A coalition called South Dakotans for Fair Taxes is launching a petition drive to refer Senate Bill 245 to the November ballot. The group includes Bread for the World South Dakota, the South Dakota AFL‑CIO, and Dakota Rural Action. SB 245 would direct an estimated $110 million from a scheduled 2027 sales‑tax increa...

A familiar name is back in the Sturgis mayoral race. Local business owner Tammy Bohn has officially announced her candidacy for Mayor of Sturgis, running on a platform centered on transparency, responsible budgeting, and support for essential city services. Bohn, who owns Sturgis Guns, has been involved in several high...

South Dakota's new five‑year ban on selling or producing cell‑cultured protein is drawing attention from scientists and industry experts, who say the technology is still far from reaching grocery store shelves. Researchers with the Good Food Institute say large‑scale, nationwide availability of lab‑grown meat i...

Pennington County law enforcement says a new interagency Parole Task Force is already making a significant impact. In just the first two weeks of operations, officers have made 40 arrests, including 35 parolees taken into custody for new crimes, outstanding warrants, or parole violations. The task force launched April ...

Three Care Campus employees received the Medal for Meritorious Service: Detox Supervisor Nicole Williams, Transport Officer Bryson Schwartz, and Detox Technician Lucas Neuhardt. Officials say Williams heard abnormal breathing from a female client and found her turning gray. Schwartz and Neuhardt immediately performed t...

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is ordering immediate changes to tighten parole supervision across the state. The move aims to hold repeat offenders more accountable and remove violators from communities more quickly. The Department of Corrections is creating a new compliance unit with five specialized parole agents...

The Meade County Senior Citizens Center in Sturgis is asking the community for help with a major parking‑lot improvement project aimed at boosting safety, accessibility, and long‑term sustainability. Years of wear and harsh weather have left the lot cracked and uneven, creating hazards for older adults and visitors...

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says two Sioux Falls Police detectives were justified in their use of force during a March 31 officer‑involved shooting. A Division of Criminal Investigation review found the suspect, 36‑year‑old Richard Olson Jr., pointed a weapon at detectives after refusing commands....

South Dakota has two new laws aimed at reducing homeowner property taxes, but one of them depends on whether counties choose to opt in. Beginning in July, counties will be allowed to adopt up to a half‑percent local sales tax and use the revenue to lower the county portion of homeowner property taxes. It's the first ...

Rapid City police arrested a 19‑year‑old driver Friday afternoon after a high‑speed incident that began with a disturbance call and ended in a parking lot on Jackson Boulevard. Just after 3:25 p.m., officers were searching for a vehicle involved in a reported disturbance when they spotted it speeding southbound o...

The South Dakota Department of Social Services says roughly 1,213 people on expanded Medicaid - about 4% of enrollees - could lose coverage once new federal work requirements take effect in 2027. The rules, passed by Congress last year, will require adults ages 19 to 64 to work, volunteer, or attend school 80 hours a m...

In‑person absentee voting began Monday, April 27th in Lawrence County. The Auditor's Office says registered voters can cast ballots during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 to 5, and a valid ID is required. Absentee voting runs through 5 p.m. on June 1st, which is also the deadline to request or re...

Gaming activity in Deadwood continued to rise in March. The South Dakota Commission of Gaming reports overall revenue was up 8.51% compared to the same month last year. Slot machines led the growth with an 8.9% increase, while table games were up 2.79% and sports wagering rose 3.46%. For the first quarter of 2026, over...

Crews at the Sanford Underground Research Facility have finished installing a new hoist rope in the Ross Shaft - a key system used to move people and equipment nearly a mile underground. About 6,100 feet of steel wire rope was installed in April by SURF staff and contractors from Fortis Mining Engineering & Manufac...

The South Dakota Highway Patrol will conduct sobriety checkpoints in 21 counties throughout May as part of an effort to reduce impaired driving and improve roadway safety. The checkpoints will take place in counties including Brule, Butte, Codington, Davison, Edmunds, Hamlin, Hanson, Jackson, Jerauld, Lawrence, Lincoln...

South Dakota Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters will be conducting aerial water‑delivery recertification training this week in coordination with South Dakota Wildland Fire. The annual joint exercise helps crews prepare for wildfire season, and the Guard's HH‑60M Black Hawks can drop more than500 gallons of ...

The Sturgis City Council has approved a resolution establishing the framework for the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as the city continues working on the future of its Rally Sponsorship Program. City Attorney Eric Davis says the resolution allows Sturgis to keep administering and executing sponsorship agreementsas an in...

The Sturgis City Council has passed the first reading of its revised residential camping ordinance after months of work. City Attorney Eric Davis says the update isn't perfect and won't please everyone, but he calls it a major improvement over both the current rules and earlier, more restrictive drafts. Davis says the ...

Hard rock band Skillet will make its debut at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip during the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this summer. The two‑time Grammy‑nominated group is set to perform on Monday, August 10th, on the Wolfman Jack Stage. The rally runs August 7th through the 16th, and passes and VIP upgrades are available ...

South Dakota officials say two Highway Patrol troopers were justified in using force during a March 21 officer‑involved shooting in Box Elder. Attorney General Marty Jackley says the incident happened at the end of a pursuit that began when Summerset Police tried to stop a vehicle, which later involved Meade County d...

Campfire restrictions are now in effect across the Black Hills National Forest as officials work to reduce wildfire danger. Campfires are only allowed in designated sites with established grills or metal fire rings. Officials say human‑caused fires are increasing, and fully extinguishing campfires is essential. Visit...

Rapid City's interagency Parole Task Force made a series of arrests last week after a parole compliance check uncovered drugs, paraphernalia, and a stolen camper. Around 2:55 p.m. on April 17th, officers arrived at a home in the 300 block of East Indiana Street to check on parolee Christian Degeest, age 28. As they arr...

Rapid City Police are searching for a suspect after an early‑morning robbery on Jackson Boulevard. Officers were called around 1:35 a.m. on April 20th to a business at 2110 Jackson Boulevard, where an employee reported that a man demanded money using a note and appeared to imply he had a handgun hidden in his sweatsh...

Spearfish city leaders are working against the clock to fix Main Street before several major summer events, after a chip seal project last fall failed and left the roadway in poor condition. Downtown Friday Nights begin June 12, followed by the Black Hills Camaro Rally June 17-20 and the Black Hills Corvette Classic Ju...

