South Dakota
South Dakota And Germany: A 30-year Bond Of Culture And History
South Dakota is separated from Central Europe by about 4,000 miles. On the outside, it seems the two have little to nothing in common, but longstanding partnerships known as “sister cities” have forged a deep bond between the Mount Rushmore State and the country of Germany.
It makes sense as approximately 34% of South Dakotans identify with German heritage. But these connections go far beyond just family trees.
From the Black Hills to the banks of the Big Sioux River, here are the four South Dakota communities that have found their ‘twins’ across the Atlantic Ocean.
Credit: Canva
Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Sister City: Potsdam, Germany
Credit: Canva
Sioux Falls and Potsdam have been ‘Sister Cities’ since 1990. That year stands out as it was just one year prior when the Berlin Wall fell, uniting East and West Germany after nearly 45 years of being apart. Potsdam is located in the former East Germany and has a similar population to that of Sioux Falls, at around 184,000 residents. It’s famous for its Sanssouci Palace and for being the spot of the legendary ‘Potsdam Conference’ of 1945, in which the allied powers of the United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union decided on Post-WW2 order.
Other sister cities include Rapid City and Apolda, Germany. This partnership began in 1994 and contrasts the ‘City of Bells’ (Apolda) with the ‘City of Presidents’ (Rapid City). Both towns have a great respect for public art and historic landmarks.
There are also the sister cities of Vermillion and Ratingen. Established in 1969, this is by far the oldest partnership of all the cities on the list. The two have traded students in an exchange program for decades and have also shown their friendship in other ways. In Ratingen, the Vermillionring and the South Dakota Bridge were built to honor the partnership. In Vermillion, Ratingen Square was inaugurated back in 2010.
Finally, much like Sioux Falls and Potsdam, the cities of Brookings and Schwanewede began their partnership back in 1990. The two have one big thing in common, too, as they’re both college towns. It has since become a very active exchange, particularly focusing on student programs and cultural visits that highlight their shared agricultural and university-town identities.
Even more surprising, Potsdam isn’t Sioux Falls only sister city. The other is found in Northern Ireland, and you can read all about it in this article.
10 Smallest Towns in South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota man loses appeal after being convicted of terroristic threats against President Trump
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced the South Dakota Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction and sentence of a South Dakota man after an attempted threat of felony terrorism.
“Threats against the President of the United States and public officials are taken seriously,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We will continue to prosecute individuals who seek to harm or intimidate public officials and their families.”
According to court docs, Lucian Celestine first contacted the FBI in September 2019, claiming he was hearing voices instructing him to kill President Trump.
In June 2020, Celestine attempted to purchase a sniper-style rifle through an online marketplace and requested a scope capable of shooting up to 600 yards.
The rifle’s seller was a Brookings Police Officer acting as a private citizen and became concerned about Celestine’s behavior. The officer reported the interaction to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
Police later contacted Celestine as President Trump was due to visit Mount Rushmore for the 2020 Independence Day fireworks celebration. During the encounter, Celestine said he had contacted the FBI and admitted he had recently obtained a rifle.
Officers located a rifle, ammunition, and targets in the truck of his vehicle.
After being taken into custody in Rapid City, Celestine told investigators that the voices in his head instructed him to kill the President. He told police of a plan to go to Mount Rushmore and position himself above the monument.
He was then arrested and indicted for threat of felony terrorism.
Celestine entered a guilty plea in November 2024 for Attempted Threat of Felony Terrorism. In March 2024, the Pennington County Circuit Court sentenced him to two and a half years in the South Dakota Penitentiary with credit for time served.
Celestine later appealed his conviction and sentence, but the South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the circuit court’s sentence.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – 605 Day at the Smoking Mule in Chamberlain is coming up on June 5.
Owner Erica Sperl and General Manager Dayre Evans joined Dakota News Now with the details.
“So, the Smoking Mule is in Chamberlain, right along the banks of the Missouri River. We got this idea a couple of years ago, where we wanted to have a ‘605 Day’ and celebrate South Dakota businesses,” said Sperl.
“Because we’re right in the center of the state, we get a ton of travelers coming through. So, we kind of feel like a little mini tourist spot. We’re always telling people where to go and what to check out. And so, that’s where the idea came from. Just inviting businesses to join us for the day. Little vendors, big vendors, food, clothes, whatever it is. Just to kind of celebrate the awesomeness of South Dakota.”
“Last year, we had about ten vendors on site. This year, we’re about, just almost to thirty, there’s some more rolling in,” said Evans.
There’s everything from tattoo artists from Winner, South Dakota, on site. There are hand-wrapped floral bouquets, home decor from some local Chamberlain businesses, Coffee Cantina, a coffee shop, on-site, doing drinks all day, and a slushie truck. We have kids face painting, we have family mini sessions right by the river, there’s a cigar shop, there’s breweries on site, including Palace City out of Mitchell.”
There will also be a minno race and a performance from the Rewind Band to end the night, along with much more!
The event will be at the Smoking Mule starting at 12:00 pm on June 5, 2026.
Watch the full interview above to learn more.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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