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SCOUTING REPORT | A South Dakota white bison, Rapid's recycling boon, mowing down monks, learning about the range

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

12 hrs ago • Jonathan Ellis

VIEWPOINT | Once Sioux Falls mayoral race is decided, let’s focus on unity

Guest column by James Oppenheimer

18 hrs ago

The Dakota Scout’s Independence Day–America 250 Special E-Edition

Vol. 1 No. 1 | July 4, 1776 - July 3, 2026

Jul 3 • The Dakota Scout

Trump calls communism 'menace' at Mount Rushmore Independence Day celebration

President praises 'greatest country ever' on eve of its 250th anniversary

Jul 4 • Jonathan Ellis

CARTOON | Moo? Me?

As seen in the July 3–9, 2026, print edition of The Dakota Scout

14 hrs ago • Ryan M Stoick

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State Politics

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South Dakota senator's election fraud case brings more calls to step down

Minnehaha County GOP leaders urge Sen. Tom Pischke to resign party positions

Jul 3 • Joe Sneve and Jonathan Ellis

Another South Dakota secretary of state bounced after four years by GOP delegates

Baxter upsets Johnson at Republican convention in Rapid City

Jun 27 • Joe Sneve

Populist push falls short in South Dakota GOP contest for Public Utilities nod

Rep. Peri Pourier comes up eight votes shy as delegates nominate former lawmaker Don Haggar

Jun 27 • Joe Sneve

CONVENTION GUIDE: South Dakota GOP fields candidates to serve in executive branch

Republicans face Democratic challengers in all delegate-chosen races minus attorney general

Jun 25 • The Dakota Scout

Pischke to step away from official GOP duties amid felony charges

Dell Rapids senator still eligible to continue seeking another term in the Legislature

Jun 23 • The Dakota Scout

South Dakota lawmaker faces felony election fraud charges

Dell Rapids Republican arrested following monthslong investigation

Jun 23 • The Dakota Scout

The latest from

Jonathan Ellis

SCOUTING REPORT | A South Dakota white bison, Rapid's recycling boon, mowing down monks, learning about the range

Ryan M Stoick

CARTOON | Moo? Me?

The Dakota Scout

Crossword, Sudoku answers: July 3-9

Joe Sneve

Blacklisted? | Political Covidians, cowards or 'Midwest Nice'? | Ellis & Joe's favorite Declaration signers | Power posturing | 'This level…

Dan Gehlsen

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | SD archaeologists uncover gold rush Chinatown treasure trove

Dominik Dausch

'Union-busting' accusations follow South Dakota sheriff's firing of deputies heading labor talks

Sioux Falls

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Sioux Falls City Clerk shielding rejected ballot counts from mayor's election

City's recount supervisor cites City Attorney's Office, volume of information requests in delaying release of June 23 records until after July 4 weekend

Jul 3 • Joe Sneve

Clock starts on Sioux Falls mayoral recount

Jamie Smith's formal request triggers deadlines for review of Christine Erickson's two-vote runoff victory

Jul 2 • Joe Sneve

Lincoln County Commission waiting on budget decisions until vacancy filled

Commission must decide on property tax opt-out or potential levy for roads and bridges

Jul 1 • Todd Epp

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

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CARTOON | Moo? Me?

As seen in the July 3–9, 2026, print edition of The Dakota Scout

14 hrs ago • Ryan M Stoick

VIEWPOINT | Once Sioux Falls mayoral race is decided, let’s focus on unity

Guest column by James Oppenheimer

18 hrs ago

VIEWPOINT | One election is enough with ranked choice voting

Guest column by Joe Kirby

Jul 4

Podcasts

The Scouting Lounge

Blacklisted? | Political Covidians, cowards or 'Midwest Nice'? | Ellis & Joe's favorite Declaration signers | Power posturing | 'This level…

FREE TO READ

The Dakota Scout’s Independence Day–America 250 Special E-Edition

The Lounge

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Crossword, Sudoku answers: July 3-9

Free, for your entertainment

Jul 4 • 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

Jul 2 • The Dakota Scout and Lyrical Limelight

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | SD archaeologists uncover gold rush Chinatown treasure trove

This week in South Dakota history: June 26–July 2

Jul 2 • Dan Gehlsen

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