SEARCHLIGHT SPECIAL REPORT
Republican candidate for governor Toby Doeden speaks with members of the South Dakota NewsMedia Association on June 11, 2026, in Sioux Falls. (Photo by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)
By Joshua Haiar
Toby Doeden says he was born into poverty but climbed out of it through salesmanship, risk-taking and the force of his personality. He thinks those same traits could rescue South Dakota, a state he says needs saving.
The 51-year-old Republican businessman, landlord, developer, entrepreneur and bitcoin investor has put at least $4 million of his own money into his campaign for governor, according to campaign finance reports. It’s his first run for elected office.
“I’m risking literally everything I have to fight for the future of South Dakota,” Doeden told South Dakota Public Broadcasting last year.
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden drinks a cup of coffee on June 26, 2026, in the living room at his ranch near Union Center. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
By Makenzie Huber
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden leaned forward in a leather recliner in his living room, considering the criticism from a former colleague about their disagreements.
“I think there’s probably some fair statements in there,” Rhoden finally said.
In his late 30s and early 40s while on the Meade School District Board, Rhoden couldn’t back up his opinions effectively during debates, Terry Koontz said. She served with him on the board more than 25 years ago.
FROM STATES NEWSROOM
President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House on July 16, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Saul Loeb/Getty Images)
By Jacob Fischler and Sam Gauntt
The nation’s election infrastructure is vulnerable to cyberattacks by foreign actors, President Donald Trump said during a primetime address Thursday night, citing a batch of documents he declassified — but providing no proof broad interference actually occurred or affected an election outcome.
Democrats and advocates quickly criticized the remarks as another attempt by Trump to give Republicans an advantage in crucial midterm elections and sow distrust of results, following his firing of members of the Election Assistance Commission, demands by his administration for state voter rolls, an executive order limiting mail-in ballots and more.
D.C. NEWS
NATIONAL NEWS
Where to find flooding resources and how to help impacted Texans | Texas Tribune
AROUND THE REGION
SD NEWS FROM OTHER MEDIA
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Cyberattack Recovery Continues Across Pennington County | NewsCenter1
Three South Dakota students win national student art contest | Dakota News Now
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Dusty Johnson's text messages among those accessed in Trump investigation | The Dakota Scout
25 years after 9/11, beam from South Tower to visit Mt. Rushmore | Black Hills Pioneer
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