What new South Dakota laws take effect July 1? Here are a few to know about

More than 200 bills were signed into law during South Dakota's legislative session in 2025, and most of them take effect July 1. The bills signed this year by South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden vary in subject and scope, ranging from one about vehicles …

Are all South Dakota prisoners released at the prison sites?

By Michael KlinskiSouth Dakota News Watch No. Inmates who are released from the South Dakota prison system are released in the community where they were sentenced or the city of their choice. According to South Dakota law, released inmates receive …

South Dakota Department of Health ramps up efforts to prevent possible measles outbreak

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - With the Mount Rushmore State having two more confirmed measles cases in the last few weeks, bringing its total to four in 2025, the South Dakota Department of Health is ramping up its efforts to prevent a potential statewide …

Does South Dakota set its state minimum wage by the federal standard?

South Dakota is one of 34 states and territories that have a minimum wage higher than the federal rate.  The state’s minimum wage of $11.50 an hour increased from $11.30 on Jan. 1, 2025, compared to the federal minimum wage of $7.25. It had not been …

AAA Forecasts Busy Roadways Across South Dakota, Nation for July 4 Holiday

SIOUX FALLS ― From sea to shining sea― and from Spearfish to Sioux Falls ― AAA is projecting strong travel volume for the upcoming Independence Day holiday. “Travelers are gearing up for a busy Fourth of July travel period across the Mt. Rushmore State,” …

Representative Dusty Johnson announces run for South Dakota governor's seat

Representative Dusty Johnson has announced that he will run for South Dakota Governor’s seat in the 2026 election cycle. Johnson has held South Dakota’s at-large US House seat since 2019. Before going to the Federal government, Johnson served as chief of …

South Dakota State tractor team captures runner-up honors

SDSU Marketing & Communications BROOKINGS — For the second consecutive year, South Dakota State University finished just short of winning the International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition. The SDSU Quarter-Scale Tractor Team, competing …

Man films himself in front of tornado in South Dakota

Storms and tornados swept through South Dakota over the weekend, causing widespread damage in the northeast of the state, local media reported. One man casually filmed himself in front of a large tornado funnel in the US city of Gary, saying to the camera: …

“God was with us,” South Dakota couple survives being inside their home as tornado ripped through

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Cleanup is underway in the Kadoka area following a tornado over the weekend. Saturday night’s tornado destroyed 2 homes, several structures and even toppled a semi truck. Cottonwood trees were also torn up. One of the homes …

Multiple twisters strike South Dakota over the Weekend