The Dakota Scout | Substack

SCOUTING REPORT | Celebrating Sousa, the making of Mount Rushmore, saving rhinos, military friendly

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

4 hrs ago • Jonathan Ellis

Drought conditions greet spring garden season

Trees, shrubs could use extra watering

6 hrs ago • Dorene Weinstein

A Marine in need: Desperate search underway for kidney donor

Iraq War veteran, father of three, suffering from end-stage kidney disease

Mar 28 • Virginia Olson

Jon & Joe reunite | Discovering mead | Turning trash into goods | Saving the world & trusting your gut | Hemp & Zahntech disruptions

SPONSORED BY BEAL DISTRIBUTING & JUNA SLEEP SYSTEMS | Avery Zahn of Zahntech talks about his world-changing technology, Grant Houwman makes a surprise…

Mar 28

1:19:13

Illegal Mexican national in South Dakota loses bid to avert deportation

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals rules that federal law allows warrantless arrests

Mar 27 • Jonathan Ellis

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State Politics

South Dakota to pick up tab for reduced-price school meals

State to absorb cost of reduced-price program; Gov. Rhoden announces support

Mar 27 • Joe Sneve

Rhoden campaign failed to report private plane travel

South Dakota governor used donor aircraft for Sioux Falls rally; campaign spox says disclosure forms will be modified to reflect November flights

Mar 26 • Joe Sneve

Johnson outlines plan to help homegrown South Dakota startups with state seed money

Congressman wants to expand program to assist local businesses reach the next level

Mar 16 • Jonathan Ellis

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

Mar 12 • 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

The latest from

Jonathan Ellis

SCOUTING REPORT | Celebrating Sousa, the making of Mount Rushmore, saving rhinos, military friendly

The Dakota Scout

Crossword, Sudoku answers: March 27-April 2

Ryan M Stoick

CARTOON | Shifty shifters

Joe Sneve

South Dakota to pick up tab for reduced-price school meals

Dan Gehlsen

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | Prolific run of bank heists in South Dakota land robber in Alcatraz

Sioux Falls

Drought conditions greet spring garden season

Trees, shrubs could use extra watering

6 hrs ago • Dorene Weinstein

Lincoln County debates how to implement South Dakota's newest sales tax law

Officials divided on whether Gov. Rhoden's SB 96 allows direct referral to voters by commissions

Mar 26 • Todd Epp

Lawmakers’ tax plan injects new tension into Sioux Falls mayoral race

Relief for government or taxpayers? City Hall contenders clash on tax strategy

Mar 24 • Joe Sneve

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

COUNTERPOINT | Abortion accountability needed in South Dakota, not passive ideology

Guest column by Patricia Shiery, Justice for the Voiceless

8 hrs ago

CARTOON | Shifty shifters

As seen in the March 27-April 2, 2026, print edition of The Dakota Scout

Mar 28 • Ryan M Stoick

STRAIGHT OUTTA PIERRE | Representation matters — even when it’s uncomfortable

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

Mar 25 • Bo Hutchins

Podcasts

The Scouting Lounge

Jon & Joe reunite | Discovering mead | Turning trash into goods | Saving the world & trusting your gut | Hemp & Zahntech disruptions

FREE TO READ

A Marine in need: Desperate search underway for kidney donor

The Lounge

Crossword, Sudoku answers: March 27-April 2

Free, for your entertainment

9 hrs ago • The Dakota Scout

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

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

Mar 26 • The Dakota Scout

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | Prolific run of bank heists in South Dakota land robber in Alcatraz

This week in South Dakota history: March 20-26

Mar 26 • Dan Gehlsen

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