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.
"If you want to work as a parent, you have to take your kids somewhere." #Redfield #SouthDakota gets creative in filling its #childcare need.
Grassroots effort in Redfield turning old bank into day care
How the South Dakota city of 2,200 used a Ford Mustang raffle and a "grocery grab" fundraiser to solve a major problem.
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February 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"If you want to work as a parent, you have to take your kids somewhere." #Redfield #SouthDakota gets creative in filling its #childcare need.
A Madison High School graduate and former Sioux Falls attorney is leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
Is a former South Dakotan leading the Nancy Guthrie case?
Heith Janke is currently serving as the FBI special agent in charge of Guthrie’s disappearance from her Arizona home.
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February 12, 2026 at 3:45 PM
A Madison High School graduate and former Sioux Falls attorney is leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
Family of Zander Zephier sues U.S. Marshals Service for his 2024 death north of Wagner.
Family of man killed in raid sues US Marshals for $150 million
23-year-old was shot Nov. 27, 2024, just north of Wagner while live-streaming himself brushing his teeth.
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February 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Family of Zander Zephier sues U.S. Marshals Service for his 2024 death north of Wagner.
Trivia question: Who was the first South Dakota-born player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? The answer in our latest fact brief:
Is Adam Vinatieri the only SD-born player in the NFL HOF?
Adam Vinatieri, the all-time NFL points leader, was selected to join the Hall of Fame on Feb. 6.
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February 10, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Trivia question: Who was the first South Dakota-born player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? The answer in our latest fact brief:
"I do have concerns that we're trying to do too much all at once." An assessment of the #SouthDakota GOP governor candidate property tax proposals.
Assessing SD gubernatorial candidates' property tax proposals
A look at ideas from the GOP candidates for governor includes comparisons to California's Prop 13. "This may actually increase local costs instead of decreasing them."
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February 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"I do have concerns that we're trying to do too much all at once." An assessment of the #SouthDakota GOP governor candidate property tax proposals.
5th grader wins #SouthDakota State Spelling Bee in 19th round.
Sioux Falls 5th grader wins South Dakota State Spelling Bee
11-year-old is headed to the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington after nailing "arrearage."
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February 8, 2026 at 9:30 PM
5th grader wins #SouthDakota State Spelling Bee in 19th round.
The latest changes in #SouthDakota #media.
SD media landscape shifts as newspapers sold, two launch
The ever-changing landscape of South Dakota's traditional and new media industry evolved further in the past few months, with newspapers starting, changing hands and closing.
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February 6, 2026 at 2:01 PM
The latest changes in #SouthDakota #media.
A 2023 study showed what areas of the country are underserved by ambulance services. The latest fact brief:
Does SD have some of the most ‘ambulance deserts?’
An ambulance desert is places and people that are more than 25 minutes from an ambulance service.
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February 5, 2026 at 1:15 PM
A 2023 study showed what areas of the country are underserved by ambulance services. The latest fact brief:
"oftentimes those individual counties are surprised by the needs in their county that maybe are different than what we see overall in the state.” Top calls for help to #SouthDakota's 211.
South Dakotans' biggest needs, according to 211 calls
Calls to 211 in 2025 indicate that many South Dakotans are concerned about access to housing, food and utilities.
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February 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"oftentimes those individual counties are surprised by the needs in their county that maybe are different than what we see overall in the state.” Top calls for help to #SouthDakota's 211.
More than 10 states have complied with the DOJ's order to share voter rolls, while other states are being sued.
Has South Dakota shared voter rolls with the DOJ?
More than 10 states have complied with a Department of Justice demand for voter rolls.
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February 3, 2026 at 2:05 PM
More than 10 states have complied with the DOJ's order to share voter rolls, while other states are being sued.
"We’re dipping our toes into the theater of becoming developers." Habitat expands from 1-house-at-a-time to entire developments. The potential impact on 9 #SouthDakota cities.
Habitat for Humanity leads nation in subdivision efforts
Organization shifts from single homes to larger projects in Sioux Falls and Rapid City at prices young families can afford.
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February 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"We’re dipping our toes into the theater of becoming developers." Habitat expands from 1-house-at-a-time to entire developments. The potential impact on 9 #SouthDakota cities.
#SouthDakota native Grey Zabel will be on the field when the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks meet in Super Bowl 60. Read more about him and see photos below.
South Dakotan in the Super Bowl
Pierre's Grey Zabel, who played at North Dakota State, was drafted last year by the Seattle Seahawks, which meets the New England Patriots Sunday.
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January 31, 2026 at 3:00 PM
#SouthDakota native Grey Zabel will be on the field when the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks meet in Super Bowl 60. Read more about him and see photos below.
"Cohousing doesn't just create houses. It creates a community. And it does that very intentionally." Read about a #housing solution that's new to #SouthDakota.
SD cohousing development finds its place in Vermillion
One group in a South Dakota college town hopes to redefine housing through community-focused development.
