Todd Epp

Contributor to The Dakota Scout, covering Sioux Falls Schools District and Lincoln County.

Lincoln County cuts homeowners’ property taxes by more than half

Oct 6, 2026

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2 min read

Lincoln County cuts homeowners’ property taxes by more than half

Commissioners approve immediate relief funded by a new half-cent sales tax; security objections raised to proposed courthouse tour

Todd Epp

Sioux Falls graduates enrolling in college at slower clip

Sep 29, 2026

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2 min read

Sioux Falls graduates enrolling in college at slower clip

School district: Percentage of students attending universities in the fall semester after graduation trails national average

Todd Epp

Lincoln County rejects cuts, OKs budget after debating raises, other spending

Sep 23, 2026

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2 min read

Lincoln County rejects cuts, OKs budget after debating raises, other spending

Ambulance funding preserved, but Lennox’s Jan. 1 deadline leaves rural ambulance coverage unsettled

Todd Epp

Fewer students enrolling in Sioux Falls public schools

Sep 15, 2026

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2 min read

Fewer students enrolling in Sioux Falls public schools

District finishes fiscal year in the black, reports encouraging early literacy results from new programs

Todd Epp

Horse slaughter & smoking | 13 inches | 25 years since 9/11 | Commissioning public utility politics | Staying dry | Data center outrage & Chi-coms | Sept. 12, 2026 Frank Kloucek

Sep 12, 2026

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1 min read

Horse slaughter & smoking | 13 inches | 25 years since 9/11 | Commissioning public utility politics | Staying dry | Data center outrage & Chi-coms | Sept. 12, 2026 Frank Kloucek

SPONSORS Beal Distributing, First Bank & Trust, Juna Sleep Systems - Legendary Democratic lawmaker Frank Kloucek returns to the Lounge, this time as a candidate for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.

The Dakota Scout, +3

Lincoln County delays Marv Skie airport expansion after call for new site

Sep 9, 2026

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2 min read

Lincoln County delays Marv Skie airport expansion after call for new site

Relocation may offer more runway room, but commissioner warns abandoning county airport could trigger repayment of millions in federal grants

Todd Epp

Lincoln County trims 2027 budget with eye toward limiting use of reserves

Sep 2, 2026

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3 min read

Lincoln County trims 2027 budget with eye toward limiting use of reserves

Commissioners cut $1.7 million from building plans, drop a Western Avenue roundabout and freeze their own salaries

Todd Epp

Lincoln County approves half-cent sales tax, shifting relief to homeowners

Aug 26, 2026

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2 min read

Lincoln County approves half-cent sales tax, shifting relief to homeowners

3-2 vote imposes a gross receipts and use tax Jan. 1 unless voters refer it, moving part of tax burden from owner-occupied property to taxable purchases countywide

Todd Epp

Arends turns Lincoln County-Sioux Falls plan vote into data-center fight

Aug 26, 2026

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3 min read

Arends turns Lincoln County-Sioux Falls plan vote into data-center fight

Moratorium and nondisclosure proposals failed 3-2, but Oct. 27 joint meeting set as data-center opponents dominate comment

Todd Epp

Bond buyback to save Sioux Falls schools more than $2M

Aug 26, 2026

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2 min read

Bond buyback to save Sioux Falls schools more than $2M

District adding girls' flag football with help from NFL, Minnesota Vikings

Todd Epp