SEARCHLIGHT NEWS
Mayday Health posted signs like this one at gas stations around South Dakota in December 2025 as part of a campaign to spread awareness about the availability of abortion pills. (Courtesy of Mayday Health)
By Meghan O’Brien
A new South Dakota law that criminalizes the advertising of abortion pills cannot be enforced while a lawsuit against it continues, a federal judge ruled Friday.
Nancy Turbak Berry, who formerly served as a Democratic state legislator from Watertown, and New York-based nonprofit Mayday Health filed the lawsuit in May against Gov. Larry Rhoden and Attorney General Marty Jackley, who are both Republicans.
By Joshua Haiar
South Dakota governor candidate Toby Doeden has repeatedly pledged to eliminate or phase out property taxes, often without limiting his language to any specific type of property.
This week, amid criticism about the cost of that pledge, Doeden’s campaign spokesperson said the plan has only ever been applicable to homeowners.
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Restoration artist and foreman Philip Atilano, of Conrad Schmitt Studios, lines up a stencil at the apex of the dome of the South Dakota State Capitol building during restoration work on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight)
By Meghan O’Brien
PIERRE — While tour groups, state employees and lawmakers make their way around scaffolding on the second floor of the South Dakota Capitol building, artists including Philip Atilano climb around at nearly 100 feet above — painting, measuring and working to restore the rotunda and dome to its former beauty.
“It’s a humbling experience. It’s almost like we’re the next phase of history,” Atilano said.
FROM STATES NEWSROOM
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on July 17, 2026, it has linked an outbreak of cyclosporiasis in five states to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants. (Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
By Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that public health officials have linked the ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis in five states to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants.
The fast food chain wrote in a statement that it plans to remove the “potentially impacted lettuce” from its “supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.”
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Science behind ‘corn sweat’ and how it worsens the current heat wave | Dakota News Now
Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig ball authenticated after decades in a Mitchell safe | NewsCenter1/Mitchell Republic
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See photos of the USAF Thunderbirds land at Joe Foss Field | Argus Leader
Body of missing Springfield juvenile recovered from Missouri River | Mitchell Republic
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