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A dozen international students report visa cancellations in South Dakota
John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight At least 10 international students at South Dakota’s public universities have reported their visas canceled this year, according to the South Dakota Board of Regents. Two other reported cancellations were for [Read More…]

South Dakota wins concessions for itself and for universities nationwide in settlement with NCAA
Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota won special terms for itself and financial concessions for universities across the country while settling a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association, according to a Wednesday announcement from [Read More…]

Governor appoints former ag secretary to lead economic development office
Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden is appointing a new economic development commissioner and moving the current commissioner into a deputy role. Joe Fiala, the current commissioner of the Governor’s Office of [Read More…]

South Dakota regulators deny carbon pipeline permit again, but company vows to reapply
Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight Summit Carbon Solutions’ pipeline route as proposed in its permit application is “not viable,” South Dakota regulators determined Tuesday in Pierre. The Public Utilities Commission voted 2-1 to deny the company’s [Read More…]

Senator Mike Rounds explains the race to develop artificial intelligence
It’s a race we can’t afford to lose. That’s Senator Mike Rounds view of developing the use of artificial intelligence. “And so this is not going to go away, and we’ve got to be in [Read More…]

Voters overwhelmingly approve proposed Hanson-Davison rural ambulance district
Voters in rural Davison and Hanson counties made it clear Tuesday they want Emergency Medical Services to continue. 95% of voters approved forming a rural ambulance district with only 5% opposed. Amy Storm is an [Read More…]

Senator Mike Rounds shares his thoughts regarding Pope Francis
Senator Mike Rounds called the late Pope Francis the one of the kindest and gentle souls to lead the Catholic Church in a long, long time. “Very humble, and what you saw was what he [Read More…]

Rounds addresses national security through food during Heartland Summit
The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition hosted its Heartland Summit in Mitchell Tuesday. The event focused on why global issues matter to South Dakota. Senator Mike Rounds delivered the keynote address to stakeholders by offering praise [Read More…]

States that enshrined Medicaid expansion in their constitutions, including South Dakota, could be in a bind
Shalina Chatlani / Stateline As Republicans in Congress consider cutting the federal share of Medicaid funding, states are weighing numerous options to scale back their programs. But voters in three states have significantly limited those [Read More…]

Mitchell Police pursuing a cold-case theft from Lakeview Municipal Golf Course
Between February 18th, 2024 and March 19th, 2024 a custom wooden tee sign was stolen from Lakeview Golf Course in Mitchell. In addition to the tee sign, there was a green metal sign stating “After [Read More…]

Libraries evolve and thrive despite funding uncertainty
Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch REDFIELD, S.D. – On five occasions this year, librarian Sarah Jones-Lutter has left the quiet, comfortable confines of the historic Redfield Carnegie Library and made her voice heard [Read More…]

At least $134 million in federal money for conservation across South Dakota still in limbo
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight At least $134 million in federal conservation funds approved by Congress and awarded for conservation-related projects across South Dakota were frozen in the early days of the Trump administration. A recent [Read More…]

South Dakota leads U.S. hemp industry, though USDA report shows Texas rapidly gaining ground
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota continued to expand its industrial hemp footprint in 2024 as Texas quickly gained ground, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Hemp Report. As defined in the 2018 Farm [Read More…]

South Dakota turned to paraprofessionals to attack a teacher shortage, and hundreds responded
Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight Jaimie Bartmann planned to quit her job in education. She loved being a paraprofessional in the Montrose School District in southeastern South Dakota, but after nine years assisting teachers and students, [Read More…]

Mitchell Man Injured in Rollover After Police Chase in Brookings
A police chase in Brookings, ended in a rollover early Sunday morning, injuring 24-year-old Brandon Kendall of Mitchell. The incident began when a Brookings police officer attempted to stop Kendall’s vehicle for speeding. Kendall, who [Read More…]

Thune touches on Medicaid, town halls and tariffs during Watertown Rotary Club visit
Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight The scene outside Thursday’s Watertown Rotary luncheon turned raucous in the presence of South Dakota’s senior U.S. senator. Not long after the event, staffers urged Republican U.S. Senate Majority Leader John [Read More…]

Millions spent to keep manure out of Big Sioux River paying off, speaker says
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight SIOUX FALLS – Keeping cattle waste out of the river that runs through the state’s largest city will cost about $11 million over the next five years, and the city will [Read More…]

Theresa Kriese verbally accepts Presidency of Mitchell Technical College
Mitchell Technical College has announced Theresa Kriese has verbally accepted the position of President, pending formal approval by the Mitchell School Board. Kriese would become the sixth President of the institution since opening in 1968. [Read More…]

Rhoden alters expectations for 2026 governor’s race while Johnson builds a strong financial position
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden hasn’t said whether he’s running to keep his office next year, but his actions during the first few months of his administration suggest he could reshuffle expectations [Read More…]

Plaster cracks, goose droppings, and an un-Flaming Fountain: the South Dakota Capitol conundrum
Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight Majority Leader Scott Odenbach waved his hand behind him, gesturing to the lawmakers’ lobby just a few paces beyond his desk on the House floor. “I would ask anyone in [Read More…]
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