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.
On Nov. 7, @statesnewsroom.com is launching Stories From The States, a weekly podcast designed to help you make sense of the dizzying swirl of news happening in our country.
We hope you’ll listen: buff.ly/l8tKu1w
We hope you’ll listen: buff.ly/l8tKu1w
November 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM
On Nov. 7, @statesnewsroom.com is launching Stories From The States, a weekly podcast designed to help you make sense of the dizzying swirl of news happening in our country.
We hope you’ll listen: buff.ly/l8tKu1w
We hope you’ll listen: buff.ly/l8tKu1w
Today, we’re celebrating South Dakota Searchlight’s third birthday!
The best birthday gift is a donation: buff.ly/gAt6ykP. Your support allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter most to you. Will you join the celebration?
The best birthday gift is a donation: buff.ly/gAt6ykP. Your support allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter most to you. Will you join the celebration?
October 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Today, we’re celebrating South Dakota Searchlight’s third birthday!
The best birthday gift is a donation: buff.ly/gAt6ykP. Your support allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter most to you. Will you join the celebration?
The best birthday gift is a donation: buff.ly/gAt6ykP. Your support allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter most to you. Will you join the celebration?
South Dakota Searchlight's journalism and commentary, States Newsroom's D.C. and national reporting, news from neighboring states, and South Dakota news from other outlets, all curated for you and sent to your inbox for free.
Sign up for Searchlight Daily: buff.ly/eTk1t65
Sign up for Searchlight Daily: buff.ly/eTk1t65
October 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
South Dakota Searchlight's journalism and commentary, States Newsroom's D.C. and national reporting, news from neighboring states, and South Dakota news from other outlets, all curated for you and sent to your inbox for free.
Sign up for Searchlight Daily: buff.ly/eTk1t65
Sign up for Searchlight Daily: buff.ly/eTk1t65
"Hope might be the better word over faith," said the leader of the South Dakota Soybean Association when asked if farmers have faith in a good outcome from the Trump administration’s trade standoff with China.
The comments came after a Farmers for Free Trade roundtable discussion in Rapid City.
The comments came after a Farmers for Free Trade roundtable discussion in Rapid City.
September 7, 2025 at 7:42 PM
"Hope might be the better word over faith," said the leader of the South Dakota Soybean Association when asked if farmers have faith in a good outcome from the Trump administration’s trade standoff with China.
The comments came after a Farmers for Free Trade roundtable discussion in Rapid City.
The comments came after a Farmers for Free Trade roundtable discussion in Rapid City.
When SD published a statewide voter registration list, it labeled more than 7,000 people as having registered while applying for public assistance. We published a story; the next day, the secretary of state apologized and retracted the information.
Support our watchdog journalism: buff.ly/tsFmTLM
Support our watchdog journalism: buff.ly/tsFmTLM
August 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM
When SD published a statewide voter registration list, it labeled more than 7,000 people as having registered while applying for public assistance. We published a story; the next day, the secretary of state apologized and retracted the information.
Support our watchdog journalism: buff.ly/tsFmTLM
Support our watchdog journalism: buff.ly/tsFmTLM
All three members of South Dakota's Congressional delegation have lauded President Trump's decision to order airstrikes against military targets in Iran. Following Trump's Saturday evening speech, Rep. Dusty Johnson said "America is back to leading by peace through strength."
buff.ly/W42PbN3
buff.ly/W42PbN3
June 22, 2025 at 2:44 AM
All three members of South Dakota's Congressional delegation have lauded President Trump's decision to order airstrikes against military targets in Iran. Following Trump's Saturday evening speech, Rep. Dusty Johnson said "America is back to leading by peace through strength."
buff.ly/W42PbN3
buff.ly/W42PbN3
Scenes from the #NoKings protest in Sioux Falls.
Photos by South Dakota Searchlight's @joshuahaiar.bsky.social
Photos by South Dakota Searchlight's @joshuahaiar.bsky.social
June 14, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Scenes from the #NoKings protest in Sioux Falls.
