South Dakota Searchlight • 8th May 2026

Company withdraws from controversial Black Hills exploratory drilling project • South Dakota Searchlight

A company that’s being sued for exploratory drilling near a culturally significant site in South Dakota’s Black Hills is withdrawing from the project, according to a letter shared with project opponents.
The opponents include the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, which posted a copy of the letter and a statement Friday on social media.
“This is a testament to the people, organizations, and tribal governments who showed unified action, determination, and courage in the face of what seemed to be o...

South Dakota Searchlight • 5th May 2026

Opponents win temporary order against drilling project near culturally significant Black Hills site • South Dakota Searchlight

Tribes and environmental groups scored at least a temporary victory this week in their multipronged effort to stop exploratory drilling in culturally significant areas of South Dakota’s Black Hills.
A federal judge in Rapid City granted a temporary restraining order Monday evening against exploratory drilling near the high mountain meadow known as Pe’ Sla, or Reynolds Prairie, in the central Black Hills. The ruling came after a hearing that drew an overflow crowd of people opposed to the project...

South Dakota Searchlight • 30th April 2026

Individual contribution limit doesn’t restrain big donors in South Dakota governor race • South Dakota Searchlight

In South Dakota’s race for governor, a state law limiting individual campaign contributions is proving to be more of a suggestion than a requirement.
The law caps individual contributions to a candidate for statewide office at $4,000 per year.
Yet South Dakota’s wealthiest man, the banking magnate and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, has given at least $50,000 to support Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden. 
Meanwhile, one of Rhoden’s opponents in the June 2 primary election, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, h...

South Dakota Searchlight • 28th April 2026

Yes, sales taxes in South Dakota can add up to 10% • South Dakota Searchlight

When the governor challenged a gaggle of journalists recently, I felt obligated to respond.
The topic was taxation — specifically, criticism the governor is suffering for signing three bills into law that allow for new or higher sales taxes.
Two of the laws use revenue from a higher state sales tax rate and an optional county sales tax to reduce property taxes for homeowners. The third creates a sales tax that cities can use temporarily to pay for special projects such as building an arena.
One...

South Dakota Searchlight • 20th April 2026

State wildfire division celebrates $4 million investment in new facilities amid busy season • South Dakota Searchlight

RAPID CITY — Firefighters who’ve been busy battling wildfires in South Dakota’s Black Hills celebrated the opening Monday of two state-funded buildings to house their trucks, equipment and training.
Jay Wickham, the director of South Dakota Wildland Fire, has advocated for new facilities for many of the 28 years he’s worked with the division.
He used the word “grateful” to describe his feelings Monday.
“Just a huge gratitude so that our people have a place they can call home, that they can be pr...

South Dakota Searchlight • 14th April 2026

Three candidates pledge changes on Medicaid, ag, taxes and education while governor touts results • South Dakota Searchlight

SIOUX FALLS — Three men who want to be governor of South Dakota vowed to do things differently than the current administration on topics including Medicaid, agriculture, taxes and education, while the governor said his results justify keeping him in the job.
The four candidates for the Republican nomination met in their second televised debate Monday evening, aired by South Dakota Public Broadcasting in partnership with South Dakota News Watch. Early voting is scheduled to begin Friday for the J...

South Dakota Searchlight • 14th April 2026

$4 million for gunsmithing program is latest economic development grant from governor amid campaign • South Dakota Searchlight

RAPID CITY — South Dakota’s governor, who’s in the midst of an election campaign, awarded another grant Tuesday from an economic development fund he controls.
Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden announced a $4 million Future Fund award for Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City. The college will use the money to move a gunsmithing school from Colorado and incorporate it into Western Dakota’s offerings for students.
Rhoden, who attended Western Dakota decades ago but didn’t graduate, made the an...

South Dakota Searchlight • 8th April 2026

State providing $6 million to grow national security jobs, governor announces • South Dakota Searchlight

BOX ELDER — South Dakota’s governor took the next step Wednesday in his effort to make national security the state’s “next big industry” by announcing the creation of the South Dakota Defense Institute.
Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden, who formerly served in the National Guard, identified national security as a primary economic development focus in his State of the State address three months ago. He made Wednesday’s announcement at the Black Hills Defense & Industry Symposium.
“The federal governme...

South Dakota Searchlight • 7th April 2026

Governor candidates clash over inmate rehabilitation as state builds new prisons • South Dakota Searchlight

Two Republican candidates for governor of South Dakota spotlighted dueling plans Tuesday to prevent repeat crime.
As Gov. Larry Rhoden announced new efforts by his prison rehabilitation task force, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson pledged to create his own task force while slamming the lack of progress on the issue during the recently concluded legislative session as “unacceptable.”
Their concern about recidivism is rooted partly in recent decisions by Rhoden, his predecessor Kristi Noem and the Legislat...

South Dakota Searchlight • 24th March 2026

Governor’s approval opens South Dakota housing loan fund to big-city airport projects • South Dakota Searchlight

A state loan fund intended to incentivize housing construction will soon be available for airport improvement and maintenance projects in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
The change is in legislation that lawmakers approved earlier this month and South Dakota Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden signed into law Tuesday while visiting the Rapid City Regional Airport.
“More gates, more flights and more destinations means more visitors, more business and more opportunity,” Rhoden said.
The money for the loans...