Top Stories

An ode to South Dakota music

Camelot Intermediate School orchestra teacher Jonathan Bakken is the author of a new book on South Dakota musicians. He will be speaking about his book “Tiger Meat: South Dakota Music” during the Festival of Books in Brookings this Friday and Saturday.
Moms and dads in the Brookings School District know Jonathan Bakken as the energetically enthusiastic orchestra teacher at Camelot Intermediate School; but Bakken is equally passionate about …

Senate Republicans block IVF right guarantee

At far right is U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, who is accompanied by U.S. Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have blocked for a second time this year legislation to establish a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization, arguing that the vote is an election-year stunt …

Students rarely read books for English, anymore

Chris Stanislawski, 14, poses for a portrait outside of his home in Garden City, N.Y., on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. Chris didn't finish any books in his 8th grade English class, in part because their google classroom had detailed summaries of each chapter of every book.
Associated Press   Chris Stanislawski didn’t read much in his middle school English classes, but it never felt necessary. Students were given detailed chapter summaries for every …

Research, collaboration powers growth in South Dakota State's beef team

About 25 people make up the SDSU Animal Science Department team — 18 faculty and seven SDSU Extension field specialists have at least part of their duties relating to beef production outreach and range management.
BROOKINGS — John Jaeger, the Calvin and Mary Hayenga department head of animal science at South Dakota State University, has a problem: his department is running out of desks for its Ph.D. …

South Dakota State's Marina Hendricks earns journalism education honor

Marina Hendricks, assistant professor and graduate program coordinator for the online Master of Mass Communication in South Dakota State University’s School of Communication and Journalism, and Bradley Wilson, head of the Scholastic Journalism Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
BROOKINGS — Marina Hendricks, assistant professor and graduate program coordinator for the online Master of Mass Communication in South Dakota State University’s School of Communication …
More local news

Little Leprechauns elect new officers

The Little Leprechaun 4-H club met Sept. 8 with 21 members in attendance and one guest, Eisalee Kelly. The flag salute and 4-H pledge were led by Murray McCausland. The roll call topic was, …

Sheriff's office stages mock crash at Sioux Valley High School

VOLGA — It’s homecoming week in Volga — but Sioux Valley High School students started their celebrations with a sober reminder about safety when law enforcement staged a mock fatal …

One Day for State again a big success

BROOKINGS — Jackrabbits in all 50 states and across 15 countries united to tackle historic philanthropy on Sept. 5 during One Day for State. The South Dakota State University …

Roughly 50 South Dakota State University students volunteered on Sept. 3 and Sept. 5 for the Sanford International golf tournament as part of a facilities management course.

South Dakota State students tee up for on-the-course learning

BROOKINGS — Preparing for the golf event of the year in Sioux Falls takes some work. It’s the behind-the-scenes preparation that many don’t think about or notice but takes …

SDSU Extension encourages physical activity with virtual Walktober event

BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University Extension is encouraging South Dakotans to get active with its third annual Walktober event. This virtual movement challenge aims to motivate and …

Wink’s Fine Jewelry reps complete training

BROOKINGS — Samantha Tupper and Emily Ford of Wink’s Fine Jewelry earned their distinguished “Registered Jeweler” titles after completing a comprehensive course of study and …
Obituaries
Lilly McMacken
Lilly McMacken, 80, of Brookings, died Sept. 15, 2024, at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living. Funeral arrangements are currently pending. A complete obituary may be found at www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com.
Dale Groepper
Dale Groepper
Dale Groepper passed away in hospice at home on Sept. 12, 2024, after a 3 1/2 year battle with lung and liver cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at St. Thomas More …
Verna Clark
Verna Clark
Verna Clark, 90, of Brookings, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at her home. A graveside service will take place at Greenwood Cemetery at a future date. Expressions of sympathy may be sent …
Iris Rasmussen
Iris Rasmussen
Iris Margaret Rasmussen, age 97, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings, South Dakota. A memorial service was held 11a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at George Boom …
Lorraine Westby
Lorraine Westby
Lorraine Ardell (Prahl) Westby was born April 8, 1936, to Otto and Tena Prahl, Brookings, SD. Lorraine lived on a farm north of Brookings with her parents all of her young life. She attended …
Local sports

