The Dakota Scout | Substack

South Dakota lawmakers leave Capitol after passing $7.5 billion budget

Fiscal conservatives argued government spending has increased too quickly, but others point to rising Medicaid caseloads

19 hrs ago • Jonathan Ellis

Fast growth driving Lincoln County criminal caseload increases

Pressure mounting on public safety, sheriff and state's attorney warn

2 hrs ago • Todd Epp

Dueling polls point to competitive governor’s race

Johnson, Rhoden emerge as front runners in one poll, while Doeden takes second in another

Mar 12 • Jonathan Ellis

Veterans memorial latest source of friction in Lincoln County

Commission agrees to study site amid concerns over taxpayer, private funding at new Justice Center

Mar 12 • Todd Epp

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

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

20 hrs ago • The Dakota Scout

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State Politics

South Dakota lawmakers leave Capitol after passing $7.5 billion budget

Fiscal conservatives argued government spending has increased too quickly, but others point to rising Medicaid caseloads

19 hrs ago • Jonathan Ellis

Dueling polls point to competitive governor’s race

Johnson, Rhoden emerge as front runners in one poll, while Doeden takes second in another

Mar 12 • Jonathan Ellis

Senate approves property tax relief fund through state sales tax

$110 million coming online next year will be used to offset homeowner tax bills

Mar 11 • Jonathan Ellis

Rhoden-supported effort to lower barriers on local government referrals fails

Rep. Aaron Aylward had sought to decrease the number of signatures needed to refer a decision to the ballot box

Mar 10 • Jonathan Ellis

Sioux Falls School Board members critical of efforts in Pierre to restrain opt outs

Lawmakers took repeated swings to make it easier for voters to refer property tax increases to public vote

Mar 10 • Todd Epp

House agrees to shift $110 million to yearly homeowner property tax relief

Lawmakers preparing to tap income that will come with end of tax holiday in 2027

Mar 9 • Jonathan Ellis

The latest from

Jonathan Ellis

South Dakota lawmakers leave Capitol after passing $7.5 billion budget

The Dakota Scout

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

Dan Gehlsen

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | Foiled assassination, fire hue president's tax cut pitch in South Dakota

Ryan M Stoick

CARTOON | Disconnected

Joe Sneve

Making a mayor mad | Crafting contracts | SNAP success | Stressing war | Balancing a budget | Policing in Sioux Falls | Creating a new tax

Sioux Falls

Fast growth driving Lincoln County criminal caseload increases

Pressure mounting on public safety, sheriff and state's attorney warn

2 hrs ago • Todd Epp

Veterans memorial latest source of friction in Lincoln County

Commission agrees to study site amid concerns over taxpayer, private funding at new Justice Center

Mar 12 • Todd Epp

Financial incentive for new Smithfield packing plant in Sioux Falls clears first City Council test

Council agrees to forward $90 million tax increment financing deal to help pay for wastewater treatment facility at Foundation Park

Mar 11 • Patrick Lalley

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

CARTOON | Disconnected

Sign up for a subscription to The Dakota Scout to get weekly cartoons sent directly to your inbox

Mar 9 • Ryan M Stoick

STRAIGHT OUTTA PIERRE | Tipping on a swivel, the tie vote and South Dakota's missing senator

Sharp, snappy and South Dakotan — an anonymous shot of insight with a twist of sarcasm

Mar 5

VIEWPOINT | Don’t let THC fears, poison pills sink the Farm Bill

Guest column by Mike Jaspers, former South Dakota Ag Secretary & state USDA Rural Development director

Mar 3

Podcasts

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Making a mayor mad | Crafting contracts | SNAP success | Stressing war | Balancing a budget | Policing in Sioux Falls | Creating a new tax

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The Dakota Scout E-edition | Mar. 6-12, 2026

The Lounge

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

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

20 hrs ago • The Dakota Scout

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | Foiled assassination, fire hue president's tax cut pitch in South Dakota

This week in South Dakota history: Mar. 6-12

Mar 12 • Dan Gehlsen

Crossword, Sudoku answers: March 6-12

Free, for your entertainment

Mar 6 • The Dakota Scout

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