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Amina Aidarkhanova/South Dakota News Watch BROOKINGS, S.D. – International enrollment at South Dakota’s public universities has increased steadily over the past several years. But university leaders expect fewer students from other countries this fall as [Read More…]

South Dakota State Penitentiary loses fourth warden in five years amid senior staff shake-up

John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight The South Dakota Department of Corrections has lost its fourth penitentiary warden since 2021 amid staffing changes that also include the departure of two other high-ranking officials. Joseph Roemmich, who came [Read More…]

Party will not replace withdrawn US Senate candidate, S.D. Democratic official says

Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight The South Dakota Democratic Party will not select a replacement candidate for the U.S. Senate nominee who ended his campaign Tuesday, a party official said. That statement came Wednesday from state [Read More…]

Hopes grow for higher ethanol blend with inclusion in U.S. Senate farm bill

Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota’s congressional delegation is hopeful that year-round, nationwide approval of E15 — a gasoline blend with 15% ethanol — will clear Congress this year, bolstered by its inclusion in the [Read More…]

Mitchell Salvation Army seeks community’s help to restock frozen meal supply

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Mitchell Area United Way is urging community members to help replenish the Mitchell Salvation Army’s critically low inventory of frozen meals. The organization is seeking donations of frozen entrees, side dishes [Read More…]

Three people sustain minor injuries in a fire at Oahe Dam Powerhouse

Three people received minor injuries when a small fire started while contractors were working inside the Oahe Dam Powerhouse north of Pierre and Fort Pierre Wednesday afternoon. A spokesperson for the U.S. Army Corps of [Read More…]

Pickup versus train fatal crash

A 16 year old man from Highmore died early Wednesday morning in a single-vehicle versus train crash near Wessington. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported at 1:44 am, a Rapid City, Pierre, and [Read More…]

A special pre-rally tradition continues in Sturgis

What’s become an annual ritual before the hustle and bustle of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally hit the road Wednesday morning. The City of Sturgis hosts the Police Chief’s Ride every year on the Wednesday before [Read More…]

Black Hills highway project pits safety against scenery as public comments pour in

Makenzie Huber-SD Searchlight Featured Image-Paul Horsted Paul Horsted calls himself a “re-photographer.” He takes new photos at historic places to show what has and hasn’t changed. His projects have included photography books retracing the 1874 [Read More…]

Electronics, Clothing Top Back-to-School Shopping Lists

Families with kids in grades K-12 are expected to spend an average of nearly $864 on back-to school items this year. That’s according to data from the National Retail Federation. That data also says that [Read More…]

Names Released in Pennington County Fatal Crash

A 67 year old woman from Sioux Falls woman died last Saturday in a single-vehicle crash near Rochford, South Dakota. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported around 11am, 72 year old Randall Lee [Read More…]

Jackley Joins Coalition Urging Congress to Help States Fight Medicaid Fraud

August 4, 2026 Travis Kriens

Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined 16 other Attorneys General in requesting Congress to support the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act. The Attorney General Office’s State Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and others throughout the nation [Read More…]

How South Dakota hospitals fared in the latest quality ratings

Bart Pfankuch/South Dakota News Watch Two hospitals in South Dakota were rated “below average” in 2026 based on a regular review of patient care and medical outcome benchmarks set by the federal government. But those [Read More…]

South Dakota’s Democratic nominee for US Senate drops out

August 4, 2026 Travis Kriens

Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota’s Democratic U.S. Senate nominee ended his campaign Tuesday. “In recent weeks, my family has faced extraordinary personal challenges,” Julian Beaudion said in a written statement. “As many of you [Read More…]

Zion Lutheran Church Welcomes New Vicar Nathan Shelton and Family to Mitchell Congregation

August 4, 2026 Travis Kriens

Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell has welcomed Vicar Nathan Shelton, his wife Kendra, and their children, Eleanor, Levi and Joshua, to the congregation. Shelton was officially installed during Sunday’s service and has begun his year [Read More…]

Fatal vehicle vs. train crash in Spink County

A 59 year old man from Redfield, South Dakota died last Wednesday in a single-vehicle crash versus train crash near Redfield. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported around 7:22 pm on July 29th, [Read More…]

Regional Economic Index shaky in July

Our Region’s Manufacturing economy showed some improvement in July…but it’s just barely in positive territory. That’s the latest reading from the Mid America Business Conditions Index from Creighton University. Overall, manufacturing is growing…but jobs growth [Read More…]

Mitchell City Council and Davison County Commission agree to discuss regional law enforcement center as part of a larger County project

The Mitchell City Council Monday agreed to allow the Mitchell Police Department to participate in the planning of a possible regional law enforcement center as part of Davison County’s proposed county jail project. Commissioner John [Read More…]

South Dakota State Penitentiary Ward Out

State officials say Sioux Falls Penitentiary Warden Joseph Roemmich is no longer employed by the Department of Corrections. Spokesman Michael Winder gave no explanation, stating Tabatha Benting is now serving as warden of the Jameson [Read More…]

Burn bans in effect prior to the start of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally