Home | The Dakota Scout

GOP jumps to early lead in statewide races

Republicans running strong in South Dakota as they falter elsewhere

Nov 3, 2026

The Dakota Scout

Wellmark fires back in dispute with Sanford Health

Insurer, health system accuse each other of driving up health care costs

Nov 3, 2026

Jonathan Ellis

Behind the ballots: The Dakota Scout’s conversations with the candidates

Extended podcast interviews, exclusive reporting gave South Dakota voters inside look at the governor’s race, Senate showdown, congressional competitors, Secretary of State match, would-be regulators' campaigns

Nov 3, 2026

The Dakota Scout

GOP leaders emphasize education, opportunity during SDSU stops

South Dakota candidates make pitch to keep youths, college graduates in state

Nov 3, 2026

Jacob Brende

GOP leaders emphasize education, opportunity during SDSU stops

OBITUARY | Sandra Christensen, 79

Aug. 31, 1947 – Oct. 13, 2026

Nov 3, 2026

The Dakota Scout

STRAIGHT OUTTA PIERRE | Predictions: The middle of the road isn’t very crowded

Sharp, snappy and South Dakotan — an anonymous shot of insight with a twist of sarcasm

Nov 2, 2026

Bo Hutchins

STRAIGHT OUTTA PIERRE | Predictions: The middle of the road isn’t very crowded

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State Politics

GOP jumps to early lead in statewide races

Republicans running strong in South Dakota as they falter elsewhere

Nov 3, 2026

The Dakota Scout

Behind the ballots: The Dakota Scout’s conversations with the candidates

Nov 3, 2026

The Dakota Scout

GOP leaders emphasize education, opportunity during SDSU stops

South Dakota candidates make pitch to keep youths, college graduates in state

Nov 3, 2026

Jacob Brende

FBI's Kash Patel, Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy honor South Dakota law officers

45th annual law enforcement dinner comes amid fallout from homicide of Minnehaha County Sheriff's Deputy Katherine Frank

Oct 29, 2026

Jonathan Ellis

Data center concerns cloud Sioux Falls, Lincoln County meeting

Nearly 200 people turn out as city and county consider future regulations

Oct 28, 2026

Jonathan Ellis

Ex-Tea Party leader pitches South Dakota as proving ground for independents

Adam Brandon gets pledge disavowing two-party system, politically-motivated federal spending from Rounds challenger

Oct 28, 2026

Joe Sneve

Sioux falls

FBI's Kash Patel, Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy honor South Dakota law officers

45th annual law enforcement dinner comes amid fallout from homicide of Minnehaha County Sheriff's Deputy Katherine Frank

Oct 29, 2026

Jonathan Ellis

Data center concerns cloud Sioux Falls, Lincoln County meeting

Nearly 200 people turn out as city and county consider future regulations

Oct 28, 2026

Jonathan Ellis

Fewer kindergarteners drives 1.3% drop in Sioux Falls public schools enrollment

Numbers reflect lower birth rate trends, will affect state funding for district

Oct 27, 2026

Todd Epp

Sanford gives Wellmark until July to reach new deal

Health system issues notice of contract termination amid negotiations with insurer

Oct 26, 2026

The Dakota Scout

Department of Justice sending poll watchers to Minnehaha County

Federal officials to join ACLU and other groups that monitor elections

Oct 26, 2026

Jonathan Ellis

Dusty Johnson’s longtime aide joins Sioux Falls mayor’s office

Mayor Christine Erickson hires Courtney Heitkamp as South Dakota congressman transitions off Capitol Hill

Oct 26, 2026

Joe Sneve

THE LATEST FROM…

Check out what veteran reporters Jonathan Ellis and Joe Sneve are covering as well as The Dakota Scout’s other trusted team members.

