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Governor Rhoden Completes South Dakota Defense Institute Board Appointments

Governor Rhoden Completes South Dakota Defense Institute Board Appointments

Governor Rhoden Completes South Dakota Defense Institute Board Appointments
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South Dakota State Penitentiary Faces Leadership Turnover Amid Staff Changes

South Dakota State Penitentiary Faces Leadership Turnover Amid Staff Changes

The South Dakota Department of Corrections is experiencing significant leadership changes, with the departure of its fourth penitentiary warden since 2021. Joseph Roemmich, who was appointed from New Mexico to oversee the Sioux Falls penitentiary, is no longer with the department. This change is part of a broader staff shake-up that includes the exits of Director of Prison Operations Amber Pirraglia and Maj. Cody Hanson. These changes follow a history of rapid turnover in the department, with previous wardens serving short tenures amid controversies and operational challenges. The state is currently constructing a new $650 million facility to replace the oldest parts of the penitentiary, expected to open in 2029.
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Eunice L. Breland Passes Away at 96, Leaving a Legacy in Miller, South Dakota

Eunice L. Breland Passes Away at 96, Leaving a Legacy in Miller, South Dakota

Eunice L. Breland, a long-time resident of Miller, South Dakota, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on August 5, 2026, at the Miller Good Samaritan Society. Born on December 16, 1929, in Mt. Vernon, South Dakota, Eunice was a dedicated member of the Lutheran church and was known for her quick wit and love of chocolate. She worked in various roles throughout her life, including as a bookkeeper at Hand County Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1991. Eunice is survived by her seven children, numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her funeral service is scheduled for August 8, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Miller, with burial to follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in rural Letcher, South Dakota.
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South Dakota DOC Restructures Leadership with Key Firings

South Dakota DOC Restructures Leadership with Key Firings

The South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC) has quietly dismissed two agency leaders and a top correctional officer as part of a restructuring effort. Director of Prisons Amber Pirraglia, South Dakota State Penitentiary Warden Joseph Roemmich, and Cody Hanson, a correctional major, are no longer employed by the state. DOC spokesman Michael Winder confirmed the terminations but did not provide specific reasons. DOC Secretary Nick Lamb stated that the decision aligns with his vision for the department, suggesting a strategic realignment of leadership roles.
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Connecticut Governor Race: Lamont Leads Elliott as Affordability Concerns Dominate

Connecticut Governor Race: Lamont Leads Elliott as Affordability Concerns Dominate

In the 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary in Connecticut, affordability has emerged as the primary concern for voters, according to a Sacred Heart University/WFSB/CT Insider Poll. The poll indicates that incumbent Governor Ned Lamont is leading his primary challenger, state Rep. Josh Elliott. Both candidates also show strong leads over the Republican candidate, state Sen. Ryan Fazio, in potential November matchups. Despite financial pressures, a majority of residents rate their quality of life positively, though many struggle with rising costs in housing, energy, and daily expenses. The poll highlights that 29.4% of voters consider cost of living and inflation as the most critical issues, surpassing concerns about taxes and energy costs.
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1933 Trek Across the Dakotas: A Journey of Resilience and Adventure

1933 Trek Across the Dakotas: A Journey of Resilience and Adventure

In 1933, Earl Neller, a high school teacher from St. Louis, embarked on an 850-mile journey across the Dakotas with six children, including his own and those of a colleague. The trek, undertaken during the Great Depression, involved traveling on foot and hitchhiking, relying on the kindness of strangers for food and shelter. The group documented their journey through photographs and diaries, which were later compiled into a travelogue. The adventure gained renewed attention when South Dakota archivist Matthew Reitzel discovered the travelogue and photographs, leading to a detailed account of the journey being published.
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Dinosaur Fossils Still Accessible at Key US Sites for Enthusiasts and Researchers

Dinosaur Fossils Still Accessible at Key US Sites for Enthusiasts and Researchers

Dinosaur Fossils Still Accessible at Key US Sites for Enthusiasts and Researchers
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Democratic Nominee Julian Beaudion Withdraws from South Dakota Senate Race Amid Personal Challenges

Democratic Nominee Julian Beaudion Withdraws from South Dakota Senate Race Amid Personal Challenges

Julian Beaudion, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate race in South Dakota, has withdrawn from the contest against incumbent GOP Senator Mike Rounds. Beaudion cited a devastating house fire and intimidating threats as key reasons for his decision to exit the race. He emphasized that the mental and physical safety of his family is his priority. Despite stepping down, Beaudion has chosen not to endorse independent candidate Brian Bengs, who is now the main challenger to Rounds. Bengs, a former military officer and prosecutor, has stated he will not caucus with either major party if elected. This development marks Beaudion as the third Democratic Senate nominee in a Republican-dominated state to withdraw, following similar moves in Nebraska and Idaho.
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Passing of 'Uncle' Ed Munce, Founder of Uncle Ed's Specialty Meats

Passing of 'Uncle' Ed Munce, Founder of Uncle Ed's Specialty Meats

'Uncle' Ed Munce, the founder and owner of Uncle Ed's Specialty Meats in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has passed away. Munce, who served in the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam, started the business with his son Matt in 2001. The business has been a staple in the community, known for its quality meats and friendly service. Matt Munce expressed gratitude to the customers who became friends over the years and committed to continuing his father's legacy.
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Crop Conditions Show Mixed Results Across Midwest Amid Variable Weather

Crop Conditions Show Mixed Results Across Midwest Amid Variable Weather

The 2026 growing season in the Midwest has been marked by highly variable weather conditions, impacting corn and soybean crops differently across the region. While some areas have benefited from timely rainfall and above-average temperatures, others have faced drought and extreme heat, leading to concerns about yield potential. According to Agweek (Source time: not specified), late July rainfall varied significantly, with southeast Minnesota receiving 10-15 inches, while southwest Minnesota and parts of Iowa and South Dakota saw less than an inch. Severe storms with strong winds and hail also caused localized crop damage. The USDA Crop Report from July 27 rated 63% of the U.S. corn crop and 63% of the soybean crop as 'good-to-excellent,' down from last year’s ratings of 73% and 70%, respectively.
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SAB Biotherapeutics Advances Type 1 Diabetes Therapy with Global Trial

SAB Biotherapeutics Advances Type 1 Diabetes Therapy with Global Trial

SAB Biotherapeutics Inc., a biotech company rooted in South Dakota, is advancing a potential disease-modifying therapy for Type 1 diabetes through a global clinical trial. The therapy, SAB-142, is being tested in a pivotal registrational trial involving patients with Type 1 diabetes. The trial aims to evaluate whether SAB-142 can preserve insulin-producing beta cells in patients diagnosed with stage three Type 1 diabetes. The study is enrolling patients globally, with more than 60 clinical sites across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the U.S. The trial is designed to enroll 159 patients, with completion expected by the end of the year. SAB-142 is a fully human anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin, developed to delay onset and potentially prevent progression in Type 1 diabetes.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Inside Tennessee football’s Canadian pipeline to David Gabriel Georges

Inside Tennessee football’s Canadian pipeline to David Gabriel Georges

Tennessee football already has four Canadian players. And five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, from Montreal, will join them in 2027.