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.
Authorities say Patrick Anderson is accused of having unwanted sexual contact with four victims between April and August of last year. All of the victims are adults.
The Mitchell City Council is considering adding $1.1 million to the 2025 budget for upgrades at Hitchcock Park, including new lights, improved pathways, and new tennis courts.
Mitchell leaders are focusing on attracting more visitors and encouraging longer stays as summer approaches. Officials from Travel South Dakota say tourism in 2024 brought $115 million to the area, supporting 1,600 jobs.
Davison and Hanson county commissions have approved creating an ambulance district to provide better coverage across 900+ square miles around Mitchell.
The Mitchell City Council approved the purchase of new seats for the Corn Palace but postponed the decision on their color.
Longfellow Elementary School’s Den B students spearheaded a district-wide food drive, collecting 3,584 items for the Snack Pack program.
A group of Sioux Falls residents has launched a petition to challenge the City Council’s recent decision to surplus the Brockhouse taxidermy animal collection. The decision, made last week, would send most of the collection to the University of Notre Dame’s Museum of Biodiversity. Petition organizers argue that voters should have the chance to approve or reject the City Council’s resolution. The petition is currently available for signatures at Abby Normal’s Museum of the Strange, and organizers are aiming for at least 7,600 signatures to force a public vote.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley reassured the public that the state’s involvement in a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s stance on gender dysphoria under Section 504 will not affect disability accommodations for school-aged children in the state. Jackley emphasized that the lawsuit, which South Dakota joined in 2024, is focused on gender dysphoria as a disability, not the rights of students with disabilities. Disabled students will continue to receive necessary services without disruption, despite the ongoing legal challenge.
South Dakota’s transgender community faces potential challenges with House Bill 1259, currently under discussion by state lawmakers. The bill would restrict access to gender-designated bathrooms based on biological sex. Mike Phelan of the Transformation Project Advocacy Network testified against the bill, emphasizing that transgender individuals using restrooms do not pose a threat. Phelan, also a school board member in Vermillion, highlighted that inclusive bathroom policies in schools since 2022 have caused no issues. The timeline for House decisions on the bill remains uncertain.