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PIERRE, S.D. – Today, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced that the Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $48.9 million in statewide projects. A total of $36,958,000 in state loans, including [Read More…]

Johnson for Governor campaign proposes $400 property tax credits for homeowners

Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight Republican governor candidate Dusty Johnson wants to give first-time homebuyers two years without property taxes and also wants to provide $400 annual property tax credits to all other homeowners in the [Read More…]

US House backs extension of health insurance subsidies, but SD Rep. Johnson votes no

Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom WASHINGTON — The U.S. House approved a bipartisan bill Thursday to resurrect the enhanced tax credits that expired at the end of last year for people who purchase their health insurance from [Read More…]

Aberdeen Man Indicted on 85 Criminal Counts When Committed as a State Employee

January 8, 2026 J.P. Skelly

A 68 year old man from Aberdeen has been indicted on 85 total felony and misdemeanor counts that include Solicitation of Second Degree Rape, Possession of Child Pornography, Dissemination of Image or Recording – Victim [Read More…]

Fewer job vacancies in DOC as new women’s prison prepares to open

January 7, 2026 Travis Kriens

Molly Wetsch/South Dakota News Watch RAPID CITY, S.D. – The state Department of Corrections, which has struggled to maintain workers in the past, must hire 133 staff members for the new women’s prison here as it [Read More…]

Dueling federal and state lawsuits arise in dispute over abortion-rights ads in South Dakota

Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight A dispute over abortion-rights advertising in South Dakota has spawned dueling state and federal lawsuits. A New York-based nonprofit filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley. The lawsuit [Read More…]

Governor seeks federal help for damages from December wind storm

January 7, 2026 Travis Kriens

John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight Gov. Larry Rhoden has asked the federal government to help pay for more than $1.7 million in damage to public property in South Dakota caused by a storm last month. Wind [Read More…]

South Dakota Supreme Court courtroom reopened to the public

Visitors to the State Capitol in Pierre are now able to step inside and view the South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom. It’s located southeast of the Rotunda on the second floor of the State [Read More…]

Mitchell woman dies from crash injuries

A 64 year old woman from Mitchell died Monday from injuries sustained during a Saturday morning hit and run crash near Humbolt. The driver of a Chevrolet Traverse was traveling eastbound on I-90 when she [Read More…]

District 20 legislators discuss GOP Governor candidates

There are currently four candidates seeking the Republican nomination for Governor in the June primary election. District 20 Republican State Representative Kaley Nolz has made her choice. “I have actually already given my endorsement to [Read More…]

Mitchell man sentenced to federal prison following child porn conviction

January 6, 2026 Travis Kriens

A 44 year old man from Mitchell convicted of Production of Child Pornography is in prison. The U-S Attorney’s Office says Mark Stephen Gullings was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, 5 years of [Read More…]

History Meets Heartbreak: Mitchell Rallies to Topple Harrisburg in OT

Travis Kriens/KORN News Radio Sports Director MITCHELL — The first high school basketball game ever played in the new Mitchell High School gym could not have been scripted any better. Owen Raml buried a jumper [Read More…]

Davison County Commissioners set wages for 2026

January 6, 2026 J.P. Skelly

Davison County commissioners hit the re-set button during Tuesday’s meeting. The group unanimously re-elected Randy Reider as chairman and Mike Blaalid vice-chairman. Chairman Randy Reider started the wage discussion. “ I’m going to suggest 4%,” [Read More…]

District 20 lawmakers offer contrasting views regarding data centers

January 6, 2026 J.P. Skelly

District 20 State Representative Kaley Nolz and Senator Paul Misikimins fielded questions during Tuesday’s District 20 legislative preview. The subject of data centers led the discussion. Miskimins believes they offer an excellent opportunity to grow [Read More…]

Dairy leader expects difficulty finding workers ‘if we don’t allow more laborers in’

Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight SIOUX FALLS — South Dakota’s dairy industry has grown rapidly over the past two decades, but an industry leader warned Monday that maintaining the momentum could depend partly on the number [Read More…]

Kernels Tip Off New Era with First Games at Mitchell High School Gym

Travis Kriens/KORN News Radio Sports Director MITCHELL, S.D. — A long-anticipated new chapter for Mitchell High School athletics will officially begin this week as the Kernels basketball teams take the floor for the first games [Read More…]

Small local farms growing stronger roots in South Dakota

Bart Pfankuch/South Dakota News Watch STURGIS, S.D. – Driving up a dirt road to the small produce stand at Bear Butte Gardens just outside Sturgis, one would never imagine the incredibly diverse ways that the [Read More…]

How South Dakota lawmakers get around a law that ‘dictates’ increased funding for schools