South Dakota’s Board of Economic Development has approved nearly $3 million in tax relief for a 585-acre solar farm in McCook County, a $10 million state loan to expand Bel Brands’ Brookings cheese plant, and a grant to Ally Dakota Development.
A Reliance man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in a large meth distribution ring. Heath Choal pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine after prosecutors linked him to an operation that moved up to 35 pounds of meth in the Pierre area from 2023 to 2024. He will also serve three years of supervised release.
The Mitchell City Council has approved design work for a single-lane roundabout at West 23rd Avenue and North Ohlman Street, with construction possible in 2026. The $500,000 project is part of broader infrastructure upgrades to water, sewer, and storm drainage along North Ohlman.
The Lake Mitchell restoration project is facing another setback after state officials ordered new safety studies before a planned drawdown can proceed. The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources is requiring a dam breach analysis and updated flood study, delaying the project by up to six months and adding as much as $200,000 in costs.
A new WalletHub study ranks South Dakota 47th in the nation for teachers in 2025, citing low average pay, limited school funding, and weak income growth potential. While the state ranked 19th for starting salaries and 22nd for student-teacher ratios, it slipped to 44th in average pay and 41st in per-student spending.
A Sioux Falls man with a history of fleeing police is headed to federal prison. Boru Wako, Jr. was sentenced to seven years for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and illegal receipt of a firearm while under indictment.
The South Dakota Department of Corrections is alerting the public to the release of 49-year-old Carl Six Toes, a high-risk offender. Six Toes completed his full sentence for sexual contact with a person incapable of consenting in Minnehaha County and will not be under parole supervision.
Central Electric Cooperative is now accepting Operation Round-Up grant applications from local organizations through Oct. 31. Nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and community groups can apply for up to $3,000 in funding for projects that benefit members in Aurora, Brule, Buffalo, Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, Miner, and Sanborn Counties.
The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes touched down in South Dakota on Sunday. The stronger twister southeast of Mobridge damaged a grain silo, tipped a semi trailer, and destroyed a farm outbuilding near Highway 12.
Authorities have identified 67-year-old Timothy Nelson as the victim of a fatal car-versus-pedestrian crash west of Irene. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety says Nelson was struck by an eastbound Tesla while walking in the roadway and later died at the hospital. No charges are pending.