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 high�...

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...

South Dakota enters the 2025-2026 influenza season after several recent winters marked by elevated flu activity, according to the South Dakota Department of Health. State health officials say influenza remains a persistent threat for older adults, young children, and people with chronic medical conditions, particularly...

I grew up believing Christmas was supposed to feel a certain way. The TV specials and the church programs promised warmth, wonder, and a kind of uncomplicated joy. But that never matched what I felt in the back seat of our Ford LTD on those winter drives from Yankton to my grandparents' home in Hampton, Nebraska. We tr...

Thursday, January 8 Armchair Travelers Book Club discussing Young Adult Novels Sturgis Public Library's Lushbough Room, 12:00 noon Thursday, January 8 Sturgis Area Arts Council Meeting Sturgis Public Library's Lushbough Room, 2:30pm Friday, January 16 History at High Noon - Tim Velder presents "Neva Esmay: A prair...

Only about one in five Americans eligible for lung cancer screening actually get tested, missing a chance to prevent tens of thousands of deaths annually, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The findings have particular significance for South Dakota and the Northe...

A major national study reveals nearly one in 150 pregnancies ends in stillbirth - a rate higher than previously reported - raising urgent questions about prevention efforts in South Dakota, where maternal mortality already reaches well above the national average. The research, published Oct. 27 in the Journal of the Am...

The Spearfish High School Activities Department has announced its 2025 Fine Arts Hall of Fame class, honoring two alumni whose careers have left a lasting impact on the arts. This year's inductees are Michael Kent Knutson, Class of 2005 (PICTURED ABOVE) , recognized for his achievements in visual arts, and the late Kur...

Toy Distribution Date: December 20th, 2025 Time: 8am-2pm Location: Uptown Rapid (Rushmore Mall) Old K9 Bar Location 2200 N Maple St, Rapid City, SD However, we still need gifts for: Girls-aged 8-17 Boys-aged 10-17 We can accept new, unwrapped toys or a monetary donation to help fill this need. The drop off locations ar...

South Dakota farmers face widening financial losses as tariff-driven price drops collide with rising production costs, forcing taxpayers to cover billions in emergency payments that still trail behind the damage. Why It Matters The state's farm economy enters 2026 under pressure. Tariffs have reworked global trade flow...

Thanks to the tremendous support from our KDSJ, KOTA Radio, Eagle Country, X Rock, Q-92, and Z106-3 listeners, our Feed the Need Food Drive for Feeding South Dakota collected 5,157 pounds of food-providing 4,298 meals for our food-insecure neighbors in the Black Hills. You can always contribute. You can contact Feeding...

New federal charges, stacked county court calendars, and finalized hospital tallies show the 2025 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally continues to move through South Dakota's legal and medical systems months after the engines shut down. The rally's extended footprint includes child‑exploitation charges, a Meade County docket th...

Gov. Larry Rhoden's first budget includes a $296,000 increase for South Dakota Public Broadcasting to offset lost federal funding and preserve the network's government transparency work, according to his budget address delivered Tuesday. Rhoden told lawmakers the money will support SDPB's "open government platform...

Gov. Larry Rhoden opened his first budget Tuesday, holding K-12 education, healthcare provider rates, and state employee pay flat as the state adjusts to slower sales-tax growth and prepares for the 2026 legislative session. The plan relies on $51.6 million in new ongoing revenue and increases reserves to 12.5 percent,...

South Dakota Public Broadcasting will feature three documentaries highlighting young people with disabilities from Rapid City and Spearfish in its Thanksgiving Day programming lineup. The special programming block, airing Thursday evening, showcases stories of resilience and creativity among youth with intellectual, ph...

Black Hills State University has earned top honors in Research.com's 2026 rankings. The Spearfish campus was named the best college in South Dakota and also ranked number one for affordability. University President Steve Elliott says the recognition highlights BHSU's welcoming spirit and commitment to personalized educ...

Monument Health, the region's only hospital provider, is bracing for major changes after Sanford Health announced plans for a $500 million medical campus in Rapid City. The new facility, backed by a $300 million donation from philanthropist Denny Sanford, will include a 168‑bed hospital and specialty clinics by 2030....

The Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center is inviting the community to embrace the holiday spirit with a brand-new tradition: Light Up the Season. From December 1 through December 31, residents and visitors can tour Spearfish and enjoy dazzling light displays created by local homeowners and businesses. This festive initi...

A worldwide measles resurgence that stripped Canada of its disease-free status is hitting close to home across the Northern Plains, where falling vaccination rates have left communities vulnerable to the highly contagious virus. South Dakota has reported 12 confirmed measles cases since May, according to the state Depa...

