South Dakota

Gun-industry companies and groups give $2 million to help build state-owned shooting range

Published

8 months ago

June 25, 2025

Press Room

Gun-industry companies and groups give million to help build state-owned shooting range

10% of money to build the range comes from gun-industry companies and organizations

Joshua Haiar, Seth Tupper
| South Dakota Searchlight

A list of donors to a state-owned shooting range under construction north of Rapid City includes $2 million from gun-industry companies or organizations.

The $20 million, 400-acre complex will be one of the largest public shooting ranges in the nation when it opens this fall, according to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks. The complex will host recreational shooters, safety programs, marksmanship competitions and law enforcement training. It will include rifle, pistol, shotgun and archery ranges.

About $6 million of the project’s funding has been given or pledged by donors. The rest is from the state’s Future Fund for economic development.

The department announced last month in a news release that the range will be named the Pete Lien & Sons Shooting Sports Complex, but the release did not disclose the amount of the company’s donation, or include a full list of donations.

“We are extremely pleased with all of the support and excitement for the shooting sports complex and our Second Amendment rights in South Dakota,” Department Secretary Kevin Robling said in the press release.

Concerns over donations to SD gun range

South Dakota Searchlight requested a list of donors with names and amounts. The department’s initial response said only that donors gave more than $6 million, including $2 million for naming rights from Pete Lien & Sons, a mining, concrete and construction aggregate company based in Rapid City.

When Searchlight asked again for a full list of donors, a spokesman for the department directed the request to the state’s online records request portal. Searchlight submitted a letter including a legal argument that the donation list is a public record. A lawyer for the department provided the list 15 days later.

Three donors on the list who gave or pledged a combined $6,100 are referenced only as “private donation”; Searchlight asked for those names or a justification for withholding them. The department’s lawyer replied that the names are covered by exceptions in the state open records law to protect personal privacy and to prevent the “unreasonable release of personal information.”

The project has been controversial with state legislators, who refused to fund it. Some were angered last year when they learned that then-Gov. Kristi Noem gave the project $13.5 million from the governor-controlled Future Fund for economic development.

The donations from the gun industry are another concern for Rep. Erik Muckey, D-Sioux Falls. He said that as a gun owner and hunter himself, he wants to ensure South Dakota’s sporting and hunting traditions continue. But he is uneasy about the Legislature being successfully lobbied for fewer restrictions on firearms while some of the entities connected to those lobbyists — including the National Rifle Association — are helping to fund a state-owned shooting range.

“Private funding for state-owned facilities is not a new concept; in fact, several examples of public-private partnerships make this state better each day, like the combination of public and private funds to support the Build Dakota scholarship,” Muckey said, referencing a full-tuition program for technical college students. “But this case should give South Dakotans pause.”

The Republican-dominated Legislature routinely considers and passes pro-gun legislation. Last winter, lawmakers and Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden lifted concealed-handgun bans on college campuses and in bars.

The shooting-range donor list includes $6.3 million from 43 sources, with nearly half of the money in hand and the rest pledged. Donations from the gun industry account for nearly one-third of the total:

Smith & Wesson, a Tennessee-based gun manufacturer, donated $150,000 and pledged $600,000, for a total of $750,000.
Glock, an Austrian gun manufacturer, donated $150,000 and pledged $600,000, for a total of $750,000.
Aimpoint, a Swedish gun optics manufacturer that bills itself as the inventor of the red dot sight, donated $50,000 and pledged $200,000, for a total of $250,000.
Luth-AR, a Minnesota company that sells custom stocks and other components for AR-15 rifles, donated $25,000 and pledged $100,000, for a total of $125,000.
The National Rifle Association donated $50,000.
Federal Ammunition, a Minnesota ammo manufacturer, donated $25,000.
H-S Precision, a Rapid City weapons parts manufacturer, donated $5,000 and pledged $20,000, for a total of $25,000.
Mack Bros, a Sturgis company that manufactures suppressors (silencers) and other gun components, donated $3,000.
First Stop Gun Shop in Rapid City donated $3,000.
Lane Silencers, a Rapid City manufacturer, donated $3,000.
Sturgis Guns, a seller of firearms and accessories, donated $3,000.

Some other donations came from companies that sell shooting-related accessories, but not guns or gun parts. Donations also came from various other individuals, businesses and hunting and conservation groups.

Some legislators on both sides of the political aisle remain upset about Noem’s unilateral decision to provide state funding for the project.

“Unfortunately, her actions have severely damaged trust in otherwise effective institutions, which may cost much-needed projects funding and support in the future,” said Muckey.

In response, the Legislature passed and new Gov. Larry Rhoden signed into law a bill from Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, that says Game, Fish and Parks projects over $2.5 million must receive legislative approval.

“The shooting complex is the reason I brought that bill,” Karr said. “The appropriations process was circumvented.”

House Assistant Majority Leader Marty Overweg, R-New Holland, said lawmakers feel their will was ignored.

“Now, the government has to be the one that ensures this shooting range continues to run,” he said. “We voted no, but now we have to run it. Without any choice.”

Robling, the head of GF&P, said in November that the complex will require three full-time employees who will be reallocated internally, as well as seasonal staff and volunteers. Robling said the range will not be profitable and will require help from federal firearm tax revenue allocated to the department.

Department spokesperson Nick Harrington told South Dakota Searchlight recently that the shooting range will cost an estimated $355,000 annually to operate and maintain, including the three full-time employees.

Seth is editor-in-chief of South Dakota Searchlight. South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Source link

Click to comment

South Dakota

South Dakota High School Students Showcase Culinary Skills – Harrisburg Today

Published

1 hour ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

South Dakota High School Students Showcase Culinary Skills – Harrisburg Today

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational is an annual culinary competition where high school students from across the state showcase their cooking and restaurant management skills. This year, 12 schools will send a total of 60 talented students to Pierre to compete in events like cake decorating, culinary arts, and restaurant management. Winners will receive scholarships and the opportunity to advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland.

