University of South Dakota professor Michael Hook has returned to the classroom after a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order. Hook sued USD and the Board of Regents, arguing he was unfairly placed on leave over a Facebook post about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, which he says is protected free speech.
Mitchell’s Deanell Backlund has been named one of 14 nominees for the prestigious Spirit of Dakota Award, South Dakota’s top honor recognizing women for leadership, achievement, and community impact. The 39th annual award will be presented October 4 at the Huron Event Center, with the evening featuring an art show, social, banquet, and the award presentation.
Attorney General Marty Jackley says recent South Dakota Penitentiary inmate deaths may be linked to the same illegal products uncovered in a statewide smoke shop sting. Officials confirm 57-year-old inmate Keith McLain died earlier this week of an apparent suicide while serving a second-degree rape sentence from Minnehaha County.
A statewide sting operation found every South Dakota smoke shop checked was selling illegal drugs, leading to multiple indictments. Attorney General Marty Jackley says the dangerous products, in some cases marketed to minors, pose a serious risk to communities. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and local law enforcement assisted in the operation, with two Sioux Falls shop owners among those facing charges.
South Dakota doctors are refuting claims that taking Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism. Experts, including Dr. Jeremy Cauwels of Sanford Health, point to large studies, including one in Sweden tracking over two million children, showing no link between acetaminophen and autism or ADHD.
The Mitchell City Council has approved over $644,000 in funding for 11 non-profits as part of its proposed 2026 budget, marking a 1.5% increase over the mayor’s initial plan.
A Yankton School District bus carrying middle school volleyball players went into a ditch Monday night along Highway 37, six miles west of Tyndall. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Authorities say the driver lost control after taking a wrong turn on the return trip from Huron.
The Minnehaha County Commission has approved a $132.9 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026, reflecting a 1.5% increase from the previous year.
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has signed Senate Bill 2, greenlighting a new prison in Sioux Falls and calling it the largest public safety investment in state history.
Five South Dakota smoke shop owners are facing charges after a statewide sting uncovered the sale of illegal products. Undercover officers, working with state and local law enforcement, made controlled buys earlier this summer.