South Dakota News Watch
@sdnewswatch.bsky.social
A nonprofit of South Dakota journalists who tell in-depth and investigative stories, verify claims and engage with communities to identify solutions. https://www.sdnewswatch.org.
“This is highly indicative of the internal rifts between the Trump administration and establishment Republicans.” What some #SouthDakota voters think about our institutions.
Poll: Confidence in government shows large partisan divides
South Dakota voters have low confidence in the U.S. presidency and Congress but high confidence in state government.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“This is highly indicative of the internal rifts between the Trump administration and establishment Republicans.” What some #SouthDakota voters think about our institutions.
One website touts South Dakota residency as a way to “avoid state income and other taxes, save on vehicle insurance and more.”
Is South Dakota one of the easiest states to acquire residency?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 2:05 PM
One website touts South Dakota residency as a way to “avoid state income and other taxes, save on vehicle insurance and more.”
"The whole thing is pushing those goals to where we don't have to rely on the government, where we can get out there and be the working class." Teaching money management to kids and parents on Pine Ridge reservation. #rural #NativeAmerica #education
Financial literacy aims to boost sovereignty on Pine Ridge
With the 3rd-highest poverty rate in the U.S., an Oglala Lakota County group hopes to improve tribal sovereignty by teaching kids about finances.
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"The whole thing is pushing those goals to where we don't have to rely on the government, where we can get out there and be the working class." Teaching money management to kids and parents on Pine Ridge reservation. #rural #NativeAmerica #education
Some South Dakota residents don't have easy access to SNAP-eligible retailers. More in our latest Fact Brief:
Fact brief: Does South Dakota have a county that doesn’t have a SNAP-eligible retailer?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
buff.ly
November 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Some South Dakota residents don't have easy access to SNAP-eligible retailers. More in our latest Fact Brief:
"One of the things I'd really love to see in #RapidCity is that we become a health care hub for the region." Sanford Health announces plans for $500M hospital campus.
Sanford Health to build $500M hospital in Rapid City
The Sioux Falls-based health system continues its recent expansion into the Black Hills market with its biggest plans yet for a 168-bed hospital and specialty care facility.
buff.ly
November 18, 2025 at 12:52 AM
"One of the things I'd really love to see in #RapidCity is that we become a health care hub for the region." Sanford Health announces plans for $500M hospital campus.
“The more quickly we can move away from the uncertainty, the better.” Poll of #SouthDakota voters finds split support for #tariffs.
Poll: Support for Trump tariffs uneven in South Dakota
While opinion of Trump's aggressive policies is mixed among voters, some businesses and agricultural producers are put off by volatility.
buff.ly
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“The more quickly we can move away from the uncertainty, the better.” Poll of #SouthDakota voters finds split support for #tariffs.
"We just want to know, where are we at?" #SouthDakota farmers worry the bill to end the shutdown could hurt the state's #hemp industry, which is No. 1 in the nation.
Hemp industry grows amid federal legality battle
South Dakota is No. 1 in hemp fiber production. But as its farmers and processors grow the industry, federal legislation threatens some sectors of it.
buff.ly
November 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"We just want to know, where are we at?" #SouthDakota farmers worry the bill to end the shutdown could hurt the state's #hemp industry, which is No. 1 in the nation.
Do data centers lead to higher energy prices in the region? The latest fact brief:
Fact brief: Can data centers lead to higher energy prices?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
buff.ly
November 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Do data centers lead to higher energy prices in the region? The latest fact brief:
#SouthDakota poll shows strong support among voters for new #SiouxFalls prison as the focus shifts to rehabilitation programs. Read the survey results.
Poll: Majority of voters support new South Dakota prison
With the new prison authorized, new disagreements over prison programs come to the forefront.
buff.ly
November 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
#SouthDakota poll shows strong support among voters for new #SiouxFalls prison as the focus shifts to rehabilitation programs. Read the survey results.
South Dakota has more high school football classes than Texas, but do they have the most in the country?
Does South Dakota have the most high school football classes?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
South Dakota has more high school football classes than Texas, but do they have the most in the country?
“It was amazing to see people wanting to invest in their community because they’re not getting any return on their money up front.” One #SouthDakota town's solution to the #housing crunch.
Salem residents invest own money in new subdivision
After 2 damaging derechos, 50 individuals and business owners donated $250K toward new housing with no promise of a return on their investment.
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM
“It was amazing to see people wanting to invest in their community because they’re not getting any return on their money up front.” One #SouthDakota town's solution to the #housing crunch.
"So I think rural Americans, #rural #SouthDakota, will appreciate this effort to understand their place better." Conference focuses on the #Midwest.
Effort to highlight Midwestern history and academia comes to SD
Can studying a region's past help to understand it in the present? The Lost Region Recovery Project attempts to answer that question.
buff.ly
November 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"So I think rural Americans, #rural #SouthDakota, will appreciate this effort to understand their place better." Conference focuses on the #Midwest.