Why it matters

The ProStart® program is an important investment in developing South Dakota’s future culinary and hospitality industry leaders. By providing high school students with hands-on experience and the chance to compete at the state and national levels, the program helps cultivate the next generation of skilled chefs, restaurateurs, and food service professionals.

The details

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will take place on March 9-10, 2026 in Pierre. The competition kicks off on Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM with a cake decorating contest. The more intense culinary arts and restaurant management competitions will be held on Tuesday, March 10th starting at 8:45 AM. Students will be judged on their technical skills, creativity, and business acumen as they compete for scholarships and a spot at the national competition.

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will take place on March 9-10, 2026.
The cake decorating competition will be held on Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM.
The culinary arts and restaurant management competitions will take place on Tuesday, March 10th starting at 8:45 AM.

The players

Nathan Sanderson

Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, which administers the ProStart® program.

Florence

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Harrisburg

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Huron

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Mitchell CTE

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“ProStart® is an excellent way for us to invest in South Dakota’s future industry leaders. Our students are highly skilled and graduate workplace ready.”

— Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association (b1027.com)

What’s next

The winners of the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland, where they will represent the state on a national stage.

The takeaway

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational is a valuable program that helps cultivate the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals in the state, providing high school students with hands-on experience, scholarships, and the opportunity to showcase their skills at the national level.

Source link

South Dakota

3 takeaways from South Dakota State basketball’s revenge win over USD

Published

13 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

3 takeaways from South Dakota State basketball’s revenge win over USD

BROOKINGS — The South Dakota State women’s basketball team got some payback on its in-state rival, knocking off South Dakota 82-49 in both teams’ final game of the regular season.

Here’s a few reasons the Jackrabbits got their get back.

Meyer with one final home masterpiece

The Senior Day festivities before the game clearly didn’t phase the South Dakota State seniors, especially star forward Brooklyn Meyer. She dominated from the first possession, scoring 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the first 10 minutes.

That start helped the Jackrabbits get out to a 27-8 lead through a quarter and basically put this thing on ice before it even got started.

Meyer was able to get post-up opportunities by flashing from the opposite block and spinning in front of the Coyote defenders, catching the ball in the mid-post and choosing to either attack with a post move or face and attack.

The senior also cut from elbow to block well, especially as she became the screener in the pick-and-roll more frequently.

Meyer added eight points in both the second and third quarters, and five in the fourth to close her career at First Bank & Trust Arena with a 33-point effort on 13-for-17 shooting.

Size proves to be an issue

This one encompasses both sides of the ball, as the Coyotes struggled mightily to handle South Dakota State’s size on either end of the floor.

Molly Joyce was the only South Dakota player to consistently find success, but that started way too late. Point guard Angelina Robles was constantly harassed and never got enough free space to work her magic, and the Coyotes eventually turned to contested jumpers as a way to get shots on the rim.

Joyce closed the game with 21 points for South Dakota, and Robles ended with 11.

It was the same defensive model North Dakota State used to great success, but the Jackrabbits kept the ‘Yotes in front for the most part and didn’t allow much deep dribble penetration.

South Dakota State’s length showed itself in a non-traditional way offensively, with the guards able to get their shots off frequently and in rhythm. The South Dakota guards tried to be active and available defensively, but the quick triggers didn’t let them be effective.

Meyer and Brooklyn Felchle also had a size advantage down low that helped a lot, and that showed itself in a more traditional sense. The duo got their shots up over smaller defenders, rebounded hard and disrupted shots in the paint.

Fox continues to ascend

Emilee Fox’s emergence for South Dakota State has come with this current seven-game winning streak. The sophomore has embraced her role as point guard, which coincidentally has increased her scoring output.

Fox ripped off four more 3-pointers, on only seven attempts, and dished out four assists, too.

Fox and Hadley Thul were tonight’s big-time contributors from deep on a night when Maddie Mathiowetz was particularly cold.

The sophomore point guard has added an element to this offense that it had needed in Summit League play, and the Jackrabbits might now be peaking at just the right time.

Source link

South Dakota

Where to watch SDSU at South Dakota men’s basketball today, time, TV

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Where to watch SDSU at South Dakota men’s basketball today, time, TV

The South Dakota State men’s basketball team has a chance to get some payback against South Dakota today in both teams’ final game before the Summit League Tournament begins.

The Jackrabbits (14-16, 7-8 Summit League) have won three of four and just beat Kansas City 73-59 on Thursday, Feb. 26. The Coyotes (15-15, 7-8) are headed in the opposite direction, having stopped a three-game skid with an 89-72 win over Omaha on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Here’s how to watch the two rivals battle again.

South Dakota State at South Dakota men’s basketball TV, radio, stream

Radio: Jackrabbit Sports Network, Coyote Sports Network

Stream: Summit League Network

South Dakota State at South Dakota time today

Location: Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion

South Dakota State at South Dakota prediction

Paul Cifonelli, Argus Leader: Like the first time these two teams met, this is a matchup between two squads headed in different directions. Somehow, they’ve managed to flip roles in just three weeks.

South Dakota looks like it is running out of steam quickly after impressing and threatening the third spot in the Summit League in early February. South Dakota State has rebounded from losing five of six nicely, giving themselves a chance at hitting .500 on the season.

I expect the Jackrabbits to continue playing inspired and hard, and for them to overwhelm a Coyote side that has shown more fight than anyone could’ve imagined.

South Dakota State 73, South Dakota 65

Source link