The Dakota Scout | Substack

SCOUTING REPORT | The trails of Spearfish, Leola's new fishery, smuggling ants, recycling contest

A weekly digest of interesting local, state, national and even international developments

Apr 19 • Jonathan Ellis

Avera receives $35M gift, joins children's health network

Donation from B. Thomas Golisano is the largest single gift in Avera Health history

12 hrs ago • The Dakota Scout

The Dakota Scout E-edition | April 17-23, 2026

The Dakota Scout is reader-supported.

16 hrs ago

Company hit with second wrongful death suit

Workers asphyxiated while repairing silo used to store silage

Apr 19 • Jonathan Ellis

VIEWPOINT: Voting in South Dakota primary election crucial

Guest column by Amy Wagner, Pennington County GOP chairwoman

Apr 19

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State Politics

Secretary of State's Office warned Legislature more than a year ago about ballot delays

Lawmakers rejected Monae Johnson's efforts to change petition deadlines, registered mail loophole

Apr 17 • Jonathan Ellis

Senate, congressional hopefuls join governor's race on South Dakota Republican primary ballots

Primary battles take shape across South Dakota’s top political bouts

Apr 16 • The Dakota Scout

Early voting stalled across South Dakota

Election officials say statutory deadlines, candidate filing volumes delayed ballot printing

Apr 15 • Jonathan Ellis and Joe Sneve

SELLOUT: Capacity crowd anticipated for South Dakota gubernatorial debate

Subscribers of The Dakota Scout scramble to reserve seats for April 27 event that will feature Republicans Toby Doeden, House Speaker Jon Hansen…

Apr 2 • The Dakota Scout

Lawmakers demand report on welfare program spending, cash balances

Department of Social Services told to return this summer with TANF data

Mar 31 • Todd Epp

South Dakota keeps moratorium, not ban, on ‘fake meat’; sustains governor’s veto

State lawmakers also fall short of overriding Rhoden’s objection to home-care background checks, licensing regulations

Mar 30 • Joe Sneve

The latest from

The Dakota Scout

Avera receives $35M gift, joins children's health network

Jonathan Ellis

SCOUTING REPORT | The trails of Spearfish, Leola's new fishery, smuggling ants, recycling contest

Joe Sneve

Sioux Falls candidates sharpen contrasts in rapid-fire forum

Ryan M Stoick

CARTOON | See-ya, smokers!

Dan Gehlsen

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | South Dakota farmers revolt against college president

Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls candidates sharpen contrasts in rapid-fire forum

'Speed dating-like' conversations spotlight divides on school funding, growth and public safety ahead of June vote

Apr 18 • Joe Sneve

Mayoral candidates to face off in public safety debate May 5

Batcheller, Erickson, Jamison, Smith, Zokaites confirm attendance at law enforcement-focused forum hosted by The Dakota Scout, Sioux Falls Live

Apr 17 • The Dakota Scout

Two seats contested in primary election for Lincoln County Commission

Commissioner Jim Schmidt's departure puts Canton-based government at crossroads

Apr 15 • Hunter Dunteman

The Dakota Scout

The Dakota Scout

South Dakota’s leading alternative, independent and locally owned newspaper focusing on culture and politics in the Mount Rushmore State. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Viewpoints

VIEWPOINT | Our community can achieve greatness through volunteering

Guest column by Andy Patterson

Apr 19

VIEWPOINT: Voting in South Dakota primary election crucial

Guest column by Amy Wagner, Pennington County GOP chairwoman

Apr 19

CARTOON | See-ya, smokers!

As seen in the April 17-23, 2026, print edition of The Dakota Scout

Apr 18 • Ryan M Stoick

Podcasts

The Scouting Lounge

The mystery of the bogus candidates | 3 theories | 2020's sus count | What a county party does | Courting Dominion | Ballot drought | K-12…

FREE TO READ

The Dakota Scout E-edition | April 17-23, 2026

The Lounge

Crossword, Sudoku answers: April 17-23

Free, for your entertainment

Apr 19 • The Dakota Scout

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | South Dakota farmers revolt against college president

This week in South Dakota history: April 10-16

Apr 16 • Dan Gehlsen

What's going on, South Dakota? | Upcoming events & entertainment

Submit your events for The Dakota Scout's Lounge section by emailing events@thedakotascout.com

Apr 16 • The Dakota Scout

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