Government
13 hours 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.
13 hours 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.
13 hours 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.
13 hours 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.
1 day 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.
1 day 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.
5 days 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.
6 days 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.
6 days ago
South Dakota reports first two flu deaths of 2025-26 season; cases, hospitalizations rising statewide
The South Dakota Department of Health says the first two influenza-related deaths of the 2025-26 season have been reported in Minnehaha County as lab-confirmed cases and hospitalizations increase statewide.
7 days ago
Gov. Larry Rhoden awards new $500,000 Future Fund grant for Watertown’s Calvin Industrial Park
Gov. Larry Rhoden announced a new $500,000 grant for infrastructure work at Watertown’s Calvin Industrial Park, adding to a previously approved $500,000 Local Infrastructure Improvement Program grant, according to state officials.
7 days ago
Dusty Johnson Calls 2025 a “Remarkable” Year, Highlights Tax, Border and Welfare Policy Changes
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson says 2025 was one of the most impactful policy years in decades, pointing to tax changes, border enforcement and welfare reforms as he prepares for a 2026 run for governor.
7 days ago
Operation Relentless Justice: DOJ says 205 child victims located, 293 arrests made; Pine Ridge man faces federal charges
The U.S. Department of Justice says a nationwide crackdown called “Operation Relentless Justice” located more than 205 child victims and led to 293 arrests, including a South Dakota case involving a Pine Ridge Reservation resident.
7 days ago
Sioux Falls man accused of assaulting officer with knife during traffic stop, charged with DWI
Sioux Falls police say a traffic stop on Dec. 29 escalated when a driver allegedly pulled a knife and jabbed it toward an officer. Rudolph Gabe Jr. faces aggravated assault on law enforcement, DWI and concealed weapon charges.