The Rapid City Police Department and the Pennington County Sheriff's Office are partnering with Ring to make it easier for residents to share home-security video with investigators. Both agencies now have an official presence on Ring's Neighbors app, where users can post safety updates and receive alerts. The partnersh...

President Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for South Dakota following the record-breaking windstorm that hit the region in December. Wind speeds topped 90 miles per hour, causing widespread damage across the Black Hills. The declaration comes after Governor Larry Rhoden requested federal assistance in ...

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks is asking for the public's help after the head of a dead mountain goat was illegally removed in Spearfish Canyon. Officials say the carcass was found at the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls on the morning of April 8, but by the time a GFP biologist arrived, the animal's head had already bee...

The South Dakota Department of Tourism says demand for this year's July 3 fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore has skyrocketed, with more than 102,000 ticket requests submitted for the Freedom 250 event. Only about 4,800 people will be able to attend, with winners chosen through a lottery on Recreation.gov. Organize...

The YMCA of the Black Hills is taking part in Five Days of Action, a national child‑abuse prevention campaign running from April 13th through 17th. The Y will share resources, host activities, and offer education to help parents and caregivers keep kids safe - both online and offline. Staff says technology can pose r...

The Meade County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to lock their vehicles after more than a dozen car burglaries were reported overnight in the Black Hawk area. Deputies say suspects targeted unlocked vehicles, and in several cases, nothing was taken - but two firearms were stolen from cars that had been left unsecu...

The Dakota Territory Gun Collectors Association presents the Sonny Pesicka Memorial Gun Show April 18th-19th at the Monument Center in Rapid City at 444 N. Mt Rushmore Road. Buy, sell, browse or trade for brand new or classic shotguns, rifles, handguns, ammo, and gear from experienced vendors. Both modern and collectib...

Drivers across Rapid City, Box Elder, and Pennington County should prepare for a busy spring construction season, with several major road closures beginning this week. In Rapid City, Pinedale Drive will close to through traffic starting Monday, April 13, between West Chicago Street and South Berry Pine Road. Crews will...

Gas prices in South Dakota climbed sharply over the past week, rising 11 cents to an average of $3.63 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. That's 43 cents higher than a month ago and nearly 64 cents more than this time last year. Drivers are seeing a wide range at the pump, with prices anywhere from $3.19 to $4.49 per ga...

A mobile home in Sturgis was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon. Crews were called to 2032 Ellen Street around 1 p.m. and arrived to find the home fully engulfed. Three people inside were able to escape safely, and firefighters rescued one of two pets while the other got out on its own. No injuries were reported. Firef...

South Dakota continues to have one of the lowest overall tax burdens in the country. The Tax Foundation ranks the state No. 2 in its State Tax Competitiveness Index, thanks largely to South Dakota's lack of an income tax and the absence of estate, inheritance, and corporate income taxes. The state also ranks No. 1 nati...

It's National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and Pennington County is recognizing the 911 professionals who answer emergency calls and coordinate lifesaving responses. The county's Emergency Services Communications Center handles everything from routine calls to critical, high-stress emergencies for Rapid City, ...

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of South Dakota to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by straight-line winds from December 17-18, 2025. Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organi...

Rapid City police arrested a 30-year-old Lead man Wednesday after an assault and theft in a southside parking lot. Officers were called just before 3 p.m. to the 100 block of Stumer Road, where a victim reported being confronted by a man who began yelling at him. Police say the suspect, identified as Trev Jacobs, got o...

South Dakota has enacted new protections for living organ donors. A bill signed last month by Governor Larry Rhoden now prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage based solely on a person's donor status. The change follows five straight years in which the American Kidney Fund gave South Dakota an F rating for ...

South Dakota has received an "F" grade on a new Phone-Free Schools Report Card. The rating comes after a bill to ban cell phones in schools failed in the legislature earlier this year. South Dakota is one of just four states to receive the lowest score. The report, compiled by four national organizations, say...

State lotteries are bringing in record money, but states are keeping less of it. A new Census Bureau report shows lottery ticket sales nearly doubled to $104 billion between 2008 and 2024. Prize payouts grew even faster, hitting $70 billion. That means states kept just 33% of lottery revenue last year, down from 39% in...

A major fight over the future of America's bison is unfolding in Montana. The Interior Department is moving to cancel long-standing bison grazing leases on federal land, a shift driven by pressure from cattle ranchers and Republican leaders who argue that buffalo aren't being raised for what they call "production-...

A Rapid City man will spend the next decade in federal prison for running a fentanyl and meth distribution network across the region. Federal prosecutors say 27‑year‑old Ezra Bald Eagle built a drug pipeline between Colorado and Rapid City from late 2024 through May of last year. Investigators say Bald Eagle regula...

South Dakotans are paying about 51 cents more per gallon than they were a year ago, according to GasBuddy. Analysts say global volatility is driving the increase, even after a ceasefire announcement involving the U.S. and Iran. Conflicting statements from both sides have left uncertainty over whether traffic through th...

A federal jury has found 34-year-old Dalton Hump of Faith guilty of first-degree burglary. Prosecutors say Hump broke into a home in Ziebach County on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation on July 10, 2024, and assaulted two people inside before being forced out of the residence. The conviction carries a maximum penalty...

Most South Dakota commercial driver's license holders will soon need a valid medical examiner's certificate to keep their CDL. A new federal requirement taking effect July 1 removes the old "K restriction," meaning drivers must update their medical certification status with the state before the deadline or th...

A Pine Ridge woman has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for a violent assault that left another woman with serious injuries. Federal prosecutors say 37-year-old Jessie Sutton was given a 70-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to assault resulting in s...

Rapid City officials say the long-planned Chapel Lane Bridge replacement is being delayed after the city was denied a key state grant. Public Works Director Mike Theis says the city hoped to receive funding from the 2026 South Dakota Bridge Improvement Grant Program, which would have covered 80 percent of the project's...

Pennington County is seeking to create a new Tax Increment Financing District on roughly 172 acres south of Catron Boulevard, west of Fifth Street, and east of Black Hills Boulevard. Part of the land falls inside Rapid City limits, and the county has asked the city for permission to include that portion in the TIF. The...

Rapid City is one step closer to allowing backyard chickens. The City Council this week approved first reading of an ordinance that would let residents keep up to six hens and six chicks, with coops limited to backyards only. Roosters and other fowl, including ducks and turkeys, would remain prohibited. The proposal pa...

