Articles by Travis Kriens
Local, Regional and National Sport stories
Explosive Offense Propels Dakota Wesleyan Men’s Basketball Past Bismarck State
BISMARCK, N.D. — Dakota Wesleyan Men’s Basketball traveled north to face Bismarck State for the second contest of this year’s home-and-home series against the Mystics. The first few minutes of the contest saw both teams scrap [Read More…]
Local, Regional and National Sport stories
Vikings still finding value and fun in winning down the stretch despite being out of contention
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After the Minnesota Vikings lost their fourth straight game and were shut out for the first time in 18 years, coach Kevin O’Connell simplified the game plan for the offense — and the focus [Read More…]
Local, Regional and National Sport stories
Smith’s diving TD catch in overtime sends Minnesota to 20-17 win over New Mexico in Rate Bowl
PHOENIX (AP) — Minnesota thrives in an era of bowl opt-outs, even when a national championship is out of reach. These Golden Gophers dig the postseason. Jalen Smith scored his second touchdown on a diving [Read More…]
ABC Sports News
Kyle Whittingham hired as Michigan football coach, replacing the fired and disgraced Sherrone Moore
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan hired Kyle Whittingham as its football coach on Friday night, giving the longtime Utah coach a five-year contract to replace the fired and disgraced Sherrone Moore. “Kyle Whittingham is a well-respected and [Read More…]
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‘We can do it’: A rural school near two Native American reservations nearly doubles its attendance
Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight NORRIS — As the last round of students filters in from the school van to the main hallway, Principal Brian Brown greets each student by name, with a high five and [Read More…]
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Fire Heavily Damages St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wessington Springs
Firefighters from multiple departments responded Friday morning to a fire at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wessington Springs that caused significant damage to the building. Crews were dispatched just after 9 a.m. after reports of [Read More…]
Local, Regional and National Sport stories
Friday Sports: December 26, 2025
FRIDAY SPORTS, DECMEBER 26, 2025 MITCHELL KERNELS — Mitchell Kernels girls basketball faces Lyman on Monday at 4 pm as part of the Hoop City Classic. — Mitchell Kernels boys basketball takes on Jonesboro (Ga.) [Read More…]
Local, Regional and National Sport stories
Vikings eliminate Lions with defense-dominating 23-10 victory, racking up 6 turnovers and 5 sacks
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Harrison Smith reveled in his moment with the roaring Minnesota crowd, blowing kisses during an extended showing on the videoboard near the end of one of his best games in a 14-year [Read More…]
ABC Sports News
Christmas schedule: Cavs-Knicks, Spurs-Thunder, Mavs-Warriors, Rockets-Lakers, Wolves-Nuggets
Jalen Williams’ plan for Thursday is mapped out like this: Presents in the morning, then a game in the afternoon. To him, that sounds like an exceptional Christmas. Williams and the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City [Read More…]
Local, Regional and National Sport stories
Minnesota looks to stretch bowl winning streak to 9 when it faces New Mexico in Rate Bowl
PHOENIX (AP) — Opting out has become the in thing to do. Every year, players regularly choose not to play in bowl games, some wary of injuries affecting their pro prospects, others leaving for another [Read More…]
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The one issue South Dakota towns agree is holding them back
Bart Pfankuch, South Dakota News Watch MURDO, S.D. – When a group of two dozen economic development leaders gathered in this central South Dakota city in November, they were asked to list the top challenges [Read More…]
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State saturation patrols go to Sturgis and Winner, but not Brookings after public notification
John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight The South Dakota Highway Patrol didn’t visit Brookings for a saturation patrol that had been announced in advance by the city’s leadership. The Department of Public Safety sent troopers to [Read More…]
ABC Sports News
Ravens, Broncos, 49ers and Seahawks lead the way with 6 players selected to Pro Bowl
Six Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks were selected for the Pro Bowl Games. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, along with the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Los Angeles [Read More…]
ABC Sports News
Bears, Patriots, Jaguars clinch playoff berths in stunning first-year coaching turnarounds
Chicago, New England and Jacksonville were all fighting for draft positioning at this time a year ago, with the three teams finishing off seasons that left them at the bottom of the NFL standings. The [Read More…]
ABC Sports News
Chiefs’ move to Kansas leaves Missouri fans heartbroken over another NFL franchise leaving
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The state of Missouri is losing its third NFL franchise and the second in the past decade, and the decision by the Chiefs on Monday to depart their longtime home at Arrowhead [Read More…]
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South Dakota seeks court order to stop abortion-pill ad campaign
Meghan O’Brien, South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota’s Republican attorney general asked a judge Tuesday for a court order to stop an abortion-rights ad campaign. The request in Hughes County court comes after Attorney General Marty [Read More…]
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Highway Patrol Announces January Sobriety Checkpoints
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Highway Patrol will hold sobriety checkpoints in 16 counties throughout the month of January. Checkpoints are planned for Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Clay, Davison, Day, Hamlin, Hanson, Hughes, Jones, Lawrence, Lincoln, [Read More…]
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South Dakota law protecting drug discounts for hospitals stays in effect as lawsuit proceeds
John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight A South Dakota law that prevents drug companies from restricting federal drug discounts for hospitals and other providers will remain in effect for now, a judge has decided. Chicago-based AbbVie [Read More…]
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Governor-controlled fund gives $200,000 to program that helps farmers with estate planning
John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight A program that helps farmers pass their operations along to their children got a $200,000 boost from a South Dakota government fund under the exclusive control of the governor. Republican [Read More…]
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Lawsuit in 2022 overdose death offers window into drug problem in state prisons
John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight Paul Cooper remembers when the crank radios showed up in Leavenworth. By then, he’d done time in South Dakota’s state prisons, where inmates used electrical outlets to light up and [Read More…]