South Dakota Searchlight
@southdakotasearchlight.com
We provide free news and commentary on critical issues facing the state. We seek to serve the public interest with accuracy, fairness, insight and civility.
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We'll always keep you informed here about South Dakota news. Want to see how issues you care about are playing out in other states, and in D.C.? Follow our @StatesNewsroom.com accounts and journalists from across the country. We made this Starter Pack to make it easy:
Vice President JD Vance said the Trump administration would stand by the federal immigration officer who shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Defiant Vance scolds reporters over descriptions of Minneapolis ICE shooting • South Dakota Searchlight
Vice President JD Vance said the Trump administration would stand by the federal immigration officer who shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis.
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January 9, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Vice President JD Vance said the Trump administration would stand by the federal immigration officer who shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-SD, voted no, but the U.S. House approved a bipartisan bill to resurrect the enhanced tax credits that expired at the end of last year for people who purchase their #HealthInsurance from the #AffordableCareAct marketplace.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Via @statesnewsroom.com
US House backs extension of health insurance subsidies, but SD Rep. Johnson votes no • South Dakota Searchlight
The U.S. House approved a bipartisan bill to resurrect the enhanced tax credits that expired at the end of last year for people who purchase their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act…
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January 9, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-SD, voted no, but the U.S. House approved a bipartisan bill to resurrect the enhanced tax credits that expired at the end of last year for people who purchase their #HealthInsurance from the #AffordableCareAct marketplace.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Efforts to override two vetoes by President Donald Trump failed in the U.S. House. South Dakota Republican Dusty Johnson voted to sustain the vetoes.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Via @statesnewsroom.com
US House sustains Trump vetoes of water projects in Colorado, Florida • South Dakota Searchlight
The U.S. House voted to sustain two vetoes by President Donald Trump of noncontroversial measures supported by members of both parties.
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January 9, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Efforts to override two vetoes by President Donald Trump failed in the U.S. House. South Dakota Republican Dusty Johnson voted to sustain the vetoes.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Republican governor candidate Dusty Johnson wants to give first-time homebuyers two years without #PropertyTaxes and also wants to provide $400 annual property tax credits to all other homeowners in the state. buff.ly/WUGTU3w
Johnson for Governor campaign proposes $400 property tax credits for homeowners • South Dakota Searchlight
Republican governor candidate Dusty Johnson also wants to give first-time homebuyers two years without property taxes.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:17 AM
Republican governor candidate Dusty Johnson wants to give first-time homebuyers two years without #PropertyTaxes and also wants to provide $400 annual property tax credits to all other homeowners in the state. buff.ly/WUGTU3w
An investigation of unlawful computer use and computer-generated pornography sharing by a former employee of the state Division of Motor Vehicles has turned up at least 50 victims, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced. buff.ly/A9rW4A2
Former driver’s licensing employee accused of targeting 50 victims in AI pornography case • South Dakota Searchlight
An investigation of a former employee of the state Division of Motor Vehicles has turned up at least 50 victims in an AI porn case.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:36 PM
An investigation of unlawful computer use and computer-generated pornography sharing by a former employee of the state Division of Motor Vehicles has turned up at least 50 victims, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced. buff.ly/A9rW4A2
Republicans and Democrats in Congress are cautiously optimistic they can enact the remaining government funding bills before their deadline at the end of the month, avoiding another shutdown.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Maybe, just maybe, there’s not another shutdown looming at the end of January • South Dakota Searchlight
Republicans and Democrats in Congress are cautiously optimistic they can enact the remaining government funding bills before their deadline.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Republicans and Democrats in Congress are cautiously optimistic they can enact the remaining government funding bills before their deadline at the end of the month, avoiding another shutdown.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Via @statesnewsroom.com
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South Dakota Republicans #JohnThune and #MikeRounds voted no, but some other Senate Republicans joined Democrats in advancing a war powers resolution to halt U.S. military action in #Venezuela without congressional authorization. buff.ly/KTeo6vf
US Senate advances war powers resolution rebuking Trump on Venezuela, but SD's senators vote no • South Dakota Searchlight
In a rare rebuke to President Donald Trump, Senate Republicans joined Democrats in advancing a war powers resolution to halt U.S. military action in Venezuela without congressional authorization.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:52 PM
South Dakota Republicans #JohnThune and #MikeRounds voted no, but some other Senate Republicans joined Democrats in advancing a war powers resolution to halt U.S. military action in #Venezuela without congressional authorization. buff.ly/KTeo6vf
Thousands filled Portland Avenue near 34th Street in Minneapolis, where hours earlier an ICE officer shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. Candles, flowers and whistles filled the patch of snow where Good’s car crashed after she was shot.
Via @minnesotareformer.com
Via @minnesotareformer.com
Vigil for Renee Nicole Good becomes a call to action against ICE • South Dakota Searchlight
Good’s death has become a rallying cry for the people working to disrupt President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign.
