Top Stories

Long after war comes toughest battle as Brookings veteran fights Parkinson’s

Jerry Raabe served 13 months of combat duty in Vietnam as an Army medic attached to an infantry unit. He earned several awards, including a Bronze Star Medal “for heroism in ground combat.”
BROOKINGS  — There’s an irony in American military combat service for some men and women who served during the Vietnam War and the Gulf Wars: they came home visibly unscathed. But …

North Dakota enacts nation's first law shielding Roundup's maker from some cancer lawsuits

North Dakota Republican Gov. Kelly Armstrong signs a bill on Wednesday at the state Capitol in Bismarck, N.D.
A new first-of-its-kind law enacted in North Dakota could shield agrochemical manufacturer Bayer from lawsuits claiming it failed to warn customers that its popular weedkiller Roundup could cause …

Sioux Falls law firm to represent city of Brookings

BROOKINGS — Two Sioux Falls-based law firms were in the race to succeed retiring City Attorney Steve Britzman, but in the end Woods Fuller emerged victorious over Cutler Law Firm at Tuesday …

South Dakota wins concessions for itself, universities nationwide in NCAA settlement

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley speaks during a press conference following the end of a three-day trial on April 4 in Pierre. Behind him, from left, are South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation agent Trevor Swanson, prosecutor Nolan Welker and Division of Criminal Investigation agent Matt Glenn.
South Dakota won special terms for itself and financial concessions for universities across the country while settling a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association, according to a …

National Drug Take Back Day set for April 26

PIERRE — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley encourages people with unneeded prescription medication to safely dispose of it during National Drug Take Back Day on April 26. …
More local news

Gift ideas for mom that keep on giving

Even though your mom may say “It’s the thought that counts,” you want to find the perfect gift this Mother’s Day to express how much you appreciate all she does throughout the …

60s Plus Dining menus for April 28-May 3, 2025

Read all about what's on the menu in Brookings and Elkton in the days ahead.

Brookings-area agendas for the week starting April 27, 2025

Read all about what Brookings-area governing agencies have on their agendas in the week ahead. This file will be periodically updated throughout the week as new agendas arrive.

Camelot student Jackson Lee places in society's essay contest

PIERRE — Three South Dakota fourth graders have been named winners of the South Dakota State Historical Society Historical Preservation Office’s annual Fourth Grade Student Essay Contest. …

‘Sharing the Care’: Art conservator to speak at exhibit event in Brookings

BROOKINGS — The South Dakota Art Museum invites the public to celebrate its newest exhibit, “Sharing the Care: Stories of Conservation Collaborations,” at a social hour and lecture …

Brookings-area blood donations needed to meet demands

BROOKINGS — Community Blood Bank is launching an urgent appeal for blood donations to ensure local patients receive the lifesaving care they need. While seasonal activities and travel plans …
Obituaries
Donald Mason
Donald Mason, 62, died suddenly, leaving behind a family who adored him, a legacy of quiet strength, and a lifetime of selfless love. Don was a simple man and a man of faith. The kind of person who …
Alison Ludwig
Alison Ludwig
Alison Marie Ludwig, 30 of Yankton, SD passed away unexpectedly on April 22, 2025. Born on March 20, 1995 to Kristi (Thormodsgard) Ludwig and Scott Ludwig. Alison was a beloved daughter, sister and …
Janet Mehlhaff
Janet Mehlhaff
Janet Lavonne Mehlhaff, 77, of Woodlands, TX, formerly of Volga, SD passed away Oct. 25, 2024 at Memorial Hospital, Woodlands, TX, after a short illness following surgery. Memorial services have been …
Phyllis Coyle
Phyllis Coyle
Phyllis F. Hinrichsen (Meisenheimer) Coyle, age 79, of Brookings, SD passed away peacefully on April, 15, 2025 ,at her apartment (Park Place Assisted Living) in Brookings, SD. Funeral services will …
Darwin Walker
Darwin Walker
Darwin Walker, born in 1936 in Mitchell, South Dakota, passed away on Oct. 20 2024, leaving behind a profound legacy in music, education, and adventure. Darwin’s love for music began early, …
Local sports

