South Dakota Department of Social Services Mental Health Memo: Navigating the Holidays in Sobriety
December 2025: The author: To read previous editions of the Mental Health Memo visit . January 2025: About the authors: This column was written by professionals at the Human Services Center in Yankton. New Year's resolutions are something that many people make, and seemingly almost as many fall short of holding to them...
5h ago
Problems with commercial driver's licenses for immigrants found in 8 states so far-- including South Dakota
UNDATED-AP- The federal government's crackdown on commercial driver's licenses for immigrants has found problems in eight states so far in the wake of several deadly crashes. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has publicly threatened to withhold millions in federal money from California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and no...
5h ago
Five school districts in central South Dakota on list of awardees of grants to advance statewide literacy initiative
The South Dakota Department of Education awarded 28 school districts the Elevating Literacy Across South Dakota (ELA-SD) Grant. Among the recipients in the central part of the state are the Chamberlain, Colome, Eagle Butte, Leola and Todd County school districts. The purpose of the grants is to create a comprehensive l...
Dec 12, 2025
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South Dakota Supreme Court affirms conviction by Corson County jury of Sturgis man on 11 felony crimes against children
The South Dakota Supreme Court has unanimously upheld (Dec. 10, 2025) the conviction of a Sturgis man who was sentenced to 65 years in prison on 11 counts of felony crimes involving five different children. Lance Lowell Long was convicted by a Corson County Jury on: one count of Second Degree Rape, one count of Third D...
Dec 11, 2025
Charlotte and Asher top list of most popular baby names of 2025 at Avera St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre; Lainey and Liam most popular across Avera birthing centers
So far, 6,227 babies have been born at Avera facilities during 2025, with July being the month with the most births. When it comes to popular baby names this year at Avera St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre: Across the Avera system as a whole, the most popular girls names were: To see lists of popular baby names for the oth...
Dec 11, 2025
Rounds again requests investigation into Postal Service delivery issues in South Dakota saying service has "deteriorated to critical levels"
South Dakota U.S. Senator Mike Rounds has formally requested (Dec. 9, 2025) an investigation into the persistent issues with United States Postal Service delivery in his home state. In a letter to Postal Service Inspector General Tammy Hull, Rounds asked for her to determine the root cause of mail issues impacting Sout...
Dec 11, 2025
South Dakota's treatment court program showing success; Kern offers support, encouragement for participants to continue life of sobriety
A recent review of the South Dakota Unified Judicial System's treatment courts program shows good results for the participants. State Supreme Court Justice Janine Kern-- who retired this week (Dec. 8, 2025)-- talked about some of the program's success during the Sixth Judicial Circuit's Drug and DUI Treatment Court pro...
Dec 10, 2025
South Dakota camping numbers trending lower in 2025, with an exception in the central part of the state
The number of people staying at parks and recreation areas operated by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks was down in October. However, Parks and Recreation Division Director Jeff VanMeeteren says a focus on the central part of the state and good fishing on Lake Oahe translated into good camping number...
Dec 10, 2025
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Rodeo Rapid City, Belle Fourche Roundup earn honors from PRCA
Dec. 9, 2025: Rodeo Rapid City, produced by Sutton Rodeo from Onida, has been named (Dec. 3, 2025) the 2025 Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. This is the 7th time Rodeo Rapid City has won the honor and the 25th time it's been nominated. Additionally, the Days of '76 Rodeo in ...
Dec 09, 2025
Pierre Rural Volunteer Fire Department Chief Doug Hinkle named State Fire Marshal for South Dakota
Doug Hinkle has been appointed to the position of State Fire Marshal for South Dakota. According to information posted on the state Department of Public Safety's Facebook page Nov. 6, 2025, Hinkle has dedicated more than 25 years to public safety. He's currently the chief of the Pierre Rural Volunteer Fire Department a...
Dec 08, 2025
