The Dakota Scout | Substack

Andrew Kightlinger’s latest creation to be featured at Aberdeen Film Showcase

South Dakota native made splash with last film produced by Sylvester Stallone

17 hrs ago • Elisa Sand

New Smithfield location, $90 million TIF win approval

Local homeowners ask for buyouts, worry their properties no longer worth what they were before Foundation Park announcement

Mar 18 • Jonathan Ellis

South Dakota joins lawsuit accusing financial firm of 'bait and switch' loan schemes

OneMain Financial denies accusations brought by 13 state attorneys general, vows 'vigorous' defense

Mar 17 • The Dakota Scout

Sheriff Mike Milstead: parolees driving Minnehaha County Jail population

Jail on verge of needing to open expansion space to house growing daily inmate population

Mar 17 • Jonathan Ellis

Black Hills nonprofit loses bid to stop Custer from discharging wastewater into French Creek

Judge tosses lawsuit filed by residents who use creek for water, recreation

Mar 17 • Jonathan Ellis

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State Politics

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

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

The latest from

Jonathan Ellis

New Smithfield location, $90 million TIF win approval

The Dakota Scout

South Dakota joins lawsuit accusing financial firm of 'bait and switch' loan schemes

Ryan M Stoick

Cartoon | You're fired!

Joe Sneve

On a mission: South Dakotans talk foreign trade with India dignitaries

Dan Gehlsen

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

Sioux Falls

New Smithfield location, $90 million TIF win approval

Local homeowners ask for buyouts, worry their properties no longer worth what they were before Foundation Park announcement

Mar 18 • Jonathan Ellis

Sheriff Mike Milstead: parolees driving Minnehaha County Jail population

Jail on verge of needing to open expansion space to house growing daily inmate population

Mar 17 • Jonathan Ellis

Scenes of St. Patrick's Day Parade: Festivities take place ahead of looming blizzard

Breezy but warmish temperatures greet thousands to celebrate holiday at the tail end of winter

Mar 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

LETTER | Sioux Falls taxpayers left out of Smithfield negotiations

I am writing as a concerned resident who is deeply troubled by the recent decision by our mayor to move a pork processing plant to the edge of our…

20 hrs ago

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

Podcasts

The Scouting Lounge

Gravy days of newspapering | Field guide for data centers | Building trust | Understanding rural concerns | 50 miles down the road …

FREE TO READ

The Dakota Scout E-edition | Mar. 13-19, 2026

The Lounge

Crossword, Sudoku answers: March 13-19

Free, for your entertainment

Mar 14 • 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 12 • 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

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