South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has launched Operation Prairie Thunder, a major new public safety initiative that brings together local law enforcement, sheriff’s departments, the National Guard, the Department of Corrections, and federal agencies like ICE.
Cornerstones Career Learning Center received welcome news as federal funding has been secured, allowing its adult education and workforce training programs to continue through the end of the fiscal year. With service locations in Aberdeen, Huron, Mitchell, Yankton, and Vermillion, Cornerstones provides essential support to South Dakotans seeking career advancement, GED completion, and job readiness skills.
It’s official: Older Americans worried about cognitive decline can stay sharper for longer by exercising both their bodies and their brains and eating healthier.
In Washington, D.C., the Senate continues to advance President Trump’s nominees despite what Republicans call historic obstruction from Democrats. As of last week, 105 executive and judicial nominees have been confirmed—nearly double the number confirmed at this point in Trump’s first term.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning residents to be cautious of storm repair scams that often surface after severe weather. Homeowners are urged to verify contractor credentials, avoid rushing into agreements, and report suspicious activity. Anyone who believes they’ve been targeted can file a complaint at Consumer.sd.gov.
The South Dakota Department of Health reports the state’s first West Nile Virus death of the season. Three human cases have been confirmed in Brookings, Marshall, and Spink counties, though the county of the fatal case has not been disclosed.
Just before 1 a.m. Sunday, Mitchell police responded to reports of a truck driving without headlights in the Activities Center parking lot on North Minnesota. The vehicle nearly struck parked cars and a squad car before the driver, who showed signs of impairment, was stopped.
Feeding South Dakota is requesting $3 million in state funding to offset the loss of federal food aid as demand for hunger relief continues to rise. CEO Lori Dykstra says the nonprofit has already reduced administrative expenses but still faces a growing gap. Meanwhile, state-run assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), will see a 10% budget cut beginning in September, affecting vulnerable households across the state.
South Dakota lawmakers face another year of declining sales tax revenues, a key source for the state budget. Economist Derek Johnson from the Bureau of Finance and Management reports that federal funding is also dropping, putting added pressure on the appropriations committee. If revenue losses continue, legislators may be forced to revise the state budget to address the shortfall.
South Dakota Senator Ernie Otten warns that a 10% reduction in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits is only the beginning of tough budget choices facing the state’s appropriations committee. With roughly 2,500 low-income families relying on the program—currently receiving just over $550 per month—the cuts raise concerns about how vulnerable households will manage rising expenses and limited aid.