Fact brief: Can Democrats change parties and vote in the SD Republican primary?South Dakota is one of about 10 states that are in a partially closed primary system.South Dakota News Watch·1d ago·2 min readRegistration and VotingBitter GOP primary for South Dakota governor heads to runoffCrossover voting in primary electionsVoters talk temporary Republican switch
Fact brief: Has anyone from South Dakota played in MLS?When it comes to professional athletes, South Dakota has produced no shortage of standouts in football, basketball and baseball, but the same can’t be said for soccer.South Dakota News Watch·3d ago·2 min readLocal soccer legend Chris Houser set to bring spring showcase to Sioux FallsPro soccer beckons for Washington High School gradSoccer players from South DakotaSouth Dakota News Watch
14-year-old wins South Dakota state civics beeChloe Dabney from Brandon Middle School will advance to the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington this fall.South Dakota News Watch·Jun 11·4 min readSubscribeShare your thoughts on this storysdnewswatch.org
Silent sirens: 2 South Dakota cities experience weather warning troublesAberdeen and Viborg are repairing outdoor weather warning systems as tornado season ramps up. South Dakota News Watch·Jun 11·5 min readannounced on FacebookSubscribeposted on FacebookAccording to the National Weather Service
Fact brief: Is it possible to add a fifth face to Mount Rushmore?Trump has made several references to being on Mount Rushmore over the years, including sharing in May an AI-generated image of himself on the mountain next to Lincoln.South Dakota News Watch·Jun 9·2 min readTruth Social PostMount Trumpmore? It's the president's 'dream,' Rep. Kristi Noem saysThere's no room for Trump's face on Mount Rushmore, despite MAGA pushSouth Dakota News Watch
Legislature election recap: Nelson holds off Hunhoff; Carley oustedA review of top election results of South Dakota state legislative Republican primary races. South Dakota News Watch·Jun 4·4 min readJackley and Rounds win; Doeden, Rhoden to meet in runoffHouse and Senate winners cruise to victory in GOP primary but no governor candidate got needed 35%.South Dakota News WatchAlexander RifaatdisappearedBountiful ballots: Local election added to June primaryA law change added numerous local nonpartisan and political races to the statewide Republican and Democratic primaries.South Dakota News WatchMolly Wetschsuspended
Fact brief: Did Larry Rhoden beat Toby Doeden in West River voting?Toby Doeden and Larry Rhoden will meet on July 28 for the right to challenge Democrat Dan Ahlers in November’s general election.South Dakota News Watch·Jun 4·2 min readJackley and Rounds win; Doeden, Rhoden to meet in runoffDemocratic Gubernatorial candidate Dan Ahlers reacts to Republican primary election resultsLarry RhodenPrimary results
Interns from SDSU and Northwestern join News WatchAmina Aidarkhanova and Elena Tittel will work alongside News Watch journalists this summer.South Dakota News Watch·Jun 2·3 min readYes, I will support News Watch's internssdnewswatch.org
South Dakota primary and local election previewFrom 2 seats in Congress and the governor to a slew of local races, South Dakotans go to the polls Tuesday. An explanation about what's at stake. South Dakota News Watch·Jun 1·4 min readSubscribeFind out which district you live inthe list of candidatesRead his profile
Fact brief: Does eating out cost an average of $28 in South Dakota?Canadian businessman and television personality Kevin O’Leary sparked a national debate after saying young people overspend on meals instead of saving and investing. South Dakota News Watch·Jun 1·2 min readthis oneThe cost of eating out versus eating in by stateConsumer Price Index — April 2026South Dakota News Watch
Fact brief: Does eating out cost an average of $28 in South Dakota?Canadian businessman and television personality Kevin O’Leary sparked a national debate after saying young people overspend on meals instead of saving and investing. South Dakota News Watch·Jun 1·2 min readthis oneThe cost of eating out versus eating in by stateConsumer Price Index — April 2026South Dakota News Watch
Larry Rhoden: The IncumbentA profile of Gov. Larry Rhoden, 1 of 4 Republicans running for a four-year term as South Dakota governor.South Dakota News Watch·May 29·10 min readcommissionedtheoreticallyRhoden told a gathering of journalistsSubscribe
Documentary about SD boarding school premieres in New York City"Nine Little Indians" premiere mixes Hollywood and South Dakota to tell nine sisters' story about abuse in Native boarding schools. "If you don't have hope, then you just stay where you are, and you d…South Dakota News Watch·May 29·7 min read‘Nine Little Indians’ tells story from SD’s ‘painful’ Native boarding schoolsHow a film about nine sisters abused at a Native American boarding school illustrates the broad scope of South Dakota’s history with the system.South Dakota News WatchMolly Wetschattempted civil lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Sioux FallsSubscribeIconic movies shot in South DakotaFrom ‘Dances With Wolves’ to ‘National Treasure,’ these notable movies were filmed in South Dakota.South Dakota News WatchMolly Wetsch