Bobcats make playoff push during home doubleheader against Lincoln

Bobcats midfielder Shae Lefers brings the ball up field during a game against Sioux Falls Lincoln at the Fishback Soccer Complex in Brookings on Tuesday afternoon.
The Brookings Bobcats are making their final push toward the playoffs as they hosted Sioux Falls Lincoln for a doubleheader at the Fishback Soccer Complex on Tuesday night.
The Brookings competitive cheer team performs at the Huron Cheer and Dance Invitational on Tuesday. Brookings finished second at the event with a score of 262.5.
HURON — The Huron Dance and Cheer Invite took place Tuesday evening. Among the schools taking part were the Brookings Bobcats and Sioux Valley Cossacks — with both placing at the event.
Read more.
Bobcats tennis player Lada Senchenka returns a serve during a match at the Hillcrest Tennis Courts on Tuesday morning.
BROOKINGS — The Brookings Bobcats hosted a triangular at the Hillcrest Tennis Courts as they faced the St. Thomas More Cavaliers and the O’Gorman Knights in a pair of duals. The …
Read more.
The Brookings Bobcats fell on the road as they were swept by Brandon Valley in three sets on Tuesday night.
The Deubrook Area Dolphins scored a win over Iroquois/Lake Preston while the Elkton-Lake Benton Lady Elks fell to Chester in three sets as part of the local volleyball slate on Tuesday night.
The Sioux Valley Cossacks finished in fourth place as they took part in the Redfield Invitational at the Fisher Grove Country Club on Tuesday morning.
The Brookings Bobcats finished in 10th place as they hosted the Bob Scholten Invitational at the Brookings Country Club on Monday morning
SDSU Jackrabbits Athletics

South Dakota State's learning curve reaches an urgent stage

South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers (left) speaks with Colby Humphrey (22) and Tucker Large (right) after Humphrey’s interception in the first quarter of a game against Augustana University at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings on Saturday night. The Jackrabbits won the game 24-3 to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Just two weeks ago, it felt like the South Dakota State Jackrabbits were on the verge of figuring things out.

Jacks complete comeback to stun Oregon State

The South Dakota State women’s soccer team scored three unanswered goals, after falling down by two goals in the opening 35 minutes, en route to a 3-2 victory over Oregon State at Paul Lorenz Field on Sunday.

Jackrabbits improve to 8-0 after sweeping Bradley Invitational

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits ran their season-opening winning streak to eight games as they defeated Eastern Illinois and Bradley as part of the Bradley Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
South Dakota State defensive lineman Reis Kirschenman (97) closes in on Augustana University running back Jarod Epperson in the second quarter of a game against Augustana University at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings on Sept. 14.

Jackrabbits overcome sloppy play to defeat Augustana

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits didn’t have their best game but it didn’t matter as Amar Johnson ran for 126 yards and a touchdown to help SDSU earn a 24-3 victory at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on Saturday night.

Jackrabbits take care of business versus Wayne State

South Dakota State’s Ellie Gusman prepares to kick the ball during a 4-0 win over Wayne State on Thursday in Brookings.

The South Dakota State soccer team topped Wayne State on Thursday night at Fishback Soccer Park.

Jackrabbits, Vikings to meet on gridiron for first time since 2004

South Dakota State's Griffin Wilde runs with the ball during a 44-20 loss to Oklahoma State at Boone Pickens Stadium in Sillwater, Okla.

South Dakota State and Augustana will meet on the football field for the first time in 20 years on Saturday.

Police report
Read all about recent cases handled by circuit and magistrate courts in Brookings County.
Read all about recent cases handled by circuit and magistrate courts in Brookings County.
Opinion

Is America a truly Christian nation? If so, we sure don't act like it

A few weeks back a Speakout by a Brookings resident and well-recognized political scientist took on the issue of the United States as a Christian nation. His missive was in response to one of our …

Hon. Mr. Daniel J. Seeharer, The American Legion National commander, proposed this question, “... What does The American Legion do?” The citizenry of White will probably respond, …
As the nation celebrates Democracy Day, it’s a good time to be thankful for the freedoms that we have but also be wary of the threats that democracy faces. Those threats aren’t limited to …
It was the kind of quote that, when said by the right person under the right conditions, would inspire bold headlines. “Your country ... has families with three, four or five …
Web extra content
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Low down payment mortgages help first-time buyers access the American dream
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It's pumpkin spice season: 17 fall coffee drinks ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest
Hers ranks 17 fall coffee drinks from top chains in the U.S. to determine the healthiest and unhealthiest seasonal indulgences.
Four Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
(BPT) - Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15 and ends on October 15, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the vibrant culture and significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino …