Columbus
South Dakota Searchlight
Star witness in Trump trial tells of plot to conceal porn star hush money payments
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s former fixer took the stand in a Manhattan courtroom Monday and told jurors that Trump was well aware of a scheme to hide the repayment of money intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Michael Cohen, the prosecution’s star witness, told the jury that he […] The post Star witness in Trump trial tells of plot to conceal porn star hush money payments appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Grocery tax repeal validated for the ballot
The South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office said Monday that a petition seeking to repeal the state sales tax on groceries has enough signatures from registered voters to make the Nov. 5 ballot. If nobody mounts a successful challenge to the petition’s validation in the next 30 days, it will become the third statewide measure […] The post Grocery tax repeal validated for the ballot appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Canadian wildfire smoke causes air quality alert in South Dakota
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources issued an air quality alert Monday for areas of South Dakota where smoke from wildfires in Canada has settled. The alert is in effect through Tuesday, or until conditions improve. Elderly people, young children and people with respiratory problems are the most susceptible to the smoke, […] The post Canadian wildfire smoke causes air quality alert in South Dakota appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
New audit points to fraud potential in tax credit program for biofuels
A new federal audit has revealed a surprising claim about biofuel tax credits: One third of the credits sampled by investigators lacked the required documentation, meaning the claims should not have been allowed. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, or TIGTA, examined compliance procedures at the Internal Revenue Service and said after sampling 124 taxpayers claiming […] The post New audit points to fraud potential in tax credit program for biofuels appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Initial test finds ‘forever chemical’ in Mount Rushmore drinking water at level exceeding new limit
A sample of Mount Rushmore National Memorial’s drinking water had levels of a “forever chemical” exceeding new limits established by the federal government. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS, is a member of the synthetic chemical group known collectively as perfluorinated alkylated substances, or PFAS. The chemicals have been used in industry and consumer products since […] The post Initial test finds ‘forever chemical’ in Mount Rushmore drinking water at level exceeding new limit appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
‘No Going Back’ for Noem after trying too hard to impress Trump
These are tough times for Kristi Noem. She’s frequently the butt of jokes from late-night comedians. She’s been lampooned on “Saturday Night Live.” Her plight inspires memes on the internet: Run, Cricket! Run! In one of the roughest book tours in the entire history of print, Noem finds herself defending the killing of a family […] The post ‘No Going Back’ for Noem after trying too hard to impress Trump appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
‘Mom’ legislators see their numbers, influence grow but barriers to elected office remain
For the second time while serving in the Nevada Legislature, Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro gave birth last year. And again, she publicly pledged to continue full participation in her duties. As the nation’s groundbreaker when it comes to working moms in a state capital, Nevada made history in 2019 as the only female-majority legislative […] The post ‘Mom’ legislators see their numbers, influence grow but barriers to elected office remain appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Sixth tribal nation bans Noem for comments on cartels, Native children
Six of the nine Native American tribes in South Dakota have now voted to ban Gov. Kristi Noem from their lands. The Yankton Sioux Tribe Business and Claims Committee voted unanimously on Friday to ban the governor, citing her comments about drug cartels, Native American children and what one tribal council member characterized as performative […] The post Sixth tribal nation bans Noem for comments on cartels, Native children appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Man behind the ballot: How a Democrat changes laws in a Republican state
Since 2014, South Dakotans have voted for ideas including a higher minimum wage, stricter anti-corruption laws and expanded Medicaid eligibility. This November, statewide ballots are likely to include measures that would restore abortion rights and repeal the state sales tax on groceries. One Democratic former candidate for Congress has played a part in all of […] The post Man behind the ballot: How a Democrat changes laws in a Republican state appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Oglala police chief calls tribal law enforcement funding ‘a joke’ in congressional testimony
The Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety is funded at 15% of its needs, its acting chief told appropriators with the U.S. House of Representatives this week. John Pettigrew testified that the funding shortfall – over which his tribe has twice sued the federal government – means a force at less than half strength […] The post Oglala police chief calls tribal law enforcement funding ‘a joke’ in congressional testimony appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. Senate in FAA bill adds flights at Washington National, bucking local opponents
WASHINGTON — After hours of uncertainty Thursday, the U.S. Senate struck a deal to reauthorize several Federal Aviation Administration programs for the next five years, though Maryland and Virginia senators were vehemently opposed and lawmakers hoping to attach unrelated provisions lost out. The bill heads to the House next week for final approval. Lawmakers from […] The post U.S. Senate in FAA bill adds flights at Washington National, bucking local opponents appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
