News

Billy Mawhiney, local nonprofit leader, husband, father, and proud citizen of the Wyandotte Nation, has formally announced his campaign for the United States House of Representatives. Currently serving as the executive director of the South Dakota Afterschool Network, Mawhiney is a longstanding and passionate champion for communities across South Dakota.

The first bells of the school year have rung across our district, and I find myself filled with a deep sense of anticipation and excitement. There is nothing quite like the energy of a new school year—the sight of eager students stepping off buses, the sound of laughter echoing through hallways, the warmth of familiar faces reunited after summer break. Each new school year brings with it not just a change in seasons but a powerful opportunity to shape lives, strengthen communities, and write a brand-new chapter together.

The Burke community is coming together to help save the lives of Sawyer (13) and Wesley (11) Bryan, two brothers diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a fatal muscle-wasting disease. A 5K Run/Walk fundraiser is set for Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Burke, with proceeds going toward a groundbreaking treatment being developed specifically for the boys.

Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative members may vote now in the 2025 Board of Directors election online or by mail until Sept. 23. Voting will also occur at the cooperative’s 73rd Annual Meeting to be held Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. at the Community Center in Wall.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, along with 43 other Attorneys General, are demanding major artificial intelligence companies stop hurting children with certain content on their platforms.

On August 24, 2025, news agency Reuters reported that a human case of New World Screwworm (NWS) was confirmed in the United States by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, perhaps as early as Aug. 20, but without any disclosure to the public. Additionally, Reuters reported that only certain cattle and beef industry participants were informed of the pest’s detection. The pest was reportedly detected in Maryland in a person who traveled to the U.S. from Guatemala.

On July 15, United States Trade Representative Jaimeson Greer announced that, “At President Trump’s direction, [he was] launching a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s attacks on American social media companies as well as other unfair trading practices that harm American companies, workers, farmers, and technology innovators.”

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune was blunt in his opening remarks during a Dakotafest policy discussion on August 20 about the state of agriculture.

A few years ago, the Gregory Economic Development Group (GED) invited Ciavarella Design Architects to put together a plan for Gregory’s Main Street revitalization. At that time, the designers were impressed with the city’s busy business district and, with few exceptions, occupied storefronts.

A special meeting of the Gregory City Council was held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, August 25, 2025, in order to discuss the 2026 proposed budget. Specifically, concerns about the budget allocations for the chamber of commerce and the Gregory Economic Development Group had arisen at the regular council meeting on August 18. At that time, council members had requested time to discuss the budget with their constituents and the two groups affected by proposed budget cuts.