Top Stories

Rethinking reading: Program brings positive results to Brookings

Students in Carter Holm’s third grade class at Dakota Prairie Elementary spend time absorbed in their books. The Brookings School District now uses a teaching method called the science of reading. Among other things, it emphasizes phonics, early detection of problems and weekly assessments to ensure students make progress.
BROOKINGS — When Summer Schultz was hired as Brookings School District superintendent in June 2023, she brought with her a teaching philosophy called the science of reading. Two years …

On the road, again: Long drive leaves time for thoughts of past adventures

Just prior to and during a just-returned automobile trip to Waco, Texas, I’d been reading Mark Twain and Paul Theroux, two nonpareil travel writers. Travel is a genre I have never wandered into …

Yes, South Dakota is losing in-home daycares

Since 2015, South Dakota has lost half of its in-home day cares, with around 350 registered with the state in 2024. The lack of staff has repeatedly plagued the child care industry. With an …

RFK Jr.'s MAHA report raises concerns about vaccines, American foods and prescription drugs

President Donald Trump, left, speaks as Education Secretary Linda McMahon, right, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listen at a Make America Healthy Again commission event in the East Room of the White House on May 22 in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON — A government report released on Thursday covering wide swaths of American health and wellness  reflects some of the most contentious views on vaccines, the nation's food …

South Dakota officials seeking bigger role for state in immigration enforcement

A section of the U.S.-Mexico border wall near El Paso, Texas, on June 6, 2024.
South Dakota’s governor and attorney general separately visited the U.S.-Mexico border this week and announced efforts to involve the state in federal immigration enforcement. During a …
More local news

Legion hosting breakfast in Brookings on May 24

BROOKINGS — Brookings American Legion Post No. 74 will serve a pancake, scrambled eggs, and sausage breakfast on May 24. Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, orange juice, coffee, and milk …

Love in action makes a difference

Last week I was talking with a colleague when they made a comment about how everything we ever needed to learn, we probably learned in kindergarten. Clearly, that’s an exaggeration, but …

Brookings-area calendar for May 24-30, 2025

Read all about what activities Brookings-area groups have planned in the days ahead.

Twenty young women to compete for Miss South Dakota title in Brookings

BROOKINGS — Twenty young women from across the state will showcase their talents, public speaking skills, fitness, poise and stage presence in the 78th annual Miss South Dakota competition, …

Little Leprechauns honor mothers with flowers, decorated pots

The Little Leprechaun 4-H club met May 11 at the Brookings County Outdoor Adventure Center. The meeting was called to order by Kate Gayne. The flag salute and 4-H pledge were led by Conrad. …
Chuck Cecil is a former Brookings Register columnist and a current member of the Brookings County Historical Society.

A rail line from Brookings to Sioux Falls?

BROOKINGS — All that remains of an early 1900s plan for a railway from Brookings to Sioux Falls is a pleasant half-mile Brookings walkway bordering Medary Avenue South.   It extends …
Obituaries
Russell Larson
Russell Larson
Russell S. Larson, age 71, of White SD, rode his horse through the gates of Heaven on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 26, 2025, at Peace Lutheran …
Irma Ellis
Irma Ellis
Irma Marie Ellis, age 95, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings, SD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, at Our …
Richard Cushing
Richard Cushing
Richard Allen Cushing, born April 19, 1977, in Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on April 30, 2025 at the age of 48. He was the beloved son of Duane and JoAnne (Deraas) Cushing. Growing up in Brookings, …
Lea Nordstrum
Lea Nordstrom
Early Saturday morning, May 10, Mrs. Lea Nordstrom (Ruana) passed peacefully in her sleep; surrounded by her son Steve Nordstrom, daughter Amy Carlstrom and son-in-law, Matt Carlstrom. Born 1940 in …
Leona Krogmann
Leona Krogmann
Leona Jean Krogmann, aged 94, passed away on May 13, 2025, at The Neighborhoods, Brookings, SD. She was born on July 8, 1930, to Herman and Clara (Mehlum) Selland and joined the Selland family as …
Local sports

Ryan Bauer, Matt Thomas to be inducted to South Dakota High School Baseball Association Hall of Fame