As the shutdown reaches a record duration, not all government employees are feeling the pinch equally.
Fact brief: Are members of Congress getting paid during shutdown?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
buff.ly
November 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
As the shutdown reaches a record duration, not all government employees are feeling the pinch equally.
“Congress tends to be more visible and polarizing than the governor." How #SouthDakota voters perceive their elected leaders and the why behind the numbers.
Poll: What South Dakotans think of their political leaders
Most enjoy high approval ratings, though national positions are weighing on a couple. Challengers struggle with name recognition.
buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
“Congress tends to be more visible and polarizing than the governor." How #SouthDakota voters perceive their elected leaders and the why behind the numbers.
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buff.ly
November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
This week kicks off our #NewsMatch campaign! There’s never been a more critical time to support nonprofit newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your donation is DOUBLED!
Will you show your support today?
Will you show your support today?
High school football participation had been declining for years. Is it starting to rebound?
Is SD's prep football participation at a historic low
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
buff.ly
November 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
High school football participation had been declining for years. Is it starting to rebound?
“It’s essentially creating access to buying or selling whatever you need when you want to.” #SouthDakota big part of $30 billion in new transmission lines projects.
www.sdnewswatch.org/electric-pow...
www.sdnewswatch.org/electric-pow...
Major power line expansions will fuel future growth in SD
Major new power lines are coming to South Dakota, which could provide a path for new development over the next few decades.
www.sdnewswatch.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“It’s essentially creating access to buying or selling whatever you need when you want to.” #SouthDakota big part of $30 billion in new transmission lines projects.
www.sdnewswatch.org/electric-pow...
www.sdnewswatch.org/electric-pow...
"If you're a practitioner in a small town, you have everything walking through the door." Incentive program helps fill legal gap in rural #SouthDakota.
'Real-life science experiment' fills critical legal gaps in rural SD
"Your clients are going to be the couple down the street, the old guy across the road, your kids’ friends’ parents."
buff.ly
October 31, 2025 at 1:00 PM
"If you're a practitioner in a small town, you have everything walking through the door." Incentive program helps fill legal gap in rural #SouthDakota.
As SNAP benefits cease on Saturday because of the government shutdown, here's how many South Dakotans will be affected:
Does SD have one of the lowest SNAP recipient rates in the country?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
buff.ly
October 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
As SNAP benefits cease on Saturday because of the government shutdown, here's how many South Dakotans will be affected:
A poll on the South Dakota U.S. House race shows it's "clear sailing" for Attorney General Marty Jackley -- unless a big name jumps into the race, polling expert says. buff.ly/UZb3n8F
October 30, 2025 at 2:05 AM
A poll on the South Dakota U.S. House race shows it's "clear sailing" for Attorney General Marty Jackley -- unless a big name jumps into the race, polling expert says. buff.ly/UZb3n8F
“I guess if there’s any story in the House race at all, it's going to be, are undecided voters truly undecided, or is it just a lower-information race?” Who #SouthDakota Republicans support in the 2026 congressional race.
SD House poll: Jackley leads with many undecided
The AG trailed behind the leaders in the governor's race, but his move to the House race appears to have paid off.
buff.ly
October 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
“I guess if there’s any story in the House race at all, it's going to be, are undecided voters truly undecided, or is it just a lower-information race?” Who #SouthDakota Republicans support in the 2026 congressional race.
Wind energy has quadrupled in South Dakota since 2019, but how does the state rank nationally in clean energy?
Is SD's percentage of clean energy the highest in the US?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
buff.ly
October 28, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Wind energy has quadrupled in South Dakota since 2019, but how does the state rank nationally in clean energy?
The latest poll for the South Dakota Republican gubernatorial primary shows no clear leader with seven months to go until election day. buff.ly/MlYBkPC
October 28, 2025 at 1:05 AM
The latest poll for the South Dakota Republican gubernatorial primary shows no clear leader with seven months to go until election day. buff.ly/MlYBkPC
"I think that there's a race that's going to happen." #SouthDakota #Republicans share their choice for governor in new scientific poll.
SD governor poll: Rhoden, Johnson lead; Doeden, Hansen surge
A poll shows GOP voters throwing their support behind incumbent Larry Rhoden and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson. But challengers are pulling in voters.
buff.ly
October 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
"I think that there's a race that's going to happen." #SouthDakota #Republicans share their choice for governor in new scientific poll.
"The city of Piedmont will not see any financial benefit from this project." How a limestone mine was approved without advance notice.
Piedmont residents shocked by new mine coming to town
A lax state mining law and lack of county land-use regulations allowed the operation to be approved without input from the public or local government.
buff.ly
October 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
"The city of Piedmont will not see any financial benefit from this project." How a limestone mine was approved without advance notice.