SEARCHLIGHT NEWS
A view of the post office in Rapid City, South Dakota, on Sept. 22, 2026. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)
By Seth Tupper
An audit report released Thursday recommends ways to improve mail service in South Dakota, and a member of the state’s congressional delegation said the report serves as “a reaffirmation that the mail service is worse than the Postal Service is suggesting.”
Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds made a request in December for an audit by the Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General. The OIG is an independent agency within the Postal Service answering to the Postal Service Board of Governors.
By Makenzie Huber
SIOUX FALLS — Inflation is affecting South Dakota businesses before it reaches consumers, and two executives say tariffs, artificial intelligence demand, high interest rates and a tight labor market are among the culprits.
Tariffs — taxes the federal government charges on imported goods — implemented by the Trump administration have driven up costs for materials such as metal and wood, particularly as a trade dispute with Canada continues to affect materials flowing into South Dakota.
By John Hult
A member of the public could have a vote on South Dakota’s Open Meetings Commission if the state’s incoming attorney general, legislators and governor back a proposal recommended Thursday by an open meetings task force.
The commission is a five-member board established in 2004 to hear complaints about alleged violations of open meetings laws and issue censures to public bodies that have broken them.
FROM STATES NEWSROOM
The watchtower of CoreCivic’s former Prairie Correctional Facility, in Appleton, Minn., which will now be used as an ICE detention center, on Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)
By Ariana Figueroa
Government investigators Thursday released a report that found the Department of Homeland Security wasted more than $20 million in federal funding in its rapid expansion of immigration detention, including warehouse purchases strongly opposed in numerous U.S. communities.
D.C. NEWS
NATIONAL NEWS
Oregon lawmakers could ban Flock, automated license plate reading cameras in 2027 | Oregon Capital Chronicle
Georgia Power, Google announce deal to pay for nuclear upgrades | Georgia Recorder
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Abandoned vehicle report leads to death investigation in Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls Live
SFSD leaders propose $105M bond for May 2027 bond election | Argus Leader
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