Crime
9 months ago
Indigenous Activist Peltier Released From Prison

Leonard Peltier was released in North Dakota on Tuesday, as his sentence commuted by President Biden

Agriculture
9 months ago
Lawmakers Split on Marijuana Bills

The South Dakota House Health and Human Services Committee voted on Tuesday to reject a complete repeal of the state’s medical marijuana program, instead approving more targeted changes to patient identification requirements.

Crime
9 months ago
Sioux Falls Crime Stats Released

Sioux Falls’ Mayor and Police Chief presented the semi-annual crime statistics on Tuesday, revealing a notable increase in both the city’s population and crime rates.

Business
9 months ago
Lawmakers Endorse Bill to Regulate Adult Websites

A South Dakota Senate committee has taken a strong stance against online pornography by endorsing a bill aimed at holding websites accountable for ensuring age verification to protect minors. Lawmakers have spent months studying the issue, responding to growing concerns over the accessibility of explicit content to children.

Agriculture
9 months ago
Ag Committee Takes Steps to Regulate Lab Grown Meat

South Dakota lawmakers have taken a significant step toward restricting lab-grown meat, with the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee passing two bills targeting the emerging food technology. House Bill 1109, which seeks to ban the sale and production of cell-cultured meat in the state, and House Bill 1118, which prohibits state funds from being used to research or promote lab-grown meat, both advanced with narrow votes. As federal agencies, such as the USDA and FDA, approve cell-cultured chicken products, critics argue that South Dakota is stepping in ahead of potential benefits, while others worry about food safety. This move positions South Dakota alongside states like Florida and Alabama in restricting the future of lab-grown meat products.

College
9 months ago
Sports Roundup: Wednesday 2/19/25

Area Sports Tuesday Basketball Scores Girls: Alcester-Hudson 52, Freeman Academy-Marion 31 Corsica/Stickney 40, Tripp-Delmont-Armour […]

Mitchell Planning Commission Davison County landowners South Dakota property tax property plat merger tax reduction attempts Leah Vissia Equalization Director Jim Taylor State’s Attorney Mitchell Republic report agricultural land exemption South Dakota tax law property assessment disputes Board of Equalization appeals
Government
9 months ago
Mitchell City Council to Discuss Major Proposals for Corn Palace Upgrades at Tonight’s Meeting

The Mitchell City Council will meet today to review several significant proposals for the Corn Palace, including a $12 million expansion plan, a $500,000 project to replace seating and add ADA rails, and allocating $600,000 from the entertainment tax for plaza improvements. The council will also address other financial matters and hear variance requests for two properties. The meeting is set to begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Business
9 months ago
Sioux Falls Residents File Petition to Challenge City Council’s Decision on Brockhouse Taxidermy Collection

A group of Sioux Falls residents has launched a petition to challenge the City Council’s recent decision to surplus the Brockhouse taxidermy animal collection. The decision, made last week, would send most of the collection to the University of Notre Dame’s Museum of Biodiversity. Petition organizers argue that voters should have the chance to approve or reject the City Council’s resolution. The petition is currently available for signatures at Abby Normal’s Museum of the Strange, and organizers are aiming for at least 7,600 signatures to force a public vote.

Courtroom with chairs
Crime
9 months ago
Former Sioux Falls Middle School Teacher Faces Federal Charges for Child Porn and Solicitation of a Minor

Justin Preuschl, a former teacher at Whittier Middle School in Sioux Falls, is now facing 47 federal charges related to child pornography and transferring obscene materials to a minor. The charges, which were filed in federal court, accuse Preuschl of committing these crimes from June 2021 through February 2024—two years longer than previously known. Preuschl, who lost his teaching job a year ago after being charged with solicitation of a minor, pleaded not guilty to all charges in court on Thursday.

Government
9 months ago
Attorney General Marty Jackley Clarifies South Dakota’s Stance on Multi-State Lawsuit Regarding Section 504 Disability Accommodations

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley reassured the public that the state’s involvement in a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s stance on gender dysphoria under Section 504 will not affect disability accommodations for school-aged children in the state. Jackley emphasized that the lawsuit, which South Dakota joined in 2024, is focused on gender dysphoria as a disability, not the rights of students with disabilities. Disabled students will continue to receive necessary services without disruption, despite the ongoing legal challenge.