Dusty Johnson stands alone at the top of News Watch's latest GOP gubernatorial poll. Click the link for more results broken down by age, gender and geography plus U.S. House and U.S. Senate polls. buff.ly/XaRNh1V

"Johnson is moving into the clear front-runner status" (but) "Hansen is getting some traction." The latest South Dakota News Watch / Chiesman Center for Democracy poll.

"Understanding the laws around elections and how they're conducted is essential." Free training set for #SouthDakota journalists, students and residents interested in election law.

With less than three months to go until the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, what are the fire conditions at Mount Rushmore?

"We have to remember who the target audience is for this debate: the Republican primary voter." Takeaways, analysis and voter voices from 2nd gubernatorial debate.

Stop by in Brookings tonight for a free community discussion on how news has shaped civic life for 250+ years. 6-7 p.m. in Woster Celebration Hall at SDSU Alumni and Foundation building. Doors open at 5 p.m. for light refreshments and conversation.

An often-used tidbit is that Black Elk Peak is unrivaled in height until the Alps or Pyrenees. Is that true?

SD's Republican governor candidates meet at 8 p.m. CT tonight in the SDPB/SDNW debate. Read below how to submit your questions.

USDA kills $300M program to help new and Native farmers get their start, citing misspending and lack of alignment with Trump priorities.

The next Republican governor debate is Monday at 8 p.m. CT. It will air and stream live on SDPB, and News Watch will co-moderate.

"Our candidates will bring the message and the actions to back it up." #SouthDakota's primary election takes shape. Read who's on your ballot, from governor to school board.

From 150-year-old newspapers and local broadcasters to new startups, a map on #SouthDakota's local and statewide sources of news and information. Find and support them on #LocalNewsDay.

"When we share facts about our community and state, it’s easier to disagree without disconnecting." Read this great column by Kristi Hine, a newspaper publisher and SDNW's board chair, on the importance of #LocalNewsDay.

How does South Dakota rank in tax burden? Today's fact brief.

From school boards and city councils to the statehouse in Pierre, so much of what affects our daily lives starts locally. This year on #LocalNewsDay, you can amplify reporting from your town. Learn more at LocalNewsDay.org.

"They help each other out, between studying together, hauling together, practicing together." How SDSU's rodeo team includes farmers and supporters from around the state.

Almost 800 people have spent time in space. How many of them are from South Dakota?

"...The very purpose of maintaining Main Streets is getting business owners into those buildings to rejuvenate downtowns and make them lively places again.” #SouthDakota town's solution.

“It was the pioneers, Norwegian pioneers, that established this church.” #SouthDakota church taps government funding and its community to preserve its past.

Ten projects across #SouthDakota will use $7.82M from opioid settlement to address substance use disorder through prevention, treatment and education services.

South Dakota was one of 14 states where recidivism increased between 2011 and 2021.

South Dakota News Watch is honored to add Rita Edwards of Madison and Mark Millage of Sioux Falls to its board of directors. Read their bios and who else leads the org.

"The market right now is at a loss position and we’re about to plant the most expensive crop in history." The state of #SouthDakota farms going into growing season.

#SouthDakota Republican governor candidates clash in 1st of 3 televised debates. Here are takeaways.

South Dakota's run of Republican governors spans almost 50 years. Is that the most in the country?

#SouthDakota lawmakers return to Pierre to consider 2 vetoes. Read what they are and some of the 239 bills already signed into law.

#SouthDakota governor candidates agree to 3 debates that will be televised statewide. Read when they're taking place and how to watch.

Twenty airports across the country have a private company running security. Are there any in South Dakota?

Many thanks to AllSides for a Center bias rating, which means we "either do not show much political bias or display a balance of articles with left and right perspectives." www.allsides.com/news-source/...

"I love giving (younger kids) a person who they can look up to as a basketball player.” How it's more than March Madness for a lot of Native kids. www.sdnewswatch.org/native-hoops...

The publisher of the True Dakotan in Wessington Springs is the new @SDNewsWatch board chair.

The tumbleweed, a symbol of the Old West and a nuisance for rural landowners, has an interesting connection to South Dakota. The latest fact brief:

If you're in Pierre tomorrow, attorney Jana Miner and I will lead an interactive discussion about how civics and news were important parts of the country before its founding: 6-7 p.m. CT, Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce, 800 W. Dakota Ave.

"We were really hurting for homes because without places to live, there's no way people can move here to work or raise a family." 1 man's quest for housing in small #SouthDakota town.

"If we want a better democracy, we have to train people not to fear public speaking:" Conference focuses on communication in politics and protest.

#SouthDakota Supreme Court to decide whether cops can be considered victims under #MarsysLaw.

After the spotting of a mountain lion in #SiouxFalls, a #factbrief on the rate of attacks.

"This could affect contracts of all kinds." Supreme Court asked to decide legality of 99-year lease at southwest #SouthDakota "prepper" complex.

#SouthDakota Gov. Rhoden pushes back against Dusty Johnson's dig after poll.

There have been almost 60 fires of more than 100 acres in the South Dakota portion of the Black Hills from 2000-2024. The latest fact brief:

"The facts were the facts, and they were all on video. This was not an aggravated assault from the beginning." #SouthDakota prosecutors drop charges against NDN Collective's Nick Tilsen.

For Sunshine Week, 5 things to knowing what your government is doing.

What #SouthDakota lawmakers passed (and didn't pass) during the session.

#SouthDakota governor candidate Dusty Johnson releases proposal to expand entrepreneurship-related grants.

#Civics and #news presentation coming to Rapid City, Pierre and Brookings: A bit of history and how to find credible sources of information.

South Dakota is known for the Sturgis rally, but does the annual event lead to an increase of motorcycle ownership in the state? The latest fact brief:

"You can't even replace a single window on a historic building for $10,000." #SouthDakota towns challenge #Deadwood's take of grant money.

#SouthDakota played a big role in the Cold War, but does it still have any nukes?

"In the long term, #Deadwood revenues grow at the expense of the state general fund's revenues." Town asks state for more of the $33B take since 1989.