South Dakota Searchlight • 3rd June 2026

Doeden and Rhoden advance to runoff in Republican governor primary, Johnson falls to third • South Dakota Searchlight

Political newcomer Toby Doeden finished first Tuesday in South Dakota’s Republican governor primary but failed to reach 35%, setting up a runoff with Gov. Larry Rhoden while U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson — who led in several early polls — fell to third and out of the running.
With all but one of the state’s 686 precincts reported by about 3 a.m. Wednesday, Doeden led with 31% of the votes, followed by Rhoden, 25%, Johnson, 23%, and state House Speaker Jon Hansen, 21%. All the votes are from registered...

South Dakota Searchlight • 1st June 2026

Election Day brings possible runoff drama in South Dakota governor primary • South Dakota Searchlight

Tuesday is Primary Election Day in South Dakota, the first of what could be two elections needed to select the Republican Party’s nominee for governor.
If no candidate in the four-way race reaches 35%, the top two will advance to a runoff on July 28.
State law requires a runoff when nobody reaches the 35% threshold in a primary with three or more candidates for governor, U.S. House or U.S. Senate. No race has gone to a runoff since the passage of the law in 1985. There were six occasions before...

South Dakota Searchlight • 16th May 2026

Summit describes new carbon pipeline route as not including South Dakota • South Dakota Searchlight

The Iowa company attempting to build a multi-billion-dollar pipeline to capture and bury carbon dioxide from ethanol plants described a new route Wednesday that does not include South Dakota.
The language came in a press release about Summit Carbon Solutions’ plan to adjust its route in Iowa.
“The project will travel west through Nebraska to advance a dedicated sequestration solution in Wyoming as the core of the system,” the press release said.
Previously, the company planned to collect carbon...

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...