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Lawrence County Authorities Investigate Hit-and-Run Incident Near Spearfish; Seek Public Assistance
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a hit-and-run incident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian near Spearfish on Saturday morning. The male pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital. Officials are [Read More…]

Pierre City Commission Tightens Regulations on Special Alcohol Licenses
The Pierre City Commission has implemented stricter rules for special alcohol licenses within city limits. These short-term licenses, typically used for events like fundraisers or community celebrations, are now limited to 20 per year per [Read More…]

Landlords for teachers: Housing projects aim to keep pace with reservation school expansion
John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight One of the newest, most modern tech high schools in South Dakota is in one of the poorest counties in the United States. Lakota Tech High School, the only public high [Read More…]

Housing infrastructure funding helps Chamberlain over the hill
Chamberlain’s greatest asset is the Missouri River, whose choppy, sea green waves paint picturesque scenes within walking distance of downtown and a fair share of its established homes. Chamberlain’s also landlocked, to an extent. The [Read More…]

Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash Near Mellette Claims One Life, Injures Another
A tragic single-vehicle accident occurred five miles east of Mellette, South Dakota, resulting in the death of a 68-year-old driver and serious injuries to a 34-year-old passenger. The incident, involving a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban, occurred [Read More…]

Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash Near Worthing Under Investigation by South Dakota Highway Patrol
A tragic single-vehicle accident near Worthing, South Dakota, resulted in one fatality as a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban lost control on an icy stretch of Interstate 29 on Saturday morning around 9 am. The 64-year-old backseat [Read More…]

‘Kids look to adults:’ Responding to child trauma 50 years after Gitchie Manitou murders
Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of stories on children that Jackie Hendry, producer and host of South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s “South Dakota Focus” will write for South Dakota News Watch. Each month, [Read More…]

South Dakota’s $3 million Big Sioux cleanup project is slow to catch on
Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight A $3 million program created by the state in 2021 to reduce agricultural pollution in the Big Sioux River has attracted two sign-ups, while drawing criticism for duplicating existing local projects. [Read More…]

USDA Forecasts Record Crop Production in South Dakota
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts a substantial increase in crop production in South Dakota, particularly in corn and soybeans. The forecast anticipates a record-breaking 28% rise in corn production, reaching 850 million [Read More…]

Rapid City Faces Urgent Pleas to Address Homelessness as Daytime Mission Center Closure Looms
As a daytime mission center in Rapid City approaches closure, approximately two dozen individuals are urging the city council to address the needs of the homeless population facing the upcoming winter. The closure has raised [Read More…]

South Dakota Man Faces Federal Charges for Alleged Production of Child Pornography
Jason Honetschlager is set to appear in federal court next month, facing charges of producing child pornography. Arrested on November 8th in Milbank, South Dakota, he is accused of coercing an individual under 18 into [Read More…]

Single Application for Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Minnehaha County
Minnehaha County received only one application for a medical marijuana dispensary license during the recent application period, with Shangri-La LLC of Brandon submitting the proposal. The locally-owned company, in partnership with a national firm, is [Read More…]

City leaders in Madison fund child care center with tax district typically used for roads, sewer
Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight Brooke Rollag cannot work without child care. The mother of four is the economic development director for the Lake Area Improvement Corporation in Madison. Her job is to understand what businesses [Read More…]

South Dakota Supreme Court Upholds Verdict in 1992 Cold Case Will Dispute
The South Dakota Supreme Court has ruled against a circuit judge’s decision to set aside a jury’s verdict in a contested will case involving the estate of reclusive farmer Russell Tank. The verdict favored Tank’s [Read More…]

Sisseton Man Pleads Guilty to 1992 Cold Case Murder; Admits to Voluntary Manslaughter
57-year-old Jay Adams, Jr., from Sisseton, pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter in a 1992 cold case from Roberts County. Adams acknowledges using blunt force trauma in a crime characterized as premeditated and deliberate, committed in [Read More…]

Grand Gateway Hotel Faces New Allegations of Anti-Indigenous Discrimination Despite DOJ Settlement
South Dakota’s Grand Gateway Hotel, previously under DOJ scrutiny for discriminatory actions, is facing fresh accusations of anti-Indigenous practices. A lawsuit filed by the White family claims their reservation was canceled due to racial discrimination, [Read More…]

Explosion Sparks Grain Elevator Fire in Chandler, Minnesota; One Injured
A grain elevator fire erupted in Chandler, Minnesota, triggered by an explosion, with emergency crews responding just after 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Multiple fire departments, including mutual aid from surrounding agencies, are involved. One person [Read More…]

National Park Service Bans Helicopter Tours Over Mount Rushmore and Badlands
The National Park Service (NPS) has implemented new rules in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration, prohibiting helicopter tours over Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park. Commercial flights are required to maintain a [Read More…]

Protesters Demand Resignation of State’s Attorney Over Controversial Plea Deal in Native American Teen’s Hit-and-Run Death
Activists gathered at the Pennington County Administration Building on Tuesday to call for the resignation of State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel, citing a perceived lack of justice for Native Americans, particularly in the controversial plea deal [Read More…]

Manhunt Underway for Carjacking Suspects in Brookings County
A man and woman engaged in a carjacking in Arlington and an attempted one in Volga, South Dakota, prompting an extensive search by law enforcement. The suspects threatened a person with a rifle, stole a [Read More…]
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