Photos by South Dakota Searchlight's @joshuahaiar.bsky.social
Photos by South Dakota Searchlight's @joshuahaiar.bsky.social
Two Court Appointed Special Advocate programs are up and running again a few years after the state legislature put extra money towards their efforts.
buff.ly/w00TMxv
buff.ly/w00TMxv
May 27, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Two Court Appointed Special Advocate programs are up and running again a few years after the state legislature put extra money towards their efforts.
buff.ly/w00TMxv
buff.ly/w00TMxv
South Dakota Searchlight's coverage of the legislative session brings Pierre to you. Contribute today to support our independent coverage of the Capitol: https://southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/
February 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
South Dakota Searchlight's coverage of the legislative session brings Pierre to you. Contribute today to support our independent coverage of the Capitol: https://southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/
A new governor, budget cuts, education funding, property tax relief plans, pipeline debates, prison construction planning: This South Dakota legislative session has been consequential. So has our coverage.
Help us keep shining a light on Pierre: https://southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/
Help us keep shining a light on Pierre: https://southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/
February 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
A new governor, budget cuts, education funding, property tax relief plans, pipeline debates, prison construction planning: This South Dakota legislative session has been consequential. So has our coverage.
Help us keep shining a light on Pierre: https://southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/
Help us keep shining a light on Pierre: https://southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/
The nameplate has been changed on the Senate Republican leader's office.
Photo by @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social of @statesnewsroom.com
Photo by @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social of @statesnewsroom.com
January 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The nameplate has been changed on the Senate Republican leader's office.
Photo by @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social of @statesnewsroom.com
Photo by @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social of @statesnewsroom.com
#Wetlands formerly provided "an unbelievable amount of habitat," says a leading SD conservationist, but those days only "live in the heads of old guys like me now."
He and others fear an accelerating impact from a recent court decision.
The story:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/06/wil…
He and others fear an accelerating impact from a recent court decision.
The story:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/06/wil…
December 17, 2024 at 8:41 PM
#Wetlands formerly provided "an unbelievable amount of habitat," says a leading SD conservationist, but those days only "live in the heads of old guys like me now."
He and others fear an accelerating impact from a recent court decision.
The story:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/06/wil…
He and others fear an accelerating impact from a recent court decision.
The story:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/06/wil…
Catching up on the election results you missed overnight? See all the South Dakota statewide results here on South Dakota Searchlight's Results Page:
southdakotasearchlight.com/live-election-…
southdakotasearchlight.com/live-election-…
December 17, 2024 at 8:31 PM
Catching up on the election results you missed overnight? See all the South Dakota statewide results here on South Dakota Searchlight's Results Page:
southdakotasearchlight.com/live-election-…
southdakotasearchlight.com/live-election-…
The last polling places in South Dakota are now closing. Get live results from South Dakota Searchlight:
southdakotasearchlight.com/live-election-…
southdakotasearchlight.com/live-election-…
December 17, 2024 at 8:30 PM
The last polling places in South Dakota are now closing. Get live results from South Dakota Searchlight:
southdakotasearchlight.com/live-election-…
southdakotasearchlight.com/live-election-…
Forty trained election observers from @ACLUSouthDakota are spread among Sioux Falls, Aberdeen and Rapid City, and the organization said it’s ready to respond immediately to voting rights infringements.
The latest update in our #ElectionDay live feed:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
The latest update in our #ElectionDay live feed:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
December 17, 2024 at 8:30 PM
Forty trained election observers from @ACLUSouthDakota are spread among Sioux Falls, Aberdeen and Rapid City, and the organization said it’s ready to respond immediately to voting rights infringements.
The latest update in our #ElectionDay live feed:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
The latest update in our #ElectionDay live feed:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
South Dakota is one of 10 states with an #abortion measure on the ballot today. Here's a look at all 10:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
December 17, 2024 at 8:30 PM
South Dakota is one of 10 states with an #abortion measure on the ballot today. Here's a look at all 10:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
With #ElectionDay results still hours away, here's a look back at South Dakota Searchlight's 2024 campaign coverage, from the races for PUC and U.S. House to the abortion-rights and marijuana ballot questions, and everything in between:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
December 17, 2024 at 8:30 PM
With #ElectionDay results still hours away, here's a look back at South Dakota Searchlight's 2024 campaign coverage, from the races for PUC and U.S. House to the abortion-rights and marijuana ballot questions, and everything in between:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
SD's secretary of state has estimated that voter turnout for today’s #election could reach 75%. If that proves true, it would be the highest turnout for a South Dakota general election in 20 years.