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January 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Thousands filled Portland Avenue near 34th Street in Minneapolis, where hours earlier an ICE officer shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. Candles, flowers and whistles filled the patch of snow where Good’s car crashed after she was shot.
Via @minnesotareformer.com
Via @minnesotareformer.com
A South Dakota board has approved the issuance of up to $200 million in bonds for Rapid City-based Monument Health to support expansions and upgrades, as its rival Sanford Health builds a new hospital in Rapid City.
State facilitates $200 million in bonds for Monument Health amid Sanford’s expansion into Rapid City • South Dakota Searchlight
A state board has backed a plan to issue up to $200 million in bonds for Rapid City-based Monument Health to support expansions and upgrades.
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January 8, 2026 at 3:03 PM
A South Dakota board has approved the issuance of up to $200 million in bonds for Rapid City-based Monument Health to support expansions and upgrades, as its rival Sanford Health builds a new hospital in Rapid City.
President Donald Trump defended a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, while congressional Democrats universally condemned the action.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Dems demand investigation of fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting as Trump claims self-defense • South Dakota Searchlight
President Donald Trump defended a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis.
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January 8, 2026 at 1:00 AM
President Donald Trump defended a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, while congressional Democrats universally condemned the action.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will meet with Danish officials, following a push from the Trump administration to annex or even use the military against #Greenland — a course of action questioned by several Republican senators.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Rubio to meet with Danish officials amid Greenland push by Trump administration • South Dakota Searchlight
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will meet with Danish officials, following a recent push from the Trump administration to annex or even use the military against Greenland.
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January 8, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will meet with Danish officials, following a push from the Trump administration to annex or even use the military against #Greenland — a course of action questioned by several Republican senators.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
Via @statesnewsroom.com
A dispute over #abortion rights advertising in South Dakota has spawned dueling state and federal lawsuits. A New York-based nonprofit filed a federal lawsuit against South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley after he sued the group in state court. buff.ly/NPFaFww
Dueling federal and state lawsuits arise in dispute over abortion-rights ads in South Dakota • South Dakota Searchlight
A New York-based abortion rights nonprofit filed a federal lawsuit against South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:04 PM
A dispute over #abortion rights advertising in South Dakota has spawned dueling state and federal lawsuits. A New York-based nonprofit filed a federal lawsuit against South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley after he sued the group in state court. buff.ly/NPFaFww
An ICE officer shot a woman through her car window in south Minneapolis. The person is dead, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.
Via @minnesotareformer.com
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Via @minnesotareformer.com
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ICE officer fatally shoots driver through car window in Minneapolis • South Dakota Searchlight
An ICE officer shot a woman driving an SUV through her car window in south Minneapolis. The person is dead, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:56 PM
An ICE officer shot a woman through her car window in south Minneapolis. The person is dead, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.
Via @minnesotareformer.com
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Via @minnesotareformer.com
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Gov. Larry Rhoden has asked the federal government to help pay for more than $1.7 million in damage to public property in South Dakota caused by a storm last month that included wind gusts of more than 100 mph. buff.ly/lPdz827
Governor seeks federal help for damages from December wind storm • South Dakota Searchlight
Gov. Larry Rhoden has asked the federal government to help pay for more than $1.7 million in damage to public property in South Dakota.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Gov. Larry Rhoden has asked the federal government to help pay for more than $1.7 million in damage to public property in South Dakota caused by a storm last month that included wind gusts of more than 100 mph. buff.ly/lPdz827
County health officials across the country are bracing for an estimated 10 million newly uninsured patients over the next decade in the wake of Republicans’ #OneBigBeautifulBill Act.
Via @kffhealthnews.org
Via @kffhealthnews.org
On the hook for uninsured residents, counties now wonder how they'll pay • South Dakota Searchlight
County health officials across the country are bracing for an estimated 10 million newly uninsured patients over the next decade in the wake of Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
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January 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM
County health officials across the country are bracing for an estimated 10 million newly uninsured patients over the next decade in the wake of Republicans’ #OneBigBeautifulBill Act.
Via @kffhealthnews.org
Via @kffhealthnews.org
Five years after a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, the struggle to define the event and assign blame carried on in events across the city.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Inside and outside the U.S. Capitol, the fifth anniversary of Jan. 6 reverberates • South Dakota Searchlight
Five years after a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, the struggle to define the event and assign blame carried on.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Five years after a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, the struggle to define the event and assign blame carried on in events across the city.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Via @statesnewsroom.com
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"Communities need to have transparency around proposed #DataCenters," writes Brooke Manca, "so they can weigh the economic and environmental impacts in order to protect hardworking South Dakotans and our beautiful lands."
Commentary:
Commentary:
We need transparency about data centers to weigh their economic and environmental impacts • South Dakota Searchlight
Would you be surprised to learn that using ChatGPT, artificial intelligence photo editing, or even asking your Alexa/Siri a question contributes to significant water and electricity consumption?
