakota Wesleyan to OT Win at Doane

CRETE, Neb. — Dakota Wesleyan survived a back-and-forth battle and pulled away in overtime Saturday night, edging Doane (Neb.) 84–81 at the Haddix Center. The Tigers improved to 13–11 overall and 8–8 in conference play [Read More…]

Fast Start Fuels Dakota Wesleyan to Road Win at Doane

February 8, 2026 Travis Kriens

CRETE, Neb. — Dakota Wesleyan put the game away almost as soon as it began. The Tigers exploded out of the gate with a dominant first quarter and never looked back, rolling past Doane (Neb.) [Read More…]

Mitchell Gymnastics Finishes Tied for Second at Last Chance State Qualifier

WATERTOWN, S.D. — Mitchell gymnastics closed out the regular season on a strong note Saturday, tying for second place at the Last Chance State Qualifier with a team score of 142.900. The Kernels matched Sioux [Read More…]

South Dakota wins in Brookings 68-67 over Jackrabbits

BROOKINGS, S.D. — For just the second time in the 21st century, the South Dakota basketball team won in Brookings, South Dakota 68-67 over SDSU Saturday night to take the first game of the Interstate Series, presented [Read More…]

Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald headline a Hall of Fame class missing Bill Belichick

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald headlined the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class featuring five players but not six-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Belichick. Brees and Fitzgerald both made it [Read More…]

Matthew Stafford edges Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Matthew Stafford walked away with the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award and a declaration that he’s returning to the Los Angeles Rams for another season. Stafford edged Drake Maye for the MVP [Read More…]

South Dakota media landscape shifts as newspapers sold, 2 launch

Carson Walker/South Dakota News Watch The ever-changing landscape of South Dakota’s traditional and new media industry evolved further in the past few months, with newspapers starting, changing hands and cutting back. Here are some of [Read More…]

Local, Regional and National Sport stories

Mitchell Sweeps Sturgis Doubleheader as Girls Extend Streak, Boys Rally for Road Win