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7 days ago in Entertainment

Reese Witherspoon’s new mission: How she plans to inspire young readers

Oscar-winning actor and book club impresario Reese Witherspoon is teaming up with her publisher, Hachette Book Group, on a literacy campaign.

7 days ago in Sports

Ohio State is No. 1 in AP Top 25; LSU, Miami into top 5, Florida State is back and Alabama plummets

Ohio State climbed to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll on Tuesday, LSU and Miami moved into the top five, and Florida State jumped back into the rankings at the expense of Alabama, which plummeted to its lowest spot in 17 seasons.

7 days ago in National

Pentagon authorizes up to 600 military lawyers to serve as temporary immigration judges

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved sending up to 600 military lawyers to the Justice Department to serve as temporary immigration judges, according to a memo reviewed by The Associated Press.

1 week ago in

September Marks Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness and encourage life-saving conversations. The National Alliance on Mental Illness urges people to recognize warning signs, talk openly, and offer support with the message: Start a conversation. Be the difference. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential help.

1 week ago in

Mitchell Pair Plead Not Guilty in Child Abuse Case; Trials Set for December

A Mitchell woman and man accused in a major child abuse case pleaded not guilty last week in Davison County court. Becky Robertson faces charges of accessory to a felony and witness tampering, while Eric Opperman is charged with 44 felonies and a misdemeanor tied to alleged abuse involving multiple minors over more than a decade.

Mitchell teachers KIDS Grants Mitchell classroom funding 2025 KIDS Grant program South Dakota Mitchell school creative projects teacher grants for technology Mitchell SD hands-on learning grants Mitchell sensory tools and reading resources Mitchell fitness and cross-curricular projects South Dakota education grants Mitchell schools community support

1 week ago in

Mitchell Teachers Get $14K in KIDS Grants for Classroom Projects

Eight Mitchell teachers are starting the school year with new classroom resources thanks to $14,000 in KIDS Grants. The awards, ranging from $700 to $5,000, support creative projects, technology, sensory tools, fitness events, and new reading resources. Now in its 11th year, the KIDS Grant program has invested more than $174,000 in Mitchell classrooms, funded by donations from local families, businesses, and organizations.

1 week ago in

Corn Palace Seats Headed for Scrap After Auction Winner No-Shows

The historic Corn Palace seats are headed for salvage after the top bidder in an online auction failed to pick them up. A city crew began hauling the 1,772 chairs to H and R Salvage west of Mitchell, where the wood will be separated and the metal recycled.

1 week ago in

Sioux Falls Veteran, 95, Shatters Records at Senior Games

At 95 years old, Sioux Falls athlete Don Phillips is breaking national records at the National Senior Games in Iowa. The Korean War veteran and retired veterinarian won gold medals in multiple events, including sprints and shot put, while setting new records in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

1 week ago in

South Dakota Greenlights $1.1 Billion Transportation Plan

South Dakota will invest more than $1.1 billion in road and bridge projects under a newly approved four-year transportation plan starting in 2026. The plan dedicates nearly $600 million for highway upgrades, $400 million for bridge repairs and replacements, and additional funding for safety improvements. Transportation officials emphasize maintaining existing infrastructure as a top priority but warn that declining fuel tax revenues and uncertain federal funding could impact projects. The $245 million Platte-Winner bridge rebuild has already been delayed until next year.

1 week ago in

Governor Rhoden Sends South Dakota Guard Unit to Washington

Governor Larry Rhoden has approved the deployment of 12 South Dakota National Guard soldiers from the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment in Rapid City to Washington, D.C. The troops will support the DC National Guard on a 30-day mission, with the option to extend up to 90 days.

1 week ago in

Davison County Commission to Hear Budget, Jail Contract, and Corn Palace Items

The Davison County Commission meets this morning in Mitchell with a full agenda, including a public hearing on a temporary liquor license and raffle for the Corn Palace Shrine Club, a discussion with Sheriff Harr about the jail phone contract and training requests, and the 2026 provisional budget hearing and adoption. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the North Offices Building on North Main Street.

