South Dakota

South Dakota non-profit provides ballots in five different languages

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2024

South Dakota non-profit provides ballots in five different languages

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A local non-profit is taking a big step to encourage voting for legal immigrants across the state.

Dakota News Now spoke with the CEO of South Dakota Voices for Peace on how translated ballots can encourage voter participation.

Taneeza Islam said pushing out translated ballots to the immigrant community, which is prominent in Sioux Falls, is essential.

After a low turnout across the board in June’s primaries, Islam wants to ensure that all communities are reached out to.

So, with the help of four translators, Voices for Peace has provided ballots in Amharic, Arabic, Spanish, and Nepali.

These translations, including the English ballot, can be found on Voices for Peace’s website.

“Sioux Falls specifically and South Dakota in general is growing because of multi-lingual communities immigrating into our communities and so it becomes incumbent on city services, social services to make their information accessible to these different languages,” Islam said.

Additionally, over 20,000 sample ballots will be mailed across Minnehaha and Yankton counties.

Islam said Voices for Peace used Census data, as well as data from the Sioux Falls School District, to determine how many ballots would need to be mailed out.

“Our state and our city are very data-deficient when it comes to multi-lingual households and our multi-lingual communities in general,” Islam said.

Islam hopes that this push of ballots, just 12 days away from Election Day, will create more voter efficacy in these communities.

“We hope it starts the intrigue amongst our multilingual communities who have otherwise not been engaged in the political process in the state,” Islam said.

Many of these ballots will be delivered starting this weekend.

Islam also pointed out that you are allowed to bring sample ballots to the voting booths, and you can also bring a translator, but the translator cannot tell you how to vote.

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South Dakota

South Dakota knocks off Denver 82-72

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

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

21 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

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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South Dakota

Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces $48 million for statewide projects

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces million for statewide projects

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) has the approval of over $48 million in loans and grants for statewide projects.

Together with the Board of Water and Natural Resources, a total of $36,958,000 in state loans, including $425,000 in principal forgiveness, was authorized for drinking water and wastewater improvements.

More funding was distributed to the following programs:

BDM Rural Water:

Received an additional $233,450 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to construct a new water treatment plant, install a new water reservoir, install a pipe to expand the water system, and replace water meters

Clay Rural Water:

Received $334,250 in ARPA grant funds to construct two ground storage reservoirs near the Greenfield reservoir and the Wakonda Water Treatment plant

Mid-Dakota Rural Water System:

Received $917,357.85 in ARPA grant to update the existing water system

Mitchell:

Received $3,930,000 in Clean Water State Revolving Funds to upgrade the clay sanitary and storm sewer

Rapid City:

Received a $14,512,000 Drinking Water State Revolving loan to make improvements to an existing well and also construct two new wells

Shared Resources:

Received $1,500,000 in ARPA grant funds for a treatment plant, well field, distribution pipeline, and two storage tanks

Sioux Falls:

Received $7,648,000 to complete a third connection to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System
Received $17,746,000 to construct a new Southeast Basin sanitary force main

South Lincoln Rural Water System: