District 20 Sen. Paul Miskimins says lawmakers are shifting focus to one-time spending priorities as South Dakota’s budget work intensifies ahead of the Feb. 24 crossover deadline. The Joint Appropriations Committee recently updated revenue targets and lawmakers continue debating how much the state should keep in reserves.
A proposed constitutional amendment could put statewide mobile sports betting on South Dakota’s November 2026 ballot, with 90% of online wagering tax revenue directed to property tax relief. Gov. Larry Rhoden says he opposes expanding gaming but would not have veto power over a ballot measure.
South Dakota regulators approved a permit for the 333-megawatt Philip Wind Project in Haakon County, a $750 million development expected to be the largest wind farm in the state. The Public Utilities Commission accepted a settlement outlining construction and operating requirements for the developer.
South Dakota’s FFA chapters will celebrate National FFA Week Feb. 21-28, 2026, highlighting agricultural education and student leadership. The South Dakota FFA Association includes more than 6,500 members statewide.
Environmental and public health groups say they’re weighing lawsuits after the EPA repealed the 2009 “Endangerment Finding,” the legal foundation for many federal greenhouse gas rules.
Construction is expected to start in early April on a 24-unit owner-occupied housing development at Mitchell’s former First Avenue mobile home park site. The project will be built by Van Buskirk Construction after the city transferred the property to the Mitchell Area Development Corporation.
The Davison County Board of Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the North Offices Building in Mitchell. The agenda includes a Legacy Pointe liquor license hearing, a Davison Rural Water land discussion and a fairgrounds storage addition proposal.
Drought conditions are worsening across South Dakota, with moderate drought now showing up in parts of the southeast and southwest, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update. About 29% of the state is rated abnormally dry, with 18.6% in moderate drought.
New unemployment insurance claims in South Dakota ticked up to 273 for the week ending Feb. 7, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Nationally, seasonally adjusted initial claims dipped to 227,000.
Davison County Commissioners approved employee raises, several property tax abatements and routine county business during their Feb. 10 meeting. The board accepted one employee resignation and granted 50-cent hourly raises to multiple staff members who completed introductory periods. Several tax abatements were approved for valuation errors, tax-exempt classifications and property losses involving both businesses and private parcels, including Mitchell School District properties. Commissioners also approved a land plat, county bills and timesheets before adjourning. The next regular meeting is set for Feb. 17.