News

BY STU WHITNEY South Dakota News Watch Has South Dakota soured on direct democracy? The answer to that question will be partly answered during the 2025 legislative session, as Republican lawmakers continue a recent trend [Read More…]

South Dakota Searchlight-By Seth Tupper Though he didn’t credit the Biden administration by name, South Dakota’s top environmental official recently praised one of the administration’s laws for spurring a “water renaissance that was overdue” in [Read More…]

By: Makenzie Huber-South Dakota Searchlight Larry Rhoden owes his new job as governor to Kristi Noem, but her political career might have stalled shortly after it began if not for his help, according to a [Read More…]

A 16 year old youth from Wagner, whose case had earlier been transferred to adult court, was sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison after earlier pleading guilty to one count of First Degree Manslaughter [Read More…]

A 35 year old man from Watertown has been sentenced to life in prison after earlier pleading guilty to two counts of First Degree Rape and one count of Sexual Contact With A Child Under [Read More…]

South Dakota Searchlight-Makenzie Huber Lawmakers in the House Education Committee shot down former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposed $4 million education savings account program and a similar, competing proposal Wednesday morning at the Capitol [Read More…]

Governor Larry Rhoden has selected his Lieutenant Governor. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am more than pleased to announce my selection to the next Lieutenant Governor of the State of South Dakota, Tony Venhuizen”, said Rhoden. [Read More…]

Josh Haiar-South Dakota Searchlight The South Dakota House of Representatives advanced a bill 49–19 that would ban the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, sending the legislation to the state Senate. Eminent domain [Read More…]

Gov. Larry Rhoden announced several staff changes Monday, two days after taking office when former Gov. Kristi Noem resigned to join President Donald Trump’s cabinet. Among the key changes, longtime governor’s office spokesman Ian Fury [Read More…]

A former South Dakota Department of Social Services employee was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to using a DSS grocery voucher, intended for families in need, for personal use. 28 year old Amalia Escalante Barrientos [Read More…]

Governor Larry Rhoden announced his plans to be officially sworn in as the 34th Governor of South Dakota. The oath of office will be administered on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 11:00 am CT by [Read More…]

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem resigned Saturday morning, minutes after being confirmed as the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Noem, the first female governor of South Dakota, wrote a letter to her [Read More…]

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has been confirmed as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following a Senate vote on Saturday morning. Noem received 59 votes in favor and 34 votes [Read More…]

South Dakota Broadcasters Association-Austin Goss A South Dakota legislative committee passed a bill Friday aimed at limiting carbon pipeline projects by stripping the power of eminent domain for carbon dioxide transportation. House Bill 1052, which [Read More…]

South Dakota Searchlight-Josh Haiar A committee of South Dakota lawmakers voted 4-3 to endorse a bill Thursday in Pierre that would require public school districts to teach the Ten Commandments and display them in every [Read More…]

The vast majority of discussion during Tuesday’s Mitchell City Council meeting focused on the Corn Palace and a proposed $12-million dollar plan for upgrades. However longtime Mitchell resident Roger Musick offered a different perspective. He [Read More…]

South Dakota Searchlight-Josh Haiar PIERRE — A committee of South Dakota lawmakers endorsed a bill Friday that would require pornographic websites to implement age verification measures. The House State Affairs Committee passed the measure 11-2, [Read More…]

Attorney General Marty Jackley says two South Dakota Penitentiary inmates have been sentenced to additional time in prison after they had earlier been found guilty of assaulting two correctional officers at the South Dakota Penitentiary [Read More…]

The James Valley Drug and DUI Court celebrated the achievements of four new graduates Thursday afternoon. Judge Donna Bucher shared, that between them, Samantha, Adrianne, Nikole and Bianca have 2,228 days sober, have paid more [Read More…]