Latest News
$4 million for gunsmithing program is latest economic development grant from governor amid campaign
Seth Tupper-SD Searchlight RAPID CITY — South Dakota’s governor, who’s in the midst of an election campaign, awarded another grant Tuesday from an economic development fund he controls. Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden announced a $4 [Read More…]
Mitchell man sentenced to federal prison
A 24 year old man from Mitchell is in a federal prison following his conviction of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The U-S Attorney’s Office reported Dakota Moore was sentenced to two [Read More…]
Trail of Governors to unveil Noem statue June 12th
The South Dakota Trail of Governors Foundation Board is hosting the unveiling of former Governor Kristi Noem’s life-size bronze statue June 12th, at 10am CT on the State Capitol grounds in Pierre. Sculptor John Lopez [Read More…]
Three candidates pledge changes on Medicaid, ag, taxes and education while governor touts results
Joshua Haiar and Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight SIOUX FALLS — Three men who want to be governor of South Dakota vowed to do things differently than the current administration on topics including Medicaid, agriculture, taxes [Read More…]
Anti-abortion lawmakers seek to redefine ‘abortion’ to exclude medical treatment
Sofia Resnick/Stateline Some anti-abortion state lawmakers are pushing to revise the definition of “abortion” so abortion bans don’t apply to cases in which the death of an “unborn child” is the result of medical care provided to [Read More…]
SNAP work requirements don’t boost jobs, but drop participation, research finds
Kevin Hardy/Stateline As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance. The researchers conducted [Read More…]
Black Hills uranium exploration permit hearing postponed to May
Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight A public hearing about an application to explore underground for uranium in the Black Hills has been rescheduled to May 18 through May 22. The hearing will take place in Hot Springs at [Read More…]
Mitchell School Board facing difficult cost-saving decisions
The Mitchell School Board discussed looming budget issues and cost containment strategies, including ending the Mass Customized Learning program at the middle school during its meeting Monday. Superintendent Joe Childs told the board district enrollment [Read More…]
SD broadcasters and students attend conference sponsored in part by SDNW
South Dakota News Watch-Carson Walker South Dakota was well represented Friday and Saturday at the annual Midwest Broadcast Journalist Association conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota. More than 20 students and professors from South Dakota State [Read More…]
KORN News Radio recognized for excellence in broadcast journalism
KORN News Radio received two 1st Place Eric Sevareid Awards during the recent Midwest Journalism Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. News Director J.P. Skelly accepted the awards for Best Small Market Radio Morning Newscast-April 7th, [Read More…]
Primary season enters next phase in South Dakota
Alexander Rifaat/South Dakota News Watch PIERRE, S.D. – The field is set for the 2026 South Dakota Primary Election on June 2 for state legislative races as well as governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. [Read More…]
South Dakota’s state-owned shooting range exceeds annual visitation estimate in first five months
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota’s new state-owned West River outdoor shooting range has had as many visits in five months as officials anticipated for its entire first year, according to an update Thursday. The [Read More…]
Gas prices soar by 21% as government inflation figures reflect Trump’s war on Iran
Ashley Murray/States Newsroom WASHINGTON — Spikes in energy prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran drove up inflation for Americans in March, according to the latest consumer price index figures released Friday. Costs jumped 0.9% in [Read More…]
CDC’s 2025 data shows birth rates continuing to slide
Kelcie Moseley-Morris/Stateline New data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows fertility and birth rates continue to fall across the U.S., while cesarean section procedures increased and preterm birth rates remained flat. [Read More…]
Environmental, tribal concerns persist as fireworks bring ‘rock concert in phone booth’ to Rushmore
Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight When Cheryl Schreier learned of plans for fireworks this summer at Mount Rushmore, she thought about the behind-the-scenes planning it takes to host thousands of people at the national memorial she [Read More…]
Calendar quirk and law change have South Dakota election officials worried about deadlines
Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight Election officials in South Dakota are worried about a possible delayed start for early and absentee voting as they rush to prepare ballots for the June 2 primary, and they’re also [Read More…]
2.5 million Americans lost food aid in months after passage of GOP megabill, study finds
Jacob Fischler/States Newsroom At least 2.5 million low-income people quickly lost help affording groceries under a Republican-passed law that added new requirements for the nation’s largest nutrition program and shifted hundreds of millions of dollars [Read More…]
Army Corps warns of hydropower and recreation impacts as drought persists in Missouri River basin
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The Missouri River basin is in its fourth year of drought, and federal officials say that could affect hydropower production and recreation in the upper basin states. [Read More…]
State providing $6 million to grow national security jobs, governor announces
Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight BOX ELDER — South Dakota’s governor took the next step Wednesday in his effort to make national security the state’s “next big industry” by announcing the creation of the South Dakota [Read More…]
Climate experts say spring is coming earlier, affecting agriculture and ecosystems
Héctor Alejandro Arzate/Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk COLUMBIA, Mo. — As a row crop farmer in St. Joseph, Mo., Joe Lau said he’s noticing more extreme weather these days. Warmer seasons throughout the [Read More…]