South Dakota’s new House Bill 1259 is now in effect, banning individuals from using bathrooms or changing facilities in public schools or state buildings that do not align with their biological sex.
Sioux Falls native Hope Grismer is running across South Dakota—430 miles from Spearfish to Brookings—in under 10 days to raise money for Feeding South Dakota. Starting July 7, Grismer aims to beat the current run record of 10 days, 7 hours while raising $4,300 to fight food insecurity.
The South Dakota Department of Health is marking 25 years of Bright Start, a home visiting program that has supported over 5,000 families since its 1999 launch. Bright Start connects pregnant women with registered nurses who provide in-home education, resources, and support through the child’s second birthday.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning the public to be on alert for disaster relief scams following the recent flash floods in Texas. Jackley says scammers often take advantage of natural disasters to trick well-meaning donors.
West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquito populations across three South Dakota counties—Brown, Minnehaha, and Lincoln—but no human cases have been reported yet. Sioux Falls Public Health Director Joe Kippley confirms the virus was recently found in local mosquito swarms.
Sioux Falls police have released new details in the death of 39-year-old Doris High Elk, who died after being pushed off a retaining wall near the 8th Street bridge on June 30. High Elk succumbed to her injuries in the hospital on Sunday. The suspect, Jubal Rattler, was already in custody on an aggravated assault charge.
U.S. Highway 14-A in Spearfish Canyon has reopened after a weekend rockslide forced a temporary closure near Savoy. The South Dakota Department of Transportation warns drivers to expect rough road conditions and reduced speed limits while crews continue cleanup and blasting work.
The Sioux Falls School Board has approved a ten-year opt-out from South Dakota’s state tax limits to raise $2.1 million annually starting in 2026, aiming to prevent deeper education budget cuts. Without the opt-out, the district warns it could face $15 million in cuts next year.
The Pine Ridge Reservation remains under a state of emergency as the Oglala Sioux Tribe continues to face severe public safety challenges. Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out says little progress has been made since his December plea for more law enforcement, drug enforcement, and jail space.
Syphilis cases are declining in South Dakota, dropping over 40% from their peak in 2022. The state Department of Health credits the progress to a statewide response involving tribal health services, hospitals, jails, and other partners.