1 week ago in Features

How to draw every president and first lady in 4 steps

John Hutton, a North Carolina art history professor who draws in his spare time, outlined his four-step technique in a new book, "How to Draw the Presidents & First Ladies," published in July by the White House Historical Association.

1 week ago in Entertainment

Oscar buzz builds for Dwayne Johnson’s role as Mark Kerr in ‘The Smashing Machine’

Dwayne Johnson takes a serious turn as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine," which had its world premiere Monday at the Venice Film Festival. "I have for a long time wanted this," Johnson said before the premiere.

1 week ago in Sports

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek roll into the quarterfinals at the US Open

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek rolled into the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open, showing off what once made each of them the top-ranked women's tennis player in the world.

1 week ago in Sports

Belichick’s college coaching debut at North Carolina ends in blowout loss to TCU

Monday night's hyped-up debut turned into a romp by TCU — along with a reminder that even an NFL icon with six Super Bowl titles as a head coach can't just magically turn the Tar Heels into winners after decades of also-ran status.

1 week ago in Entertainment, Trending

Anna Wintour taps Chloe Malle as Vogue successor — but she’s still in charge

Anna Wintour ended weeks of fashion-world speculation Tuesday when she named Chloe Malle her successor as head of editorial content at Vogue — but the most powerful person in the business isn't going anywhere.

1 week ago in World

Rescuers race to find Afghan quake survivors as death toll passes 1,400

The Taliban said the death toll from a major earthquake in eastern Afghanistan passed 1,400 on Tuesday, with more than 3,000 people injured, as the United Nations warned of an exponential rise in casualties.

1 week ago in College, High School,

Sports Roundup: Tuesday 9/2/25

Mitchell Golf The Kernel boys golf team will compete in the Marchand Cup this afternoon. They’ll be facing Yankton at…

1 week ago in

Nonprofit Leader Bill Mawhiney Enters U.S. House Race

Bill Mawhiney, longtime leader of the South Dakota Afterschool Network, has launched his campaign for the U.S. House. Emphasizing that he is not a career politician, Mawhiney says his focus will be on putting people ahead of politics and giving rural and working families a stronger voice. Based in Sioux Falls, where he lives with his husband and two children, Mawhiney has spent nearly 20 years championing childcare, education, and afterschool programs across South Dakota.

1 week ago in

Mitchell Man Faces Child Sex Abuse Charges

A 65-year-old Mitchell man, Curtis Buchholz Sr., is facing serious felony charges after multiple juveniles accused him of sexual abuse spanning several years. Arrested in late August, Buchholz pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual contact with a child under 16, each carrying a potential 15-year prison sentence. The first report surfaced in 2023, with additional victims later coming forward. His trial is scheduled for December, where he could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted.

Recent Headlines

2 hours ago in Business, Government, Lifestyle, Local

Three members to join DWU Board of Trustees

Fresh

MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan University announces the appointment of three members to its Board of Trustees. Diane DesLauriers is…

2 hours ago in Business, Farm, Government, Lifestyle, Local, People

Gas Leak Reported at Mitchell Plant

Fresh

A gas leak at High Plains Processing in Mitchell prompted a fire crew response Sunday after a mower struck a gas line. No injuries were reported.

2 hours ago in Business, Government, Lifestyle, Local, People

Lawmakers Set Special Session on $650M Sioux Falls Prison Proposal

South Dakota special session Sept. 23 $650 million Sioux Falls prison proposal South Dakota men’s prison debate Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko resignation calls Sen. Kevin Jensen Canton opposition South Dakota prison operational costs state legislature prison vote 2025 South Dakota Department of Corrections new state prison plan controversy South Dakota lawmakers prison decision

South Dakota lawmakers will debate a $650M Sioux Falls prison plan Sept. 23. Some oppose costs and Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko’s leadership.