Joe Sneve

Jonathan Ellis

Dan Gehlsen

Dominik Dausch

VIEWPOINTS

Where a sheriff buys gas | Election preview | Working across the aisle | Four more years | Data center delirium | Sleeping in the office | Oct. 31, 2026, Dan Ahlers, Marty Jackley, Larry Rhoden, Tony Venhuizen

Oct 31, 2026

Flying Delta and United | Using polls | Iranian messaging on AI | Stuck in the Strait of Hormuz | Creating a digital 'sandbox' | Faking independence | Bringing home the B-21 | Oct. 24, 2026 Sen. Mike Rounds

Oct 24, 2026

Representing conservatives progressively | Goosebumps, R.L. Stine & the ingenuity of the drama nerd | There's beef & then there's beef | A hand-me-down waterbed | Pain-point positives | Oct. 17, 2026 Nikki Gronli, Premier Playhouse's Emma Madeja & Oliver Mayes

Oct 17, 2026

Passing the badge | Going home | Is the Bengs' ad fair? | Parking meter metrics | Legislator troubles | Oct. 10, 2026- Mike Milstead, Josh Phillips

Oct 9, 2026

THE SCOUTING LOUNGE PODCAST

A weekly podcast where award-winning reporters Joe Sneve and Jonathan Ellis ditch the gotcha journalism to bring candid, behind-the-scenes conversations with South Dakota’s political leaders, celebrities and newsmakers.

GOP jumps to early lead in statewide races

Wellmark fires back in dispute with Sanford Health

Behind the ballots: The Dakota Scout’s conversations with the candidates

GOP leaders emphasize education, opportunity during SDSU stops

OBITUARY | Sandra Christensen, 79

STRAIGHT OUTTA PIERRE | Predictions: The middle of the road isn’t very crowded

Get the latest local news and exclusive content straight to your email inbox.

Sign Up Today

State Politics

GOP jumps to early lead in statewide races

Behind the ballots: The Dakota Scout’s conversations with the candidates

GOP leaders emphasize education, opportunity during SDSU stops

FBI's Kash Patel, Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy honor South Dakota law officers

Data center concerns cloud Sioux Falls, Lincoln County meeting

Ex-Tea Party leader pitches South Dakota as proving ground for independents

Sioux falls

FBI's Kash Patel, Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy honor South Dakota law officers

Data center concerns cloud Sioux Falls, Lincoln County meeting

Fewer kindergarteners drives 1.3% drop in Sioux Falls public schools enrollment

Sanford gives Wellmark until July to reach new deal

Department of Justice sending poll watchers to Minnehaha County

Dusty Johnson’s longtime aide joins Sioux Falls mayor’s office

THE LATEST FROM…

Check out what veteran reporters Jonathan Ellis and Joe Sneve are covering as well as The Dakota Scout’s other trusted team members.

Joe Sneve

Jonathan Ellis

Dan Gehlsen

Dominik Dausch

VIEWPOINTS

Where a sheriff buys gas | Election preview | Working across the aisle | Four more years | Data center delirium | Sleeping in the office | Oct. 31, 2026, Dan Ahlers, Marty Jackley, Larry Rhoden, Tony Venhuizen

Flying Delta and United | Using polls | Iranian messaging on AI | Stuck in the Strait of Hormuz | Creating a digital 'sandbox' | Faking independence | Bringing home the B-21 | Oct. 24, 2026 Sen. Mike Rounds

Representing conservatives progressively | Goosebumps, R.L. Stine & the ingenuity of the drama nerd | There's beef & then there's beef | A hand-me-down waterbed | Pain-point positives | Oct. 17, 2026 Nikki Gronli, Premier Playhouse's Emma Madeja & Oliver Mayes

Passing the badge | Going home | Is the Bengs' ad fair? | Parking meter metrics | Legislator troubles | Oct. 10, 2026- Mike Milstead, Josh Phillips

THE SCOUTING LOUNGE PODCAST

A weekly podcast where award-winning reporters Joe Sneve and Jonathan Ellis ditch the gotcha journalism to bring candid, behind-the-scenes conversations with South Dakota’s political leaders, celebrities and newsmakers.

THE LOUNGE