The City of Sturgis and Meade County have jointly proclaimed June 10 as "Kevin Forrester Day," honoring the life, leadership, and decades of public service of former Sturgis Mayor Kevin Forrester, who passed away Sunday following a battle with pancreatic cancer. The observance will coincide with the first Stu...

The Pennington County Treasurer's Office is working to clear up confusion about how South Dakota calculates vehicle excise tax, especially in private vehicle sales. State law sets the excise tax at 4 percent of the purchase price, but if a reported sale price is far below market value, the state may instead use a stand...

South Dakota ranks among the nation's highest states for repeat criminal offenses. According to the Justice Center, the state's recidivism rate-the percentage of offenders who reoffend after serving time-rose from 42 percent in 2011 to 50 percent in 2021, placing South Dakota in the top ten nationwide. The report estim...

The South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation is stepping up to help Nebraska ranchers hit hard by recent wildfires. The foundation announced it will match donations up to $10,000 to support relief efforts, covering fuel costs to haul hay from South Dakota to the hardest‑hit areas in Nebraska. The effort is being coordinat...

Lawrence County residents living along secondary county roads can now request magnesium chloride dust‑control treatments after county commissioners approved the cost per gallon at their March 24 meeting. Commissioners adopted Highway Superintendent John Bey's recommended rate of $1.38 per gallon, following the county...

Voters in the Spearfish School District will choose between two candidates for one open school board seat this June. Incumbent Alesha Limbo, first elected in 2023, is seeking a second term. She's being challenged by Raeann Mettler, who has taught in several educational settings. The school board election, normally held...

About 75 municipal officials from roughly 10 cities gathered in Belle Fourche this week for the South Dakota Municipal League's District 10 Meeting. SDML President Leland Treichel highlighted the strengths of the organization, while Executive Director Sara Rankin reviewed the impacts of the 2026 legislative session on ...

The South Dakota Board of Regents has elected new officers for the upcoming term. Jeff Partridge of Rapid City will serve as Board President, succeeding Tim Rave. Partridge, a former legislator and city council member, previously served as Vice President. Randy Frederick of Hayti was elected Vice President. He served 1...

South Dakota farmers are facing some of the toughest economic conditions in years as low crop prices, global conflict, and rising costs squeeze operations across the state. Many producers, including grain farmer Jeff Thompson, are storing corn and soybeans because selling now would mean taking a loss. Thompson says, &q...

Road construction is set to begin Tuesday, April 7, on U.S. Highway 85 near Spearfish. Crews will start building new left‑turn lanes at Crook City Road, just south of Interstate 90's Exit 17. Two‑way traffic will stay open throughout the project, but a 10‑foot width restriction will be in place in both directions...

The Oglala Sioux Tribe is rolling out new safety measures on BIA Route 2 in Kyle after a high number of crashes in the area. The speed limit between 3 Mile Creek Road and the Five Mile turn has been reduced to 45 miles per hour, with new signs now posted. Tribal Public Safety officials say the stretch has been the site...

The Meade County Sheriff's Office says it's facing an unprecedented surge in civil service work, with Sheriff Pat West reporting that demands continue to climb. West told county commissioners that deputies are spending more time than ever serving divorce papers, foreclosure notices, wage‑garnishment orders, and other...

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says the Division of Criminal Investigation is reviewing an officer‑involved shooting that happened Tuesday in Sioux Falls. Investigators say 36‑year‑old Richard Paul Olson Jr. was wanted on a federal probation violation for possession of a firearm by a felon. Members o...

The four Republican candidates for South Dakota governor traded sharp blows over tax policy in their first debate Tuesday, broadcast from the KELO studio in Sioux Falls. Front‑runner Congressman Dusty Johnson went on the offensive, accusing Governor Larry Rhoden and House Speaker Jon Hansen of backing what he called ...

South Dakota lawmakers wrapped up the 101st Legislative Session on Monday by sustaining Governor Larry Rhoden's vetoes of two high‑profile bills, while approving more than $8.2 million to replace the Richmond Lake dam and spillway near Aberdeen. The dam funding passed both chambers with strong support and was signed ...

The South Dakota Highway Patrol has identified the man killed in a four‑vehicle crash Friday evening just east of Deadwood. 92‑year‑old Robert Allen Erickson of Piedmont died at the scene after his Chevrolet Suburban crossed the centerline on Highway 14A. Troopers say Erickson sideswiped an oncoming Ford Flex, dr...

A new national report shows pedestrian deaths dropped 11 percent in the first half of 2025 - the largest decline in 15 years - but the numbers are still higher than before the pandemic. The Governors Highway Safety Association says 3,024 people were struck and killed by drivers in early 2025, down by 371 from the same ...

The Wyoming Department of Transportation will resume work next week on a major roadway repair project aimed at stabilizing a four‑mile stretch of eastbound highway affected by slope issues. Starting the week of March 30, crews will remove two bridges, replace them with box culverts, repair aging drainage systems, and...

A Piedmont man died Friday evening in a four-vehicle crash one mile east of Deadwood, SD. The names of the persons involved have not been released pending notification of family members. Preliminary crash information indicates that a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban was traveling east on US Highway 14A and crossed the centerlin...

A major federal funding boost is accelerating progress on the B‑21 Raider bomber program, keeping Ellsworth Air Force Base on track to receive the aircraft next year. According to the U.S. Air Force, President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" includes $4.5 billion to increase B‑21 production capaci...

The South Dakota Department of Health is reporting another flu‑related death, bringing the statewide total this season to 25. In the latest update, health officials confirmed 649 new flu cases and 15 additional hospitalizations. Locally, Meade County has now recorded 410 cases and one death. Pennington County continu...

Pennington County authorities are investigating what appears to be an accidental shooting that claimed the life of a 10‑year‑old child near Owanka. Deputies were called to the scene on March 22nd, where they found the juvenile suffering from a gunshot wound. Investigators say the incident appears to be family‑rel...

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office has issued a felony bench warrant for 31‑year‑old Littleeagle Condon, who is wanted on an aggravated assault charge. Condon is described as about 5‑foot‑11, 160 pounds, with black hair and blue eyes. He is Native American and was last known to be in the Rapid City area. Au...

