The American Red Cross says the blood supply is “teetering” after the holidays and is urging donors to schedule blood or platelet appointments now. Donations made Jan. 1-25 come with an automatic entry for a Super Bowl LX trip giveaway.
A quieter start to the 2025-26 winter is showing up on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, with about 38% of South Dakota now rated at least abnormally dry. Moderate drought remains limited to the state’s far southeast.
Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation recently earned a perfect score in its CAPRA reaccreditation review, and the department is now taking public feedback on a long-range Falls Park master plan that some council members say needs clearer cost estimates.
Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index fell to its lowest level of 2025 in the December survey, signaling contraction in regional manufacturing, while a separate Creighton rural index edged back near growth-neutral heading into 2026.
The U.S. Department of Education says wage garnishment for defaulted student loans will resume in early 2026, potentially affecting thousands of South Dakota borrowers carrying $3.7 billion in federal education debt.
A 28-year-old Milbank man was seriously injured in a single-vehicle rollover crash Thursday night on Interstate 29 near White, according to the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.
Lake Area Technical College in Watertown says enrollment is at record levels as it promotes the Build Dakota Scholarship, expands nursing training to Pierre, and advances a long-term campus plan estimated at $100 million.
Watertown School District officials say more than $20,500 in donations — including $10,500 from Sharp Automotive and a $10,000 anonymous gift — will be applied to outstanding student meal balances.
The South Dakota Department of Health says the first two influenza-related deaths of the 2025-26 season have been reported in Minnehaha County as lab-confirmed cases and hospitalizations increase statewide.
Gov. Larry Rhoden announced a new $500,000 grant for infrastructure work at Watertown’s Calvin Industrial Park, adding to a previously approved $500,000 Local Infrastructure Improvement Program grant, according to state officials.