Pierre News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Ken Koistinen, the legendary mind behind Pierre Governors football, is being enshrined in the South Dakota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame — a well-deserved honor for the man who led the team to its first-ever State Championship in 1988. From his early days in Erwin to his 14-year tenure at Wessington Springs — where he captured three Central Conference titles and ranked No. 1 in Clas...

An 18-year-old immigrant minor, Elder Chavez, faces deportation after a traffic stop—despite holding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and legal representation. His case exposes a dangerous policy shift that’s stripping protections from unaccompanied minors, even those with no criminal record. Advocates argue these sweeping crackdowns unfairly target vulnerable youth fleeing violence and abuse, wh...

Pierre’s airport is flying high—over 1,500 flights in June alone, pushing annual totals past 8,600 passengers, thanks to subsidized SkyWest flights (flying as United Express) connecting the state capital to Denver. With a potential $1 million bonus from the DOT if ridership hits 10,000, this essential air service isn’t just keeping the skies open—it’s sparking economic hope. And it’s not just Pier...

John Deere is finally opening up its equipment to independent repairs after a major FTC and state attorneys general settlement — ending years of farmers being locked into authorized dealers. This new agreement, pending judge approval, forces Deere to share diagnostic tools and repair access with anyone, not just their network, while banning retaliation against self-repairers. The company also pays...

Electric co-ops in western and central South Dakota just launched “This is Co-op Country,” a fresh road trip map designed to guide travelers beyond tourist hotspots into the heart of rural charm, history, and hidden gems. Featuring iconic spots like Badlands and Wall Drug alongside local businesses and outdoor adventures, it’s a celebration of community spirit and regional pride. Created by co-ops...

Road work is hitting Sioux Falls this week—here’s what you need to know: Starting Thursday, July 9th, expect lane closures and detours on 12th Street, North West Avenue, Oxbow Avenue, and South Western Avenue, all for essential water, hydrant, and storm drain repairs. Plus, the Blackhawk Street closure between Minnesota Ave and A Ave is extended through Friday, July 10th for new utility installati...

The Sioux Falls mayoral race is hanging in the balance as Christine Erickson leads Jamie Smith by just four votes after absentee ballots were counted in a tense recount. With day-of votes still pending, the outcome remains uncertain. Both candidates are watching closely—Erickson confident she’ll hold on, Smith noting historical recount trends. Legal teams, campaign reps, and a neutral recount boar...

President Trump is holding his ground on a major bipartisan housing bill that’s set to become law without his signature — thanks to a constitutional loophole triggered by Congress’s July Fourth break. With the bill poised to pass automatically by Saturday, Trump is stalling to pressure the Senate into passing his preferred election security measure, calling the housing bill “unimportant” in compar...

A parked car can become a deadly oven in minutes—even with windows cracked or shade. Kids are especially at risk, with 38 dying annually from heatstroke. Most tragedies stem from accidental lapses, not neglect. Parents who’ve lost children share their heartbreak to warn others, urging simple habits like placing a key or toy in the backseat to trigger memory. Experts stress: never leave a child alo...

A ten-year-old boy named Steven, described as a sweet, gentle soul, was shot in his own home on Father’s Day—watching TV—on the Pine Ridge Reservation. His family is now relocating to Sioux Falls for his long road to recovery, marked by small but hopeful signs like him squeezing back. Yet, the emotional toll is crushing, and they’re furious about the lack of public updates or accountability. While...

The League of Women Voters pushed back against a new citizenship-proof voter registration law, petitioning the state board to allow photocopies, accept tribal IDs, and enable provisional ballots for flagged voters—but got shut down. Under state law, only government entities can petition for rule changes, leaving the League out in the cold. Though some board members called it an oversight, the Secr...

Join the “Kids Belong Ride” on July 25th in the Black Hills — a scenic, family-friendly bike event on the George S. Mickelson Trail supporting foster and adoptive families. All skill levels welcome, with free entry for foster families and $25 registration for others. Sponsor opportunities available. Ride for fun, fitness, and a cause that matters. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow...