Federal and state officials say they're stepping up efforts to crack down on government fraud and protect taxpayer dollars. At a joint press conference, U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced a coordinated push to better detect, investigate and prosecute fraud involving publ...

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has officially qualified for the June primary ballot. Rhoden announced the news on social media, thanking supporters who signed his petition. Rhoden said he plans to reach voters the same way he has throughout his time in office-by traveling the state, meeting people face to face, and...

Drivers in Butte and Harding counties should prepare for delays as major road work begins later this month. The South Dakota Department of Transportation says construction starts Monday, March 30, on Highway 85, about 20 miles north of Belle Fourche. Crews will replace a box culvert at Hilderbrand Creek, and traffic wi...

The Northern Hills Training Center has a new leader - and a familiar one. Laura Wendland has returned to the organization as CEO after previously spending 20 years with NHTC. She says the center plays a vital role in the community by supporting adults with developmental disabilities through residential care, day servic...

In Spearfish, residents who want to ask questions during regular city council meetings will now follow a new procedure. The change comes after several weeks of citizens, including Doug Markworth, requesting the chance to ask city leaders about agenda items in an open forum. Markworth told the council he hopes the proce...

The city of Lead is taking a major step toward modernizing its infrastructure records. This week, the city commission approved funding to complete a new GIS mapping system that will electronically document every building, water line, and key utility feature in town. City Administrator Robin Lucero says the project buil...

In Lead, a major facelift could be coming to Prospect Park after city leaders reviewed a new revitalization plan this week. The Lead Beautification Committee discovered significant deterioration in the park last spring and has since partnered with Tallgrass Landscape Architecture to redesign the space overlooking Main ...

In Sturgis, Mayor Kevin Forrester has resigned from office as he continues treatment for pancreatic cancer. Forrester's resignation took effect Monday. He was diagnosed last fall and says he has spent recent months working closely with City Administrator Aaron Jordan and the City Council to ensure continuity in city op...

South Dakota's plan to raise sales taxes in order to ease property taxes will shift more of the state's tax burden onto lower‑income residents. That's according to Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff, who says the move is "regressive," but still necessary to provide relief from rising property ta...

The City of Box Elder has launched a new mobile app designed to make it easier for residents to connect with city services. The "City of Box Elder 311" app, now available for iPhone, lets users pay utility bills, check public meeting calendars, and report infrastructure issues directly to city staff. Public I...

South Dakota corrections officials say Joaquin "Jack" Ramos, an inmate long denied parole for the killing of his pregnant fiancée, has died while in state custody. Ramos was 57. He passed away on March 22 while receiving comfort care at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. Officials did not rel...

Range proudly announces it has achieved Operation IFAST Certification, a designation awarded to companies that demonstrate a deep commitment to combating domestic sex trafficking through employee training, community collaboration, and financial investment. Operation IFAST, Internet Service Providers Fight Against Sex T...

The debate over yard camping in Sturgis is moving forward as city leaders work to overhaul an ordinance that's restricted residential camping since 2021. The current rules allow only one camping unit per home, and while a permit system was envisioned, residents say it was never actually put in place. At Monday night's ...

A Rapid City man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at the Oxford Square apartments last year. Police say Kane Youngman is accused of killing 29‑year‑old Monte Gakin in August of 2025. Officers responded to reports of gunfire inside the complex and found Gakin dead at the scene. Investigators say...

Fire crews continue to battle the Qury Fire southeast of Custer, which has now grown to roughly 9,000 acres. About 350 firefighters from local, state, and out‑of‑state agencies are on the lines, working through rapidly changing weather. Incident Commander Todd Hoover says conditions have swung back and forth - warm...

Police in Lead arrested a 47‑year‑old man Tuesday night after a domestic assault that involved a knife and left an elderly victim injured. Officers were called to a home on Miners Avenue just before 9:40 p.m. after a 911 caller reported that the suspect was armed, making threats, and that an elderly man inside had ...

Multiple wildfires burning across the southern Black Hills forced evacuations, road closures, and a major emergency response Thursday and Friday in Custer and Fall River counties. State, federal, and local crews are battling several fires - including the Qury Fire and the Deer Fire south of Custer - as they work to con...

Rapid City is teaming up with the South Dakota Department of Transportation on a major traffic signal optimization study aimed at easing congestion along four busy corridors, including Omaha Street - one of the city's main east‑west routes. The city's public works committee has approved advertising for proposals. The...

A national opioid‑response foundation is investing more than half a million dollars in youth prevention efforts on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts has awarded a $550,000, two‑year grant to Project Venture, an Indigenous‑led nonprofit focused on building healthy communities t...

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he plans to bring the SAVE America Act to the Senate floor next week. The bill would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot. The move follows President Trump's announcement that he will not sign other legislation until the m...

South Dakota lawmakers have approved a $7.5 billion balanced budget for the 2027 fiscal year. The spending plan is up about 2.4%, or $172 million, from last year. Senator Mark Lapka says the Legislature began budget talks in December facing what he called a "bleak" financial outlook. But higher‑than‑expec...

A Sturgis man was sentenced to 10 years and three months in federal prison for sexually enticing a minor online in U.S. District Court this week. Bryson Priest, 26, was sentenced to 10 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for Sou...

The Spearfish School District has selected a new superintendent, and it's a familiar face. The school board voted Monday night to hire Nick Gottlob, the current principal of Mountain View and West Elementary Schools. He will take over July 1, following the retirement of Superintendent Kirk Easton. Gottlob has spent muc...

Authorities in Pennington County say skeletal remains found near Wasta on Sunday have been identified as a Rapid City man missing since last summer. A hiker discovered the remains late Sunday morning, prompting investigators from the Pennington County Sheriff's Office to respond. An autopsy and forensic dental analysis...

A bill regulating large data centers in South Dakota is now on its way to Governor Larry Rhoden's desk. The Senate has given final approval to Senate Bill 135, which would require data centers to cover the full cost of their utility demands and work with local water providers to ensure their usage doesn't strain commun...

A man arrested in what the South Dakota Highway Patrol calls the largest meth seizure in its history has pleaded guilty in federal court. Forty‑three‑year‑old Alonso Molina‑Corona entered a guilty plea Monday to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. He was stopped by Highway Patrol troopers in Sturgi...

South Dakota voters will soon be able to challenge the citizenship status of other registered voters. Governor Larry Rhoden has signed a new law that adds citizenship to the list of reasons a voter's registration can be challenged. The law takes effect July 1, so it will not impact the June primary. State law already a...

