South Dakota Searchlight

Learn more about the statewide candidates and ballot questions in South Dakota's Nov. 3 general election by checking out our Voter Guide: buff.ly/SGxJL2j

As the political environment continues to sour for Republicans, a new analysis released by the Urban Institute underscores just how expensive everyday life has become in America. Via @stateline.org buff.ly/qftCrXk

We’re celebrating South Dakota Searchlight's 4th birthday! The best birthday gift is a donation to our nonprofit mission. Your support allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter most to you. Will you join the celebration? buff.ly/6c5Z8Fb

Getting ready to cast your ballot? Check out South Dakota Searchlight's Voter Guide for everything you need to know about when and where to vote, what's on the ballot, campaign news and more: buff.ly/sQGx1tB

Money is pouring into South Dakota’s U.S. Senate race as people and groups across the country sense a rare chance to support a potentially competitive challenger against a Republican incumbent. buff.ly/bK8Pcie

President Donald Trump’s eleventh-hour campaign to intervene in California’s vote counting encountered the first signs of resistance in federal court, with appellate judges expressing deep skepticism over the legality of the effort. Via @statesnewsroom.com buff.ly/o0yjMDn

This year’s statewide ballot measures are written, on average, at a graduate-school reading level across the U.S., according to a new report. See details, including South Dakota's scores, via @stateline.org: buff.ly/njjCEAY

South Dakota’s independent U.S. Senate candidate, Brian Bengs, said he “would probably not be here in a competitive position today” without the support he’s gotten from a new political party co-founded by a former Democrat and a former Republican. buff.ly/Bc8pARe

"While the number of independents running for the Legislature is unusual, it’s hard to tell just how independent those candidates will be." COMMENTARY: buff.ly/mJ7jSUG

Both Democratic and Republican candidates during the heated midterm election cycle have had to navigate deep voter resentment of the #DataCenters that will power artificial intelligence. Via @statesnewsroom.com buff.ly/meUn5lw

Enrollment at South Dakota’s four technical colleges increased, according to the 2026 fall enrollment report. buff.ly/ReQjcpV

Fewer than 5% of U.S. House races are seen by a top political analysis as truly competitive heading into November’s midterm elections, giving relatively few voters the ability to determine which party controls the chamber for the next two years. Via @statesnewsroom.com buff.ly/csbgdKB

The Montana Public Service Commission is scheduled to take up the $15.4 billion merger proposal by NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corp. Via @dailymontanan.com buff.ly/hugnMYB

Groups opposing a higher bar for approving South Dakota constitutional amendments have so far outspent supporters of the ballot question by nearly $2 million, according to campaign finance reports filed this week. buff.ly/slbuIRS

A record number of women are running for state legislative seats across the country this November. Via @stateline.org buff.ly/ZJ3scrL

The U.S. Department of Justice is stepping up its legal campaign over the midterm elections, suing Alaska over its U.S. Senate election and appealing a lawsuit against suspected noncitizen voters in California. Election law experts have cast doubt on the strength of the cases. buff.ly/N3pA5wh

Jacki Omland suffered a fall several years ago and has difficulty traveling to her polling place, making mail-in voting vital. "Some of us have to do it," Omland said. "I mean, what other alternative do many of us have?" South Dakotans explain what voting by mail means to them: buff.ly/XEhRIN1

While campaigning in Nebraska, Vice President JD Vance announced $99.8 million of what the U.S. Department of Agriculture called “proposed" funding toward a $270 million deployment of modular ammonia manufacturing units in states including South Dakota. Via @nebraskaexaminer.com buff.ly/kHOK96H

State and federal officials heralded the start of a yearslong, $290 million project to replace the “vital lifeline” that is South Dakota’s longest bridge. buff.ly/VCnqdNE

As Election Day approaches, top Democrats on the intelligence committees in Congress are preparing for the possibility that President Donald Trump will allege foreign interference to discredit unfavorable results. Via @statesnewsroom.com buff.ly/pv8XGsF

About 120 South Dakota #NationalGuard soldiers are deploying to the U.S.-Mexico border for a year at the request of the federal government, the state’s seventh border deployment since 2021. buff.ly/918kuwb

Voters in six states, including South Dakota, are considering ballot measures in the midterm elections that would make it clear that only U.S. citizens may vote — and block local governments from expanding that right to others. Via @stateline.org buff.ly/RXTxWlI

Toby Doeden spent a total of about $5.3 million of his own money on his failed campaign for governor of South Dakota, according to a new campaign finance report. Reports also show the third-place Republican primary finisher, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, with millions in remaining funds. buff.ly/8sV7Yy4

The cost of individual #HealthInsurance plans rose to $9,804 on average, while family coverage reached $28,303. Both represented a 5% increase over the last year. buff.ly/U09fxJm

A federal judge blocked the Department of Homeland Security from conducting election-related field operations that could sweep up U.S. citizens in nine states. Via @statesnewsroom.com buff.ly/nUHPg5H

