Vermillion is a college town built around a historic Main Street with an urban feel. With the University of South Dakota just about a mile away, the stretch stands apart for its youthful energy and academic culture. Best explored on foot, Main Street pairs 19th-century brick storefronts with stops like Café Brulé and the nostalgic Coyote Twin Theater. Murals and sculptures add pops of color to the town center, including works from Mural on the Wall and the Mirrored Medicine Wheel. Below are some of the downtown’s best highlights.
Walkable, Accessible, And Student-Friendly
Historic buildings in downtown Vermillion, South Dakota. Image credit: User:Magicpiano via Wikimedia Commons.
Since most of downtown Vermillion is centered on Main Street, the district is compact and pleasant to stroll. Better yet, walking here from the University of South Dakota only takes about 20 minutes, making it accessible for students without cars. In recent years, the Vermillion Downtown Streetscape project has also enhanced pedestrian accessibility and safety. By implementing ramps, wider sidewalks, and well-placed crosswalks, navigating downtown Vermillion is easier and safer than ever.
Parking In Downtown Vermillion
Cars are parked on Main Street in downtown Vermillion, South Dakota. Image credit: J. Stephen Conn via Flickr.com.
Alongside its pedestrian-friendly improvements, the Vermillion Downtown Streetscape project made sure to maintain ample parking. Main Street and the first blocks along its north and south side streets offer plenty of free parking for locals and visitors alike. Removing the hassle of parking meters, you can explore downtown Vermillion without stressful time constraints.
Charming Architecture
Aerial view of the University of South Dakota’s Vermillion Campus in Vermillion, South Dakota. Image credit: Anup Khanal via Wikimedia Commons.
With many buildings built between 1880 and 1942, history cements downtown Vermillion. Main Street stands out for its historic facades, where brick storefronts tell a story. After a fire destroyed much of the street in the late 19th century, a town ordinance banned wood-frame buildings from the district, explaining the streetscape we see today.
Some main street structures predate the infamous fire, like the present-day Dakota Brick House restaurant. Other brick landmarks were rebuilt in accordance with the ordinance, like the Classical Revival-style Clay County Courthouse, constructed between 1912 and 1913. Coupled with old-fashioned lampposts and weave-patterned pavement inspired by Main Street’s brick buildings, downtown Vermillion is a living time capsule.
Cool Cafes And Shops
A steakhouse in a historic bank building in Vermillion, South Dakota. Image credit: Magicpiano via Wikimedia Commons.
Like all the best college towns, Vermillion is fueled by caffeine, a cafe-culture haven. Main Street W houses cozy places like Café Brulé, which specializes in “comfort food, decadent desserts, and espresso coffee drinks with classic hospitality.” A few doors down, The Bean Community Coffeehouse is a favored spot for students, serving everything from sweet cream cold brews to Italian cream sodas.
If you grab a to-go order, shopping is a great follow-up. The stores in downtown Vermillion reflect its diverse population, with something for every budget and vibe. Cash-strapped students and retro enthusiasts are drawn to spots like the Civic Council Thrift Store, but you can also find clothing boutiques like Blue Monarch. For your next read or a new board game, Outside of a Dog Books & Games is another cute and welcoming store to hunt for a souvenir.
Advertisement
Public Art
Spectrum Sculpture and Old Main on the campus of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Image credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com.
As you continue strolling downtown, Vermillion’s award-winning outdoor art is impossible to miss. Since 2017, the Vermillion Community Mural Project (now Mural On the Wall) has decked out downtown with colorful and meaningful installations. The massive artworks depict Indigenous themes, elements of local culture, and messages of inclusion, including the “It Gets Better: Vermillion Pride” installation outside Café Brulé.
Vermillion is also known for its SculptureWalk, installed by the Vermillion Cultural Association. Much like the downtown murals, these 6 sculptures breathe life into the district, depicting themes like resilience and family, along with Indigenous culture. The Mirrored Medicine Wheel is a striking example, situated at the corner of Main Street and Elm. Bear in mind, 2026 marks a rotation for the Sculpture Walk, meaning locals and visitors can expect to see a new set of sculptures sometime in the spring.
Dining, Entertainment, And Nightlife
Displays at the National Music Museum, a musical instrument museum, in Vermillion, South Dakota. Image credit: David Becker via Wikimedia Commons.