South Dakota lawmakers are entering the final days of the 2026 legislative session, and one of the biggest issues still on the table is property tax relief. Legislators want to use an upcoming increase in sales tax revenue to ease the burden on homeowners. Senate Bill 245 would direct that new revenue toward property t...

Emergency managers in Pennington, Custer, Meade, and Fall River counties will conduct their annual all‑systems alert test Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. The drill activates every major warning system at once, including outdoor sirens and mobile phone alerts. Officials say the yearly test ensures all systems are working prope...

Drivers in Rapid City can expect periodic delays along Highway 44 this spring as crews work on a rockfall mitigation project in Cleghorn Canyon. The South Dakota Department of Transportation and contractors from Midwest Rockfall have begun removing unstable rock from the cliffs above the roadway. Crews will first build...

Tribal police officers in South Dakota will soon be recognized as law enforcement officers under state law. Governor Larry Rhoden signed House Bill 1007 on Monday, extending legal protections to tribal officers who assist state or local agencies. Until now, tribal police lacked jurisdiction off tribal land and were not...

Rapid City police detained a juvenile early Monday morning after responding to a report of a gunshot on the city's north side. Officers were called to the 100 block of East Watertown Street around 4:20 a.m. after a resident reported hearing a single shot. While searching the area, officers saw two males running on Adam...

The City of Lead announced Friday that City Commissioner Kayla Klein has resigned from her position, effective immediately. Klein was serving her second term on the commission, which was set to expire in 2026. In a written statement, Klein expressed gratitude to the community for the opportunity to serve, noting that h...

Fireworks will return to Mount Rushmore this summer as part of a major Independence Day celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. Governor Larry Rhoden and the National Park Service announced that the memorial will host a July 3rd fireworks show - the first at the monument since 2021. The event is...

Delta Air Lines is adding temporary nonstop service between Rapid City and Detroit this summer to meet peak travel demand during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The airline will operate weekend flights from August 8th through the 16th, matching the Rally's schedule. Airport officials say the Rally is one of the busiest t...

South Dakota lawmakers are heading into the final week of the legislative session, and several major issues are still in play. At the top of the list: property taxes. Governor Larry Rhoden is watching two key bills-Senate Bill 96, which gives counties the option to adopt an additional sales tax to help lower property t...

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says the state has reached a settlement with Mayday Health, ending a months‑long legal fight over what officials called deceptive advertising for abortion pills. The New York‑based group has agreed to remove all signs and promotional materials in South Dakota that state o...

Concerns over rising electricity costs and the environmental impact of data centers are prompting a growing number of states to consider putting the brakes on new development. Lawmakers in at least eleven states - including South Dakota, Georgia, Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin - have introduced bills this session th...

The Matthews Opera House is closing its downtown Spearfish Art Gallery on March 14, ending more than two decades of giving local artists a place to showcase and sell their work. Executive director Heath Johnson says the nonprofit has been struggling to keep up with the costs of maintaining a Main Street property, espec...

House Education Committee lawmakers in South Dakota decided on Monday to postpone a plan that would have limited student cell phone usage during school hours. The decision came after critics argued that local districts already have established policies and should retain autonomy over the matter. SB 198 would have proh...

Rapid City police arrested two men on Wednesday after reports of fraudulent fundraising outside a business on North Lacrosse Street. Officers responded around 11:30 a.m. and found two tables staffed by individuals claiming to represent a student athletic organization. Police say the pair had no affiliation with any sch...

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has launched a new webpage illustrating how much homeowners could save on property taxes if counties adopt his proposed optional half‑percent sales tax. The tool shows estimated reductions across the state, including average savings of $927 in Minnehaha County and $886 in Pennington...

A South Dakota lawmaker's unexpected absence during a crucial floor session Tuesday stalled two major data‑center bills and prompted a search inside the Capitol. Senator John Carley of Piedmont missed 24 votes, later saying he had an eye doctor appointment and an unexpected health issue. With another senator already ...

The South Dakota Senate has approved a $10 million package aimed at improving water quality across the state. Senate Bill 222 passed on a 28-5 vote and directs $8 million toward incentives for landowners who install riparian buffer strips and other conservation measures, and $2 million toward upgrades for local water, ...

A South Dakota native received long‑delayed national recognition during Tuesday night's State of the Union address. President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to 100‑year‑old retired Navy pilot Royce Williams, honoring a military career that spanned World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Williams flew more than 220 co...

South Dakota lawmakers have advanced a bill that would prevent SNAP benefits from being used to buy sweetened soft drinks. The Senate approved House Bill 1056 on a 27-6 vote, sending it to the governor. The measure directs the Department of Social Services to request a federal waiver by 2026 to block soda purchases und...

A bill that would automatically legalize a psychedelic medication in South Dakota once it's approved at the federal level is moving forward in Pierre. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee advanced House Bill 1099 on a 6‑0 vote, with no opposition testimony. The bill would allow the medical use of crystallin...

Reptile Gardens is sharing new details following a late‑November fire that killed more than 100 animals. The fire began in the southwest corner of a detached habitat, and investigators determined the cause to be undetermined electrical. Curator Terry Phillip says the building's collapse left little additional informa...

A Kyle man has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for assaulting a woman on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Federal prosecutors say 30‑year‑old Clay Loafer pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury after repeatedly striking a woman with whom he had a brief relationship. The cas...

A Rapid City school nurse has been recognized as the best in South Dakota. Alyssa Downey, who serves students at both Robbinsdale and Grandview Elementary Schools, was surprised with a school‑wide assembly after being named the state's School Nurse of Excellence. Downey says she thought she was responding to a routin...

The Rapid City Public Library is temporarily closed inside after its heating system failed over the weekend. Library Director Terri Davis says repairs may take some time, with temperatures inside dropping to 56 degrees on Monday. While the building is closed, patrons can still check out materials through the drive‑th...

A Rapid City man has pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault in a 2024 shooting. Prosecutors say 31‑year‑old Trevon Spotted Eagle shot a man in the head with a sawed‑off shotgun on East North Street last September. He was originally charged with attempted murder but accepted a plea deal. Prosecutors ar...

