The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources has approved nearly $16 million in funding for vital drinking water and wastewater improvement projects statewide. The low-interest loans will support critical infrastructure upgrades in multiple communities, enhancing access to safe drinking water and improving wastewater treatment systems.
The Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce is launching CO.STARTERS Core, a ten-week entrepreneurial training program starting this September. Designed to help local business owners and startups turn ideas into actionable plans, the hands-on course offers peer support, mentorship, and guidance on refining business models.
The South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office is reminding businesses about a fee increase taking effect July 1st. As part of new legislation passed earlier this year, filing fees for Annual Reports and Amended Annual Reports will rise by $5.
A grain train derailment near White Lake in May was caused by thermal misalignment—also known as a sun kink—according to officials with Ringneck and Western Railroad. Rapid temperature swings, jumping from the 40s to over 80 degrees, caused the steel rails to buckle.
South Dakota’s Project Prison Reset task force is eyeing two promising locations for a new state men’s prison—one near Box Elder and another in northeast Sioux Falls. The Box Elder site lies along Highway 14-16 near I-90, while the Sioux Falls option spans 137 acres between North Bahnson Avenue and I-229. State Senator Jamie Smith says the Sioux Falls site “checks a lot of boxes.”
Nearly a year after opening, the Dakota Protein Solutions plant near Freeman continues to draw complaints from residents over an “unbearable” odor. Neighbors describe the smell as “dead flesh,” saying promised odor-control measures have yet to deliver results.
Starting July 1st, South Dakota notaries will no longer be required to post a $5,000 surety bond when applying for or renewing their commission.
Plans for a potential downtown convention center in Sioux Falls are gaining momentum, with early cost estimates ranging from $225 to $250 million. The Riverline Steering Committee met this week to review a consultant’s report outlining the project’s scope, funding options, and economic benefits.
A proposed $650 million state prison near Mitchell sparked heated debate at a packed community forum Tuesday night. More than 175 residents turned out to voice concerns about safety, reentry programs, and the project’s impact on the community. Opponents, like MiKayla Johnson, criticized the lack of public input, while supporters such as State Rep. Jeff Bathke pointed to potential economic benefits.
The Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office is set to deploy license plate reader cameras to enhance public safety and aid in criminal investigations. Captain Joe Bosman told county commissioners the technology will help locate fugitives and track suspicious vehicles.