South Dakota health officials are urging residents to get flu vaccinations as national health experts warn of a potentially difficult flu season, coming on the heels of what health officials called the state's most severe season in 15 years. Why it matters The U.S. flu season is just beginning to ramp up, but internati...

A committee of South Dakota lawmakers expressed support Thursday for legislative efforts to rein in powers that some committee members said Republican former Gov. Kristi Noem abused. The Legislature's Government Operations and Audit Committee, which met at the Capitol in Pierre, endorsed draft legislation that would ta...

Power was cut to much of Western South Dakota and Wyoming Thursday. Black Hills Energy explains the work they did to restore power to Western South Dakota and beyond. According to a social media post from Black Hills Energy, the outage comes from a transmission facility located outside of our system that caused generat...

As the federal government reopens, South Dakota farmers are getting some clarity, too, with a Farm Bill extension. But support organizations say smaller farms remain in a tough spot to boost land health and profits. Once again, Congress reauthorized the Farm Bill by one more year, rather than renegotiate this sprawling...

🔺 Nov. 13, 8:30 p.m. MST - Power has been restored to nearly all Black Hills Energy customers impacted by today's regional transmission outage. Some customers may be experiencing partial power in areas of their home or business. If that's the case, you are encouraged to check for a tripped breaker or an outlet with ...

The Deadwood City Commission held its first reading of the proposed 2026 municipal budget Monday,November 10, 2025 totaling $25,088,965-down more than $2 million from the previous year. Finance Officer Jessicca McKeown attributed the decrease to the completion of a $3 million water redundancy line project and debt repa...

Rural-centric organizations remain worried about the loss of family farms and how it changes a town's identity, and they hope South Dakota farmers have more conversations about a transition plan. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of South Dakota farms decreased by more than 3,600, while the average farm size increased....

Thursday, November 6 Armchair Travelers Book Club ~ come tell us about your favorite children's or pre-teen book Sturgis Public Library's Lushbough Room, 12:00 pm Thursday, November 13 Sturgis Area Arts Council Meeting Sturgis Public Library's Lushbough Room, 2:30 pm Friday, November 21 History at High Noon ~ Program i...

While chronic joint pain surged across most of America over the past decade, South Dakota emerged as a puzzling exception-one that challenges researchers' understanding of what drives arthritis-related suffering. Between 2011 and 2021, South Dakota was one of only four states where joint pain prevalence actually decrea...

South Dakota Public Broadcasting endured a brutal year. The broadcaster survived a proposed 65 percent budget cut. It lost all federal funding. Now it races to raise $2 million before Halloween. SDPB has nine days. The network raised $1.9 million-95 percent of its goal. Success means survival. Failure could end SDPB as...

South Dakota drivers are among the millions of Americans engaging in aggressive driving behaviors at alarming rates, according to a comprehensive study released in September by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The national survey of 3,020 drivers found that 96 percent of American motorists admitted to at least on...

South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds is pushing back against President Trump's plan to provide $40 billion in assistance to Argentina, warning that associated beef imports could devastate American ranchers already struggling with market challenges. Rounds met with Trump and Agriculture Secretary Rollins on Tuesday after re...

Microplastics are turning up not just in oceans and rivers but across the Northern Plains, from South Dakota's prairie lakes to Montana's mountain streams. Regional studies confirm the presence of plastic fragments in water and soil throughout the interior U.S., though statewide counts remain scarce, and nanoplastics-p...

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson drew a hard line last Thursday, October 16, 2025 against extending COVID-era health care subsidies. He declared he won't vote to reopen the federal government if it means continuing what he called fiscally irresponsible payments to families earning up to 700 percent of the federal poverty level....

La Niña conditions are present and are expected to persist through December-February, according to the Climate Prediction Center, which forecasts a shift to neutral during January-March 2026. Forecasters say a La Niña winter typically brings below‑normal temperatures to the Northern Plains while precipi...

Monument Health has finalized the purchase of Northern Hills Cinema in Spearfish, entering a lease agreement with local entrepreneurs Doug Markworth and Norm Fasse. This ensures the continued operation of the theater for the Spearfish community. The acquisition, part of Monument Health's long-term strategic planning, c...

South Dakota's healthcare infrastructure faces significant vulnerability to extreme weather and natural hazards, according to a groundbreaking Commonwealth Fund study that ranks the state among those at highest risk due to severe winter weather and extreme storms. The Commonwealth Fund State Scorecard on Climate, Healt...