Dusty Johnson: The Problem SolverA profile of U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, 1 of 4 Republicans running for South Dakota governor.South Dakota News Watch·May 29·8 min readSubscribecommissionedDonatejumping
Jon Hansen: The Comeback Kid?A profile of state House Speaker Jon Hansen, 1 of 4 Republicans running for South Dakota governor. South Dakota News Watch·May 28·9 min readcommissionedpollSubscribeutilized
Toby Doeden: The 'Outsider'A profile of Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden, 1 of 4 Republicans running for South Dakota governor. "We needed a bold outsider to step up."South Dakota News Watch·May 27·9 min readSouth Dakota Election Voter GuideEverything South Dakota voters need to know about statewide contests in the primary and general elections.South Dakota News WatchAlexander RifaatpollSubscribelatest financial figures
Fact brief: Is SD's point-of-sale tax rate at an all-time high?An ad from Dusty for Governor claims that Larry Rhoden's and Jon Hansen supported legislation that led to the "highest tax rate in South Dakota's history."South Dakota News Watch·May 27·2 min readDusty for Governorsuch as this oneDusty for Governor adSouth Dakota
South Dakota GOP primary preview: US SenateA preview of the upcoming GOP U.S. Senate primary election in South Dakota pitting current U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds against Justin McNeal of Rapid City. South Dakota News Watch·May 26·4 min readthe latest pollSubscribeNew SD law congests local elections; races to watchA new South Dakota law about municipal election dates is adding to an already-heavy ballot for many voters this June.South Dakota News WatchMolly WetschSouth Dakota Election Voter GuideEverything South Dakota voters need to know about statewide contests in the primary and general elections.South Dakota News WatchAlexander Rifaat
South Dakota GOP primary preview: US HouseA preview of the upcoming South Dakota GOP U.S. House primary election pitting state Attorney General Marty Jackley against James Bialota. South Dakota News Watch·May 26·4 min readthe latest pollSubscribeconvictionSouth Dakota Election Voter GuideEverything South Dakota voters need to know about statewide contests in the primary and general elections.South Dakota News WatchAlexander Rifaat
South Dakota student makes it to 2nd round of national spelling beeOscar Quezada is among 247 elementary and middle school students competing in Washington. South Dakota News Watch·May 25·2 min readOscar Quezada11 middle schoolers to compete in state civics beeThe winners chosen from four regional competitions will meet June 11 at Augustana University.South Dakota News WatchCarson WalkerYes, I will support the beeShare your thoughts on this story
The wall and on the web: New ways to honor SD Vietnam vetsPosthumous honors are planned in June to memorialize the lives of several South Dakotans who served in Vietnam, including a biologist from Rapid City, a school superintendent from Rosholt and a correc…South Dakota News Watch·May 25·9 min readSubscribeIllnesses related to firefighting foam latest burden for South Dakota veteransMilitary veterans who served at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City and at Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station in Sioux Falls are part of new national class-action lawsuits seeking damages due to exposure to toxic chemicals in firefighting foam.South Dakota News WatchBart PfankuchVVMF websiteTimothy M. Bjork
11 middle schoolers to compete in state civics beeThe winners chosen from four regional competitions will meet June 11 at Augustana University. South Dakota News Watch·May 22·6 min readSubscribeSioux Falls 5th grader wins South Dakota State Spelling Bee11-year-old is headed to the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington after nailing “arrearage.”South Dakota News WatchCarson WalkerRegistration is recommendedrequirement that students be proficient in civics
'Nine Little Indians' tells story from South Dakota's Native boarding schoolsHow a film about nine sisters abused at a Native American boarding school illustrates the broad scope of South Dakota's history with the system: "It is huge, to have the courage and to get to a point …South Dakota News Watch·May 22·10 min readNine Little IndiansAt least 3,000 children died10 states in the countryThe film will premiere at Lincoln Center
