South Dakota farmers are facing uncertainty as they head into planting season due to the state’s dry winter. With below-average snowfall, concerns are growing about the potential impact on crops in the coming months. Brent Greenway, treasurer of the South Dakota Soybean Association, highlighted the challenges of starting spring with such dry conditions, noting that having a good moisture reserve is ideal for giving crops a strong start.
Governor Larry Rhoden has assured South Dakotans that his use of state-issued credit cards will not reflect the spending habits of former Governor Kristi Noem. This statement comes in the wake of Noem’s credit card records, which were made public following her resignation to join President Trump’s cabinet. The records revealed over $600,000 in charges for luxury hotels, car rentals, and high-end meals.
Spring weight restrictions are returning to South Dakota’s roadways to protect infrastructure during the thawing season. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SD-DOT) and local agencies will implement these restrictions this week to prevent road damage caused by saturated ground from melting snow and thawing temperatures.
If Governor Rhoden approves, local law enforcement will gain stronger tools to combat the growing problem of street racing in South Dakota. The South Dakota House has passed a bill aimed at increasing penalties for street racing, a measure introduced by law enforcement officials in Sioux Falls in response to the rising issue.
A high-risk offender, Dillon Harrington, who was released from prison last week, is already back in custody. Just hours after his release early Thursday morning, Harrington was booked into the Minnehaha County Jail as a “Fugitive of Justice.” He is wanted in Lyon County, Iowa, for Obstructing Prosecution or Defense. Harrington, a 30-year-old convicted sex offender, had just completed a drug sentence in Beadle County and was reportedly planning to live in Wolsey upon release. Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko had previously warned of Harrington’s high risk to reoffend, based on his criminal history and institutional assessments, making his release a matter of significant concern.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol will be conducting sobriety checkpoints across 15 counties throughout March in an effort to combat impaired driving. These checkpoints, coordinated with other law enforcement agencies, will take place in counties including Codington, Lawrence, Minnehaha, Pennington, and more.
The South Dakota Transportation Commission is making a significant investment in the state’s infrastructure by awarding 17 Bridge Improvement Grants for preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement projects. Among the recipients are the city of Sioux Falls and several counties, including Aurora, Codington, Lawrence, Minnehaha, and Pennington. At a recent meeting in Pierre, approximately $80 million was approved for these critical bridge projects, ensuring safer travel and the continued maintenance of vital transportation routes across South Dakota.
South Dakota has introduced a new law aimed at protecting minors from harmful online content. Governor Rhoden recently signed House Bill 10-53, which mandates age verification for adult websites. The bill defines “covered platforms” as websites that create, host, or distribute material potentially harmful to minors. As a result, these platforms will now be required to implement strict age verification policies to ensure that users are of legal age before accessing adult content. This new legislation is a significant step in regulating online safety and protecting young users from inappropriate material.
PIERRE, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) — The South Dakota Senate passed legislation Wednesday requiring school districts […]
The Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee heard over an hour of testimony Thursday morning regarding the proposal to build an $825 million men’s penitentiary in Lincoln County.