Choose your location
South Dakota Searchlight
Admitted without an application: Pilot project aims to bolster state university enrollment
The number of students graduating from South Dakota high schools is declining. And fewer of those graduates are enrolling in any higher education, let alone attending one of South Dakota’s public universities. Before an anticipated demographic shift makes the problem even worse, state officials are starting a pilot project to proactively admit high schoolers into […] The post Admitted without an application: Pilot project aims to bolster state university enrollment appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Green methanol: A carbon dioxide pipeline alternative?
A company that wants to help ethanol producers harness their carbon dioxide emissions to produce an additional renewable fuel says its technology is a viable alternative to proposed carbon dioxide pipelines. CapCO2 Solutions is nearing completion of its first “green methanol” project at an ethanol plant in Illinois. The company hopes that a successful launch […] The post Green methanol: A carbon dioxide pipeline alternative? appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Regret signing that petition? Republicans are here to ‘help’
Ever since the South Dakota Legislature dismantled the voter-approved anti-corruption measure known as IM 22 in record time, lawmakers and the people who back initiated measures have been locked in a battle of the ballot box. Lawmakers try to throw up as many roadblocks to ballot access as they can while ballot measure backers are […] The post Regret signing that petition? Republicans are here to ‘help’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Open primaries effort attracts big contributions from South Dakotans and Colorado group
An ongoing effort to create open primary elections received some big contributions from South Dakotans in 2023, and also received a little more than half of its donations from a Colorado-based political action committee funded in large part by a Georgia billionaire, according to recently filed campaign finance reports. “Our open primaries effort in South […] The post Open primaries effort attracts big contributions from South Dakotans and Colorado group appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Legislative Roundup: Budget taking shape as teacher pay, abortion, foreign-owned land bills advance
The week of Valentine’s Day, in this humble reporter’s opinion, is the best week of the legislative session. It’s not just because lawmakers exchange candy with cute, punny messages on them, or have desks covered in bouquets of flowers from well-wishing spouses, or dress up in pale pink ties and blouses. It’s not even because […] The post Legislative Roundup: Budget taking shape as teacher pay, abortion, foreign-owned land bills advance appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
South Dakota was tardy with a gold tax. Can it afford to sleep on lithium?
When lawmakers convened in Pierre during the depths of the Great Depression in 1935, they faced a vote on “possibly the most widely advertised and discussed piece of legislation that has ever been brought before the South Dakota Legislature.” That’s how proponents of a tax on gold mining described their bill. Gold was famously discovered […] The post South Dakota was tardy with a gold tax. Can it afford to sleep on lithium? appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Death of Russian dissident raises stakes for U.S. aid to Ukraine, Biden warns
President Joe Biden urged U.S. House Republicans on Friday to approve funding for Ukraine after Russian dissident Alexei Navalny died in the custody of Vladimir Putin’s government. Speaking from the White House Friday afternoon, Biden said the death of Navalny, a persistent critic of Russian President Putin, should add urgency to assisting Ukraine’s defense against […] The post Death of Russian dissident raises stakes for U.S. aid to Ukraine, Biden warns appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Pace of Medicaid enrollment remains slower than expected
Fewer people than expected are signing up for Medicaid through an expansion backed by voters in 2022, and the state Department of Social Services is adjusting its budget to reflect the slower pace. That’s at least partially because the state hasn’t publicized the expansion. Most enrollees sign up when they have a medical issue and […] The post Pace of Medicaid enrollment remains slower than expected appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Dakota Access Pipeline protest costs debated during federal trial
BISMARCK — A trial expected to shed new light on a federal agency’s management — and potential mismanagement — of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests kicked off Thursday in federal court. North Dakota is seeking to recoup $38 million it claims it spent policing the protest camps north of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in […] The post Dakota Access Pipeline protest costs debated during federal trial appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe celebrates new electric vehicles, charging station
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe celebrated a $13.4 million inter-tribal electric vehicle charging network project in Fort Yates, North Dakota, on Wednesday. Standing Rock received six EVs that will be transferred to SAGE Development Authority, Sitting Bull College, tribal casinos and Standing Rock Public Transit. The vehicles are five Ford F-150 Lightnings and a Ford […] The post Standing Rock Sioux Tribe celebrates new electric vehicles, charging station appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. House passes bill to reverse Biden pause of some liquified natural gas exports
The U.S. House voted Thursday to approve a bill that would preempt the Biden administration’s move last month to pause new approvals for some liquified natural gas exports. Nine Democrats voted with every Republican in favor of the bill, which the chamber approved 224-200. The bill would remove the federal requirement that the Department of […] The post U.S. House passes bill to reverse Biden pause of some liquified natural gas exports appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Senate panel moves to limit local authority in pipeline regulation
A bill limiting the right of counties to regulate pipeline setbacks advanced out of a state Senate committee on Thursday morning. Senate Bill 201 would bar counties from enacting local zoning rules strict enough to regulate gas or liquid pipelines out of existence, but would also allow counties to levy a per-foot surcharge on pipeline […] The post Senate panel moves to limit local authority in pipeline regulation appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Trump’s calendar becoming crowded as legal battles escalate in New York, D.C.
