
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is teaming up with the mayors of Sioux Falls and Rapid City to expand opioid addiction treatment programs using settlement funds from lawsuits against opioid manufacturers.

More than 40 residents filled a Turner County meeting in Parker to voice concerns over strong odors from Dakota Protein Solutions, a rendering plant near Freeman. County officials cited three violations of the facility’s conditional use permit, including lack of a road haul agreement, dust control problems, and improper carcass storage. Investor Scott Stern apologized, blaming equipment and airflow issues, and promised fixes such as a new water source and storage tank.

A new $500 million soybean processing plant south of Mitchell is nearly ready to open, with operations expected to begin in mid-October. Built on 296 acres, High Plains Processing will crush up to 35 million bushels annually—about 18% of South Dakota’s soybean crop—while employing 75 people. The facility is the first of its kind in the state able to process other oilseeds like canola and sunflower, positioning it to meet growing demand in food production and renewable fuels.

The Sioux Falls City Council has approved an ordinance banning makeshift dwellings in public spaces, including city parks. Passed Tuesday night, the measure requires officials to give fair warning before removing shelters and to offer transition assistance.

The 2025 South Dakota State Fair is putting the finishing touches on preparations ahead of its kickoff next week in Huron. Fair assistant manager Candi Briley says families can take advantage of multiple discounts on gate admission and activities to make the event more affordable. Running August 27 through Labor Day, September 1, the State Fair promises six days of entertainment, food, livestock shows, and family fun.

Concerns are mounting over Mount Pleasant Cemetery after a watchdog group revealed it lost its nonprofit status for failing to file tax returns three years in a row. Families say poor upkeep, missing financial records, and unanswered questions about the cemetery’s obligations have deepened frustration.

Jobseekers across South Dakota have a chance to connect with employers during today’s 605 Statewide Virtual Hiring Event, hosted by the Department of Labor and Regulation. The online career fair allows participants to explore job openings, meet with recruiters, and even interview on the spot. Registration is available through the DLR website at dlr.sd.gov.

Several South Dakota newspapers are back in print following last week’s abrupt shutdown. The Brookings Register, Huron Daily Plainsman, Redfield Press, and Moody County Enterprise are resuming operations under new ownership.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warns that Mexican drug cartels are increasingly targeting children through social media platforms to sell dangerous and often deadly drugs.

Avera has secured a three-year, $1 million USDA grant to expand its virtual nursing program across 28 rural hospitals in South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Through the Avera RURAL-UP initiative, advanced telehealth and AI technology will support bedside nurses with patient education, admissions, and discharge processes, allowing more time for direct patient care.