South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation has received a $100,000 grant to boost efforts against internet crimes targeting children. Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that the funding—from the Attorney General Alliance—will enhance the state’s ability to detect, disrupt, and prosecute online predators and human traffickers.
South Dakota lawmakers are launching a summer study to improve support for residents with intellectual disabilities, amid ongoing concerns about underfunded care services. The committee, co-chaired by Senator Chris Karr of Sioux Falls, is calling on advocacy groups and providers to submit top recommendations within a week.
A 22-year-old Mitchell man, Riley Brown, has pleaded not guilty to a fourth-degree rape charge involving alleged sexual contact with a minor. Prosecutors say the incidents occurred multiple times in 2021 when the girl was 14 or 15 years old.
A 57-year-old Letcher man, James Winter, appeared in Davison County court Tuesday facing charges of second-degree rape and aggravated incest.
Roughly 250 residents attended a public forum in Mitchell to learn more about the proposed South Dakota state prison planned just south of town. Officials addressed rising land costs—now estimated at $35,000 per acre, totaling $5.6 million—and responded to concerns about inmate parole, local health care strain, and property values.
The South Dakota Department of Health is launching statewide vaccination clinics following the confirmation of two new measles cases, bringing the 2025 total to four. In response, officials are urging residents to check their immunization records and get the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine if needed.
Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that South Dakota has received nearly $2 million from Janssen Pharmaceuticals as part of a nationwide opioid settlement. The funds are part of a larger $5 billion agreement with Johnson & Johnson, Janssen’s parent company, aimed at addressing the opioid crisis.
U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell is joining advocates across South Dakota and the nation in recognizing June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Ramsdell is urging the public to stay alert for signs of elder fraud, abuse, and financial exploitation, which can strip seniors of their independence and well-being.
Dakota Wesleyan University Softball head coach Tommy Downs is stepping down after a successful three-year run to join the University of Sioux Falls. Downs led DWU to a 34-16 record and a GPAC Tournament quarterfinals win in the 2024-25 season—the team’s best performance since 2018.
Voters in Davison and Hanson counties have elected the first-ever board for the new Davison-Hanson Ambulance District, aimed at ensuring reliable EMS coverage for rural communities. The seven-member board includes Kyle Baker, John Millan, and Sara Jorgensen from Davison County; Don Huber, Heidi Berg, and Brian Leitheiser from Hanson County; and Jared Nesheim in the at-large seat.
