Carson Walker
@carsonwalk.bsky.social
CEO of @sdnewswatch.bsky.social
Reposted by Carson Walker
"Maybe we can have respectful discussions and find good compromises, but it could also become a rodeo-and-a-half, too." What to know about this year's #SouthDakota Legislature.
Hot topics aplenty on 2026 SD legislative session agenda
Session will feature a robust debate on how to spend limited state funds. "We have a long list of ideas people want to discuss," said top budgeting lawmaker Mike Derby.
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January 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"Maybe we can have respectful discussions and find good compromises, but it could also become a rodeo-and-a-half, too." What to know about this year's #SouthDakota Legislature.
Reposted by Carson Walker
Meet our new politics and statehouse reporter, Alexander Rifaat. He most recently wrote about taxes in DC and has moved to Pierre to report year-round on state government and politics. Read his bio and other SD News Watch updates at buff.ly/LAfLHBP
January 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Meet our new politics and statehouse reporter, Alexander Rifaat. He most recently wrote about taxes in DC and has moved to Pierre to report year-round on state government and politics. Read his bio and other SD News Watch updates at buff.ly/LAfLHBP
Reposted by Carson Walker
"We're not going to stop every accident, but you’ll have a better chance to avoid it or it will become much less severe." See before and after pics of a major #SouthDakota #BlackHills highway rebuild.
Moving mountains: Blasting and clawing toward a safer US 385
Huge boulders are being moved and rocky hillsides are being blasted and scraped away as part of a $72 million widening project on U.S. 385,.
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January 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"We're not going to stop every accident, but you’ll have a better chance to avoid it or it will become much less severe." See before and after pics of a major #SouthDakota #BlackHills highway rebuild.
Reposted by Carson Walker
How much power could a planned hyperscale data center in Sioux Falls use? The latest fact brief:
Could a data center use equivalent of 50,000 homes of power?
The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to rezone land for the Gemini Data Center.
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January 8, 2026 at 2:05 PM
How much power could a planned hyperscale data center in Sioux Falls use? The latest fact brief:
Reposted by Carson Walker
Read the latest on #SouthDakota prison staffing levels ahead of debate over funding for new women's prison in #RapidCity.
Fewer job vacancies in DOC as new women's prison prepares to open
New Corrections report shows reduced job openings since pay increase took effect as state agency hires 133 for new Rapid City facility.
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January 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Read the latest on #SouthDakota prison staffing levels ahead of debate over funding for new women's prison in #RapidCity.
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"Going from farm to fork is very challenging." #SouthDakota organic farm numbers drop despite demand for products. Read how they're responding.
Small local farms growing stronger roots in South Dakota
Consumer demand for organic and locally grown foods continues to rise, but running a small farm isn't always an easy task for producers.
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January 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"Going from farm to fork is very challenging." #SouthDakota organic farm numbers drop despite demand for products. Read how they're responding.
Reposted by Carson Walker
South Dakota's congressional delegation all issued statements after the United States' arrest of Venezuela's president.
Does the SD congressional delegation support Venezuela attack?
Sens. John Thune, Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson all praised President Trump's decision to attack Venezuela and arrest President Maduro.
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January 4, 2026 at 3:10 AM
South Dakota's congressional delegation all issued statements after the United States' arrest of Venezuela's president.
Reposted by Carson Walker
"Energy is everywhere:" Read about and watch videos of #SouthDakota students training to make $70K+ 6 months after graduation.
Student interest in SD energy programs on the rise
Three students in Lake Area Technical College's energy programs speak to News Watch about why they chose to join the rapidly growing sector.
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January 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"Energy is everywhere:" Read about and watch videos of #SouthDakota students training to make $70K+ 6 months after graduation.
Reposted by Carson Walker
There are more than 7,000 Hutterites in South Dakota in about 60 colonies. The latest fact brief:
Fact brief: Does SD have the highest Hutterite population in the U.S.?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
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December 30, 2025 at 2:05 PM
There are more than 7,000 Hutterites in South Dakota in about 60 colonies. The latest fact brief:
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"Every reservation has their own own cultural pieces, their own stories, they have their own museums." #SouthDakota tribal #tourism gets a boost.
Tribal nations in SD are betting on tourism on reservations
The South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance hopes to bring visitors to tribal lands to build sovereignty, despite ongoing challenges: "How do we make sure that we build demand and supply at the same…
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December 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"Every reservation has their own own cultural pieces, their own stories, they have their own museums." #SouthDakota tribal #tourism gets a boost.
Reposted by Carson Walker
South Dakota is one of almost 30 states that requires front and back license plates, with a couple of exceptions. The latest fact brief:
Fact brief: Does South Dakota require front license plates?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
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December 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
South Dakota is one of almost 30 states that requires front and back license plates, with a couple of exceptions. The latest fact brief:
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"We are going to keep it up." A summary of #immigration efforts in #SouthDakota this year and a look ahead.
ICE in SD — from small towns to Operation: Prairie Thunder
Data shows that most recent ICE arrestees in South Dakota are citizens of Mexico and Central America, and 98% are male.
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December 22, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"We are going to keep it up." A summary of #immigration efforts in #SouthDakota this year and a look ahead.
