Stu Whitney

South Dakota governor poll: Johnson, Rhoden set pace Survey of 500 Republicans shows Jackley in third place as contenders begin to emerge for 2026 primary showdown.

We’ve got the first poll of the 2026 Republican primary race for South Dakota Governor, based on Mason-Dixon survey of 500 registered GOP voters.

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and Gov. Larry Rhoden are setting the pace so far.
www.sdnewswatch.org/poll-dusty-j...

Toby Doeden makes establishment nervous. So what's next? The Aberdeen businessman boosted Republican populist candidates in last year's legislative primaries and is exploring his own run in 2026.

Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden has used Trumpian tactics to try to trounce the South Dakota Republican establishment.

How far can his money and movement take him?
www.sdnewswatch.org/tony-doeden-...

South Dakota Symphony pulls 'Giants in the Earth' opera out of the shadows Production based on classic novel about Norwegian settlers will be performed April 26-27 at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls.

An opera based on Ole Rolvaag's classic Norwegian pioneer novel "Giants in the Earth" was presented in 1951 and then largely forgotten.

Here's the story of how it was unearthed to be performed by the South Dakota Symphony — just in the nick of time.
www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota...

US Department of Education's impact on South Dakota: Q&A Supporters and critics of the plan to eliminate the department weigh in on how it could affect the state of South Dakota.

I did a deep dive on what dismantling the U.S. Department of Education could mean for South Dakota’s K-12 school districts and universities.

Federal money will still flow, but who determines where it goes?
www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota...

Trump's tariffs: South Dakota farmers prepare for impact Uncertainty surrounding American trade policies could rattle an already fragile agricultural outlook.

South Dakota's reliance on agricultural trade makes it vulnerable to the risks of tariffs and trade wars.

For farmers in this Trump-favoring state, there's a fine line between patience and pain.
www.sdnewswatch.org/president-tr...

The structure of the Summit League tournament seems to take student fan involvement out of the equation, a notable development since student presence/energy is one of the defining features of college basketball.

Hard not to be moved by Colman Domingo’s performance in “Sing Sing,” a raw examination of finding spirit through expression in the worst of surroundings. I’m sticking with Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan for Best Actor, but Domingo’s second career nomination was well-deserved.

Former marshal: Shots fired in reservation raid 'consistent with training' Questions remain about Zander Zephier's death, including the use of pepper spray and the decision to enter the house without more negotiation.

The death certificate of a man killed in a U.S. Marshals raid on his family's house on the Yankton Sioux Reservation in November sheds light on his fatal injuries, while leaving other questions unanswered.
www.sdnewswatch.org/zander-zephi...

YouTube video by The Final Cut The Royal Tenenbaums - Kids are alright

RIP to Gene Hackman, one of the true greats. His turn as a worldly and wanting patriarch in “The Royal Tenenbaums” is a personal favorite.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Hb...

SD prison project faces legislative, legal hurdles "A prison, like a jail, is a necessary government function, and it must be located somewhere," a state circuit judge ruled. Part 2 of a three-part series.

Part 2 looks back at a judge’s decision that “not in my backyard” doesn’t prevail when a project’s necessity outweighs interests of surrounding landowners.

“A prison, like a jail, is a necessary government function, and it must be located somewhere.”
www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota...

SD prison project draws strong views, harsh criticism Perspectives from neighbors, policy analysts and law enforcement show division surrounding plan to build prison in rural Lincoln County.

Part 1 of my three-part series on different perspectives that surround South Dakota’s plan to build a new men’s prison in rural Lincoln County.

“It’s an emotional subject. We’re building something that’s meant to last another hundred years.”
www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota...

Gov. Larry Rhoden announces that he will hold weekly press conferences during the legislative session, reviving a decades-old tradition cast aside by his predecessor, Kristi Noem.

LSS calls Musk's illegal claims 'completely baseless' Tech billionaire Elon Musk accused refugee resettlement programs of receiving federal funds illegally, even though Congress approved the spending.

Elon Musk went after Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota and other groups involved with refugee resettlement, calling federally appropriated funds “illegal payments.”

Now LSS is pushing back.
www.sdnewswatch.org/lutheran-soc...

