# The Dakota Scout

> South Dakota’s leading alternative, independent and locally owned newspaper focusing on culture and politics in the Mount Rushmore State.

This file provides information about The Dakota Scout to help large language models understand and reference this publication's content.

## Posts
- [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](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/representing-conservatives-progressively-goosebumps-r-l-stine-the-ingenuity-of-the-drama-nerd-there): SPONSORED BY BEAL DISTRIBUTING, FIRST BANK & TRUST, JUNA SLEEP SYSTEMS
- [VIEWPOINT | Sioux Falls foundation creates bridge between generosity, need](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/viewpoint-sioux-falls-foundation-creates-bridge-between-generosity-need): Guest column by Andy Patterson, CEO, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation
- [Crossword, Sudoku answers: Oct. 16-22](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/crossword-sudoku-answers-oct-16-22): Free, for your entertainment
- [Sioux Falls ending Business Improvement District tax breaks for downtown](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/sioux-falls-ending-business-improvement-district-tax-breaks-for-downtown): Incentive previously targeted industrial, multifamily housing; DTSF leader says needs have shifted in city's center to more multi-use development
- [Rhoden's Social Services secretary resigns ](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/rhoden-s-social-services-secretary-resigns): DSS Deputy Secretary Brenda Tidball-Zeltinger elevated to post in interim 
- [Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation sets record with $73M in giving](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/sioux-falls-area-community-foundation-sets-record-with-73m-in-giving): Pierce McDowell and Matt Tobin recognized for their contributions to charity
- [VIEWPOINT | ‘L-NO’ is about abortion, not about democracy](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/viewpoint-l-no-is-about-abortion-not-about-democracy): Guest column by state Rep. John Hughes, District 13
- [Last chance to enter running for $1,000 worth of South Dakota-raised beef ](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/last-chance-to-enter-running-for-1-000-worth-of-south-dakota-raised-beef): Any paid subscriber to The Dakota Scout is automatically entered to win one of two quarters of grass-finished beef from Rausch
- [Legals & Public Notices: October 16, 2026](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/legals-public-notices-october-16-2026): City of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls School District, Lincoln County, Sheriff's Sale, Foreclosure Sales, Name Changes, Notices to Creditors, Summons
- [ Deputy Katherine Frank’s tragic death rips through South Dakota spirit ](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/deputy-katherine-frank-s-tragic-death-rips-through-south-dakota-spirit): Thousands expected at memorial service Monday at the Denny Sanford Premier Center to mourn 26-year-old who died after being shot in line of duty
- [SCOUTING YESTERDAY | Sioux Falls Singing Legionnaires create choral dynasty](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/scouting-yesterday-sioux-falls-singing-legionnaires-create-choral-dynasty): This week in South Dakota history: Oct. 9-15
- [What's going on, South Dakota? | Upcoming events & entertainment](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/what-s-going-on-south-dakota-upcoming-events-entertainment-3d8c1c1614354447): Submit your events for The Dakota Scout's Lounge section by emailing events@thedakotascout.com
- [VIEWPOINT | South Dakota biotech can help America beat China](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/viewpoint-south-dakota-biotech-can-help-america-beat-china): Guest column by Joni Ekstrum, director, South Dakota Biotech
- [OBITUARY | Wesley ‘Wes’ Jerome Jaqua, 78](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/obituary-wesley-wes-jerome-jaqua-78): March 17, 1948 – Oct. 13, 2026
- [As farmers race to harvest soybeans, some yields look better than expected](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/as-farmers-race-to-harvest-soybeans-some-yields-look-better-than-expected): 'August rain makes the bean crop': In South Dakota, late-season precipitation arrived, then dried out at the right time for many producers
- [OBITUARY | Verna Ione Seely, 97](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/obituary-verna-ione-seely-97): Nov. 18, 1928 – Oct. 11, 2026
- [OBITUARY | Katherine Ann Frank, 26](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/obituary-katherine-ann-frank-26): March 22, 2000 – Oct. 12, 2026
- [LETTER | When you vote in November, pretend Trump is on the ballot](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/letter-when-you-vote-in-november-pretend-trump-is-on-the-ballot): Submitted by Jerry Wilson, Vermillion
- [USD's Gestring announces retirement](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/usd-s-gestring-announces-retirement): Board of Regents will start looking for next university president this fall
- [Death penalty possible for Sioux Falls man accused of killing Minnehaha County deputy ](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/death-penalty-possible-for-sioux-falls-man-accused-of-killing-minnehaha-county-deputy): Charges against Brandon Oetken now include first-degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer following death of Deputy Katherine Frank
- [‘Katherine deserved so much more time’: Friends remember deputy shot on duty](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/katherine-deserved-so-much-more-time-friends-remember-deputy-shot-on-duty): From overstuffed charcuterie boards to plans for dress shopping, people who loved her point to the little things that made the 26-year-old special
- [Smithfield to reapply for permit for $1.3B  Sioux Falls pork plant](https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/smithfield-to-reapply-for-permit-for-1-3b-sioux-falls-pork-plant): City unlikely to appeal judicial ruling that invalidated prior municipal approval for new slaughterhouse