Sioux Valley youth basketball team to play in Minneapolis

Left to Right Back Row: Coach Ryan Nagelhout, Coach Andy Licht, Spencer Thomas, Brooks Oines, Miles Licht and Coach Ryan Burggraff. Left to Right Front Row: Baron Burggraff, BentLee Thompson, Raef Schmit, Kellen Kruse and Lane Nagelhout. Not Pictured: Ben Smith.
The Sioux Valley fourth grade boys’ basketball team is representing South Dakota in the Pacesetter Great Five-State Championship Basketball Tournament. The Cossacks will be competing in …
Brookings' Ernest Ting runs in the 4x800 relay on Tuesday afternoon at the Brookings Alumni Meet.
The Brookings track and field teams hosted their Alumni Meet on Tuesday afternoon at Brookings High School.
Read more.
Brookings' Maxten Jensen hits the ball during a 16-4 win over Sioux Falls Washington on Tuesday night at Bob Shelden Field in Brookings.
BROOKINGS – The Brookings baseball team picked up another doubleheader sweep on Tuesday night as the Bobcats won two games against Sioux Falls Washington. It was the second-straight …
Read more.
The Brookings boys’ tennis teams swept nine matches with Sioux Falls Roosevelt on Tuesday afternoon. 
The Brookings girls’ golf team won a quadrangular at Spring Creek Golf Course on Tuesday.
The Sioux Valley boys’ track and field team came in first place at the Banana Relays at Hamlin High School on Tuesday afternoon.
The Brookings softball team was unable to fully get its offense going on Tuesday afternoon and the Bobcats fell to Harrisburg 12-6 at the Southbrook Softball Complex.
SDSU Jackrabbits Athletics

Creighton takes down South Dakota State in Sioux Falls

South Dakota State’s Adam Benes throws the ball to first base during a 12-2 loss to Creighton on Wednesday night at Sioux Falls Stadium. The Jackrabbits will return to Brookings this weekend for a three-game series against North Dakota State.
Creighton scored multiple runs in five of the first six innings to distance itself from South Dakota State in a 12-2, seven-inning victory Wednesday night in college baseball action at Sioux Falls Stadium.

Jackrabbits finish runner-up at Summit League Championship

he South Dakota State women's golf team finished runner-up at the Summit League Championship Tuesday afternoon at Longbow Golf Course.

Jacks still in the hunt after two rounds

The South Dakota State women’s golf team is in third place with 18 holes remaining at the Summit League Championship at Longbow Golf Course.

Jackrabbits fall in doubleheader against Iowa State

South Dakota State played two close games versus Iowa State on Monday, April 21, but the Cyclones came away with a pair of victories (5-3, 7-6) in the softball doubleheader held at the Cyclone Sports Complex.

South Dakota State's Abby Gentry named Performer of the Week

South Dakota State’s Abby Gentry was named the Summit League Peak Performer of the Week on Monday.

South Dakota State’s Abby Gentry was honored for her performance over the course of the Jackrabbits’ recent weekend series versus North Dakota State, as she was selected as the Kwik Star Summit League Softball Peak Performer of the Week on Monday.

Caleb Duerr earns Pitcher of the Week honors

South Dakota State’s Caleb Duerr was named the Summit League Peak Pitcher of the Week on Monday afternoon.

For the second week in a row, South Dakota State has the Kwik Star Summit League Peak Pitcher of the Week. Freshman right-hander Caleb Duerr was selected for the honor Monday after helping the Jackrabbits post their first shutout victory of the season.

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

Big man? But … petty, mean, vindictive?

President Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 28 in Washington, D.C.

As I struggled Friday afternoon to cobble together this Corner, I arrived at the above headline after some soul-searching. (My editor may change it.) I considered a different but similar headline: …

My recent trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by United Today, Stronger Tomorrow, was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when community members unite to educate decisionmakers about the …
Lutheran Social Services is a national non-profit service organization that has been in existence for 104 years. It serves the most vulnerable people in society. It really is the hands and feet of …
Dear Senator Thune, Senator Rounds, and Representative Johnson: As residents of the United States and the State of South Dakota, we have, until recent times, lived securely in a democratic …
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There is currently no bird flu vaccine for people.
How bird flu differs from seasonal flu − an infectious disease researcher explains
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How do hurricanes affect baby names?
Spokeo compared data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Social Security Administration to see how storm names impact baby names.