A South Dakota House committee has advanced a bill aimed at clarifying what medical treatments are allowed under the state's near-total abortion ban. The state's trigger law, in effect since 2022, bans abortion except when necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman. But lawmakers and medical groups have debated h...

Rapid City firefighters quickly contained a fast-moving grass fire early Tuesday morning near the I-90 and I-190 interchange. Crews were called out around 12:30 a.m. and found flames spreading through dry grass. The fire burned roughly 16 acres before being contained just before 3 a.m. Officials say natural circumstanc...

Restoration work is set to begin this spring at Deadwood's historic Mount Moriah Cemetery. City commissioners have awarded a $120,250 contract to Fuller Construction to repair aging retaining walls, reslope sinking plots, improve drainage, and replace damaged concrete caps at about 20 gravesites near the cemetery entra...

Black Hills State University is reassuring students after social media posts claimed ICE agents were on campus last week. University officials say Immigration and Customs Enforcement did visit BHSU, but only for a routine compliance review of international student records - a process that happens about once each semest...

The city of Summerset is moving ahead with a proposal to ban mining operations both inside the city and in the area surrounding it. The plan relies on a section of the city's zoning code that allows officials to set rules applying to every zoning district. Under the proposal, mining would be added to the list of activi...

South Dakota lawmakers have rejected a proposal to allow charter schools in the state. The bill failed on a tied vote in the Senate Thursday and again Friday during a reconsideration attempt. A recent state Supreme Court ruling confirmed that Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen has the authority to break Senate ties when he's ...

New national data shows South Dakota near the bottom of the country when it comes to school readiness for young children. According to the latest National Children's Health Survey, only about 58 percent of parents in the state say their children ages three to five are prepared to start school. That's the fourth‑lowes...

The Department of Homeland Security is clarifying which services are affected as the partial federal government shutdown enters its second week. Confusion over the weekend prompted the agency to issue updates after mixed messages about what programs would continue. The shutdown has forced DHS to scale back non‑essent...

A Senate committee has shelved a half-penny sales tax plan tied to homeowner property tax relief - at least for now. The Senate State Affairs Committee voted 5-4 Monday to send Senate Joint Resolution 507 to the 41st day. That usually ends a bill for the year. Senators can still bring it back, but it takes a deliberate...

The Vote The South Dakota Senate voted 14-20 on Friday to defeat Senate Bill 126, which would have increased the property tax exemption for permanently and totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses from $200,000 to $300,000. The measure needed a majority of the 35-member Senate to pass; it fell six votes sh...

The Big Picture South Dakota has been wrestling for years with soaring property taxes squeezing homeowners, farmers, and renters alike. More than two dozen bills this session have tried to fix the problem. Considered today (Friday), Senate Bill 243 took the most creative swing yet - aiming to eliminate owner-occupied ...

South Dakota voters would have to show proof of citizenship when they register to vote under a bill the Senate passed Thursday. Senate Bill 175 passed 28-6 on the Senate floor in Pierre. Because the bill includes an emergency clause, it required a two-thirds majority - which it received. The vote may push South Dakota ...

What the bill would have done Thursday saw a South Dakota House committee vote down a bill proposing the elimination of grocery sales tax, the institution of a school construction loan program, and a rise in cigarette taxes. Rep. Erik Muckey, a Democrat from District 15 in Sioux Falls, presented House Bill 1281, which ...

It was a celebration so large that South Dakota State University's College of Nursing had to find a new, bigger venue. The fall 2025 Rapid City pinning and hooding ceremony needed more space to accommodate the entire nursing cohort and family and friends. The Dec. 15 event at The Monument recognized the achievements of...

The House Taxation Committee voted 10-2 Tuesday morning to advance legislation that would eliminate school-related property taxes on owner-occupied single-family homes and replace that revenue with a two-step increase in the state sales tax. The bill would set the general education and special education mill levies to ...

South Dakota senators voted Wednesday to advance a constitutional amendment that would allow sports wagering by mobile and other electronic platforms statewide - as long as the bets run through a Deadwood-licensed casino and the system's servers are located inside Deadwood city limits. Supporters say South Dakotans alr...

A South Dakota Senate bill that would have put "parental rights" into state law failed Thursday - one vote short of the majority needed - after opponents warned it could complicate child-abuse cases and delay emergency medical care. Senate Bill 190, sponsored by Sen. Tamara Grove, R-Lower Brule, received 17 y...

Gov. Larry Rhoden called Thursday for a 1 percent increase in state funding for public education, Medicaid, and state employees after lawmakers boosted ongoing revenue estimates by about $30 million. The Union Center rancher unveiled the proposal at a 10:30 a.m. press conference at the state Capitol, a few hours after ...

South Dakota's latest revenue forecast came in nearly $31 million higher than Gov. Larry Rhoden's original projection. The higher revenue number gives lawmakers breathing room to consider increased spending on education, state employee salaries and community services. The Joint Committee on Appropriations learned Thurs...

The South Dakota House rejected legislation that would have protected healthcare providers from being required to participate in medical services that violate their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. House Bill 1153 failed on a 25-41 vote on Tuesday. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Les Heinemann, R-Flandreau, would ...

The Senate Education Committee sent a bill restricting student cell phone use to the Senate floor without a recommendation Tuesday morning after tense debate over local control and student well-being. Senate Bill 198, introduced by Sen. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, would prohibit students from using cell phones during th...

The South Dakota Senate passed legislation Monday creating a new crime for people who witness a suicide attempt but intentionally fail to call for help. Senate Bill 122, which supporters dubbed "Josh's Bill," passed 24-9 after emotional floor debate about the balance between preventing suicides and criminaliz...

A Senate committee voted Monday to kill legislation that would have narrowed an exemption in South Dakota's open records law covering government emails and other correspondence stored on public computer systems. The Senate State Affairs Committee voted 8-1 to defer Senate Bill 94 to the 41st legislative day, a procedur...

The House Education Committee on Monday advanced a bill that would change how South Dakota calculates annual increases to K‑12 education funding, sending it to House Appropriations without a recommendation after a tied vote. House Bill 1205 would change the state's education funding formula so annual increases match ...

A Senate committee voted Friday to advance a proposed constitutional amendment that would ask South Dakota voters whether to allow sports wagering through a mobile or electronic platform. The Senate Taxation Committee voted 4-3 to give a do-pass recommendation to Senate Joint Resolution 504, sending the measure to the...