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January 7, 2026 at 12:15 AM
"Communities need to have transparency around proposed #DataCenters," writes Brooke Manca, "so they can weigh the economic and environmental impacts in order to protect hardworking South Dakotans and our beautiful lands."
Commentary:
Commentary:
President Donald Trump is considering options to acquire #Greenland, including possible military operations, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Via @statesnewsroom.com
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White House floats military action to take Greenland • South Dakota Searchlight
President Trump is considering options to acquire Greenland, including possible military operations, the White House press secretary said.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:07 PM
President Donald Trump is considering options to acquire #Greenland, including possible military operations, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Via @statesnewsroom.com
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U.S. California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa has died and Indiana Republican Rep. Jim Baird was injured in a car accident, President Donald Trump said.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Death of US House member from California narrows already slim GOP majority • South Dakota Searchlight
U.S. California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa has died and Indiana Republican Rep. Jim Baird was injured in a car accident.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:36 PM
U.S. California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa has died and Indiana Republican Rep. Jim Baird was injured in a car accident, President Donald Trump said.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Via @statesnewsroom.com
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The South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance hopes a new grant will help it bridge a divide: "Over 80% of people want to have a Native American experience when they visit South Dakota," said one of the organization's leaders. "Not even half of them actually do, though." buff.ly/kIlF1Hf
Q&A: Nonprofit hopes to give tourists more of the Native American experiences they want in SD • South Dakota Searchlight
A survey from South Dakota Tourism in 2018 found that around 80% of visitors want a Native American “experience” during their stay.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:53 PM
The South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance hopes a new grant will help it bridge a divide: "Over 80% of people want to have a Native American experience when they visit South Dakota," said one of the organization's leaders. "Not even half of them actually do, though." buff.ly/kIlF1Hf
A South Dakota #dairy industry leader warned that maintaining the industry's momentum could depend partly on the number of workers allowed into the United States: “We expect it to be extremely difficult to find employees, especially if we don’t allow more laborers in."
Dairy leader expects difficulty finding workers 'if we don't allow more laborers in' • South Dakota Searchlight
South Dakota’s dairy industry has grown rapidly over the past two decades, but maintaining the momentum could depend on labor availability.
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January 5, 2026 at 11:00 PM
A South Dakota #dairy industry leader warned that maintaining the industry's momentum could depend partly on the number of workers allowed into the United States: “We expect it to be extremely difficult to find employees, especially if we don’t allow more laborers in."
"In just about every legislative session, public schools find their funding the target of some legislator who hasn’t been in a classroom for 30 years but thinks he knows what’s best for education."
Commentary from Dana Hess:
Commentary from Dana Hess:
Cruel months are piling up for South Dakota’s public schools • South Dakota Searchlight
In just about every legislative session, schools find their funding the target of a legislator who hasn’t been in a classroom for 30 years.
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January 5, 2026 at 10:00 PM
"In just about every legislative session, public schools find their funding the target of some legislator who hasn’t been in a classroom for 30 years but thinks he knows what’s best for education."
Commentary from Dana Hess:
Commentary from Dana Hess:
The Defense Department will attempt to downgrade Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly’s retirement rank and pay, seeking to punish him for making a video along with other Democrats in Congress, who told members of the #military they didn’t need to follow illegal orders.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Pentagon will try to penalize Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly for illegal orders video • South Dakota Searchlight
The Defense Department will attempt to downgrade Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly’s retirement rank and pay.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:38 PM
The Defense Department will attempt to downgrade Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly’s retirement rank and pay, seeking to punish him for making a video along with other Democrats in Congress, who told members of the #military they didn’t need to follow illegal orders.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
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Via @statesnewsroom.com
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South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden reminded lawmakers during his budget address that state law “dictates” a minimum increase in #education funding. But in the next breath, he recommended flat funding for South Dakota #schools.
@makenziehuber.bsky.social explains how that works:
@makenziehuber.bsky.social explains how that works:
How South Dakota lawmakers get around a law that ‘dictates’ increased funding for schools • South Dakota Searchlight
The mandatory increase required annual increases of 3% or inflation, whichever is less — an amount described as the “index factor.”
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January 5, 2026 at 2:34 PM
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden reminded lawmakers during his budget address that state law “dictates” a minimum increase in #education funding. But in the next breath, he recommended flat funding for South Dakota #schools.
@makenziehuber.bsky.social explains how that works:
@makenziehuber.bsky.social explains how that works:
Refugee resettlement fell sharply in South Dakota during the last federal fiscal year, and no #refugees have arrived in the state during the past 11 months, according to the agency that manages the program.
See the numbers:
See the numbers:
Refugee arrivals in SD decline after last year’s spike, expected to stay low • South Dakota Searchlight
Refugee resettlement numbers are falling at the state and national levels. A new state report shows how South Dakota is being impacted.
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January 4, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Refugee resettlement fell sharply in South Dakota during the last federal fiscal year, and no #refugees have arrived in the state during the past 11 months, according to the agency that manages the program.
See the numbers:
See the numbers: