The Dakota Scout | Substack

Former Mitchell Legion coach sues SD American Legion in aftermath of 2023 rape case

Lawsuit follows Luke Norden's 2024 acquittal of failing to report abuse

1 hr ago • Makenzie Huber and The Dakota Scout

VIEWPOINT | Aspersions cast on South Dakota’s good news are shameful

Guest column by Dana Dykhouse

7 hrs ago

The Dakota Scout E-edition | Jan. 16-22, 2026

Volume 2 | Number 73

11 hrs ago • The Dakota Scout

SCOUTING REPORT | Aberdeen runway woes, nailing drug runners, budding artists, AFP's new captain

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

Jan 18 • Jonathan Ellis

Mentors stepping up for children, community, but more needed

Mayor Paul TenHaken on tap to win major national award for Sioux Falls mentoring push

Jan 18 • Dorene Weinstein

Get the latest local news and exclusive content straight to your inbox.

State Politics

Future Fund deadlock reflects deeper wedge over economic development in South Dakota

Measure to take authority from governor's office called a 'compromise' as calls to dismantle program gain traction

Jan 16 • Joe Sneve

Protocols for divvying out Future Fund cash outlined in executive order

Governor's Office of Economic Development administers fund used to lure businesses to South Dakota

Jan 15 • Todd Epp

First Rhoden-era State of the Tribes marks thaw in South Dakota-tribal relations

Tribal leaders get 'impromptu' meeting with state officials, governor

Jan 15 • Joe Sneve

South Dakota to test early court oversight for people charged with crimes

Supreme Court Chief Justice announces pretrial services pilot that would start supervision, treatment and risk assessments before conviction

Jan 14 • Joe Sneve

Governor ties South Dakota's economic future to U.S. defense, national security

Coalescing ag, energy, banking prowess with national security focus of Rhoden's State of the State address

Jan 14 • Joe Sneve

Budget pressures push South Dakota toward reserve funds

State finance officials warn of flat revenues, rising Medicaid costs as lawmakers open 2026 session

Jan 14 • Todd Epp

The latest from

The Dakota Scout

Former Mitchell Legion coach sues SD American Legion in aftermath of 2023 rape case

Jonathan Ellis

SCOUTING REPORT | Aberdeen runway woes, nailing drug runners, budding artists, AFP's new captain

Joe Sneve

CARTOON | Duped again

Dan Gehlsen

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | Newspaper tribute marked legacy of ‘Aunt Lou,’ Black Hills trailblazer

Ryan M Stoick

CARTOON | Battlin' burgers

Sioux Falls

Mentors stepping up for children, community, but more needed

Mayor Paul TenHaken on tap to win major national award for Sioux Falls mentoring push

Jan 18 • Dorene Weinstein

State Theatre celebrating century mark with historic movies, special events

Sioux Falls gem opened with rise of cinema; survived arrival of malls and multiplexes

Jan 17 • Jonathan Ellis

Judge dismisses Brandon schools, police from lawsuits stemming from hate crime investigation

High school girls arrested after small black baby dolls found hanging in restroom

Jan 15 • Jonathan Ellis

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 | Aspersions cast on South Dakota’s good news are shameful

Guest column by Dana Dykhouse

7 hrs ago

LETTER | Lawmakers should leave last year's baggage in 2025

As we head into another legislative session, there will be no shortage of disagreement.

Jan 17

CARTOON | Duped again

As seen in the Jan. 16-22, 2026, print edition of The Dakota Scout

Jan 17 • Joe Sneve

Podcasts

The Scouting Lounge

A five-year itch? | Seat drama | Heading west | Future Fund feud | Winning by winging it | South Dakota's uniquely-shoddy postal system

FREE TO READ

The Dakota Scout E-edition | Jan. 16-22, 2026

The Lounge

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | Newspaper tribute marked legacy of ‘Aunt Lou,’ Black Hills trailblazer

This week in South Dakota history: Jan. 9-15

Jan 16 • Dan Gehlsen

Crossword, Sudoku answers: Jan. 16-22

Free, for your entertainment

Jan 16 • 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

Jan 15 • The Dakota Scout

Social

Facebook - The Dakota Scout

X - The Dakota Scout

Instagram - The Dakota Scout

LinkedIn - The Dakota Scout

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts