Government
4 hours ago
Minnehaha County commissioners approve pay raises of about 11% following compensation study
Minnehaha County commissioners voted 4-0 to raise their own pay for 2026 after a compensation and benefits study recommended adjustments across county government. Some residents testified against the timing and size of the increases.
5 hours ago
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz won’t seek reelection in 2026, rejects calls to resign
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he will not run for a third term in 2026 but plans to finish his current term amid ongoing scrutiny over alleged fraud in state-run programs. Asked about resignation calls, Walz said, “You can make all your requests for me to resign over my dead body.”
6 hours ago
AAA urges South Dakotans to review insurance coverage as part of 2026 resolutions
AAA is encouraging consumers to start 2026 by reviewing auto, home, renters and life insurance policies to make sure coverage still fits changing needs. The group says life events like moves, renovations, new drivers and shifting work habits can affect both protection and premiums.
6 hours ago
Cybernews editor warns of “digital undressing” abuse as xAI announces $20B funding round
Cybernews Chief Editor Jurgita Lapienytė is urging regulators and X to act after reports that Grok, the platform’s built-in AI tool, has been used to create nonconsensual sexualized images of women and minors. The warnings come as Elon Musk’s xAI says it has raised $20 billion in a Series E funding round.
6 hours ago
EWG: New federal dietary guidelines urge Americans to cut ultra-processed foods
The Environmental Working Group says newly released federal dietary guidelines encourage Americans to eat fewer ultra-processed foods linked to chronic disease. A CDC data brief found ultra-processed foods made up 61.9% of calories for U.S. youth and 53.0% for adults in 2021–2023.
6 hours ago
Thune: Working Families Tax Cuts Provide Bigger Paychecks, Permanent Relief
“The good news for the American people as they start their new year is that they’re going to have, on average, $3,700 more money in their pocket as a result of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that we passed this last summer.”
6 hours ago
From Afghanistan to Venezuela: The Toll-Booth States: Plains Voices
Mitchell Now publishes opinion pieces representing both sides of a variety of topics. Opinions presented do not necessarily reflect those…
1 day ago
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz won’t seek third term as welfare fraud probe intensifies
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he will not run for a third term in 2026, saying he wants to focus on responding to alleged fraud in federal welfare programs. Reports say Sen. Amy Klobuchar is weighing a possible run for governor.
1 day ago
Thune warns of Jan. 30 government funding deadline, urges quick action on spending bills
U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota says Congress has until Jan. 30 to fund the federal government and should finish remaining appropriations bills to avoid another shutdown fight.
1 day ago
Watertown Regional Airport passenger boardings dip slightly in 2025
Watertown Regional Airport recorded 14,028 passenger boardings in 2025, down 129 from 2024. December travel included 757 passengers to Denver and 648 to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
1 day ago
Attorney General Jackley Proposes Legislation To Strengthen State’s Digital Cryptocurrency Investigations
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says he will propose 2026 legislation allowing law enforcement to seize digital cryptocurrency accounts tied to criminal investigations, citing millions in reported losses to scams and fraud.
2 days ago
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden proposes lean FY2027 budget with flat funding for schools, state employees
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden’s proposed FY2027 budget holds state aid flat for K-12 education, Medicaid providers and state employee pay amid slower revenue growth. Lawmakers return to Pierre on Jan. 13 to begin shaping the final plan.
2 days ago
Will South Dakota property taxpayers see relief in 2026? Lawmakers weigh 19 proposals as budget tightens
South Dakota lawmakers head into the 2026 session with a stack of property tax ideas from a summer task force, but lower-than-expected state revenue could make broad relief harder to fund. Rep. Jack Kolbeck says legislators are already sorting through nearly two dozen drafts.
2 days ago
Attorney General Jackley Issues Statement in Support Of President Trump’s Capture of Venezuela Leader Maduro
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley praised President Donald Trump and the U.S. military for an operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The arrest has drawn international attention as Maduro faces U.S. drug trafficking charges.
2 days ago
Attorney General Jackley Introduces Bills Designed To Protect Children, Consumers
Attorney General Marty Jackley says he’ll bring two bills in the 2026 South Dakota Legislature aimed at strengthening investigations into online crimes against children and protecting consumers’ genetic data. The session is scheduled to begin Jan. 13.
5 days ago
Sioux Falls Parks earns perfect national accreditation score as Falls Park master plan heads toward February vote
Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation recently earned a perfect score in its CAPRA reaccreditation review, and the department is now taking public feedback on a long-range Falls Park master plan that some council members say needs clearer cost estimates.
5 days ago
Creighton index: Mid-America manufacturing ends 2025 at weakest point; rural economy shows slight improvement
Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index fell to its lowest level of 2025 in the December survey, signaling contraction in regional manufacturing, while a separate Creighton rural index edged back near growth-neutral heading into 2026.
5 days 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.
5 days ago
Breaking Records and Delivering Results
U.S. Sen. John Thune says Republicans “delivered on promises” in 2025 through major tax, border security, and energy legislation — and will continue focusing on economic and public safety priorities in 2026.
5 days ago
Milbank man seriously injured in New Year’s Day rollover on I-29 near White, sheriff says
A 28-year-old Milbank man was seriously injured in a single-vehicle rollover crash Thursday night on Interstate 29 near White, according to the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.