Get ready to dance under the stars at the Lallycooler Music Festival, returning this weekend at the Birdcage with a killer lineup including Darius Rucker, Jason Derulo, Bow Wow, and Gavin DeGraw. Beyond the beats, enjoy food trucks, craft beer, cocktails, games, and local vendors—all upgraded based on last year’s feedback. Official after-parties at PAve and shuttles post-show mean you can party al...

Health insurance premiums through the ACA Marketplace are set to jump again next year—with a median proposed hike of 14% for 2027, following a similar surge this year. Seventy-seven insurers across 16 states and D.C. are requesting increases, mostly between 10-20%, with 20 asking for over 20%. Not a single insurer is proposing a price cut. The spike stems from expired premium subsidies, rising hea...

Pierre’s e-bike ordinance is on hold after backlash from riders who called the proposed rules confusing and contradictory. Mayor Todd Johnson is shifting gears, proposing a community-focused study group to gather input before any new regulations are drafted — a smarter, more inclusive approach that puts riders’ voices front and center. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://sol...

Euclid Avenue in Pierre is set to reopen for business—here’s what you need to know. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/e6952c4c29be0359

South Dakota’s getting over $410K from a $45M nationwide settlement with Block, Inc. — parent of Cash App — after it failed to deliver promised fraud protection, leaving users exposed. The company allegedly ignored rising scam rates and didn’t warn or help victims, sparking legal action across 46 states. Block could pay up to $120M total to consumers and states. Neighbors like Minnesota, Nebraska,...

Cody Crazy Bull, 35, just got sentenced to over seven years in federal prison after a wild chase that began when he reversed his car into an officer standing in the doorway — then bolted on foot, hiding in a mechanical closet before being caught. Charged under a tribal warrant, he pleaded guilty in April, and now faces three years of supervised release and a $100 fee — all after being investigated...

The USDA just locked in over 2.2 million acres for conservation through the CRP—boosting soil, water, and wildlife protection with big wins in Nebraska, Colorado, and South Dakota. Nearly 1.5 million new acres joined the program, plus 982,000 re-enrolled acres, all while farmers get paid to steward the land. It’s proof that voluntary conservation is thriving—and the land’s future is looking health...

U.S. cattlemen are demanding a 25% tariff on all Brazilian beef, citing illegal deforestation, forced labor, and corruption as unfair advantages that hurt American ranchers—while the Renewable Fuels Association pushes back on Brazil’s ethanol trade barriers, claiming U.S. exports to Brazil have crashed and barely recovered. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/...

South Dakota just handed a $2 million sales tax rebate to AMTEC Corporation — a weapons maker set to build a $90 million ammo plant in Clear Lake — as part of a bold state push to grow its defense industry, with the governor spotlighting this as a key step in expanding the state’s national security footprint. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. A...

A 38-year-old Iowa man, Zachary Berger, faces eight serious charges after a July Fourth ATV crash in South Dakota that killed a 9-year-old girl and injured a teen — including vehicular homicide, manslaughter, child abuse, and multiple DUIs. With prior felony convictions, he could face life in prison if convicted. The case, led by South Dakota’s Attorney General, is drawing national attention as pr...

Shoe drive in Sioux Falls and Brookings runs July 13–17, aiming to collect 1,000 new tennis shoes for kids in foster care—sizes toddler 12 to youth 6. Drop them off at any Central Bank or Scooter’s Coffee location. Your donation helps kids feel confident, included, and ready for school. Plus, donate between 9–11 AM at a Central Bank and get a free coffee and donut. Local partners are rallying the...

A 34-year-old from Yankton, Robert Barbetti, faces 45 years in federal prison plus 8 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to producing child pornography. His crimes involved exploiting minors via apps like Snapchat and Wink, coercing them into sexual acts—including incestuous ones—and reaching victims across states. Indicted in February and sentenced in April, Barbetti will also be re...

Late Tuesday night in Sioux Falls, a tense standoff erupted during a wellness check call after a gunshot was heard from a garage—leading to a deadly exchange where 55-year-old James Meyer died and a veteran officer was critically wounded. With multiple agencies on scene and a full investigation underway by South Dakota’s criminal investigators, authorities are now weighing whether the officers’ us...