Latest News
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stumbles over questions from Democrats on habeas corpus
Ariana Figueroa/Stateline WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Tuesday was grilled by senators on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee about funding estimates for a barrier along the southern border, [Read More…]
RFK Jr. insists he won’t target farming; Rounds questions him about canceled grant for South Dakota university
Jennifer Shutt/Stateline WASHINGTON — U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before Congress on Tuesday that a major report due out later this week from his agency will not disparage farmers [Read More…]
Attorney General’s Office alerting consumers of possible over-the-counter hearing aid concerns
Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning consumers that some over-the-counter hearing aid companies are using misleading sales tactics when reaching out to the public. “Consumers should only have their hearing tested by a qualified audiologist [Read More…]
City Council advances option for term limits
The Mitchell City Council held a lengthy discussion during its meeting Monday evening regarding term limits for Mayor and Council. Councilors were presented with two options. Roger Musick favors term limits. “We need fresh ideas, [Read More…]
Watertown church begins recovery following a fire caused by lightning
Cleanup and restoration work is underway at a Watertown church that caught fire following a lightning strike. The fire at Hosanna Lutheran began around 1:30 Monday afternoon as a thunderstorm was rolling through the city. [Read More…]
Secretary of State’s Office looking ahead to 2026
This may be an “off-year” for state-wide elections, but Secretary of State Monae Johnson says her office is always busy. “We do the list maintenance this summer,” said Johnson. “And that’s where the actual Auditors [Read More…]
MHS commencement speakers share some final thoughts
As per tradition, the members of Mitchell senior high graduating classes choose two commencement speakers. And the Class of 2025 was no exception. Maxwell Hart’s address was titled “Chasing a Life Worth Living.” He told [Read More…]
Congratulations Mitchell High School Class of 2025
The 227 strong Mitchell High School Class of 2025 crossed the stage Sunday at the Corn Palace to start the next chapter in their lives. Principal Justin Siemsen says the class was extremely active in [Read More…]
Report: Tough-on-crime policies could push prison construction costs as high as $2.1 billion
John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota will need a third more prison space than it has now by 2036, and lawmakers’ choice to pass a so-called truth in sentencing bill in 2023 is a major [Read More…]
Bat Tests Positive for Rabies at Great Plains Zoo
PIERRE, SD – The Great Plains Zoo (GPZ) reported one bat on its campus, found between the pollinator garden and the farm, that tested positive for rabies. The bat was found between 11:30 am and 1:30 [Read More…]
Fatal crash victim identified
One woman died and an infant passenger was injured in a single vehicle crash six miles southwest of Worthing just before noon last Wednesday. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety is reporting 24 year [Read More…]
Gold production increases at mine in South Dakota’s Black Hills
Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight Production at South Dakota’s only active, large-scale gold mine climbed to its highest level in eight years, according to a new 2024 annual report. The Wharf Mine, owned by Chicago-based Coeur Mining, [Read More…]
Jackley warns of the return of Toll Road scams
Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning consumers that a familiar text message scam, where people are ordered to pay a tax for traveling on South Dakota’s roads and bridges, has been reported again in the [Read More…]
Two men celebrate recovery through James Valley Drug and DUI Court
Two graduates of James Valley Drug and DUI Court shared their journeys of battling the demons of addiction and ultimately changing their lives for the better during Thursday’s celebration of recovery. Now, the team of [Read More…]
Raising constitutional amendment vote threshold would backfire, says newly formed opposition group
Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight SIOUX FALLS — A constitutional amendment that South Dakota voters will consider in next year’s general election will strengthen rather than weaken the influence of out-of-state organizations in state politics, opponents [Read More…]
Judge shields Rapid City international student from removal while lawsuit proceeds
John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight A woman from India who recently earned master’s and doctoral degrees from South Dakota Mines in Rapid City can’t be removed from the U.S. as her lawsuit against the federal government proceeds, a [Read More…]
South Dakota tests for ‘forever chemicals’ in rivers to identify, address potential contamination
Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota’s state government is testing for “forever chemicals” in rivers across the state. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s, including [Read More…]
Fatal crash Wednesday afternoon northeast of Armour
A 65 year old woman from Winner died and a 29 year old woman from Sioux Falls was seriously injured in a two vehicle crash 10 miles northeast of Armour Wednesday afternoon. The South Dakota [Read More…]
Lincoln County fatal crash
A woman from Lake Andes died and an infant passenger was injured in a single vehicle crash six miles southwest of Worthing Wednesday. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported the 24 year old [Read More…]
Plankinton man sentenced to prison
A 24 year old man from Plankinton man has been sentenced to 55 years in prison after earlier pleading guilty to one count of First Degree Rape involving a minor. Kody Konechne was sentenced Wednesday [Read More…]