What started as a routine drive into town quickly turned into something unforgettable along Lake Mitchell. A quiet morning was suddenly interrupted by the thunder of wings as thousands of snow geese took flight overhead, their calls echoing across the sky.
Freeman Academy, a private Christian school in Freeman, will close at the end of the 2025-26 school year after a corporation vote. Leaders cited declining enrollment, ongoing deficits and long-term sustainability concerns.
“What the president did [in Venezuela] is something that’s supported broadly, not just by folks here in Washington, D.C., but across the country, because Maduro was leading a drug cartel that was poisoning literally thousands of Americans every single year.”
January is National Hobby Month, and South Dakota’s Let’s Be Clear initiative is encouraging residents to choose healthy coping strategies — including hobbies — instead of “quick fixes” that may add stress over time. The campaign also points people to an online quiz with ideas for healthier stress relief.
The American Red Cross says the blood supply is “teetering” after the holidays and is urging donors to schedule blood or platelet appointments now. Donations made Jan. 1-25 come with an automatic entry for a Super Bowl LX trip giveaway.
Gov. Larry Rhoden and the South Dakota Department of Health say the state has secured $189.4 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2026 through the Rural Health Transformation Program, a new five-year rural health initiative.
Dakota Protein Solutions has filed a legal challenge against Turner County over operating permit conditions the company says could force its facility to close. A judge has temporarily blocked enforcement while the case moves forward.
Local veterans in Mitchell received personalized holiday gifts and visits from members of VFW Post 2750 and partner groups, bringing Christmas cheer to area care facilities.
With families gathering for the holidays, hosts are looking for fun, memorable ways to entertain guests — from local sightseeing and live shows to movie nights and festive bar crawls.
The City of Mitchell announced that its compost drop-off site on West 8th Avenue will close for the season on Dec. 12, 2025. Residents may continue taking compost to the Regional Landfill at no charge.