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January 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"Cohousing doesn't just create houses. It creates a community. And it does that very intentionally." Read about a #housing solution that's new to #SouthDakota.
What happens next after judge declares a mistrial in the case against Nick Tilsen.
Prominent Native activist's trial ends with a hung jury
Nick Tilsen, founder of Rapid City-based NDN Collective, is accused of assaulting a police officer in 2022.
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January 29, 2026 at 4:30 PM
What happens next after judge declares a mistrial in the case against Nick Tilsen.
Can non-Native Americans hunt on tribal lands? The latest fact brief:
Fact brief: Can people hunt on South Dakota tribal lands?
Though rules differ, several South Dakota reservations allow hunting on tribal lands.
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January 29, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Can non-Native Americans hunt on tribal lands? The latest fact brief:
"What they’re doing now is the homework to get their heads wrapped around what’s there." Renewed interest in #SouthDakota's rare minerals.
Reserves of critical minerals driving mining interest in SD
New efforts are underway in the state to pull several rare earth elements used in a variety of modern machines and technologies.
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January 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"What they’re doing now is the homework to get their heads wrapped around what’s there." Renewed interest in #SouthDakota's rare minerals.
The Southeast region of South Dakota has caught up to its western counterpart in tourism revenue the past few years. The latest Fact Brief:
Does Southeast SD generate more tourism than Black Hills?
While the eastern part of South Dakota isn't traditionally known for it's tourism, it's caught up to the Black Hills and the Badlands.
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January 27, 2026 at 3:52 PM
The Southeast region of South Dakota has caught up to its western counterpart in tourism revenue the past few years. The latest Fact Brief:
What to know about the case against Nick Tilsen.
Prominent Native activist to go on trial: What to know
Nick Tilsen, founder of Rapid City-based NDN Collective, is accused of assaulting a police officer in 2022.
buff.ly
January 26, 2026 at 2:00 PM
What to know about the case against Nick Tilsen.
What #SouthDakota women who work in #agriculture want.
Building connections matters most to women in SD ag
Confirmation comes from a research effort focused on women in agriculture, anchoring the first full year of the Women’s Ag Network.
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January 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM
What #SouthDakota women who work in #agriculture want.
A viral social media post warned of 'exploding' trees in South Dakota this weekend. The truth is not quite as exciting:
Fact brief: Can trees ‘explode’ during extreme cold weather?
A viral social media post that says trees “explode” in cold weather is misleading.
buff.ly
January 22, 2026 at 2:05 PM
A viral social media post warned of 'exploding' trees in South Dakota this weekend. The truth is not quite as exciting:
"You've just got to make sure we can prove that there'll be self-sustaining going forward once those one-time dollars are gone." How federal funds could impact #rural #healthcare in #SouthDakota.
What $189M in rural health care funding may mean for SD
Rural health care is getting a boost, but changes won’t happen overnight. Workforce and improved technology systems among the focus.
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January 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"You've just got to make sure we can prove that there'll be self-sustaining going forward once those one-time dollars are gone." How federal funds could impact #rural #healthcare in #SouthDakota.
Martin Luther King Jr. visited Sioux Falls in Jan. 1961, two years before his 'I Have a Dream' speech. The latest fact brief:
Fact brief: Was Martin Luther King Jr. discriminated against in Sioux Falls?
King arrived in Sioux Falls during the middle of riots at the University of Georgia after two Black students were admitted for the first time.
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January 20, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Martin Luther King Jr. visited Sioux Falls in Jan. 1961, two years before his 'I Have a Dream' speech. The latest fact brief:
"It’s new territory and it’s scary and we need to get a handle on it." #SouthDakota's education secretary says schools need options in handling unruly students.
As student violence rises, state wants districts to have options
A 2024 survey found that aggressive behavior was the second-most common job complaint among educators behind low wages.
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January 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"It’s new territory and it’s scary and we need to get a handle on it." #SouthDakota's education secretary says schools need options in handling unruly students.
"It’s an honor to welcome students from across the state and celebrate their hard work, curiosity and love of learning." Who's taking part and how to attend #SouthDakota State Spelling Bee, sponsored South Dakota News Watch and DWU.
South Dakota students to compete in state spelling bee
The Feb. 7 competition at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell is the second state bee sponsored by South Dakota News Watch and DWU.
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January 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"It’s an honor to welcome students from across the state and celebrate their hard work, curiosity and love of learning." Who's taking part and how to attend #SouthDakota State Spelling Bee, sponsored South Dakota News Watch and DWU.
The iconic M Hill has has showcased South Dakota Mines in Rapid City for more than 100 years, but was it the first big university letter in the U.S.?
Was Rapid City’s M Hill the first of its kind in the United States?
The iconic M Hill has showcased South Dakota Mines in Rapid City for more than 100 years, but was it the first in a college town?
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January 15, 2026 at 2:05 PM
The iconic M Hill has has showcased South Dakota Mines in Rapid City for more than 100 years, but was it the first big university letter in the U.S.?