South Dakota

Lawmakers approve subpoenas for DOR leaders amid fake titles investigation

Published

1 year ago

October 29, 2024

Lawmakers approve subpoenas for DOR leaders amid fake titles investigation

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – As the investigation continues into a fake title scheme within the South Dakota Department of Revenue, leaders within the department will soon be on the receiving end of a subpoena to testify before state lawmakers.

The Legislature’s Executive Board on Tuesday approved the request from the Government Operations and Audit Committee (GOAC) to subpoena Department of Revenue Secretary Michael Houdyshell and Department of Motor Vehicle Director Rosa Yaeger.

A two-day GOAC hearing is scheduled for Dec. 11 and 12 in Pierre.

The subpoena request followed a GOAC hearing last week where members of the oversight committee sought answers about changes and security measures the department is implementing after multiple investigations uncovered schemes with fake titles allegedly involving three former employees. That hearing went into executive session, where DOR leaders refused to provide more details, citing pending criminal litigation.

“Essentially, we need to be able to have a legislative investigation occur at the same time as the judicial branch is doing its functions also,” Sen. David Wheeler (R-Huron), a GOAC member, testified on Tuesday. “We have a session coming up in January. We need to know what, if any, corrective actions the Legislature needs to take. And it’s difficult to do that when we can’t get firsthand knowledge about what happened, why it happened, and what have they done to remedy it.”

Executive Board Chair Sen. Lee Schoenbeck (R-Watertown) echoed that sentiment, saying that a state law dealing with trial publicity only applies to the attorneys involved, which in this case, applies to the Attorney General.

“It would be a dangerous precedent to allow the rules of ethics that apply to an attorneys interfere with the legislative process in almost any respect, other than the attorneys that are involved in some litigation. It binds them,” said Schoenbeck. “But you would never want the Legislature to be in a situation where they couldn’t have a hearing on a bill or an issue.”

Any further testimony from DOR leaders in December is likely to come behind closed doors in executive session.

The two-day hearing will begin with questions for the Department of Revenue on Dec. 11. GOAC will also continue its probe into the Department of Social Services, following an investigation that alleges a former DSS stole $1.8 million from the state.

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South Dakota

Pictures of semi-truck, name of woman released in Minnehaha County fatal crash

Published

5 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Pictures of semi-truck, name of woman released in Minnehaha County fatal crash

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Department of Public Safety has released the name of the woman who was killed in a fatal crash in Minnehaha County last week.

64-year-old Patricia Archambeau of Mitchell died on January 5 due to her injuries in a crash that took place in the early hours of Saturday, January 3.

Archambeau’s 2012 Chevrolet Traverse was traveling eastbound on I-90 near mile marker 379, about four miles west of Humboldt, when she attempted to pull off on the side of the road.

At the same time, the Traverse was struck by a semi-truck, also traveling eastbound, and pulling a trailer. The truck continued driving east after the crash and has yet to be located.

On Sunday, the South Dakota Highway Patrol released two images of the semi-truck suspected of hitting Archambeau’s Traverse. The two photos were taken on I-29 near 41st Street in Sioux Falls at 2:25 a.m., about 12 minutes after the crash west of Humboldt.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol has released two images of a semi-truck believed to be involved in a fatal crash that took place last Saturday in Minnehaha County.(South Dakota Highway Patrol)

Highway Patrol is seeking more information about a red Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck, missing its passenger-side headlight. If anyone has information, they’re asked to contact Highway Patrol at 605-367-5700.

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South Dakota

South Dakota knocks off Denver 82-72

Published

17 hours ago

January 10, 2026

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VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Cameron Fens scored 23 points as South Dakota beat Denver 82-72 on Saturday.

Fens also contributed 12 rebounds and four blocks for the Coyotes (9-9, 1-2 Summit League). Isaac Bruns scored 20 points while going 8 of 12 and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line and added six rebounds. Jordan Crawford went 5 of 11 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points.

Gabe Oldham led the Pioneers (8-11, 1-3) in scoring, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. Denver also got 19 points from Zane Nelson. Carson Johnson also put up 11 points and six assists.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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South Dakota

SD Highway Patrol releases new details on hit and run, asks for public’s help

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

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SD Highway Patrol releases new details on hit and run, asks for public’s help

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Highway Patrol is continuing to look for the suspect in a deadly hit-and-run near Humboldt, SD.

In a Facebook post, the SD Highway Patrol has released new details regarding the semi suspected of committing the hit and run.

According to police, the semi is a red Freightliner Cascadia semi, missing its passenger-side headlight.

The semi was traveling eastbound from the Humboldt area on I-90 in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, 2026.

Police are seeking information, video, or pictures from 2:13 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. along I-90 and I-29 from the public.

If you have any tips or footage, contact the South Dakota Highway Patrol District 2 Office at (605) 367-5700.

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