More details in our latest election live feed update:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
More details in our latest election live feed update:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
December 17, 2024 at 8:29 PM
SD's secretary of state has estimated that voter turnout for today’s #election could reach 75%. If that proves true, it would be the highest turnout for a South Dakota general election in 20 years.
More details in our latest election live feed update:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
More details in our latest election live feed update:
southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/11/05/liv…
Election Day reporting, results, analysis: Turn to @statesnewsroom and @SDSearchlight for local election coverage from South Dakota and all 50 states:#FairFearlessFree #LocalReporting #LocalJournalism #Decision2024
southdakotasearchlight.com/category/elect…
southdakotasearchlight.com/category/elect…
December 17, 2024 at 8:29 PM
Election Day reporting, results, analysis: Turn to @statesnewsroom and @SDSearchlight for local election coverage from South Dakota and all 50 states:#FairFearlessFree #LocalReporting #LocalJournalism #Decision2024
southdakotasearchlight.com/category/elect…
southdakotasearchlight.com/category/elect…
Haven't voted yet? Still undecided or uninformed about South Dakota's seven ballot issues?
Check out our Voter Guide:
southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guide/20…
Check out our Voter Guide:
southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guide/20…
December 17, 2024 at 8:28 PM
Haven't voted yet? Still undecided or uninformed about South Dakota's seven ballot issues?
Check out our Voter Guide:
southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guide/20…
Check out our Voter Guide:
southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guide/20…
Be an informed voter. Countdown ’24, a weekly newsletter by States Newsroom, is your window into the candidates, the campaigns, the issues and voting news around the country. Subscribe:#FairFearlessFree #LocalReporting #LocalJournalism #Decision2024
newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/cou…
newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/cou…
December 17, 2024 at 8:27 PM
Be an informed voter. Countdown ’24, a weekly newsletter by States Newsroom, is your window into the candidates, the campaigns, the issues and voting news around the country. Subscribe:#FairFearlessFree #LocalReporting #LocalJournalism #Decision2024
newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/cou…
newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/cou…
For the most insightful on-the-ground reporting and expert analysis from our local journalists in 50 states, bookmark this page now and turn to us as we head toward Election Day:#FairFearlessFree #LocalReporting #LocalJournalism #Decision2024
newsfromthestates.com/rising-trend/d…
newsfromthestates.com/rising-trend/d…
December 17, 2024 at 8:27 PM
For the most insightful on-the-ground reporting and expert analysis from our local journalists in 50 states, bookmark this page now and turn to us as we head toward Election Day:#FairFearlessFree #LocalReporting #LocalJournalism #Decision2024
newsfromthestates.com/rising-trend/d…
newsfromthestates.com/rising-trend/d…
Today, we’re celebrating South Dakota Searchlight's second birthday!
The best birthday gift is a donation. Your support allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter to you.
Will you join the celebration today?
southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/
The best birthday gift is a donation. Your support allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter to you.
Will you join the celebration today?
southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/
December 17, 2024 at 8:26 PM
Today, we’re celebrating South Dakota Searchlight's second birthday!
The best birthday gift is a donation. Your support allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter to you.
Will you join the celebration today?
southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/
The best birthday gift is a donation. Your support allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter to you.
Will you join the celebration today?
southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/
Mystified by the ballot measures? Don't know much about the candidates on your ballot? Check out our Voter Guide:
southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guide/20…
southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guide/20…
December 17, 2024 at 8:25 PM
Mystified by the ballot measures? Don't know much about the candidates on your ballot? Check out our Voter Guide:
southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guide/20…
southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guide/20…
A summary of Searchlight reporting and commentary, with other state and national news, delivered free to your email inbox six days a week.
Subscribe to Searchlight Daily:
southdakotasearchlight.com/subscribe/
Subscribe to Searchlight Daily:
southdakotasearchlight.com/subscribe/
December 17, 2024 at 8:22 PM
A summary of Searchlight reporting and commentary, with other state and national news, delivered free to your email inbox six days a week.
Subscribe to Searchlight Daily:
southdakotasearchlight.com/subscribe/
Subscribe to Searchlight Daily:
southdakotasearchlight.com/subscribe/