SEARCHLIGHT NEWS
Christine Todd Whitman, former Republican governor of New Jersey and the EPA administrator under President George W. Bush, left, participates in an Oct. 25, 2026, forum in Sioux Falls with Brian Bengs, independent U.S. Senate candidate in South Dakota. (Photo by John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)
By John Hult
SIOUX FALLS — South Dakota’s independent U.S. Senate candidate, Brian Bengs, said Sunday he “would probably not be here in a competitive position today” without the support he’s gotten from a new political party co-founded by a former Democrat and a former Republican.
By Makenzie Huber
Enrollment at South Dakota’s four technical colleges increased, according to the 2026 fall enrollment report.
The state Board of Technical Education reviewed the report Thursday during its Rapid City meeting.
COMMENTARY
Legislators mingle in the South Dakota House of Representatives ahead of the governor’s budget address on Dec. 6, 2022, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
By Dana Hess
As if South Dakota’s two-party system wasn’t weak enough, now there are a slew of independent candidates up and down the ballot. While the number of independents running for the Legislature is unusual, it’s hard to tell just how independent those candidates will be.
FROM STATES NEWSROOM
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 13, 2026. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
By Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — Fewer than 5% of U.S. House races are seen by a top political analysis as truly competitive heading into November’s midterm elections, giving relatively few voters the ability to determine which party controls the chamber for the next two years.
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Feedback sought on Rapid City’s data center ordinance | Rapid City Post
Commentary: Media concentration. It's happening nationally and locally | The South Dakota Standard
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