A grain train derailment near White Lake in May was caused by thermal misalignment—also known as a sun kink—according to officials with Ringneck and Western Railroad. Rapid temperature swings, jumping from the 40s to over 80 degrees, caused the steel rails to buckle.
South Dakota’s Project Prison Reset task force is eyeing two promising locations for a new state men’s prison—one near Box Elder and another in northeast Sioux Falls. The Box Elder site lies along Highway 14-16 near I-90, while the Sioux Falls option spans 137 acres between North Bahnson Avenue and I-229. State Senator Jamie Smith says the Sioux Falls site “checks a lot of boxes.”
Nearly a year after opening, the Dakota Protein Solutions plant near Freeman continues to draw complaints from residents over an “unbearable” odor. Neighbors describe the smell as “dead flesh,” saying promised odor-control measures have yet to deliver results.
Starting July 1st, South Dakota notaries will no longer be required to post a $5,000 surety bond when applying for or renewing their commission.
Construction is set to begin soon on a major concourse expansion at Sioux Falls Regional Airport, following the Airport Authority Board’s approval of bids for the first phase. The project includes new concourses and apron work around the terminal. Airport CEO Dan Letellier said bid results came in better than expected, offering a promising start.
Plans for a potential downtown convention center in Sioux Falls are gaining momentum, with early cost estimates ranging from $225 to $250 million. The Riverline Steering Committee met this week to review a consultant’s report outlining the project’s scope, funding options, and economic benefits.
The South Dakota Department of Health has confirmed the state’s first case of West Nile Virus this season, detected in mosquito pools in Minnehaha County. Health officials urge residents to protect themselves by using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves, and eliminating standing water to prevent mosquito breeding.
A proposed $650 million state prison near Mitchell sparked heated debate at a packed community forum Tuesday night. More than 175 residents turned out to voice concerns about safety, reentry programs, and the project’s impact on the community. Opponents, like MiKayla Johnson, criticized the lack of public input, while supporters such as State Rep. Jeff Bathke pointed to potential economic benefits.
Major upgrades are on the way for Mitchell’s iconic Corn Palace. After years of planning, the venue’s aging seats will be replaced following this year’s Corn Palace Festival. Mitchell Public Works Director Joe Schroeder says the $567,000 renovation includes 1,538 new seats, padded seating, and ADA-compliant handrails—all slated for completion before Dakota Wesleyan University’s basketball season in late October.
The Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office is set to deploy license plate reader cameras to enhance public safety and aid in criminal investigations. Captain Joe Bosman told county commissioners the technology will help locate fugitives and track suspicious vehicles.