Education

6 days ago

25 students qualify for South Dakota State Spelling Bee

Twenty-five elementary and middle school students have qualified for the South Dakota State Spelling Bee on Feb. 7 at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell. The winner advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington in May.

2 weeks ago

Build Dakota Scholarship applications open at Lake Area Tech; deadline March 31, 2026

Lake Area Technical College is encouraging students and families to apply for the Build Dakota Scholarship — a full-ride award for high-demand technical programs — before the March 31, 2026 deadline.

2 weeks ago

DWU’s Kelley Center names two new Entrepreneurs in Residence

Dakota Wesleyan University’s Kelley Center for Entrepreneurship has selected two Mitchell leaders — Jessica Callies and Elizabeth Luczak — to serve as its 2026 Entrepreneurs in Residence, connecting students and the community with local change-makers.

3 weeks ago

Federal student loan wage garnishment to resume in 2026, affecting thousands of South Dakotans

The U.S. Department of Education says wage garnishment for defaulted student loans will resume in early 2026, potentially affecting thousands of South Dakota borrowers carrying $3.7 billion in federal education debt.

3 weeks ago

Lake Area Tech cites record enrollment, Build Dakota scholarships and $100M campus expansion plan heading into 2026

Lake Area Technical College in Watertown says enrollment is at record levels as it promotes the Build Dakota Scholarship, expands nursing training to Pierre, and advances a long-term campus plan estimated at $100 million.

4 weeks ago

Watertown School District cuts student lunch debt by $20,500 after Sharp Automotive, anonymous donations

Watertown School District officials say more than $20,500 in donations — including $10,500 from Sharp Automotive and a $10,000 anonymous gift — will be applied to outstanding student meal balances.

Recent Headlines

2 days ago in Sports

College Football Playoff to remain at 12 teams after SEC and Big Ten fail to agree on expansion

The College Football Playoff resolved a few of its thorny issues Friday — including how to deal with Notre Dame — but left the toughest one unresolved, staying at 12 teams for next year and failing to expand the postseason to 16 or more.

2 days ago in College, High School, Local Sports, Sports

WEEKEND SPORTS: Area Basketball Slate, Trio of Mitchell Activities & DWU events, SDSU WBB set to play, Timberwolves vs Warriors & NFL Conference Championship Sunday

Area high school basketball slate for the weekend, Mitchell & DWU's trio of activities, SDSU WBB, Timberwolves vs Warriors and the NFL's AFC/NFC Championship games.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Review confirms journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s 2005 death was a suicide

A review of the 2005 shooting death of journalist Hunter S. Thompson has confirmed authorities' original finding that his death was a suicide, Colorado investigators said Friday.