President Donald Trump’s midterm travel blitz will continue in the coming days, including a stop in #SiouxCity, as he headlines rallies in several states hosting hard-fought Senate contests seen as toss-ups. buff.ly/7vhVrZw

The U.S. Supreme Court denied the Trump administration’s emergency request to implement a rule that would terminate gender-affirming care for transgender people incarcerated in federal prisons. Via @statesnewsroom.com buff.ly/SgNHh7y

“Behind all of these numbers are real people, real families, real communities,” said a South Dakota official while presenting new suicide data. “So we do use these numbers as a reminder that we have a lot of work to do in the realm of prevention. All of us have a role in prevention.” buff.ly/4nT6g5Z

National Democrats are suing President Donald Trump, accusing his administration of intimidating election officials and asking a federal court to block him from interfering in the midterm elections. Via @statesnewsroom.com buff.ly/Fcv7upM

A Democrat’s campaign finance report shows some of his contributions coming from across the political divide as he campaigns for South Dakota secretary of state, after the Republican incumbent endorsed him. buff.ly/ulRkU24

There are four independent candidates for U.S. Senate this year who are the main opponents of incumbent Republican senators, including in South Dakota. States Newsroom reports on the Nebraska race, which appears to be especially competitive: buff.ly/NQk7o25

The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying its campaign against voter fraud with a spree of arrests in the final weeks before Election Day, an effort that voting rights advocates warn risks instilling fear among voters. Via @statesnewsroom.com buff.ly/AvasoSI

South Dakota specialty courts are saving taxpayers money on prison costs, according to an annual report presented to the state’s Drug Court Advisory Council. buff.ly/LCDjSQt

USDA and President Donald Trump announced Monday night at a rally in Kansas that farmers would have $8 billion made available in the Harvest Fuel Relief program. Via @iowacapitaldispatch.com buff.ly/saRJTzt

NorthWestern Energy has applied for a permit to build another natural gas power plant just south of Aberdeen. The plant would generate enough annual electricity for about 26,000 homes. buff.ly/MRtQA25

For decades, manufactured home builders have been working to shed the old image of boxy trailer homes reserved for the outskirts of cities and suburbia. Now, a small change in federal regulations could open the door for architecture welcomed in more neighborhoods. Via @stateline.org buff.ly/JB4okXI

News and commentary from South Dakota and the nation, curated and delivered: Check out back issues of the Searchlight Daily and Searchlight Weekend newsletters and subscribe for free ⬇️ buff.ly/1Zulod4

Democrats have used President Donald Trump’s unpopularity to expand the midterm map, and analysts project the party carries momentum heading into the final two weeks of the election cycle, even as Democrats are expected to flip fewer U.S. House seats than wave elections this century. buff.ly/hWK4lz7

Scaffolding stood in the center of South Dakota’s Capitol building for six months, but now the work is done and the reviews are coming in. "This is pretty spectacular," said one state worker while gazing up at the restored interior dome. buff.ly/UkGexpA

President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a Women’s Health Division within the National Institutes of Health. buff.ly/qfuO1YM

As the Corps of Engineers partners with local governments for a Lower Big Sioux River #flooding study, Seth Tupper writes that many of the forces causing ever-worsening floods in eastern South Dakota have been observable for decades, making unpreparedness inexcusable. COMMENTARY: buff.ly/hu3MvrK

Immigrants living in the United States with humanitarian status from Ukraine and Sudan will retain their deportation protections and work authorizations for now, the Department of Homeland Security said. Via @statesnewsroom.com buff.ly/KlNslNt

A warm winter and drought have decimated natural foods that #bears rely on. They're turning to human food, and many wildlife officers have received a record number of calls while working to deter bears, put out traps and euthanize animals who pose problems. Via @stateline.org buff.ly/aIrSNed

Until the current data center boom, no industry had driven the U.S. economy with such force since the railroad expansion of the late 1800s, when titans battled one another to lay the transcontinental tracks that would connect America from coast to coast. buff.ly/w6nbUhJ Via @statesnewsroom.com

"South Dakota has become remarkably good at inviting the rest of the country to hunt pheasants," writes Brad Johnson. "The more important question may be why fewer South Dakotans are accepting the invitation." COMMENTARY: buff.ly/BklHbij

Supporters of the #NoKings movement showed up across South Dakota for a fourth round of protests. Their message this time: vote early. buff.ly/FQBCRv2

Don’t forget to follow our live coverage of the #nokings protests at www.newsfromthestates.com/live-feed/no... #FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism #ReportLocal

South Dakota’s only U.S. House seat is up for grabs in the Nov. 3 general election. Check out this episode of 🎧Searchlight Report🎧 to learn more about Democratic nominee Nikki Gronli and her thoughts on immigration, AI, social media, agriculture and more. buff.ly/Ofg0jmw