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"They’re saying ‘no’ to the million people who live in South Dakota.” Part 3 in a series on the release of body and dash cam videos in #SouthDakota.
Improving open records law in SD an uphill battle for advocates
South Dakota remains "on an island" when it comes to open records laws, which allow police to keep videos they record away from public access.
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December 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"They’re saying ‘no’ to the million people who live in South Dakota.” Part 3 in a series on the release of body and dash cam videos in #SouthDakota.
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"Much of the information collected by (body-worn cameras) is confidential and involves personal information." Read part 2 on #SouthDakota police videos -- when they have been released.
With discretion left to agencies, police video releases rare
When videos and still images have been released, they tend to justify officer use of force or highlight humorous on-the-job interactions.
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December 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"Much of the information collected by (body-worn cameras) is confidential and involves personal information." Read part 2 on #SouthDakota police videos -- when they have been released.
Reposted by Carson Walker
Is South Dakota's cattle-to-people ratio the highest in the country? The latest Fact Brief:
Does South Dakota lead the nation in cattle per capita?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
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December 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Is South Dakota's cattle-to-people ratio the highest in the country? The latest Fact Brief:
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“It’s a very weak law in regard to law enforcement.” 1st in a 3-part series on the release of #SouthDakota police videos: when they're released and when they're not.
Police videos in SD: Public pays costs but cannot see footage
As more states begin to provide public access to videos captured by law enforcement agencies, South Dakota continues to keep a tight lid on them.
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December 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“It’s a very weak law in regard to law enforcement.” 1st in a 3-part series on the release of #SouthDakota police videos: when they're released and when they're not.
Reposted by Carson Walker
"Can we help the existing ecosystem, meaning add jobs, add tax base, but also can we bring opportunities for the student workforce." How #SouthDakota's #biotech industry is maturing.
Biotech: SD revs up for the future in a young, growing industry
State is 1 of 2 without an incentive program to create jobs in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, the military and other industries.
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December 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"Can we help the existing ecosystem, meaning add jobs, add tax base, but also can we bring opportunities for the student workforce." How #SouthDakota's #biotech industry is maturing.
Reposted by Carson Walker
South Dakota's chronic absenteeism rate increased after during COVID-19, but what has happened since?
Is the rate of chronic absenteeism in schools increasing?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
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December 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM
South Dakota's chronic absenteeism rate increased after during COVID-19, but what has happened since?
Reposted by Carson Walker
"There's attorneys, real estate agents. There are doctors that speak Spanish, whereas a few years ago, even five years ago, we didn't see that." A rural #SouthDakota town where 1 in 5 people is Hispanic.
Hispanic population thrives in one small SD town
Rural towns like Plankinton, population 768, are growing their community services to fill needs.
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December 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"There's attorneys, real estate agents. There are doctors that speak Spanish, whereas a few years ago, even five years ago, we didn't see that." A rural #SouthDakota town where 1 in 5 people is Hispanic.
Reposted by Carson Walker
“Everything I’ve done has made a new me.” Details on a #SouthDakota court program to keep people from ending up back behind bars.
Treatment courts help reduce South Dakota's prison population
The state is exploring solutions to address recidivism and ease the burden on prisons. Treatment courts show impressive results.
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December 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“Everything I’ve done has made a new me.” Details on a #SouthDakota court program to keep people from ending up back behind bars.
Reposted by Carson Walker
The number of home-schooled students in South Dakota increased from 4,333 to 10,536 in a span of less than 10 years. The latest Fact Brief:
Has SD seen the largest homeschool growth of any state?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
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December 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The number of home-schooled students in South Dakota increased from 4,333 to 10,536 in a span of less than 10 years. The latest Fact Brief:
Reposted by Carson Walker
Eighty years ago, a South Dakota community set a pair of weather-related records that still stand today. The latest Fact Brief:
Did a SD city register the fastest temp change in recorded history?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
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December 2, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Eighty years ago, a South Dakota community set a pair of weather-related records that still stand today. The latest Fact Brief:
Reposted by Carson Walker
"I can’t come into your yard and dump a load of garbage, but yet they can come in and tear up the land, and bring dust and noise and blasting?" #SouthDakota lawmakers explore permitting changes.
Legislators plan bills to help Piedmont residents in mine fight
The goal is to strengthen lax mining laws that allow some companies to mine anywhere in the state without public notification or input.
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December 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"I can’t come into your yard and dump a load of garbage, but yet they can come in and tear up the land, and bring dust and noise and blasting?" #SouthDakota lawmakers explore permitting changes.
Reposted by Carson Walker
The Republican race for governor headlined the latest #SouthDakota poll, but other results show where registered voters stand. Read a summary of the results.
Showing our math: The numbers behind the latest poll
South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center at USD poll summaries, stories, demographics and methodology.
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November 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The Republican race for governor headlined the latest #SouthDakota poll, but other results show where registered voters stand. Read a summary of the results.
Reposted by Carson Walker
A #factbrief on whether #SouthDakota police departments are using automatic license plate readers.
Are SD police departments using license plate readers?
A fact brief that refutes or confirms a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
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November 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A #factbrief on whether #SouthDakota police departments are using automatic license plate readers.