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Searchlight staff
Federal agencies seek to protect Pactola Reservoir and Rapid Creek from mining
By: Searchlight staff - March 17, 2023
Two federal agencies have announced a proposal to protect 32 square miles of the Black Hills National Forest from mining. The Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service made the announcement in a Friday news release. The proposal covers the Pactola Reservoir and Rapid Creek Watershed, which are popular recreation destinations that also serve […]
Winter storm updates
By: Searchlight staff - February 21, 2023
Information updates on the February 2023 winter storm and severe weather across the state of South Dakota.
Black Hills foundation awarded $3 million for housing work
By: Searchlight staff - February 7, 2023
The Bush Foundation, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, is awarding more than $3 million to the Black Hills Area Community Foundation to address affordable housing problems in Rapid City, according to a news release. The award includes a $1 million grant to support a Strategic Housing Initiative, a $2 million investment in the Rapid City […]
Senate leaders appoint committee for Frye-Mueller complaint, release more details
By: Searchlight staff - January 27, 2023
South Dakota Senate leaders have appointed a committee to hear a complaint against Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller, R-Rapid City, and have released further details of allegations that led to her suspension. The new committee could ultimately make a recommendation leading to a Senate vote to expel, censure, discipline or exonerate Frye-Mueller. A news release Friday afternoon […]
Noem’s inaugural address: Read, watch the speech
By: Searchlight staff - January 9, 2023
Gov. Kristi Noem was sworn in Saturday for her second term. Below is the prepared text of her speech as provided by the Governor’s Office, and video coverage of the ceremony and speech from South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Jan. 7, 2023 Remarks as prepared and provided by the Governor’s Office: Four years ago, I […]
Interstates fully reopen
By: Searchlight staff - January 4, 2023
Interstate 90 has reopened westbound from Sioux Falls to Mitchell as of 4:45 p.m. today, according to the state Department of Transportation. Other closed portions of I-90 and I-29 reopened earlier, which means South Dakota’s interstates are now fully open. I-90 travel conditions, as reported by the DOT: Although I-90 is now reopened eastbound and […]
Interstate 90 reopens from Chamberlain to Mitchell
By: Searchlight staff - January 4, 2023
Interstate 90 has reopened eastbound and westbound from Chamberlain to Mitchell as of 8 a.m. today, according to the state Department of Transportation. I-90 remains closed from Mitchell to Sioux Falls (Marion Road/exit 395). The DOT anticipates reopening I-90 from Mitchell to Sioux Falls by midday today. Meanwhile, I-29 reopened between Sioux Falls and Brookings […]
I-29 reopens from Sioux Falls to Brookings
By: Searchlight staff - January 3, 2023
Interstate 29 northbound and southbound has reopened from the I-29/I-90 interchange in Sioux Falls to Brookings as of 6 p.m. today, the state Department of Transportation said in a news release. Interstate 90 eastbound and westbound will remain closed overnight from Chamberlain (exit 265) to Sioux Falls (Marion Road/exit 395) due to significant snow accumulation […]
Noem hires Mitchell superintendent as secretary of education
By: Searchlight staff - January 3, 2023
Gov. Kristi Noem announced Tuesday that she has appointed Joe Graves as secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education. His appointment will be effective Jan. 10. He succeeds Secretary Tiffany Sanderson, who has accepted a job as president of Lake Area Technical College. “Joe is a wonderful fit to lead our Department of Education […]
Interstates close from Sioux Falls to Chamberlain and Brookings
By: Searchlight staff - January 3, 2023
Due to accumulating heavy snow and sustained high winds causing blizzard-like conditions and extensive drifting, Interstate 90 has closed eastbound and westbound from Chamberlain (exit 265) to Sioux Falls (Marion Road/exit 395), while Interstate 29 northbound and southbound has closed from the I-29/I-90 interchange in Sioux Falls to Brookings (exit 132) as of 8:45 a.m. […]
President signs Rounds bill repealing discriminatory Native American laws
By: Searchlight staff - December 28, 2022
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds’ bipartisan legislation to repeal discriminatory federal laws targeting Native Americans was signed into law by the president on Tuesday, Rounds’ office announced in a news release. The RESPECT Act (Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes) repeals 11 outdated federal laws, including laws that stripped Native American children from their […]
State expects to resume printing paper titles in February
By: Searchlight staff - December 27, 2022
The state Department of Revenue said Tuesday in a news release that it expects to receive a shipment of title paper in late January and resume printing all paper titles in mid-February. South Dakota, like other states, uses paper that includes security features to protect vehicle owners against title fraud. A shortage of the paper […]