SEARCHLIGHT NEWS
From left, moderator Kimberly Reed, former president and chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, asks questions of U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, and U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, at the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit in Sioux Falls on August 12, 2026. (Photo by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)
By Joshua Haiar
SIOUX FALLS — The year-round sale of higher ethanol-blended gasoline, called E15, does not have enough votes in the U.S. Senate unless it comes with compromises for small oil refineries, said Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota.
Ethanol is a gasoline additive made primarily from corn, and a lower E10 blend is already available year-round. Supporters of year-round E15 availability say it would strengthen the farm economy and make the country more energy independent.
COMMENTARY
Toby Doeden speaks to reporters at his election night watch party in Aberdeen on July 28, 2026, after losing the runoff for the South Dakota Republican nomination for governor. With Doeden is his wife, Liz. (Photo by John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)
By Dana Hess
Looking back, there has to be some reason why the first-place finisher in South Dakota’s Republican governor primary failed so miserably in the runoff.
Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden finished first in the primary in a four-candidate field with 31% of the vote, setting up a runoff with Gov. Larry Rhoden, who finished second with 25%. When the runoff votes were counted, Rhoden had 71% to Doeden’s 29%.
FROM STATES NEWSROOM
Flock Safety license plate readers are typically mounted on tall poles, with a camera and solar panel on top. The company says its technology is used in more than 6,000 communities across 49 states in partnership with thousands of law enforcement agencies nationwide. (Photo courtesy of Flock Safety)
By Amanda Watford/Stateline
Flock Safety is tightening privacy and oversight controls for its nationwide network of automated license plate readers as more communities pull back from the technology and lawmakers across the political spectrum push for new restrictions.
NATIONAL NEWS
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