A new law that will require students in South Dakota to view prenatal development videos in school, columnist Rick Snedeker writes, is a coyote in sheep's clothing. buff.ly/j7QZcEm

South Dakota’s court system intends to merge the Fourth and Seventh judicial circuits, creating one that will cover nearly a third of the state’s land area. The merged circuit would have the largest population and geographic footprint of any in the state. buff.ly/tTua2g5

Household water costs could nearly double in some American cities, new research suggests, as climate change further stresses municipal water systems. buff.ly/X4Lx5ye

In the interest of voter convenience, some county auditors in South Dakota are producing a staggering number of ballot variations for the June 2 primary, which will coincide with local elections across the state. buff.ly/EJFtXo0

Roughly one dozen community members gathered outside Ellsworth Air Force Base last week, in 30-degree weather and snowfall, to insist on accountability and transparency in the death of Sahela “Toka Win” Sangrait, a Lakota woman allegedly killed on the base. buff.ly/H8NoZ8P

The U.S. Forest Service’s plan to close scores of research stations could threaten the nation’s wildfire readiness, many foresters fear, and erode decades of work to understand timber production, soil health, pests and diseases, watersheds and wildlife. buff.ly/UkIDYfl

Today marks 33 years since South Dakota Gov. George Mickelson, two state pilots and five other men died in a plane crash. Columnist Dana Hess reflects on the "honorable and decent man" the state lost that day. buff.ly/HQpEdzl

Milbank’s “herd immunity” approach to the tree-killing emerald ash borer might serve as an example for other cities across South Dakota. Ash trees typically comprise one-third of a public tree canopy in cities across the state. buff.ly/kgE1h2t

The National Guard’s top general told Congress on Friday that it would follow the Constitution and the law when he was asked about the possibility President Donald Trump would order troops to polling places for the midterm elections. buff.ly/ZO7Ey2n

As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance. buff.ly/BOWEJWT

In the eight states that expanded Medicaid after 2018, the number of people receiving prescriptions for the opioid addiction treatment medication buprenorphine increased dramatically, according to a paper that researchers will present next month. buff.ly/JyLo17V

The highest concentrations of “forever chemicals” in the Big Sioux River are in Sioux Falls and just south of Watertown, according to a report from South Dakota Mines. buff.ly/RZOln4E

More states are piling up gold bars, or encouraging residents to use gold-backed debit cards, to hedge against inflation, though critics pan the moves as potential market disruptions and worry about creating tax havens for the rich. buff.ly/OXh9qqG

Last November, a Sioux Falls Republican said his colleagues in the Legislature would support reforms to improve prison inmate recidivism and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, Dana Hess writes, he was wrong. buff.ly/CDHcHxa

Tomorrow is #LocalNewsDay, a new nationwide day of action dedicated to connecting people with trusted local news. South Dakota Searchlight is proud to be a founding partner of this important event, and we hope you’ll participate. Please share this post to support local journalism. buff.ly/lUzNpHV

South Dakota news and commentary, plus news from around the state and nation. All free. Sign up for South Dakota Searchlight's email newsletter: buff.ly/Rjkp8xL

On Nov. 7, @statesnewsroom.com is launching Stories From The States, a weekly podcast designed to help you make sense of the dizzying swirl of news happening in our country. We hope you’ll listen: buff.ly/l8tKu1w

Today, we’re celebrating South Dakota Searchlight’s third birthday! The best birthday gift is a donation: buff.ly/gAt6ykP. Your support allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter most to you. Will you join the celebration?

South Dakota Searchlight's journalism and commentary, States Newsroom's D.C. and national reporting, news from neighboring states, and South Dakota news from other outlets, all curated for you and sent to your inbox for free. Sign up for Searchlight Daily: buff.ly/eTk1t65

"Hope might be the better word over faith," said the leader of the South Dakota Soybean Association when asked if farmers have faith in a good outcome from the Trump administration’s trade standoff with China. The comments came after a Farmers for Free Trade roundtable discussion in Rapid City.

When SD published a statewide voter registration list, it labeled more than 7,000 people as having registered while applying for public assistance. We published a story; the next day, the secretary of state apologized and retracted the information. Support our watchdog journalism: buff.ly/tsFmTLM

All three members of South Dakota's Congressional delegation have lauded President Trump's decision to order airstrikes against military targets in Iran. Following Trump's Saturday evening speech, Rep. Dusty Johnson said "America is back to leading by peace through strength." buff.ly/W42PbN3

Scenes from the #NoKings protest in Sioux Falls. Photos by South Dakota Searchlight's @joshuahaiar.bsky.social

Two Court Appointed Special Advocate programs are up and running again a few years after the state legislature put extra money towards their efforts. buff.ly/w00TMxv

South Dakota Searchlight's coverage of the legislative session brings Pierre to you. Contribute today to support our independent coverage of the Capitol: https://southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/

A new governor, budget cuts, education funding, property tax relief plans, pipeline debates, prison construction planning: This South Dakota legislative session has been consequential. So has our coverage. Help us keep shining a light on Pierre: https://southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/

The nameplate has been changed on the Senate Republican leader's office. Photo by @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social of @statesnewsroom.com

#Wetlands formerly provided "an unbelievable amount of habitat," says a leading SD conservationist, but those days only "live in the heads of old guys like me now." He and others fear an accelerating impact from a recent court decision. The story: southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/06/wil…

Catching up on the election results you missed overnight? See all the South Dakota statewide results here on South Dakota Searchlight's Results Page: southdakotasearchlight.com/live-election-…

The last polling places in South Dakota are now closing. Get live results from South Dakota Searchlight: southdakotasearchlight.com/live-election-…