Latest News
Where backers of losing campaigns are shifting support ahead of South Dakota’s governor runoff
Joshua Haiar and Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight Political newcomer Toby Doeden topped the primary field for South Dakota’s Republican gubernatorial nomination Tuesday, but political insiders say he’s alienated some of his opponents’ supporters by targeting [Read More…]
Education Afterschool demand outpaces supply, advocates say, even as state scores high in access
SD Searchlight-John Hult South Dakota parents who want afterschool care for their kids have better access to it than they do in nearly any other state, according to a national nonprofit organization, and the kids [Read More…]
Rotary Carl Sprunger Educator of the Year announced
Since 1998, the Mitchell Rotary Club has presented the Rotary Carl Sprunger Outstanding Educator Award. Recipients are selected based on nominations of graduating seniors applying for the Mitchell Community Scholarship. This year 105 students nominated [Read More…]
Property tax relief on the way
State lawmakers passed two property tax reform bills last session. Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen says homeowners haven’t seen the effects yet — but it’s coming. “The governor is very proud of what we have already [Read More…]
Fire levels downtown Dell Rapids business
A major fire destroyed a popular business in downtown Dell Rapids Thursday morning. The Pinz Bowling alley and restaurant went up in flames early this morning. Julia Kaye called it heartbreaking. “Pinz Bowling Alley down [Read More…]
Beware of storm damage related scams
With the summer storm season here, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley warns South Dakotans impacted by severe weather to be wary of transit vendors offering to do storm repairs. “In the aftermath of severe [Read More…]
Highway 38 reconstruction project to start Monday
Beginning on Monday, June 8TH, S.D. Highway 38 will be closed to through traffic from 421st Avenue to S.D. Highway 25 east of Mitchell. This Highway 38 closure will be in place for the duration [Read More…]
South Dakota seniors can get help with property taxes
South Dakota seniors struggling to pay their property taxes can get help from a state refund program that has been in place since the 1970s. The Property Tax Refund Program is designed to help low-income [Read More…]
Republican voters once again opt to oust incumbents from South Dakota Legislature
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight After 14 incumbent South Dakota lawmakers lost their seats in the 2024 Republican primary, 16 lost on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office. The 2024 shakeup was described as [Read More…]
Sioux Falls Mayor ready for a break
Mayor Paul TenHaken says “Never say never” to another political run…but for now, he’s saying “Not right now’. After eight years of ‘giving his all’ to the job of Mayor, TenHaken says he’s ready for [Read More…]
Latest Operation Round-Up grant recipients announced
What can a few cents a month accomplish? For Central Electric Cooperative members participating in Operation Round-Up®, those small contributions have helped fund nearly 200 community projects across the cooperative’s service area. Through the voluntary [Read More…]
Doeden and Rhoden advance to runoff in Republican governor primary, Johnson falls to third
Seth Tupper/South Dakota Newswatch Political newcomer Toby Doeden finished first Tuesday in South Dakota’s Republican governor primary but failed to reach 35%, setting up a runoff with Gov. Larry Rhoden while U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson [Read More…]
Mitchell City Council, School Board and Initiated Measure election results
Here are the results of Tuesday’s Mitchell City, School Board and Initiated Measure election. Ward One voters re-elected Councilor Tim Goldammer with 458 votes to Sarah Deakins 329 votes. Ward Two voters elected Shaun Davis [Read More…]
Police official concerned about youth gun violence
June is Gun Violence Awareness Month. The past decade has been difficult…with youth gun violence showing a sharp increase and Sioux Falls is no different. Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum says it isn’t just [Read More…]
SD rancher plans ahead to weather worst effects of drought
With much of South Dakota facing drought, ranchers are making adjustments to protect their land and cattle. For some, those changes have been years in the making. Jim Faulstich bought his ranch near Highmore in [Read More…]
South Dakota primary and local election preview
South Dakota News Watch For a non-presidential election year, 2026 has the makings of one of those political seasons that South Dakotans talk about years or even decades to come. Advertising and communication in a [Read More…]
Election Day brings possible runoff drama in South Dakota governor primary
Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight Tuesday is Primary Election Day in South Dakota, the first of what could be two elections needed to select the Republican Party’s nominee for governor. If no candidate in the four-way [Read More…]
Sioux Falls stabbing suspect arrested
Sioux Falls Police have arrested a man on a list of charges, including aggravated assault, threatening a law officer and parole violations. 40-year old Mark Running is accused of stabbing a man early Monday morning. [Read More…]
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to 100 Years In Prison For Attempted First Degree Murder of Law Enforcement Officers
A 26 year old man from Sioux Falls man has been sentenced to 100 years in prison after earlier being convicted by a Union County jury on seven felony counts, including three counts of Attempted [Read More…]
Multi-county vehicle chase ends near Watertown
A stolen pickup led to a pursuit across multiple counties involving numerous law enforcement agencies. The Brookings County Sheriff’s Office reported shortly before 3am Monday, Moody County Sheriff’s deputies asked for help pursuing an F-550 [Read More…]