Government
10 hours ago
Attorney General Jackley’s Legislative Bills on Election Integrity, Open Meeting Transparency Receive Senate Committee Approval
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley’s proposals to tighten campaign finance rules and expand open-meeting requirements cleared the Senate State Affairs Committee and now head to the full Senate.
10 hours ago
Optional black-and-white license plate bill advances in South Dakota Legislature
A proposal to offer optional solid-color South Dakota license plates — including black with white lettering — is moving through the Legislature, with fees aimed at generating new money for highway maintenance.
15 hours ago
Mitchell forecast: Blowing snow Wednesday, then dangerous wind chills into the weekend
Mitchell is looking at snow and blowing snow Wednesday with wind gusts up to 55 mph, followed by a sharp drop into subzero temperatures and dangerous wind chills late week.
1 day 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.
3 days 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.
5 days 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.
5 days 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.
5 days 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.
7 days 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.
7 days 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.
1 week 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.…
1 week 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.
1 week 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.
1 week 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…
2 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.
2 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.”
2 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.
2 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.
2 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.
2 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.