South Dakota's national parks generated more than $524 million in visitor spending and supported more than 5,200 jobs in 2024, according to new data from the National Park Service and Headwaters Economics. The state's three National Park Service units - Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and Wind...

South Dakota health leaders are trying to jump-start conversations about the world of social media and teens, including the tricky situation for parents when they want to establish safeguards. Researchers continue to examine the harms of excessive screen time and certain app features for all age groups. The developing ...

South Dakota's traditional Medicaid expansion without work requirements resulted in significantly higher coverage gains than Georgia's Pathways to Coverage program with mandatory work requirements during the first 15 months of implementation, according to a study published Monday, October 6, 2025 in The BMJ. The resear...

Jon Winkler, Riverfront Broadcasting Pierre, was awarded the 2025 Sports Broadcaster of the Year by the South Dakota Broadcasters Association (SDBA) at their annual leadership conference in Sioux Falls. The award recognizes a South Dakota sports broadcaster for their contribution to the field of sports broadcasting and...

Take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, an awareness event which aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. It is coordinate...

Farmers across South Dakota and the Northern Plains report tighter margins this fall as tariffs, weak exports, and heavy crops push prices down, even as the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects higher net farm income nationally for 2025. The federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 has delayed farm payments and...

(From Mike Moen-Producer, Greater Dakota News Service The government shutdown is getting attention, but farmers in South Dakota also wonder where things stand with agriculture programs now that the Farm Bill has expired. With federal lawmakers locked in a budget stalemate, the current Farm Bill ended Tuesday. Often upd...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) The federal shutdown hit day three Thursday, October 2, 2025 with South Dakota's congressional delegation offering competing visions for ending the standoff, even as all three Republicans blame Senate Democrats for the crisis. Federal workers are getting furlough notices, and agenc...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) As the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally drew hundreds of thousands of bikers, vendors and tourists to the Black Hills, tribal leaders again pointed north toward Bear Butte-Matȟó Pahá in Lakota-and raised alarms that the annual roar is squeezing the sacred site. Bear But...

(From Scott Sundberg, Hub City Radio) A federal government shutdown could stall progress on Alzheimer's research, drug trials, and caregiver support, according to the South Dakota chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. State Executive Director Leslie Morrow said even a brief lapse in funding carries consequences. &quo...

Thursday, October 2 Armchair Travelers Book Club Come tell us about your favorite adult fiction book Sturgis Public Library's Lushbough Room, 12:00 pm Thursday, October 9 Sturgis Area Arts Council Meeting Sturgis Library's Lushbough Room, 2:30 pm Friday, October 17 History at High Noon "What's in the names? For Wo...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) As Congress edges closer to a budget stalemate, South Dakota is staring down the barrel of real-world consequences. Federal paychecks, farm aid, and medical clinics face disruption if lawmakers can't reach a deal by Wednesday, Oct. 1 - though some vital checks will still arrive, ag...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is breaking with the Trump administration on two fronts - a warning about Tylenol and the government's role in what Americans see on TV. Speaking on CNN's Inside Politics, Thune pushed back after President Donald Trump and Health and Human...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) Tax collections from the 2025 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally totaled $1.58 million, marking a 13% increase over last year's $1.4 million, the South Dakota Department of Revenue reported. State sales tax made up the largest portion at $901,513, up from $790,805 in 2024. The rally also gen...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) Tribal leaders across South Dakota and the Northern Plains face mounting barriers to developing energy projects despite billions in potential federal support, according to a new Government Accountability Office report. The GAO found that the Department of Energy's Tribal Energy Fin...

(From Todd Epp, South Dakota Broadcasters Association) A joint legislative committee advanced Governor Larry Rhoden's $650 million men's prison plan on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 13 to 2, after extended testimony on cost, size, and inmate care. Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen, who chaired the summer prison task for...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) The 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally drew crowds larger than last year's, but the roar of pipes is sharing space with a quieter message: bring the kids. City of Sturgis officials report the 25- to 44-year-old age group increased by three percent between 2022 and 2023. New concerts, ra...

The Spearfish Transportation Safety Action Plan website has launched! Learn about the plan and process, leave comments and ideas on an interaction public input map, find out about public engagement opportunities, and sign up for email updates at . In addition, the Safety Action Plan team will be present at the Autumn F...