Fact brief: Did Dusty Johnson lead the House in charter-flight expenses?A claim from an ad attacking South Dakota gubernatorial candidate Dusty Johnson claims the House representative spent more on chartered flight than any of his cohorts.South Dakota News Watch·May 21·2 min readthis one.Congressional Perks: Congress spends on pricey airfare, lodging and private jetsTaxpayers fuel pricey private flights for Gillibrand, Schumer, other senatorsDefend US PAC ad
Final primary campaign filings underscore Johnson's financial edgeThe four candidates vying for the GOP nomination for South Dakota governor unveiled their final campaign finance figures ahead of the June 2 primary ballot. South Dakota News Watch·May 21·5 min readcurrent balance of $931,000Gov. Larry Rhoden's campaign reporting $170,000House Speaker Jon Hansen's camp reporting $164,000Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden reporting $214,000
New SD law congests local elections; races to watchLocal contests reflect a year of high political involvement and loaded ballots thanks to new South Dakota election law. "Local elections, in particular, you tend to think of when something goes wrong.…South Dakota News Watch·May 20·11 min readSouth Dakota Election Voter GuideEverything South Dakota voters need to know about statewide contests in the primary and general elections.South Dakota News WatchAlexander RifaatSouth Dakota SearchlightSubscribeA forum
1 of world's largest energy storage plants launches in SDFacility will absorb excess, low-cost energy from wind turbines that might otherwise be lost due to capacity limits on the existing power grid and store it in carbon blocks for use when needed.South Dakota News Watch·May 19·8 min readDonateStudent interest in SD energy programs on the riseThree students in Lake Area Technical College’s energy programs speak to News Watch about why they chose to join the rapidly growing sector.South Dakota News WatchMolly WetschSubscribeMajor power line expansions will fuel future growth in SDMajor new power lines are coming to South Dakota, which could provide a path for new development over the next few decades.South Dakota News WatchBart Pfankuch
Fact brief: Has SD ever elected a woman to the US Senate?As of 2026, 64 women from 34 states have served in the United States Senate. South Dakota News Watch·May 19·2 min readthis one.Women senatorsVera BushfieldGladys Pyle
Homeowners stuck in 6 years of sinkhole limbo"If the Supreme Court rules against us, we're pretty much done. ... As for being compensated for your loss, you're pretty much out of luck." South Dakota News Watch·May 18·10 min readresearchSubscribeDonateShare your thoughts on this story
Back to the future? SD Senate primaries see a slew of rematchesAn examination of key races in this year's election. "If property rights are important to people, they're not going to forget." South Dakota News Watch·May 15·11 min readFind out which district you live inthe list of candidatesSubscribeShowing our math: The numbers behind the latest pollIn the final story of this week’s series examining the results of our new poll, we look back at the main takeaways and explain the methodology.South Dakota News WatchAlexander Rifaat
Fact brief: Does SD have any laws about Automatic License Plate Readers?Flock Safety’s Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) are operational in 49 states, including South Dakota.South Dakota News Watch·May 12·2 min readSouth Portland is considering adding another Flock camera. What are these?AI Is Watching Your Every Move on the Road. These State Laws Are Pushing BackMinnehaha County to add new cameras to catch stolen vehiclesSioux Falls Transparency Portal
'250+ years of American civics and news' in Watertown MondayNonpartisan events in Watertown, Sioux Falls and Custer State Park include a discussion about civic responsibilities and how to find fact-based news and information.South Dakota News Watch·Apr 28·3 min readYanktonRapid CityPierreVermillion
South Dakota crime reporting guideA resource for journalists, students and members of the public who are interested in the judicial system at all levels: state, federal and tribal.South Dakota News Watch·Apr 24·81 min readCivics Uncovered: South Dakota CourtsPodcast Episode · Dakota Dialogues · May 7 · 25mApple Podcastsclerk of court officeeCourtshttps://eCourts.sd.gov
A guide to South Dakota's 9 Native tribesThe governance, geography, people and economy of South Dakota's nine Native American reservations and tribes.South Dakota News Watch·Jan 14·8 min readgoverned byan estimated 15,993 membersan estimated 4,600 membersgoverned by a president
South Dakota voter guideEverything to know about registering and voting in statewide elections, and who and what are on the ballot.South Dakota News Watch·Nov 10·13 min readgovernment and political storiesVoter Information PortalDownload a registration formHere's an FAQ
Iconic movies shot in South DakotaFrom 'Dances With Wolves' to 'National Treasure,' these notable movies were filmed in South Dakota. South Dakota News Watch·Sep 17·5 min readDonateShare your thoughts on this storysdnewswatch.orgsign up for an email
