AAA is encouraging consumers to start 2026 by reviewing auto, home, renters and life insurance policies to make sure coverage still fits changing needs. The group says life events like moves, renovations, new drivers and shifting work habits can affect both protection and premiums.
Cybernews Chief Editor Jurgita Lapienytė is urging regulators and X to act after reports that Grok, the platform’s built-in AI tool, has been used to create nonconsensual sexualized images of women and minors. The warnings come as Elon Musk’s xAI says it has raised $20 billion in a Series E funding round.
The Environmental Working Group says newly released federal dietary guidelines encourage Americans to eat fewer ultra-processed foods linked to chronic disease. A CDC data brief found ultra-processed foods made up 61.9% of calories for U.S. youth and 53.0% for adults in 2021–2023.
“The good news for the American people as they start their new year is that they’re going to have, on average, $3,700 more money in their pocket as a result of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that we passed this last summer.”
Sioux Falls police say a 32-year-old man is expected to survive after being shot at a business near West 12th Street and Interstate 29. An 18-year-old and a juvenile were arrested following a standoff near Axtell Park Middle School.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he will not run for a third term in 2026, saying he wants to focus on responding to alleged fraud in federal welfare programs. Reports say Sen. Amy Klobuchar is weighing a possible run for governor.
U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota says Congress has until Jan. 30 to fund the federal government and should finish remaining appropriations bills to avoid another shutdown fight.
Watertown Regional Airport recorded 14,028 passenger boardings in 2025, down 129 from 2024. December travel included 757 passengers to Denver and 648 to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden’s proposed FY2027 budget holds state aid flat for K-12 education, Medicaid providers and state employee pay amid slower revenue growth. Lawmakers return to Pierre on Jan. 13 to begin shaping the final plan.
South Dakota lawmakers head into the 2026 session with a stack of property tax ideas from a summer task force, but lower-than-expected state revenue could make broad relief harder to fund. Rep. Jack Kolbeck says legislators are already sorting through nearly two dozen drafts.
