Sioux Falls

The Dakota Scout's coverage of Sioux Falls-area county and municipal government and politics

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

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

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Sioux Falls’ Flock debate gets a dose of ‘dark surveillance state’ pushback

Sep 15, 2026

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4 min read

Sioux Falls’ Flock debate gets a dose of ‘dark surveillance state’ pushback

Mayor Christine Erickson moves to strengthen oversight of automated license plate readers (ALPRs)

Joe Sneve

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Erickson selects seasoned employee to lead city's HR office

Sep 11, 2026

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1 min read

Erickson selects seasoned employee to lead city's HR office

Interim Director Kim Stulken to lead city of Sioux Falls’ human resources department after 17 years of service

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Police union calls for accountability as Sioux Falls budgets for Flock cameras

Sep 11, 2026

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2 min read

Police union calls for accountability as Sioux Falls budgets for Flock cameras

Labor organization representing law enforcement officers says state needs statutes with ‘real consequences’ for abusing use of ALPRs

Dominik Dausch

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

The Link eyes new clinic operator, but funding deficit concerns loom

Sep 10, 2026

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2 min read

The Link eyes new clinic operator, but funding deficit concerns loom

City councilor says next months will be vital for community triage center’s long-term plans in Sioux Falls

Dominik Dausch

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Sioux Falls preparing to add 1,200 new trees this fall

Sep 9, 2026

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2 min read

Sioux Falls preparing to add 1,200 new trees this fall

Reforesting effort comes amid emerald ash borer blight and thousands of dead ash trees

Jonathan Ellis

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

USF denies negligence in $3.35M fall lawsuit

Sep 9, 2026

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2 min read

USF denies negligence in $3.35M fall lawsuit

Soccer player fell from University of Sioux Falls loft bed

Jonathan Ellis

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Sioux Falls finds Wi-Fi workaround for costly emergency radio mandate

Sep 6, 2026

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2 min read

Sioux Falls finds Wi-Fi workaround for costly emergency radio mandate

Fire marshal wants to allow schools, hospitals to use cellular technology instead of six-figure hardwired radio systems

Joe Sneve

Podcast

English origins | Coming to America | Coaching success | Data center lobbying | Defending the Flock | Zoo ask | Turfing a field

Sep 5, 2026

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1 min read

English origins | Coming to America | Coaching success | Data center lobbying | Defending the Flock | Zoo ask | Turfing a field

SPONSORED BY FIRST BANK & TRUST, BEAL DISTRIBUTING & JUNA SLEEP SYSTEMS | Sept. 5, 2026 James Oppenheimer

The Dakota Scout, +2

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Data center developer, Noem son-in-law settle lawsuit

Sep 3, 2026

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2 min read

Data center developer, Noem son-in-law settle lawsuit

Watertown City Councilor Kyle Peters was public face of Gemini Sioux Falls project

Jonathan Ellis

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Jacobson Plaza in downtown Sioux Falls earns international award for public space

Sep 2, 2026

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2 min read

Jacobson Plaza in downtown Sioux Falls earns international award for public space

Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. credits private philanthropy, city investment in activating former brownfield with ice ribbon, playground, community space

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Sioux Falls incorporates student-made art into new basketball installations

Sep 2, 2026

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2 min read

Sioux Falls incorporates student-made art into new basketball installations

City, Summit League, local artist collaborate with hundreds of students to design backboard art for basketball courts at 11 Sioux Falls parks

Dominik Dausch

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Fewer Canadians bringing tourism dollars to Sioux Falls

Sep 2, 2026

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2 min read

Fewer Canadians bringing tourism dollars to Sioux Falls

Experience Sioux Falls CEO tells councilors ongoing tensions between United States, Canada backdrop decrease in visitor spending

Patrick Lalley

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

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

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Opposition to Flock camera usage grows in Minnehaha County

Sep 1, 2026

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2 min read

Opposition to Flock camera usage grows in Minnehaha County

Commissioner Cole Heisey's attempt to schedule public hearing on use of law enforcement cameras fails in 4-1 vote

Jonathan Ellis

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Minnehaha, Lincoln counties look to shape regulations for large data centers

Aug 30, 2026

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2 min read

Minnehaha, Lincoln counties look to shape regulations for large data centers

Local governments wrestling with topic despite new South Dakota law addressing power, water concerns

Jonathan Ellis

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Hundreds honor legacy of T. Denny Sanford and billions donated

Aug 29, 2026

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4 min read

Hundreds honor legacy of T. Denny Sanford and billions donated

Banker, philanthropist funded health care, child services, education, quality of life and more

Jonathan Ellis

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Government use of Flock surveillance pits privacy fears vs. public safety benefits

Aug 29, 2026

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5 min read

Government use of Flock surveillance pits privacy fears vs. public safety benefits

Local South Dakota governments, state officials struggle to decide how data captured by license plate cameras ought to be regulated

Joe Sneve

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Mitakuye Owas’in festival brings Native culture to Levitt at the Falls

Aug 28, 2026

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1 min read

Mitakuye Owas’in festival brings Native culture to Levitt at the Falls

Event features Native American music, arts and dancing

Dorene Weinstein

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

South Dakota DOT offers $3.5M to plan 36 bridge projects across the state

Aug 28, 2026

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2 min read

South Dakota DOT offers $3.5M to plan 36 bridge projects across the state

Funding designated for design, physical surveys, hydraulic studies to help determine replacement needs

Jacob Brende

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

First Bank & Trust invests in SDSU student writers, local journalism

Aug 28, 2026

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3 min read

First Bank & Trust invests in SDSU student writers, local journalism

New section in The Dakota Scout features news from university, offers interns a chance to hone skills

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Rise in harmful algae blooms prompts DANR notice

Aug 27, 2026

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2 min read

Rise in harmful algae blooms prompts DANR notice

Four East River waterbodies hit with advisories due to “high risk conditions” where toxic algae present, but not closed to public

Dominik Dausch

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

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

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

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

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Aug 26, 2026

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2 min read

South Dakota enters settlement with Facebook over child targeting

States accused social media companies of getting kids addicted

The Dakota Scout