Lifestyle » Page 7
3 weeks ago
Casey Crabtree Pushes Back on Sales Tax Hike to Fund Property Tax Cuts
A proposal from South Dakota’s interim property tax committee to raise the state sales tax by 2% to offset property tax reductions is facing pushback.
3 weeks ago
Lawmakers to Face Property Tax Reform Debate in 2026 Session
Property tax reform is expected to be a top issue when South Dakota legislators return to Pierre in 2026. District 8 Senator Casey Crabtree of Madison says lawmakers will likely face several competing proposals, with the key challenge being how to deliver meaningful tax relief while ensuring schools and counties have the funding they need to operate.
3 weeks ago
Dusty Johnson Defends House Work on Budget Bill
South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson says the U.S. House has already passed a bill with a continuing resolution to keep the government open, but the Senate has yet to act.
3 weeks ago
Dusty Johnson Warns of Budget Stalemate Ahead of Federal Deadline
South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson warns that a federal budget deal is unlikely before the fiscal year ends September 30, raising the risk of a partial government shutdown. Johnson says lawmakers remain at a stalemate over a budget extension as the deadline approaches.
3 weeks ago
Davison County Signs Off on 2026 Budget, Looks Ahead to New Jail Plans
Davison County commissioners have finalized the 2026 budget, approving more than $8.8 million in property tax revenue and setting aside $100,000 to plan for a potential new jail and public safety building.
4 weeks ago
U.S. Senate candidate to hold forum at DWU
MITCHELL – The McGovern Center at Dakota Wesleyan University will host U.S. Senate candidate Julian Beaudion at a public forum…
4 weeks ago
South Dakota Commission on Gaming Issues Reminder: Private Possession of Slot Machines is Illegal
The South Dakota Commission on Gaming warns that private ownership or possession of slot machines is illegal under state law. Following an increase in online sales advertisements, seven unlicensed machines were seized and ordered destroyed. Under SDCL 22-25-13, unapproved slot machines are classified as illegal contraband, carrying Class 1 misdemeanor penalties, fines, and forfeiture.
4 weeks ago
Sioux Falls Nonprofit Leader to Speak at National Trail of Truth on the National Mall
Angela Kennecke, founder of Sioux Falls nonprofit Emily’s Hope and host of the Grieving Out Loud podcast, will speak at the National Trail of Truth in Washington, D.C., on September 27, 2025.
4 weeks ago
Corn Palace Seat Installation on Track for October Events
Crews are making steady progress on a $374,000 seat installation project at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. About one-third of the new chairs are installed, each bolted together by hand.
4 weeks ago
Judge Reinstates USD Professor Amid Free Speech Lawsuit
University of South Dakota professor Michael Hook has returned to the classroom after a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order. Hook sued USD and the Board of Regents, arguing he was unfairly placed on leave over a Facebook post about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, which he says is protected free speech.
4 weeks ago
Mitchell’s Deanell Backlund Among Nominees for Spirit of Dakota Award
Mitchell’s Deanell Backlund has been named one of 14 nominees for the prestigious Spirit of Dakota Award, South Dakota’s top honor recognizing women for leadership, achievement, and community impact. The 39th annual award will be presented October 4 at the Huron Event Center, with the evening featuring an art show, social, banquet, and the award presentation.
4 weeks ago
AG Links Prison Deaths to Illegal Products
Attorney General Marty Jackley says recent South Dakota Penitentiary inmate deaths may be linked to the same illegal products uncovered in a statewide smoke shop sting. Officials confirm 57-year-old inmate Keith McLain died earlier this week of an apparent suicide while serving a second-degree rape sentence from Minnehaha County.
4 weeks ago
South Dakota Smoke Shops Fail Drug Sting, Owners Indicted
A statewide sting operation found every South Dakota smoke shop checked was selling illegal drugs, leading to multiple indictments. Attorney General Marty Jackley says the dangerous products, in some cases marketed to minors, pose a serious risk to communities. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and local law enforcement assisted in the operation, with two Sioux Falls shop owners among those facing charges.
4 weeks ago
Lice concerns rise as children return to school. Here’s what parents can do
Children have returned to school and are bringing home stories about the things they learned and the friends they made. But some parents are concerned they could also be bringing home a tiny nuisance — lice.
4 weeks ago
South Dakota Doctors Push Back on Tylenol-Autism Claim
South Dakota doctors are refuting claims that taking Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism. Experts, including Dr. Jeremy Cauwels of Sanford Health, point to large studies, including one in Sweden tracking over two million children, showing no link between acetaminophen and autism or ADHD.
4 weeks ago
Mitchell Council Approves $644K in Non-Profit Subsidies
The Mitchell City Council has approved over $644,000 in funding for 11 non-profits as part of its proposed 2026 budget, marking a 1.5% increase over the mayor’s initial plan.
4 weeks ago
No Injuries in Yankton School Bus Crash
A Yankton School District bus carrying middle school volleyball players went into a ditch Monday night along Highway 37, six miles west of Tyndall. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Authorities say the driver lost control after taking a wrong turn on the return trip from Huron.
4 weeks ago
Minnehaha County Approves 2026 Budget
The Minnehaha County Commission has approved a $132.9 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026, reflecting a 1.5% increase from the previous year.
4 weeks ago
Rhoden Signs Bill for New State Prison
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has signed Senate Bill 2, greenlighting a new prison in Sioux Falls and calling it the largest public safety investment in state history.
4 weeks ago
Smoke Shop Owners Indicted After Statewide Drug Sting
Five South Dakota smoke shop owners are facing charges after a statewide sting uncovered the sale of illegal products. Undercover officers, working with state and local law enforcement, made controlled buys earlier this summer.