The Spearfish City Council will consider the final reading of the 2026 appropriations (budget) ordinance during a Special Session at 5:30 p.m. Monday, September 22. The proposed budget totals $58,504,415 in expenditures for the City's 26 funds. The largest portion of the budgeted expenditures is planned to be spent on ...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) Black Hills Corp. and NorthWestern Energy announced Aug. 19 they will merge in an all-stock deal worth about $15.4 billion, according to Reuters. Under the agreement, NorthWestern shareholders will receive 0.98 shares of Black Hills for each share they hold, Reuters reported. Black...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission is expanding the territory in the Black Hills where hunters can use dogs to chase mountain lions. The change approved this week adds areas in the eastern and southern Hills. Commissioners also lifted a permit requirement for hunters ...

The Sturgis & Meade County Animal Shelter has reached full capacity and is unable to accept additional animals at this time. Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater said shelter staff are doing everything they can to care for the animals currently in their care, but space limitations are being pushed beyond normal ca...

This September, nonprofit Vitalant is, for the first time, offering blood donors an extra check on their health while they help save and improve the lives of patients. All who give blood Sept. 1-30 will receive a free hemoglobin A1C test providing donors key health information. Diabetes Can be Detected Early More than ...

There will be a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at 6:30 p.m. at Black Hills State University Lyle Hare Stadium to remember and honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, including the 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and 10 EMS personnel, as well as those who have passed since. Everyone is welcome to climb ...

Thursday, September 4 Armchair Travelers Book Club Sturgis Public Library's Lushbough Room, 12:00 noon Thursday, September 11 Sturgis Area Arts Council Meeting Sturgis Public Library's Lushbough Room, 2:30 pm

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) Iris Metals Ltd. is deepening its investment in South Dakota's Black Hills, reporting Thursday, August 28, some of its strongest lithium drilling results to date at the Edison project. The company completed a Phase I diamond drilling program of 15 holes totaling 2,278 meters at the...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) The 2025 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally generated more than $1.58 million in state and local tax collections, according to the South Dakota Department of Revenue. That's a 13 percent increase from 2024, fueled by a record 1,181 vendors, up 32 percent from the year before. The breakdown s...

Stay informed. Stay prepared. Whether it's a weather alert or City event, stay connected with real-time updates straight to your inbox or mobile device! "We want to highlight the simple, free, customizable options residents and visitors have to receive notifications from the City and encourage everyone to take adv...

Former staff members of South Dakota Public Broadcasting have started an alumni group to assist the network and its Friends organization in the wake of federal funding cuts. The group has four mandates: 1. Give money to SDPB to fund programming and operations; 2. Ask others to donate funds to SDPB and Friends; 3. Advoc...

Well-behaved dogs of all shapes and sizes, accompanied by their owners, are welcome to Dog Days at the water park from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, at the Spearfish Recreation and Aquatics Center. The pools are open for the pooches to swim, chase tennis balls, and enjoy some time in the water before the pools are dra...

Black Hills Corp. and NorthWestern Energy announced an all-stock merger on Tuesday, creating a new regional utility with a combined enterprise value of $15.4 billion. The merger, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, will form a single entity headquartered in Rapid City, South Dak...

Students and teachers soon will be celebrating the first day of school in Spearfish public schools. To ensure a safe start to the school year, the Spearfish Police Department reminds motorists and pedestrians to be alert near school zones. "After a summer of becoming acclimated to not seeing school buses, traffic ...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) South Dakota Public Broadcasting faces another funding challenge while it faces a substantial cut to its federal funding. But the new technology could also provide new opportunities for SDPB and South Dakotans. SDPB is evaluating "NextGen TV," or ATSC 3.0, to potentially ...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) As of Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, no law-enforcement agency has publicly confirmed a motorcycle fatality outside South Dakota involving a rider en route to, or returning from, the 2025 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. That absence of confirmation does not prove such deaths did not occur; many ...

Fall Clean Up is Friday and Saturday, September 12-13th. The Spearfish Restricted Use Site (RUS) will be waiving fees for residents of the City of Spearfish and Lawrence County on these days. The RUS will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fees will be waived for residential disposal of all acceptable items on these days...

All are invited to stop by Black Hills Energy Sports Complex, 350 W. Highway 14, for a free Touch A Truck Event from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, August 23rd! This event is organized by the City of Spearfish Safety Committee. "We're excited to host this family-friendly, hands-on experience to explore and interact ...

The Spearfish City Council Aug. 4 ratified the professional services agreement with SRF Consulting for the development of a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan, aimed at eliminating fatal crashes and significantly reducing severe injury crashes related to the City's street system. SS4A is a progra...

(From Scott Sundberg, Hub City Radio, and Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) South Dakota lawmakers opened two days of hearings this week in Aberdeen on the state's property tax system, hearing hours of public testimony about rising bills, uneven tax burdens, and possible reforms. The issue affects nearly every South Dako...

