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2 weeks ago

South Dakota Senate panel advances SB 4 to extend security deposit return deadline to 21 days

A South Dakota Senate committee advanced a bill that would give landlords 21 days — instead of 14 — to return tenant security deposits or provide an itemized explanation for deductions. Supporters say the change reflects repair and billing delays while keeping penalties for improper withholding.

2 weeks ago

Early Future Fund deadlock exposes divide over economic development authority

A 4-4 tie vote in the Senate State Affairs Committee stalled Senate Bill 1, renewing debate over whether lawmakers or Gov. Larry Rhoden should set rules for South Dakota’s Future Fund. The vote came a day after Rhoden issued an executive order adding internal requirements for how Future Fund dollars are awarded and reported.

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2 weeks ago

Ambulance sustainability questions raised during Senate health briefing

South Dakota lawmakers raised concerns Friday about whether rural ambulance services can remain viable, citing aging equipment, volunteer staffing and limited reimbursement. The discussion came during a Senate Health and Human Services Committee informational briefing on the state’s Rural Health Transformation funding.

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2 weeks ago

Gov. Larry Rhoden Issues Executive Order Setting “Guardrails” for South Dakota Future Fund Spending

Gov. Larry Rhoden signed an executive order outlining how his office will prioritize and oversee Future Fund economic development dollars. The move comes as lawmakers and communities debate incentives such as tax increment financing and tax breaks for large projects, including hyperscale data centers.

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2 weeks ago

Gov. Larry Rhoden Defends DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as Impeachment Articles Filed After Minneapolis ICE Shooting

Gov. Larry Rhoden is criticizing impeachment efforts targeting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, calling them “radical left” attacks. The move follows the fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by an ICE agent earlier this month.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks on the Senate floor about fiscal year 2026 appropriations and the Jan. 30 funding deadline.

2 weeks ago

OPINION – Sen. Mike Rounds recaps first “Weekly Round[s] Up” of 2026 with border trip, Guard homecoming

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds says he began 2026 with meetings, intelligence briefings and Senate votes in Washington, then traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and a South Dakota Army National Guard welcome-home ceremony in Rapid City.

2 weeks ago

Douglas County taskforce forges ahead with senior care conversation amid Corsica nursing home closure

Douglas County leaders say they’re “cautiously optimistic” skilled nursing care can remain local after Sanford Health and the Good Samaritan Society move to close the Corsica nursing home, citing staffing shortages.

2 weeks ago

Representative Jeff Bathke Announces Reelection Campaign for District 20 House

Mitchell, SD– State Representative Jeff Bathke announces his re-election campaign, representing District 20 and the great State of South Dakota.…

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

Coffee with Legislators set Jan. 30 at Mitchell Chamber during 2026 session

The Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee will host “Coffee with Legislators” on Friday, Jan. 30, from 8-9 a.m. Community members can hear updates from District 20 lawmakers and submit written questions for a moderated discussion.

3 weeks ago

DWU to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday

MITCHELL (Mitchell Now) – Dakota Wesleyan University announces that offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of…

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3 weeks ago

Sen. Mike Rounds’ 2025 recap highlights votes, meetings and South Dakota priorities

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds says his office logged hundreds of meetings, votes and hearings in 2025 while advancing priorities ranging from military construction to constituent services. Rounds also highlighted the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act being signed into law.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., discusses Venezuela and federal law enforcement during a Fox News interview.

3 weeks ago

Thune Joins America’s Newsroom on Fox News

“What the president did [in Venezuela] is something that’s supported broadly, not just by folks here in Washington, D.C., but across the country, because Maduro was leading a drug cartel that was poisoning literally thousands of Americans every single year.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks on the Senate floor about fiscal year 2026 appropriations and the Jan. 30 funding deadline.

3 weeks ago

Republicans’ Focus on Appropriations Delivers Results

Let’s get fiscal year 2026 funding done and keep up the progress as we begin the process for fiscal year 2027.

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3 weeks ago

Aberdeen man re-indicted on 85 counts tied to alleged exploitation of driver licensing data, Jackley says

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says an Aberdeen man has been re-indicted on 85 felony and misdemeanor counts linked to alleged crimes committed while working at the state Driver Licensing Office. Jackley said investigators have identified about 50 alleged victims as the investigation continues.

Tax season date reminder 🧾 The IRS says it starts accepting 2025 returns on Jan. 26 and the deadline is April 15, 2026.

3 weeks ago

IRS: 2026 tax filing season opens Jan. 26; April 15 deadline for 2025 returns

The IRS says it will begin accepting 2025 federal income tax returns on Jan. 26, 2026, with an April 15 filing deadline. The agency is also highlighting online tools, Free File options and a new Schedule 1-A tied to recent tax law changes.

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3 weeks 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.

Gov. Tim Walz speaks last month during a news conference following the release of the November Budget and Economic Forecast. The governor on Thursday proposed a slimmed-down $66 billion state budget for the 2026-27 biennium

3 weeks 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.”

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4 weeks 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.

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4 weeks 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.

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1 day ago in College, High School, Local Sports, Sports

WEEKEND SPORTS: Area HS games, Mitchell & DWU’s trio of events, SDSU Hoops & Timberwolves vs Grizzlies

Area high school basketball games for the weekend, Mitchell & DWU busy slates, SDSU Summit League games & Timberwolves vs Grizzlies.

1 day ago in Business, Local, People

South Dakota Reports Three More Flu Deaths; Seasonal Total Reaches Nine as Cases Rise

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The South Dakota Department of Health reported three additional influenza-related deaths in the past week, bringing the 2025-26 season total to nine as statewide flu activity remains widespread.

1 day ago in Business, Government, Local

DWU Theatre to host cabaret fundraiser

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Dakota Wesleyan University’s theatre department will stage a one-hour cabaret fundraiser Feb. 6 at 401 Create by LifeQuest, featuring Broadway musical numbers and scenes from recent campus productions.