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Gov. Larry Rhoden’s office sent a release saying Secretary Matt Althoff “will complete his service” as of Friday. The press release said Althoff has a “desire to spend more of his time in Sioux Falls closer to his family.”
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sdpb.org/politics/2026-10-19…
ALT Althoff out as South Dakota Social Services Secretary
While the IRS and Trump say it’s okay for farmers to fill up on dyed diesel for on-road use, many producers are still cautious to do so.
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sdpb.org/politics/2026-10-19…
Growing up in foster care, Curtis Bissonette remembered dorm-style group homes with heavy metal doors. When he was elected to tribal council, he knew youth deserved better. Bissonette helped secure funding to build The Lighthouse—a supportive, home-like sanctuary that keeps Native children connected to their community, culture, and roots.
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Did you enjoy this story? Get to know the Agency Village community by watching Dakota Life. Watch Dakota Life: Greetings from Agency Village on SDPB Passport, the PBS App or YouTube.
SDPB Passport: watch.sdpb.org/show/dakota-l…
YouTube: youtu.be/JQcEFcSMflM
This election, South Dakotans are deciding on the 105 legislators who will represent them in Pierre. Do you know who’s running in your district?
Check out SDPB’s interactive “meet the candidates” map. You can find your district and learn about every candidate running for Legislature.
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sdpb.org/elections/2026/meet…
Don Haggar is the Republican candidate for the Public Utilities Commission. He faces Democrat Frank Kloucek. He spoke with SDPB's Lori Walsh.
You can see the full interview at SDPB.org/Vote26
SDPB and South Dakota News Watch hosted a South Dakota U.S. Senate race debate in Sioux Falls. Incumbent Republican Sen. Mike Rounds declined to take part. Independent candidate Brian Bengs accepted regardless of his opponent's participation.
⬇️Rewatch the full debate ahead of Election Day⬇️
sdpb.org/elections/2026-09-1…
Frank Kloucek is the Democratic candidate for the Public Utilities Commission. He faces Republican Don Haggar. He spoke with SDPB's Lori Walsh.
You can see the full interview at SDPB.org/Vote26
NDN Collective’s annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day event carried significant meaning in 2026. The event celebrated several important victories for the organization, but the organizers made clear those wins were not the end of their fight.
South Dakota’s largest city is grappling with how to approach data centers. To chart a path forward, Sioux Falls City Council is creating a committee on the issue.
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sdpb.org/politics/2026-10-16…
ALT Sioux Falls City Council committee starts taking input on data centers next month
South Dakota’s Native candidates are looking for new ways to support Indigenous candidates and get the vote out in reservation communities. An organization representing them say voter apathy isn’t the problem — it’s overcoming decades of policy.
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sdpb.org/elections/2026-10-1…
ALT Program aims to support Indigenous candidates and empower Native voters
The Rapid City Department of Community Development hosted an overflow crowd at City Hall to discuss planned changes to the city’s current data center ordinance Wednesday night.
Citizens packed inside the city council chambers and an adjacent room were presented with the city’s current plan and given an opportunity to participate in a live survey. The survey results reflected deep concerns over data centers, especially water and electricity usage as well as noise pollution.
Individuals in the audience were not given the opportunity to speak during the event.
Rapid City surveyed citizens in a town hall to get to the bottom of the ongoing data center debate. The results were clear – most believe data centers are at best necessary evils, at worst drains on natural resources which should be banned from city limits.
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sdpb.org/politics/2026-10-14…
ALT Rapid City seeks input on local data center policy
Gestring's retirement is effective June of 2027. She has been president of USD since 2018.
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sdpb.org/education/2026-10-1…
ALT USD president Sheila Gestring announces retirement
Thirty-nine-year-old John Oetken is charged in the death of Deputy Katherine Frank. Oetken is now charged with both first- and second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer.
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sdpb.org/crime-courts/2026-1…
ALT Man accused in fatal shooting of deputy faces new charges
The Department of Education delivered its annual report to the Government Operations and Audit Committee, or GOAC. The state is still grappling with challenges in education, from standards changes to how to tackle questions of school choice or homeschooling.
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sdpb.org/education/2026-10-1…
ALT Department of Education report highlights standardization, preschool funding
Officials are calling it the "Give Me Five" program. Eligible first-time home buyers can receive a five-percent boost toward down payment through a five-year forgivable loan.
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sdpb.org/business-economics/…
ALT South Dakota launches down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers
NDN Collective held its fourth annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day event at Main Street Square in Rapid City. The event, which featured vendors, speakers, artists, and musicians, drew hundreds of people despite Monday's colder-than-average temperatures. Seattle rapper Macklemore closed out the night’s festivities.
Authorities say a South Dakota sheriff’s deputy shot in the line of duty has died from her injuries.
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sdpb.org/crime-courts/2026-1…
ALT Minnehaha County deputy dies from injuries received in Sioux Falls shooting
Many of the farms of today are uncertain of who will run them tomorrow. Family businesses that run generations deep are now wondering about the future, as corporatization of family farms and ranches continues, and more jobs are available in the cities.
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sdpb.org/business-economics/…
ALT Building herds to incentivize a next generation of ranching
Monday was Indigenous Peoples Day, which means a celebration throughout the Black Hills. As music and the smell of hot food cut through the cold October air, organizers say the event was more than a rally. It was a chance to have fun.
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sdpb.org/politics/2026-10-13…
ALT Indigenous Peoples Day in Rapid City celebrates cross-culture connection