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Massive data centers consuming large amounts of energy have eyes on South Dakota
Joshua Haiar, South Dakota Searchlight Massive data centers used for cloud computing and artificial intelligence are consuming enormous amounts of energy, and developers are eyeing South Dakota as a potential location, regulators say. These “hyperscale [Read More…]

Mitchell Middle School teacher wins a national award
A Mitchell Middle School teacher has earned a special national recognition. Suzanne Skinner teaches Family and Consumer Sciences. The National Association of Family and Consumer Sciences presented Skinner with it first-ever Bettye Brown Teacher Excellence [Read More…]

South Dakota Department of Health Reports First Flu Death of the 2024-2025 Flu Season
PIERRE, SD – The Department of Health is reporting the first influenza death of the 2024-2025 season, a Corson County resident in the over 65 years age group. “Influenza can be a very serious illness,” said [Read More…]

Name Released of Freeman Man in Hutchinson County Fatal Crash
Hutchinson County, S.D.- A 49-year-old Freeman, SD man died Wednesday night in a single vehicle crash near Menno, SD. Preliminary crash information indicates Adam Van Hove, the driver of a 2004 Cadillac Escalade, was traveling east on US Highway [Read More…]

Christmas Shopping for Kids a holiday hit!
For 31 years “Christmas Shopping for Kids” in Mitchell has offered an opportunity for youngsters to share in the joy of holiday gift-giving for family and friends without breaking the bank. About a dozen local [Read More…]

Proposed funding cut could sink network in as little as two years, SDPB director says
John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota Public Broadcasting could cease to exist in as little as two years if lawmakers adopt Gov. Kristi Noem’s $3.6 million budget cut, the network’s executive director said Friday. [Read More…]

‘Wild places are worth fighting for’: Concern grows for receding South Dakota wetlands
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight EUREKA — John Cooper, 80 years old and with a new set of knees, still rises before the sun, dons waders, sets up decoys and tries to call in ducks. “I [Read More…]

Massive data centers consuming large amounts of energy have eyes on South Dakota
Joshua Haiar, South Dakota Searchlight Massive data centers used for cloud computing and artificial intelligence are consuming enormous amounts of energy, and developers are eyeing South Dakota as a potential location, regulators say. These “hyperscale [Read More…]

Shots Fired Incident at Empire Mall, No Injuries Reported
On Friday evening, shots were fired inside the Empire Mall in Sioux Falls, prompting a significant police response. Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum confirmed that at least three shell casings were found near the [Read More…]

Watertown Man Charged After Officer-Involved Shooting at Yankton High School
A 40-year-old Watertown man, Andrew Jondahl, faces charges after being injured in an officer-involved shooting at Yankton High School on Thursday evening. The incident occurred in the school’s west parking lot during a wrestling meet. [Read More…]

Lawmakers propose sales tax increase to provide property tax relief for homeowners
Makenzie Huber and Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight Several South Dakota legislators said Thursday they will introduce legislation that would provide property tax relief to homeowners by raising the state sales tax rate. Rep. Tony Venhuizen, [Read More…]

Custer State Park bison auction brings in nearly $900,000
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight Custer State Park sold 482 bison during its 59th annual auction in November for a total of more than $885,000. That was an increase over last year’s total of $633,700 from 498 bison. [Read More…]

Petition for mandatory big-game harvest reporting fails; state says e-reporting is in the works
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight A state commission denied a proposal Thursday for mandatory reporting of big-game kills, in part because a future electronic tagging system could accomplish the same goal. Bowhunters submitted the petition to the South [Read More…]

49 year old man died in a single vehicle crash
A 49-year-old man from Freeman man died Wednesday night in a single vehicle crash near Menno. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported the driver of a Cadillac Escalade was traveling east on US [Read More…]

Latest 2024 farm income forecast shows overall decrease from 2023
Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch Farm income is forecasted to have decreased in 2024 by 4% from 2023, largely because of a decrease in cash receipts, or the gross income, from the sale of commodity [Read More…]

Solving South Dakota’s housing problem through idea sharing
Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch ABERDEEN, S.D. – A 20-year-old nonprofit that restores old homes and builds new ones to create affordable housing in Aberdeen is sharing its playbook with other South Dakota [Read More…]

Police commission: Complaints against cops rising, but fewer than 1% of South Dakota officers disciplined
John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight Complaints about law enforcement have steadily risen over the past few years, owing in part to an online portal that simplifies the process of making a complaint to the state [Read More…]

Board backs water rights for proposed Missouri River pipeline and increased use of James River
Joshua Haiar, South Dakota Searchlight A state board approved additional usage of the James River for irrigation and endorsed a future-use permit for a proposed water pipeline from the Missouri River to western South Dakota. [Read More…]

Dusty Johnson reelected as chair of Main Street Caucus
South Dakota Searchlight – U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, was reelected as chairman of the Main Street Caucus, his office said Wednesday. Johnson has led the group since 2022. The congressional caucus describes itself as [Read More…]

Man presented by Noem as alleged face of tribal cartel influence sentenced for Rapid City crime
John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight A man whose photograph was used by Gov. Kristi Noem as alleged proof of rampant drug cartel activity on tribal lands has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison [Read More…]
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