The Senate Taxation Committee split Friday on competing property tax proposals, advancing one bill to create a homeowner tax relief fund and shelving another that would have committed the state to at least $100 million a year. The losing measure depended on the scheduled end of the state's 4.2 percent sales tax rate in...

The South Dakota House rejected a bill on Thursday that would have protected pharmacists and doctors from liability when dispensing ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine without individual prescriptions. House Bill 1068 failed 28-40. The measure would have allowed pharmacists to dispense the two drugs to adults 18 and olde...

South Dakota's congressional delegation is voicing support for allowing year‑round sales of E‑15 gasoline, a fuel blend containing 15 percent ethanol. The issue gained attention last week when President Trump, during a visit to Iowa, said he believed congressional leaders were close to finalizing a deal. Senator Mi...

Law enforcement is warning parents about a dangerous online group that is targeting children around the world. The group, known as "764," operates across platforms like Roblox and Discord, and investigators say members manipulate minors into committing crimes in exchange for gaming credits or money. Hollie St...

South Dakota's two largest airports are set to receive major upgrades after securing $50 million in federal funding. The money is part of a larger $145 million spending package obtained by U.S. Senator Mike Rounds. Rapid City Regional Airport will receive $20 million for its terminal expansion, which includes five new ...

The South Dakota Senate voted 30-4 on Wednesday to increase criminal penalties for using threats or violence to prevent someone from practicing their religion. Why it matters SB 113 raises the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony, increasing pen Supporters say the change responds to recent incidents where protesters ...

A bill to exempt data center equipment and software from South Dakota sales and use taxes failed in the House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday after nearly two hours of testimony that split lawmakers, industry representatives, and local officials over whether the state should offer tax incentives for large-scale da...

Mount Rushmore. The Badlands. Bison. Three things that come to mind when thinking of South Dakota scenery. Of the 400,000 bison that currently live in North America, around 10% - nearly 40,000 - roam the state's landscape. It makes sense then that the epicenter of bison research would also be here, where it can have th...

A Senate committee advanced legislation Tuesday that would prohibit registered sex offenders from living within 500 feet of licensed daycare facilities, closing what supporters call a dangerous gap in South Dakota law. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4-3 to send Senate Bill 107 to the full Senate. The measure adds...

A Senate committee deferred action Tuesday on a bill that would require people to call for help when they witness emergencies, after emotional testimony about a suicide and concerns the measure is too broadly written. Senate Bill 122 would make it a Class 2 misdemeanor for anyone at an emergency scene who knows another...

The House Education Committee killed a bill Monday that would have removed enhanced permit rules for concealed carry on SD college campuses. The committee killed HB 1133 on a 9 to 6 vote. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dylan Jordan, R-Clear Lake, would have removed the requirement that individuals hold an enhanced permit ...

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved a bill Monday to form a task force on emergency medical services funding. This action recognizes the significant challenges facing the state's ambulance system, particularly in rural areas. Senate Bill 89, sponsored by Sen. Tim Reed, R-Brookings, would...

South Dakota is becoming part of a growing national debate over "critical minerals," as global demand for rare earth elements and similar materials continues to rise. The U.S. has identified 50 minerals essential to economic and military security, and South Dakota is known to contain reserves of 15 of them - ...

A South Dakota Senate committee has rejected a bill that would have limited civil liability for gun ranges. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-1 on Thursday to defer Senate Bill 103 to the 41st legislative day, effectively killing the proposal for the session. The bill, sponsored by Senator John Carley of Piedmont,...

South Dakota lawmakers are advancing a bill that would give utilities new legal protections when wildfires are linked to their equipment. On Tuesday, the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee voted 6 to 3 to move the proposal to the full Senate. The bill would let utilities file wildfire mitigation plans outlining highâ...

A House agriculture committee on Tuesday advanced a bill that would ban the sale of lab-grown meat in South Dakota by defining it as "adulterated food," setting up a broader debate over food safety, free markets, and the future of the state's cattle industry. House Bill 1077 cleared the House Agriculture and ...

A North Dakota man has been sentenced to ten years in prison, with one year suspended, for a crash that seriously injured a woman during the 2024 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Thirty-seven-year-old Robert Shipp pleaded guilty in October to vehicular battery. Prosecutors say Shipp was riding a motorcycle at the Buffalo Chip...

South Dakota is preparing to launch a new pretrial supervision program in Pennington County, aimed at improving oversight of people released from jail before trial. Chief Justice Steven Jensen told lawmakers that judges often order defendants to get chemical dependency evaluations or treatment, but in most counties, no...

The South Dakota Department of Corrections says it's working to sharply reduce turnover among its security staff over the next year. Corrections Secretary Nick Lamb told lawmakers that while job vacancies have dropped from 27 percent in 2022 to just 5 percent today, turnover has nearly doubled since 2020 - rising from ...

After years of steady increase, opioid overdose deaths in the United States dropped sharply in 2023 - and continued falling into 2024. A new analysis suggests that the reversal may not be driven by better policy or treatment access, but by something more fragile: a disruption in the illicit fentanyl supply. For South D...

A rare tie-breaking vote by Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen sent Senate Bill 25 to the House Wednesday, after the Senate split 17-17 on final passage. Venhuizen, who presides over the Senate and votes only in the event of a tie, broke the deadlock with a "yes" vote, giving the Public Utilities Commission bill the min...

The South Dakota Senate has approved a new optional license plate design that could generate millions of dollars a year for road maintenance. Senate Bill 24 creates a solid-background license plate option, including black plates with white lettering and white plates with black lettering. The Department of Revenue broug...

A South Dakota Senate committee voted Wednesday to kill a bill that would have set nearly all local property tax levies at zero, citing a lack of a funding plan and concerns about local control. The Senate Taxation Committee voted 7-0 to send Senate Bill 58 to the 41st legislative day, effectively defeating the proposa...

Flu season arrives every year, but public health officials are watching this one a little more closely because of a newly dominant strain of influenza A(H3N2) that emerged after this season's vaccine formula was finalized. The strain, known as H3N2 subclade K, accumulated enough genetic changes to draw notice from epid...

A Senate committee advanced a bill Tuesday that would give landlords more time to return security deposits, a change supporters said reflects real-world repair delays while keeping strict tenant protections in place. The Senate Commerce and Energy Committee voted unanimously to send Senate Bill 4 to the full Senate on ...