Eight South Dakota high school players, two coaches and three contributors along with the 2012 Vermillion Tanager team will be inducted into the South Dakota High School Baseball Association Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class.
The Sioux Valley softball team extended its win streak to seven on Wednesday afternoon as the Cossacks beat Colman-Egan 21-4 in three innings.
Read more.
Brookings' Chase McDaniel admires a home run during a game against Baltic on July 7, 2024.
The Brookings Cubs have played two games in the amateur baseball season and have already seen the construction of their roster pay dividends.
Read more.
Brookings High School will induct the five members of the 2025 Hall of Fame Class at the 21st annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony during halftime of the Bobcat football game on Friday, Sept. 12.
The Brookings softball team picked up another victory on Saturday as the Bobcats beat Mitchell 4-1 at the Southbrook Softball Complex.
The Brookings baseball teams saw its season come to a close over the weekend as the Bobcats were swept in a three-game regional series against Yankton.
The Brookings track and field teams competed in the Eastern South Dakota Conference Meet on Saturday.
SDSU Jackrabbits Athletics

South Dakota State to play Gonzaga in Sioux Falls

South Dakota State Center Brooklyn Meyer attempts a shot during an exhibition game against St. Cloud State at First Bank & Trust Arena in Brookings on Oct. 30. SDSU announced Monday that it will be playing Gonzaga this upcoming season in Sioux Falls on Nov. 20.
The South Dakota State women’s basketball team will take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs in a nonconference contest November 20 at the Sanford Pentagon. The on-sale date for tickets will be announced later.

Jackrabbits lose opening tournament game

South Dakota State opened the Summit League Baseball Tournament on Wednesday with an 11-2 loss to Oral Roberts.

Carter Sintek named Wallace Award semifinalist

South Dakota State's  Carter Sintek was named Wednesday as one of 30 semifinalists for the Brooks Wallace Award, which is presented annually by the College Baseball Foundation to the top shortstop in college baseball.

South Dakota State wins fifth-straight Commissioner's Cup

SIOUX FALLS — South Dakota State earned its fifth straight Summit League Commissioner's Cup and set a new league record with its 10th overall, the conference office announced this week. …

Seven Jacks honored on All-Summit squad

South Dakota State

SIOUX FALLS — Led by first-team selections Bryce Ronken and Owen Siegert, seven South Dakota State student-athletes were honored Tuesday as members of the 2025 All-Summit League Baseball Team. …

Bryan Petersen hires Jamal Nixon to finalize staff

Jamal Nixon has joined the staff of the South Dakota State men

South Dakota State men's basketball head coach Bryan Petersen completed his inaugural season staff on Tuesday as he announced the hiring of Jamal Nixon as an assistant coach.

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

United Way has 70 years of impact on Brookings

State Theater on Main Street in Brookings — current home to Powershop Gym — proudly displays the United Charities (now Brookings Area United Way) fundraising progress above the marquee, circa 1965.

As the executive director of Brookings Area United Way, it is with deep gratitude and joy that I share an incredible milestone — our 70th year of serving and strengthening the Brookings …

It may seem a little early to start wondering about who’s likely to be elected governor of South Dakota in November of 2026. However, November is not the date that’s important. Just more …
Sometimes The Christian Century will run a series of essays by their readers. The topics are given a few months in advance and readers are invited to submit their essays for publication. The June …
Made in South Dakota With President Trump back in the White House, there’s been a lot of talk about making sure that more products are made in America. Manufacturing has been …
Web extra content
Preventing Shingles: A Local Pharmacist on the Importance of Getting Vaccinated
(BPT) - When individuals reach age 50, their risk of developing shingles increases, making it more important than ever to understand this painful condition and how to help prevent. …
AI plus HI (human intelligence) equals improved outcomes. It’s not just technology for its own sake.
Real Educational Advantages of Artificial Intelligence
by Nick Gaehde (NAPSI)—Artificial Intelligence (AI) has arrived in the classroom, and it’s here to stay. Surprising as it may seem to some parents and teachers, that’s good news. AI can …
The most popular junk food by state
Hims presents a regional guide to the junk food people in your state crave the most.
Rescuers need to know ASAP where they're needed in disasters.
AI can scan vast numbers of social media posts during disasters to guide first responders
Natural disasters prompt a flood of social media posts. AI can help sift the wheat of helpful information from the chaff of chitchat and misinformation.
What's that racket? 4 car noises you shouldn't ignore
CheapInsurance.com encourages drivers to listen for car noises that can help diagnose a potential problem before it becomes a serious emergency situation.