In the evening, downtown Vermillion sees no signs of slowing down. Foodies flock to Cee Cee’s 605 Scratch Kitchen & Bar for happy hour cocktails and made-from-scratch dishes, while Native-owned Dez From The Rez serves cultural comfort foods with a modern twist. Afterward, Main Street’s Coyote Twin Theater is a great follow-up for new film releases and freshly popped popcorn.
Once night falls, Vermillion’s bar scene keeps downtown alive. On Main Street, Carey’s Bar has served locals and students since 1954. Nearby, the Main Street Pub is favored for its classic bar bites, while XIX (19) Brewing Company specializes in good beer, good company, and themed trivia nights.
Explore Towns Near Vermillion
There are countless cool towns to explore near Vermillion if you want to keep the good times rolling. 30 minutes southeast, North Sioux City offers an eclectic range of entertainment. During the day, visitors can enjoy NASCAR races at the Park Jefferson Speedway. Later, evening calls for gaming on “The Strip,” a two-block gambling district with spots like Beano & Sherry’s Casinos.
Aerial view of Beresford, South Dakota, during summer.
For outdoor fun, the town of Beresford is a gateway to Union Grove State Park. A 20-minute drive from Vermillion, Union Grove is home to serene tree-studded hillsides, making it a popular place to picnic, hike, or spend a night under the stars. Alternatively, 30 minutes west of Vermillion, Yankton is a blend of both towns. At Riverside Park, visitors can stroll, fish, and picnic along the Missouri River. Further inland, Broadway Ave is dotted with casinos like the South Point Gaming Lounge.
A Day In Downtown Vermillion
While it’s helpful to have an itinerary, exploring downtown Vermillion can be even better with a bit of curiosity and spontaneity. Tucked in between its top bars, murals, and cafes, you could find a hidden hangout locals love or a piece of public art not detailed online. That being said, Vermillion’s top-frequented restaurants and shops are popular for good reason, so don’t be afraid to follow the crowds. No matter where you start, go, and end, this South Dakota downtown is an absolute joy to walk through.
WASHINGTON — South Dakota’s governor, the speaker of the state House, the state’s lone representative in Congress and a businessman will face off in a competitive Republican primary for governor on Tuesday. Primary voters will also choose nominees for other state and federal offices, while Sioux Falls residents will elect a new mayor.
Gov. Larry Rhoden seeks a full term as the state’s chief executive. He was previously lieutenant governor under then-Gov. Kristi Noem but assumed the top job when Noem stepped down in early 2025 to join President Donald Trump’s Cabinet.
Serving less than half a term as governor was not enough for Rhoden to clear the Republican field. He faces strong challenges from U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, state House Speaker Jon Hansen and businessman Toby Doeden.
The winner will face former state Sen. Dan Ahlers in the general election. Ahlers is unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Advertisement
At the top of the ballot is the race for the U.S. Senate, in which Republican Mike Rounds seeks a third term. His opponent in the primary is Justin McNeal, a U.S. Navy veteran who ran as an independent in 2024 against Johnson for his U.S. House seat but was kept off the ballot over invalid signatures on his nominating petition.
Nonprofit executive and former state trooper Julian Beaudion is unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Attorney and military veteran Brian Bengs is running in the general election as an independent. Bengs previously ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022 and received 26% of the vote against Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
State Attorney General Marty Jackley is running to replace Johnson in the U.S. House. He faces Republican James Bialota in the primary.
Trump has endorsed Rounds for U.S. Senate and Jackley for U.S. House. He did not endorse a candidate for governor.
In South Dakota primaries for governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House, candidates must receive at least 35% of the vote to win the nomination. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two vote-getters advance to a June 23 runoff.
Advertisement
In Sioux Falls, the state’s most populous city, five candidates are competing to replace term-limited Mayor Paul TenHaken. If no candidate receives a vote majority, the top two finishers will advance to the runoff.
The key counties to watch on primary night are on opposite ends of the state. Minnehaha County on the eastern border is home to Sioux Falls. Pennington County on the western border is home to Rapid City.
South Dakota is one of the most reliably Republican-voting states in general elections, so the winners in Tuesday’s GOP primaries should enter the general election campaign with a considerable advantage.
Here are some of the key facts about the election and data points the AP Decision Team will monitor as the votes are tallied:
When do polls close?
