Viewpoints

'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.' - First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

LETTER | Billionaires, not Democratic Socialists, pose biggest threat to America

Oct 8, 2026

•

1 min read

LETTER | Billionaires, not Democratic Socialists, pose biggest threat to America

Submitted by Jay Williams, Yankton

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | Congress should not reopen the hemp loophole

Oct 7, 2026

•

2 min read

VIEWPOINT | Congress should not reopen the hemp loophole

Guest column by State Rep. David Kull, District 2

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

LETTER | Amendment L is not the correct path for South Dakota

Oct 5, 2026

•

3 min read

LETTER | Amendment L is not the correct path for South Dakota

Submitted by Mike Zitterich, Sioux Falls

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

STRAIGHT OUTTA PIERRE | Political curveballs, oatmeal cookies and sports

Oct 5, 2026

•

5 min read

STRAIGHT OUTTA PIERRE | Political curveballs, oatmeal cookies and sports

Sharp, snappy and South Dakotan — an anonymous shot of insight with a twist of sarcasm

Bo Hutchins

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | Downtown district helps Sioux Falls accomplish more

Oct 4, 2026

•

1 min read

VIEWPOINT | Downtown district helps Sioux Falls accomplish more

Guest column by Brandon Hanson, DTSF CEO

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Oct 4, 2026

•

1 min read

CARTOON | It happens

As seen in the Oct. 2-8, 2026, print edition of The Dakota Scout

Ryan M Stoick

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

COUNTERPOINT | ‘Under God the People Rule’: Vote ‘L-NO’ on Amendment L

Oct 3, 2026

•

1 min read

COUNTERPOINT | ‘Under God the People Rule’: Vote ‘L-NO’ on Amendment L

Guest column by John A Durajczyk

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | Amending S.D. Constitution deserves higher level of consensus

Oct 3, 2026

•

1 min read

VIEWPOINT | Amending S.D. Constitution deserves higher level of consensus

Guest column by state Sen. Taffy Howard, District 34

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

LETTER | Before voting, consider whether Jackley applied law fairly

Oct 2, 2026

•

1 min read

LETTER | Before voting, consider whether Jackley applied law fairly

Submitted by Julia Kleinschmit, Vermillion

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | What to do when heartburn keeps coming back up

Sep 30, 2026

•

2 min read

VIEWPOINT | What to do when heartburn keeps coming back up

Guest column by Dr. Andrew Ellsworth

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | Amendment L limits power of South Dakotans to effect change

Sep 29, 2026

•

1 min read

VIEWPOINT | Amendment L limits power of South Dakotans to effect change

Guest column by David Owen

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | It’s time to retire Trump rubberstamp Sen. Rounds

Sep 28, 2026

•

4 min read

VIEWPOINT | It’s time to retire Trump rubberstamp Sen. Rounds

Guest column by Peter Carrels

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | We sued to protect South Dakotans’ right to vote; we’re not done

Sep 27, 2026

•

3 min read

VIEWPOINT | We sued to protect South Dakotans’ right to vote; we’re not done

Guest column by Samantha Chapman, ACLU of South Dakota advocacy manager

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Sep 27, 2026

•

1 min read

CARTOON | It's cam-pain season

As seen in the Sept. 25 – Oct. 1, 2026, print edition of The Dakota Scout

Ryan M Stoick

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | What Toronto reminded me about downtown Sioux Falls

Sep 26, 2026

•

2 min read

VIEWPOINT | What Toronto reminded me about downtown Sioux Falls

Guest column by Brandon Hanson, DTSF CEO

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | Amendment K would invest South Dakota unclaimed funds wisely

Sep 26, 2026

•

3 min read

VIEWPOINT | Amendment K would invest South Dakota unclaimed funds wisely

Guest column by Rep. Chris Kassin (R-17) and Rep. Erik Muckey (D-15)

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | Shingles is no fun – and very preventable with vaccine

Sep 25, 2026

•

1 min read

VIEWPOINT | Shingles is no fun – and very preventable with vaccine

Guest column by Dr. Kelly Evans Hullinger

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | Rounds effectively balances AI security, progress in Congress

Sep 25, 2026

•

3 min read

VIEWPOINT | Rounds effectively balances AI security, progress in Congress

Guest column by José-Marie Griffiths, DSU chancellor

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

LETTER | South Dakota cannot afford to leave adult learners behind

Sep 24, 2026

•

2 min read

LETTER | South Dakota cannot afford to leave adult learners behind

Submitted by Natalie Lacey, Sioux Falls

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

LETTER | Rounds smart to tout Trump's endorsement in light of accomplishments

Sep 23, 2026

•

2 min read

LETTER | Rounds smart to tout Trump's endorsement in light of accomplishments

Submitted by Stu Cvrk, Springfield

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

COUNTERPOINT | Data center foes right to be wary of resource drain, big money

Sep 23, 2026

•

2 min read

COUNTERPOINT | Data center foes right to be wary of resource drain, big money

Guest column by Erinn Williams, District 14 House candidate

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | Data center issue deserves seat at the table, not a moratorium

Sep 22, 2026

•

3 min read

VIEWPOINT | Data center issue deserves seat at the table, not a moratorium

Guest column by Joe Gierut

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

LETTER | Why is Rounds proud to say he’s ‘Trump endorsed’?

Sep 21, 2026

•

2 min read

LETTER | Why is Rounds proud to say he’s ‘Trump endorsed’?

Submitted by Jerry Wilson, Vermillion

The Dakota Scout

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

Sep 20, 2026

•

1 min read

CARTOON | Planting power

As seen in the Sept. 18-24, 2026, print edition of The Dakota Scout

Ryan M Stoick

THE DAKOTA SCOUT

VIEWPOINT | South Dakota shines in index on life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

Sep 19, 2026

•

3 min read

VIEWPOINT | South Dakota shines in index on life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

Guest column by Paul Glader

The Dakota Scout