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump’s days fighting criminal charges in two courts could be arriving soon. Special Counsel Jack Smith urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday not to pause federal election interference proceedings and a New York state judge on Thursday set a late March trial date on charges related to hush money […] The post Trump’s calendar becoming crowded as legal battles escalate in New York, D.C. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Expanded child tax credit could be in place quickly if passed by Congress, IRS chief says
WASHINGTON — Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Danny Werfel told lawmakers Thursday on Capitol Hill that his agency is “poised to move quickly” on a bipartisan tax bill that would temporarily expand the child tax credit and revive several corporate tax breaks. But, he cautioned, taxpayers should not wait to file. The Tax Relief for American […] The post Expanded child tax credit could be in place quickly if passed by Congress, IRS chief says appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Spearfish, Standing Rock receive grants as Biden sends nearly $1 billion to airports
The Biden administration will send close to $1 billion to airports across the country to upgrade terminal facilities, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced Thursday. Among the recipients are the city of Spearfish and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The Standing Rock Airport will receive $700,000 out of $800,000 needed for a project near Fort Yates, […] The post Spearfish, Standing Rock receive grants as Biden sends nearly $1 billion to airports appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Lawmakers endorse summer children’s food program, nix expansion of reduced price school meals
A bill to include South Dakota in a summer food program for children advanced to the next step of the legislative process Wednesday in Pierre, while legislation to expand eligibility for reduced price school meals was rejected. Lawmakers moved a bill forward that addresses the federal government’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children. It […] The post Lawmakers endorse summer children’s food program, nix expansion of reduced price school meals appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Legislation would require Health Department to make video interpreting state’s abortion ban
PIERRE — The state Department of Health would have to create a video “and other materials” interpreting the state’s abortion ban and an exception for the life of the mother, under a bill making its way through the Legislature. “We were asked by the people of this state to bring clarity to this,” the bill’s […] The post Legislation would require Health Department to make video interpreting state’s abortion ban appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Bill to create Indian Child Advisory Council endorsed by committee despite DSS opposition
PIERRE — Lawmakers on a House committee approved a bill Wednesday to establish an advisory council to oversee communication on the welfare of Native American children in South Dakota’s foster care system. But the same committee also voted to reject a bill that would have created a two-year task force to study the welfare of […] The post Bill to create Indian Child Advisory Council endorsed by committee despite DSS opposition appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Pennington County prosecutor charges man for death of transgender woman
A Pennington County grand jury has charged a Rapid City man with manslaughter for the August 2022 death of a transgender Native American woman. The Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday that a grand jury issued the indictment last week. The indictment charges 53-year-old Gregory Landers not only with first-degree manslaughter, but also with […] The post Pennington County prosecutor charges man for death of transgender woman appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Teacher pay mandates pass committee without promise of new funding
A bill requiring public schools to raise teacher pay with no promise of new state funding passed a legislative committee Wednesday in Pierre. Nobody testified against the legislation, but several lobbyists representing the education community called it a work in progress. “It is not a perfect bill, but a compromise that will hopefully help us […] The post Teacher pay mandates pass committee without promise of new funding 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.