The South Dakota Commission on Gaming is alerting the public about an increase in fraudulent online casinos falsely claiming to be affiliated with licensed South Dakota gaming establishments. These unauthorized platforms use misleading advertisements, fake apps, and cloned websites to deceive consumers, posing signific...

Congress voted to eliminate all federal funding for public media beginning October 1, cutting $1.1 billion nationwide with little warning. South Dakota Public Broadcasting will lose $2.2 million a year-roughly 30 percent of its annual budget. SDPB now faces immediate programming cuts, budget revisions, and a major publ...

(From Mike Moen, Minnesota News Connection, Northern Plains News) A growing number of Americans rely substantially on Social Security payments, according to a recurring survey led by a key senior advocacy group, with fresh insights from Minnesotans as well. Every five years, AARP asks the public how it feels about the ...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) In the rolling prairies and small towns of South Dakota, access to health care remains a stubborn challenge. For many rural residents, the nearest clinic can be hours away, and the cost of care is often out of reach. But a new wave of pharmacist-driven mobile health clinics is work...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News South Dakota's teacher shortage extends beyond simple vacancy numbers, according to education policy analysts. Here are five essential facts every South Dakotan should understand about this ongoing crisis. 1. Rural Districts Face the Steepest Challenges Small, rural school districts...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) As South Dakota and the nation face summer storms, a new national poll reveals strong bipartisan opposition to proposed federal cuts to weather forecasting and disaster relief programs, including the National Weather Service and FEMA. South Dakota's lone congressman, Rep. Dusty Joh...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) 🏥 Emergency departments across South Dakota and the Midwest are reporting a surge in tick bites this summer, with data pointing to one of the busiest peak seasons for ticks in recent years. 📊 As of July 21, 2025, emergency rooms in the Midwest have seen 85 visits for tick bit...

(From Mike Moen, Greater Dakota News Service) In South Dakota and its neighbors to the west, grassroots groups are recruiting rural residents and other underrepresented people to seek elected office, including the local level. Organizers say they think there's renewed energy to bring fresh voices to politics. The Weste...

(From Brett Peveto, Greater Dakota News Service) Most Gen Z high school students and their parents are unaware of the range of options available to kids after graduation, according to a new survey. The Gallup Panel findings revealed more than half of families know "a great deal" about working at a paid job or...

Western South Dakota is beautiful, but it can also be unpredictable. Whether you're heading to the Badlands, Wind Cave, Black Elk Peak, Spearfish Canyon, or anyplace in between, make safety your top priority. Our response organizations are often stretched thin by responding to those who are unprepared for outdoor recre...

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) A new peer-reviewed study finds that four-day school weeks-adopted by a growing number of districts in South Dakota and neighboring states-are linked to lower student achievement, especially in non-rural schools and among female students. The research, which analyzed student test s...

Friday, July 18 - Homestake Opera House in Lead at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 20 - Harley-Davidson Point in Sturgis at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 - Herrmann Park in Belle Fourche at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 24- Outlaw Square in Deadwood at 7:00 p.m.

(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) House Democrats are demanding South Dakota's Kristi Noem immediately rescind a new policy that restricts congressional access to immigration detention facilities, calling the restrictions a violation of federal law and the Constitution. Ranking Member Robert Garcia of California an...

(From Scott Sundberg, Hub City Radio and Todd Epp, Northern Plains News) Congressman Dusty Johnson has officially entered the 2026 race for governor of South Dakota. Johnson made his announcement Monday and followed up Wednesday with an appearance on the KSDN Midday Report to outline his plans and policy focus. Johnson...

As summer kicks off, humans and pets alike are excited to enjoy the outdoors. Please consider conditions when planning trips, exercise, and daily routines to ensure your pet is safe and comfortable, and follow all animal ordinances designed for the wellbeing of the community. Spearfish is rife with beautiful areas user...

Thursday, July 3 Armchair Travelers Book Club Planning Meeting Sturgis Public Library's Lushbough Room, 12:00noon Thursday, July 10 S.A.A.C's July Meeting Sturgis Public Library's Lushbough Room, 2:30pm Sunday, July 20 Northern Hills Community Band Concert Sturgis Harley-Davidson Rally Point, 7:00pm Tuesday, August 26 ...

Across the nation, Independence Day will be observed over the upcoming holiday. The City of Spearfish encourages residents to celebrate and practice safety during all Fourth of July activities - and reminds everyone that fireworks are not allowed within City Limits nor the Black Hills Fire Protection District (See the ...