Kristi Noem faces angry protests as she collects doctorate at South Dakota university

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our …

Specifics being worked out for 19 Fallen Hero Bridge Dedications to be held in South Dakota this year

The South Dakota Transportation Commission has approved 19 applications for “Fallen Hero Bridge Dedications” to take place this year (2025). Department of Transportation Operations Manager Craig Smith says they typically do 12, but decided to do more this …

Former Sioux Falls mayor Knobe: Change Agents of South Dakota striving to help, but it needs your support

Change Agents of South Dakota has been very active this year. We have participated in two rallies protesting the arbitrary firing and funding freezes at the federal level. The April 5 event in Sioux Falls (conducted simultaneously with the one pictured …

The Largest ZIP Codes in South Dakota By Population

Did you know that there are nearly 42,000 ZIP Codes in the United States? That's a heck of a lot, especially since I can remember basically three. The one from my hometown because it was pounded into me in elementary school, because addressing an …

Is a slowdown in South Dakota’s tourism industry on the horizon?

May 12, 2025 PIERRE, S.D. (S.D. News Watch)–For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, South Dakota tourism leaders are concerned that 2025 might not be a great year for tourism. Some early signs point to a slowdown in tourist visits and revenues …

$2,400 Direct Deposits in South Dakota – Who Will Get It?

Thousands of South Dakota residents could see $2,400 deposited directly into their bank accounts as part of a new relief initiative backed by unused federal funds and state budget surplus allocations. The payment is aimed at supporting low- to middle- …

Record-Breaking Turnout for South Dakota’s Avera Race Against Cancer Raises Support for Local Patients

MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) South Dakota’s Avera Race Against Cancer is setting a new attendance record.  More than 77-hundred people participated in the event across the area Saturday.  That’s a thousand more than the race’s previous record.  The largest …

Smooth lambing season in central South Dakota despite some spikes in disease

PIERRE, S.D. — It’s lambing season at 7-C Merinos in Pierre, South Dakota. The operation is run by Cody and Alexis Chambliss and has around 250 fine wool Merino sheep. Their farm is more of a seed stock operation than a lamb operation. They sell most of …

Josh Ninke talks to visitors from South Dakota having a bachelorette party in the infield

Record Heat Wave Set to Bake South Dakota This Week

After a week of above average temperatures, the state of South Dakota will once again be at or near record highs this week, as a heat wave envelopes much of the region. According to Accuweather, the cities of Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Bismarck, Fargo, …