Polls close at 7 p.m. local time, which is 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET. Polls in most of the state are in Central time and close at 8 p.m. ET, but some polls are in Mountain time and close at 9 p.m. ET.
Advertisement
What’s on the ballot?
The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in contested primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor, state Senate, state House and mayor of Sioux Falls.
Who gets to vote?
Registered party members may vote only in their own party’s primary. In other words, Democrats can’t vote in the Republican primary or vice versa. Independent voters or those with no party affiliation may participate in the Democratic primary but not the Republican primary.
How many voters are there?
As of April 1, there were about 674,000 registered voters in South Dakota, including about 318,000 registered Republicans, about 138,000 registered Democrats and about 157,000 independents or voters with no political affiliation.
How many people actually vote?
Nearly 119,000 votes were cast in the Republican U.S. Senate primary in 2022.
How much of the vote is cast early or by absentee ballot?
About 19% of the 2024 primary vote and about 20% of the 2022 primary vote was cast before primary day.
Advertisement
As of May 26, about 17,000 ballots had already been cast in Tuesday’s election, roughly 79% in the Republican primary and roughly 15% in the Democratic primary.
When are early and absentee votes released?
In South Dakota, results from mail and in-person early voting are usually released together with results from in-person Election Day voting. More than a third of the state’s 66 counties tend to release most or all of their results, including in-person Election Day results, in the first vote update.
How long does vote-counting usually take?
Although South Dakota spans two time zones, state law requires that no results are released until the final polls have closed at 9 p.m. ET.
In the state’s most recent U.S. Senate primary in 2022, the AP first reported results at 9:02 p.m. ET, or two minutes after the last polls closed. The final vote update of the night was at 3:22 a.m. ET, with more than 99% of total votes counted.
When will the AP declare a winner?
The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow a trailing candidate to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.
Advertisement
How do recounts work?
Recounts in South Dakota are automatic only in cases of tie votes. Losing candidates for statewide office may request a recount if the vote margin is 0.25% or less of the total votes cast. Candidates for state legislative and local offices have a higher threshold: 2% of the total votes cast. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is subject to a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome.
Are we there yet?
As of Tuesday, there will be 154 days until the 2026 midterm elections.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Storms have prompted multiple tornado warnings in southeastern South Dakota Sunday night.
KELOLAND viewers have sent dozens of photos from the storms that produced hail, strong winds and heavy rains.
Officials said a tornado was confirmed in Lincoln County north of Beresford. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office posted a video as the tornado was starting to touchdown.
Clouds northwest of Wall Lake. Photo from Lisa Stelter.
You can see photos in the gallery below.
Advertisement
You can track storms for yourself using a variety of resources from KELOLAND.
Check your KELOLAND Storm Tracker app for hour-by-hour forecasts, live radar information and get alerts when severe weather is in your area.
We’re also active on social media so you can follow @KELOLANDWeather on X for more timely updates or KELOLAND Weather on Facebook for big picture weather warnings.
For your inner storm chaser, our live cams stream what’s happening live all over KELOLAND, so you can catch a glimpse of the storms from across the area.
Advertisement
If you take photos of the storms or any damage, submit them at uShare on KELOLAND.com.
The No. 4 South Dakota State baseball team allowed 16 runs in the fifth and sixth innings in a 17-0 loss to No. 3 Arizona State in an elimination game at the NCAA Tournament’s Lincoln Regional.
Starting pitcher Drew McDowell was tagged for three runs allowed in four-plus innings, then three consecutive relievers failed to record an out.
Kaden Rylance walked two batters who came around to score, Tristan Augedahl gave up four hits and a walk and was tagged for six runs (five earned) and Austin Henry walked two batters and allowed a run.
Sam Novotny followed and allowed four earned runs and five runs total over his two innings of work.
Advertisement
Matthew Werk and Jacob Sjuts each threw a scoreless inning to close out the contest.
Arizona State starter Kole Klecker ripped through the Jackrabbits’ lineup, allowing three hits in eight scoreless innings while striking out 13.
Keagan Jirschele doubled for South Dakota State, and Nic Werk and Luke Jones both singled. Nate Wachter and Grant Sorensen each drew a walk.
The Jackrabbits’ season ends with a 24-33 record. Arizona State will face the loser of No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 2 Ole Miss.