As millions lose federal help to pay for internet, some areas aim to fill the gap
In the small North Carolina town of Bryson City, just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Kathleen Wain raises two grandchildren in her subsidized-rent apartment, taking them to sing in a church choir on weekends. For the past year and a half, Wain has received a discount on her internet service through a short-term federal […] The post As millions lose federal help to pay for internet, some areas aim to fill the gap appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Interest rates likely to stay high, economist tells state Banking Commission
SIOUX FALLS — An economist told the South Dakota Banking Commission on Wednesday that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to lower interest rates anytime soon. “I think higher for longer,” said Joseph Santos, director and professor of economics at the Ness School of Management and Economics at South Dakota State University. The governor appoints the […] The post Interest rates likely to stay high, economist tells state Banking Commission appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
South Dakota joins pushback against new EPA coal rules
South Dakota has joined a group of states, led by North Dakota and West Virginia, in asking a federal court to review new pollution standards impacting the coal industry. Attorneys general from 23 states signed the petition asking for a review of the regulations that took effect Tuesday. The final proposed rules became public on […] The post South Dakota joins pushback against new EPA coal rules appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Fossil researchers discover new genus of deer at Badlands National Park
INTERIOR — A team of researchers studying fossil remains found by an intern in South Dakota’s Badlands National Park have discovered a previously unknown type of tiny, hornless deer that lived in the area 32 million years ago, the National Park Service announced Thursday. Researchers from the park, the American Museum of Natural History, and […] The post Fossil researchers discover new genus of deer at Badlands National Park appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Still much unknown on how marijuana policies would change in states under Biden plan
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has proposed loosening the illegal status of marijuana at the federal level – but that doesn’t mean the federal government now condones recreational or medicinal use in the many states that have legalized the drug. Moving marijuana from the government’s list of the most dangerous and least useful substances to […] The post Still much unknown on how marijuana policies would change in states under Biden plan appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. House Republicans, including Johnson, pass bill to stop census from counting noncitizens
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans passed a bill Wednesday to add a citizenship question to the census and exclude noncitizens from the official headcount when determining population for representation in Congress and electoral votes. The legislation, which passed on a 206-202 party-line vote (including a yes vote from South Dakota Republican Dusty Johnson), is part of […] The post U.S. House Republicans, including Johnson, pass bill to stop census from counting noncitizens appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Johnson votes yes as U.S. House passes bill to ease mining restriction
The U.S. House passed, 216-195, a bill Wednesday that would loosen a restriction on mining operations, reversing a vote last week to return the bill to committee. South Dakota Republican Dusty Johnson cast one of the votes in favor of the legislation. The bill, written by Nevada Republican Mark Amodei, would clarify that mining companies […] The post Johnson votes yes as U.S. House passes bill to ease mining restriction appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
SD congressman supports speaker as attempted ouster fails
WASHINGTON — Efforts by a small group of far-right U.S. House Republicans to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role failed Wednesday night, ending weeks of infighting about whether the Louisianan should remain the head of that chamber. Republican lawmakers including South Dakota’s Dusty Johnson, joined by Democrats, voted 359-43 to table, or set aside, […] The post SD congressman supports speaker as attempted ouster fails appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem’s former opponents reject her claim that dog-killing story was widely known and used
During a series of contentious recent interviews, Gov. Kristi Noem repeatedly said a story in her new book about fatally shooting a dog was already widely known in South Dakota because her political opponents had used it against her. Yet when South Dakota Searchlight contacted Noem’s former opponents, most of those who answered the phone […] The post Noem’s former opponents reject her claim that dog-killing story was widely known and used appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
South Dakota Searchlight
2K+
Posts
11M+
Views
We use our journalistic searchlight to illuminate critical issues facing South Dakota, dissect the decisions made by state leaders, and explain the consequences of their policies and the role of politics on South Dakotans. We publish news and commentary that prioritizes accuracy, fairness, insight and civility. There is no charge to access our content, or to subscribe to our email newsletter. We invite and publish guest commentary that contributes to productive public discourse and adheres to our editorial policies. South Dakota Searchlight launched in 2022. We’re an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The staff of the Searchlight retains full editorial independence.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.