The 40th Annual SD Corn Conference is set for Jan. 17, 2026, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center with free daytime education sessions and a ticketed evening celebration. South Dakota Corn Growers Association leaders say the event will also mark 40 years for both SDCGA and the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council.
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 Attorney General Marty Jackley says he will propose 2026 legislation allowing law enforcement to seize digital cryptocurrency accounts tied to criminal investigations, citing millions in reported losses to scams and fraud.
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.
January is National Hobby Month, and South Dakota’s Let’s Be Clear initiative is encouraging residents to choose healthy coping strategies — including hobbies — instead of “quick fixes” that may add stress over time. The campaign also points people to an online quiz with ideas for healthier stress relief.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley praised President Donald Trump and the U.S. military for an operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The arrest has drawn international attention as Maduro faces U.S. drug trafficking charges.
Mitchell High School will reserve the northwest parking lot for senior citizens ages 65 and older and for handicap-accessible parking during home basketball games. School officials say the change is meant to improve access and safety closer to the gym.