South Dakota

What we’re loving today: popular western video game comes to life in Deadwood, South Dakota

Published

1 year ago

June 28, 2024

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Black Hills Redemption, an event inspired by Rockstar Games’ “Red Dead” series, took place over the weekend in Deadwood, South Dakota. This rootin’ tootin’ time transformed Outlaw Square into a campsite for the Van Der Linde gang where thousands of fans attended. This immersive experience follows last year’s wildly successful Tombstone Redemption, which was held in none other than Tombstone, Arizona.

Twenty of the actors for the franchise made an appearance for a panel this year in Lead’s historic opera house and an autograph session above Saloon No. 10 – including Roger Clark, who played Arthur Morgan; Rob Wiethoff, who played John Marston; and even Robert Bogue, who played Red Harlow in the original “Red Dead Revolver” game released in 2004.

The Redemption convention also included acts from hoop dance extraordinaire Starr Chief Eagle, gun spinning from three-time Trick Western Gun handling champion Joey Dillon, historic lectures from UT: Knoxville’s Dr. Tore Olsson and trick-rope and whip cracking from Loop Rawlins, who also appeared as Pedro Pascal’s stunt double in the film “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.”

WesternSlopeNow’s Dalen Brazelton had an opportunity to sit down with Kenney Palkow, promoter and organizer of the event. In an exclusive interview, Palkow told WesternSlopeNow the goal with Black Hills Redemption was to get the younger generation interested in history again.

“The best way to do that is with the best video game on the planet that just so happens to be a western. Using this game (Red Dead Redemption 2) as a medium, we turn an entire city into a place on the map. It gives these kids a playground where they can feel at home, feel comfortable around their own kind,” Palkow explains.

“It was a wonderful experience to be a part of building something and I’m looking forward to doing it every year.”

Where are they planning to go next year? Nothing is confirmed yet, but one possible location is recreating the fictional town of Saint Denis in New Orleans.

For more information on next year’s event, follow the event on Instagram.

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South Dakota

South Dakota reported fewer West Nile virus cases than officials expected in 2025. What happened?

Published

16 hours ago

November 19, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota reported fewer West Nile virus cases than officials expected in 2025. What happened?

With 87 cases of West Nile virus reported in 2025, South Dakota seems to have avoided the widespread outbreak experts anticipated earlier in the year.

In July, shortly after the first human case of 2025 was detected, the South Dakota Department of Health released a report projecting more than 130 cases for the year. That would have been the most in a single year for the state since 2018, when 169 cases were detected.

However, Joshua Clayton, South Dakota’s state epidemiologist, told the Argus Leader that a combination of factors helps explain why there were fewer cases than expected.

“Weather patterns likely played a significant role, as stretches of hot, dry conditions can reduce mosquito survival and limit the opportunity for transmission,” Clayton said. “City and county mosquito control programs also contributed through consistent management efforts throughout the season.”

The willingness of residents to protect themselves by using bug spray and limiting time outside during peak mosquito hours likely helped limit infections too, Clayton said.

Sanford Health to build new Black Hills Medical Center with $300 million gift

The majority of this year’s cases happened in East River counties, which Clayton said matches a “long-standing transmission pattern” in the state. The region also gets more rain and has more wetlands and other low-lying places that create “ideal breeding areas for mosquitoes,” he added.

“Human factors add to this pattern, since eastern South Dakota has more residents, which increases the chance of exposure and increases the likelihood that cases will be detected and reported,” Clayton said.

South Dakota reported four deaths from West Nile virus in 2025. That matches the total from 2023, when 96 human cases were detected in the state, a health department report says. Nationally, 46 states had, as of Nov. 18, reported a total of 1,941 human cases of West Nile virus this year, according to the CDC.

What are the symptoms of West Nile virus?

Most people infected with West Nile virus don’t develop any symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, about one in five people develop a fever and other symptoms, and about one out of 150 people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

When it becomes a serious illness, symptoms can include: high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness or paralysis.

What are the best ways to prevent West Nile virus?

The health department says to take the following precautions to prevent mosquito bites and West Nile virus:

Apply mosquito repellents to clothes and exposed skin, and limit exposure by wearing pants and long sleeves in the evening.
Limit time outside between dusk and midnight, when mosquitoes are most active.
Remove standing water, which provides mosquitoes with a breeding ground. Routinely change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes, and drain water from flowerpots and other.

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South Dakota

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announces he will run for a full term next year

Published

1 day ago

November 18, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announces he will run for a full term next year

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announced Tuesday he is joining the crowded Republican race for governor next June.

He’s seeking a full term after taking over the state’s top office in January when former Gov. Kristi Noem joined the Trump administration as Homeland Security secretary.

Rhoden spent six years as lieutenant governor and faces a slew of challengers, including U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson. In the majority red state of South Dakota, the winner of the Republican primary is typically the favorite to win in November.

Rhoden said his priorities include property tax cuts and public safety, and pledged to continue supporting low-tax, pro-gun and anti-abortion policies.

“I remain focused on keeping our state strong, safe and free, and I’m going to keep doing the people’s work because when I’m working, South Dakota is winning,” Rhoden said during his announcement, surrounded by family in front of a stone fireplace at a Rapid City hotel.

He’s kept a lower profile than Noem, who used her time as governor to build a national reputation. Rhoden’s biggest political victory this year was getting the state Legislature to sign off on a $650 million plan in September to replace the 141-year-old state penitentiary, an issue the Legislature had quarreled over for years.

Rhoden has also focused on property tax relief and immigration enforcement. And throughout this year, he has visited towns and businesses to tout economic development in the state.

“He is exactly what South Dakota needs right now: a steady, responsible governor who protects what’s working, fixes what isn’t and never forgets where he came from,” said Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen.

Rhoden, 66, was a member of the National Guard before he began his political career in 2001, serving in both the state House and Senate. He ran for U.S. Senate in 2014 and took conservative positions on issues like same-sex marriage, abortion and immigration, though he ultimately lost the race. Noem selected him as her running mate in 2018.

The governor comes from a line of ranchers and still operates the ranch he was born and raised on near Union Center.

Other Republicans in the race include businessman Toby Doeden and House Speaker Jon Hansen, who led a movement against a carbon capture pipeline.

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South Dakota

Buchanan’s 24 help South Dakota State take down Peru State 94-46

Published

2 days ago

November 18, 2025

Press Room

Buchanan’s 24 help South Dakota State take down Peru State 94-46

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — Trey Buchanan had 24 points in South Dakota State’s 94-46 win over Peru State on Monday.

Buchanan shot 8 of 11 from the field, including 5 for 7 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 3 from the line for the Jackrabbits (3-2). Damon Wilkinson scored 14 points while going 5 of 7 and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line and added eight rebounds. Alec Squires shot 5 of 5 from the field and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points, while adding eight rebounds.

Ashton Lovette finished with 10 points for the Bobcats. Ty Griggs added nine points for Peru State. Luke Lee finished with six points and two steals.

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

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