Ballot measure battle could curtail SD's direct democracy Since 1898, state voters have had the power to propose a law or amendment at elections. Some Republican legislators want to make the process harder.

“They’re attempting to orchestrate the death of direct democracy by a thousand cuts. They keep trying and trying because when people organize and use their voice, they become a threat to the political establishment.”
www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota...

How Greg Sands overcame addiction and prison to find success The founder of Sands Wall Systems went from nearly ruining his life to helping others, but the pain is still there. "He still feels shame about it," says his wife.

Greg Sands overcame years of addiction and a prison stint to become a leader in the Sioux Falls business and philanthropic community.

He received a presidential pardon in 2001.

So when will be ready to forgive himself?
www.sdnewswatch.org/greg-sands-w...

Wrote about that here:

Meet the new boss.

Photo released by South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden’s office shows him fully embracing his Meade County ranching background.

Not just a new chief executive but also a re-shuffling of the 2026 gubernatorial race, with Rhoden as incumbent.

Biggest Oscar snub among the movies I’ve seen?

No Margaret Qualley for Best Supporting Actress in “The Substance”

But Demi Moore is up for Best Actress, one of five nominations for the quasi-horror take on Hollywood’s beauty mystique, including Best Picture.

South Dakota Legislature: Property taxes, pipelines, prisons (and more) What to watch for as the state's 105 lawmakers convene in Pierre on Tuesday for the 100th session.

Even with Governor Noem's looming departure, the 100th edition of the South Dakota Legislature is more about issues than eras.

Here are key things to watch as the session kicks off Tuesday.
www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota...

Main theme for South Dakota politics in 2025? Buckle up. Noem, Thune prepare for new roles in Washington as South Dakota awaits a new governor and early 2026 election intrigue.

One thing’s for certain: 2025 is going to be a wild and wacky year in South Dakota politics.

Starting right now.
www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota...

Building a winning football culture means playing hard all the time. You can’t play hard when trying to avoid injuries, or even thinking about them.

The Lions had a football game to play and outmanned the soft-hearted Niners.

Vikings up next.

Family seeks justice after man killed in raid Zander Zephier was shot after law enforcement used pepper spray and entered the basement of his family's home on the Yankton Sioux Reservation.

"Why can't you tase him, you know, or find some other way of getting him to where you can handcuff him and take him to jail?" Federal officers used pepper spray then shot and killed a #SouthDakota man moments after he livestreamed himself brushing his teeth.

Family seeks justice after man killed in raid Zander Zephier was shot after law enforcement used pepper spray and entered the basement of his family's home on the Yankton Sioux Reservation.

Federal officers used pepper spray and shot and killed a young man with a criminal history in the basement of a tribal housing unit on the Yankton Sioux Reservation on Nov. 27.
His family is seeking answers — and they have security camera footage.
www.sdnewswatch.org/zander-zephi...

Native American absenteeism challenges S.D. educators Family involvement, cultural emphasis among strategies to boost attendance. "It really comes down to engagement."

South Dakota’s public schools have one of the highest rates of Native American absenteeism in the country.

Meet some people who are seeking solutions rather than playing the blame game.
www.sdnewswatch.org/native-ameri...

“Good One” is a bracing directorial debut from India Donaldson about a daughter’s growing awareness of her father’s fallibility during a hiking trip in the Catskills. Deliberate pace and striking camerawork highlight Lily Collins’ understated lead role. Streaming on Apple TV.

Ran into my freshman dorm floor mate from Michigan State at Williams Arena on Wednesday, ready to watch Sparty win its Big Ten basketball opener. Snyder-Phillips forever!

Expect belt-tightening in Noem's final budget address Flat revenue and rising Medicaid costs will likely mean smaller funding increases for education, health care providers and state employees in the next fiscal year.

When Gov. Kristi Noem gives what could be her final budget address Tuesday, she’ll face a dire forecast of flat revenue and rising Medicaid costs.

“I don’t envy her position in putting out this budget,” Republican legislator Will Mortenson told me.
www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota...

Beating a team on its home turf carries enough significance without the provocative gesture of planting a flag at midfield.

This is football, not Iwo Jima.

Attacking the rest of this holiday weekend like…

See you in the Super Bowl, Hutch! #OnePride