Two bills aimed at easing staffing pressures on South Dakota ambulance services advanced Tuesday from the House Health and Human Services Committee, with supporters saying the measures clarify liability rules and restore flexibility for rural and volunteer EMS crews. Together, the two measures address long-standing wor...

South Dakota's Pennington County has agreed to stop jailing people who can't afford the daily fees tied to the state's 24/7 Sobriety Program. The decision comes as part of a federal class‑action settlement brought by Rapid City resident Ricky Lookingback, who was jailed after he couldn't pay a $10 drug‑testing fee....

A proposal to change how South Dakota distributes money from its main economic development fund stalled Friday after a tied vote in the Senate State Affairs Committee. Senate Bill 1, which would revise the process for awarding loans and grants from the Employer's Investment in South Dakota's Future Fund, failed on a 4-...

Lawmakers questioned Friday whether South Dakota's ambulance services can remain viable amid aging equipment, reliance on volunteers, and limited reimbursement during a Senate Health and Human Services Committee briefing on rural health funding. Health Secretary Melissa Magstadt briefed the committee on the state's Rur...

Gov. Larry Rhoden on Thursday signed an executive order establishing formal guidelines for how his administration will award and oversee grants from South Dakota's Future Fund, a long-running economic development program. Rhoden said the order is designed to strengthen accountability while preserving flexibility for ec...

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill Thursday that would increase criminal penalties for drugs inside South Dakota prisons, despite pointed warnings that tougher sentences could worsen addiction and drive up incarceration costs. Ingestion bill dominates hearing Senate Bill 42 would increase penalties for poss...

Rosebud Sioux Tribe President Kathleen Woodenknife used this year's State of the Tribes address to press South Dakota lawmakers for structural changes in how the state works with tribal governments, with a focus on healthcare delivery, law enforcement authority, and regular government-to-government consultation Tuesday...

A Spearfish woman has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for her role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy operating across western South Dakota. Sindy Richards, 35, received the sentence on Monday in federal court. She was indicted in November 2024 and later pleaded guilty on Oct. 6, 2025, to conspiri...

South Dakota Chief Justice Steven Jensen used his 2026 State of the Judiciary address on Tuesday to signal long-term structural changes in indigent defense and criminal case processing, while stopping short of requesting major new funding this legislative session. Jensen told lawmakers the Unified Judicial System is la...

Gov. Larry Rhoden opened the 2026 legislative session Tuesday by urging lawmakers to recommit to civility and outlining an agenda centered on property tax relief, public safety, and economic growth. In his first full State of the State address since taking office, Rhoden proposed giving counties the option to replace t...

The state's Board of Water and Natural Resources has signed off on nearly 49 million dollars in loans and grants to upgrade drinking water and wastewater systems statewide. The announcement came Wednesday from the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Most of the funding - about 37 million dollars - comes in...

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says an investigation into a former state DMV employee has now identified 50 victims connected to unlawful computer access and computer-generated pornography. Sixty-eight-year-old Mark Rathbun of Aberdeen was first charged in November with solicitation of rape, child pornogra...

Drivers across the region are seeing a rare dip at the pump. GasBuddy forecasts that average U.S. gas prices could fall below $3 per gallon this year for the first time since before the pandemic. In South Dakota, the latest survey shows an average of $2.49 per gallon, down 5 cents in a week and 26 cents lower than this...

A Pine Ridge man has pleaded guilty in federal court to killing his nephew last May. Eric Anduja, 53, was admitted Tuesday to voluntary manslaughter, a reduced charge from the original count of second‑degree murder. According to court documents, Anduja told investigators he became angry with his nephew, 32‑year‑o...

Gov. Larry Rhoden has signed a disaster declaration requesting FEMA assistance after the Dec. 17 windstorm that brought 100+ mph gusts and caused major damage across Pennington, Custer, and Fall River counties. State officials say public damages have exceeded the $1.72 million threshold required for federal aid. Cleanu...

A packed Spearfish City Council meeting on Monday ended with four council members publicly calling for the removal of City Administrator Bobby Falcon, citing concerns about performance, transparency, and communication with staff and residents. The city attorney will seek guidance from the Attorney General on whether th...

(--Side Commentary, which I very rarely do when I post News or Sports stories. Here is what I say: Believe me, you don't want to go through carbon monoxide poisoning. I, personally, have. It is not something you want to mess with. Get those detectors.--Ryan R. Reider) The Spearfish Fire Department encourages everyo...

The disconnect is often described as ideological. A closer look at how policymakers themselves describe early childhood investment suggests something else is going on: childcare doesn't fail because legislators don't believe it matters - it fails because it sits in the wrong mental category. Why it matters A new survey...

South Dakota fits a rural-state risk profile outlined in a national public-health report published Nov. 3 aimed at reducing firearm deaths: states where suicide and household access drive most firearm fatalities, according to a consensus report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The report, &...

South Dakotans who rely on the mail for ballots, tax payments, prescriptions, or legal filings face a new and largely invisible risk: a piece of mail can now be considered late even if it was mailed on time. In late December, the U.S. Postal Service finalized a rule clarifying that official postmarks are applied when m...

The 2026 pet tags are in, and the Spearfish Police Department encourages pet owners to stop in to get their pets licensed for the new year. By City ordinance, all pets residing within City limits are required to have a pet tag. Residents registering their pets need to provide owner contact information, basic informatio...

Spearfish Mayor John Senden will proclaim March 15, 2026, as "Scooby Day" during the January 5th City Council meeting, in response to a citizen request to establish a day to honor the late Spearfish Police Department Community Service Dog. "Scooby was far more than a police department mascot, he was a sy...

This isn't just a drinking story. South Dakota consistently ranks at or near the top nationally for DUI arrests per capita. Depending on the analysis, the state is first or second in the nation, with arrest rates approaching 900 to 940 per 100,000 people-well above neighboring states and far above the national average....

Nearly half of South Dakotans worry they cannot afford necessary healthcare in the coming year, according to a comprehensive new national survey that highlights persistent problems with medical costs and access across the state. Middling Grades Across the Board South Dakota ranked 21st out of 51 jurisdictions in the We...

As people from the Northern Plains gather with family and friends for winter holiday feasts, health experts are offering home chefs tips to make sure they won't get anyone sick. Brad Reisfeld, toxicologist and professor emeritus of public health at Colorado State University, studies how foreign chemicals, such as those...