Top Stories

State library elimination plan could impact Brookings if it passes

Children play with turtles when the Zoo Man visited the Brookings Public Library in 2018.
BROOKINGS — As with any annual budget put forth by a government, there are winners and there are losers. In South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s budget for fiscal year 2026, one of the …

Brookings School Board getting $4.5 million loan for new boiler

BROOKINGS — At its Monday night meeting, the Brookings School Board unanimously approved taking out a $4.5 million private placement loan from First Bank & Trust. The money will pay for the …

South Dakota once had a 'liar's tax' on its books

It’s gone now, repealed in 1978, but South Dakota had a liar’s tax on the books for years.  Of course, it wasn’t officially a liar’s tax. It was officially a …

Brookings VFW announces Voice of Democracy scholarship winners

Christina Messerli, a senior at Brookings High School, was named the VFW and VFW Auxiliary Post No. 2118 first-place winner of the 2024 Voice of Democracy Scholarship program. Second-place …

VFW names Patriot’s Pen essay contest winners

The VFW and VFW Auxiliary of Brookings announced that Stanturf Dwomoh, a sixth grade student, is the Post No. 118 first-place winner of the VFW and VFW Auxiliary’s 2024 Patriot’s Pen …
More local news

Dean Schmiedt honored by pharmacy college for consulting work

BROOKINGS — For pharmacist Dean Schmiedt, it was right time at the right place. Shortly after graduation from South Dakota State University, the federal government enacted new regulations …

Brookings Birding Club to to discuss wetlands, bird count

The December meeting of the Brookings Birding Club will be Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Larson Nature Center at Dakota Nature Park. The speaker that evening will be Kat Millman, who is a graduate …

Dacotah Bank promotes Olaf Hanson to Brookings market president

BROOKINGS — Dacotah Bank recently announced changes to its leadership in Brookings, changes that will start Jan. 1. Olaf Hanson has been promoted to market president for Brookings after …

SDPB director: Noem plan would bankrupt us in as little as 2 years

South Dakota Public Broadcasting could cease to exist in as little as two years if lawmakers adopt Gov. Kristi Noem’s $3.6 million budget cut, the network’s executive director said …

Man airlifted following Volga rollover wreck

VOLGA — A vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed rolled and struck a tree in Volga early Saturday, sending its driver to a hospital in Sioux Falls. Brayden Squires, 21, of Volga was …

Details emerge about suspect charged with murder in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO

ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — After  UnitedHealthcare’s CEO was gunned down  on a New York sidewalk, police searched for the masked gunman with dogs, drones and the city's  extensive …
Obituaries
Arlene Hovland
Arlene Hovland
Arlene Hovland, 98, of Brookings, passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at a care center in Brookings. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Hope Lutheran Church in Summit. Interment …
Barbara Sunde
Barbara Sunde
Barbara T. Sunde was born on March 15, 1939, in an ethnic German enclave near Pecs, Hungary. She was the only child of Stefan and Josefa Amrein, long-term Swabian settlers called Volksdeutsche, who …
William Conn
William ‘Bill’ Conn
William “Bill” J. Conn, 74, of Brookings, died surrounded by his family, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Brookings Health System in Brookings.  Memorial visitation will be held from 5 to …
Helen Gorder
Helen Gorder
Helen Gorder, 99, died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center.   A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, …
Billy Nelson
Billy Joel Nelson
Billy Joel Nelson, 45, of Aurora (formerly of Flandreau) passed away on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau, …
Local sports

Cossacks go 2-1 at Mustang Quadrangular

The Sioux Valley boys’ wrestling team went 2-1 in the Mustang Quadrangular on Tuesday afternoon. The Cossacks beat Howard and Marion/Freeman before falling to quadrangular host Tri-Valley.
Bobcats gymnast Ashlynn Miller takes a run during the vault at the Brookings at the annual Jamboree meet at Bob Jostad Gymnasium at Brookings High School on Tuesday evening. No results were submitted for the meet.
The Brookings Bobcats gymnastics team hosted its annual Jamboree event on Tuesday evening at the high school gymnasium. While no results were submitted for publication, the Brookings Register's …
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The Colman-Egan Hawks opened the season with a win, defeating the Estelline/Hendricks Redhawks 71-10 on Tuesday night.
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The Brookings third grade basketball team won the Dell Rapids Tournament over the weekend. Pictured above, from left to right, back row: Coach John Bisson, coach Brian Kvamme, Jackson Bisson, …
The Preseason South Dakota Media Prep Basketball Polls have been released and two area teams received votes.
The Brookings Rangers earned a weekend sweep, defeating Yankton 4-2 on Saturday night and Mitchell 6-3 on Sunday.
The Sioux Valley Cossacks took part in their first tournament of the season, finishing in fifth place at the Flandreau Booster Club Invitational on Saturday.
SDSU Jackrabbits Athletics

Dan Georgalas earns coach of year honors while two Jacks land on All-Region team

Three members of the South Dakota State volleyball team earned recognition from the American Volleyball Coaches Association AVCA Tuesday, including a Northwest Region Coach of the Year nod for Head Coach Dan Georgalas.

South Dakota State's Beulke, Eckerle named Academic All-League

South Dakota State sophomore Katelyn Beulke and junior Lauren Eckerle were recognized on the 2024 Summit League Women’s Soccer All-Academic Team announced by conference officials on Tuesday.
South Dakota State linebacker Adam Bock lines up before the snap during a FCS playoff game against Montana at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings on Dec. 7, 2024.

Bock, Gronowski guide South Dakota State in final playoff run

There’s a lot on the line as South Dakota State runs through this year’s FCS Playoffs. The Jackrabbits are seeking their third straight national championship and they’re doing so with a roster that’s much different than it was a year ago.

Jackrabbit softball releases 2025 schedule

The South Dakota State softball program looks ahead to the New Year as Jackrabbits head coach Kristina McSweeney released the team’s 2025 schedule which begins in February.

South Dakota State's historic volleyball season ends in NCAA Tournament

The South Dakota State volleyball season saw its best season in the Division I era come to a close as they fell to the No. 8 Miami Hurricanes in three sets during a first-round NCAA Tournament match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Friday night.

Five Jackrabbits make the podium at Cliff Keen Invite

Five Jackrabbit wrestlers made the podium at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Saturday with impressive upset wins from Derrick Cardinal and Drake Rhodes. The Jackrabbits finished ninth out of 30 teams at the prestigious events with a team score of 62.

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

Hallmark of the season?

It’s that time of year. We’re seeing a near endless lineup of Hallmark Christmas-Without-Jesus movies: silly, secular and seasonal nonsense in two-hour blocks that end at the last minute …

The United States Senate is arguably the least democratic (small “d”) institution in any democracy in the world, with the possible exception of the British House of Lords. The Senate …
There’s hardly a corner of South Dakota where you won’t find a farm, ranch, or some other trace of our rich agricultural heritage — it’s the lifeblood of our state. …
It’s telling that virtually the only positive spin economists of every political persuasion are putting on Donald Trump’s latest vow to ignite a global tariff war is the possibility that …
Web extra content
Pearl Young, the first woman to work in a technical role at NASA, overcame barriers and ‘raised hell’ − her legacy continues today
Many of her male colleagues believed Pearl Young had an attitude problem based on her efforts to advocate for herself and her team.
How to help prevent the spread of germs this cold and flu season
(BPT) - Chilly temperatures and winter weather aren't the only burden that comes with this time of year — it's also the peak of cold and flu season. Cold and flu germs can lurk on hundreds of …
Public Christmas trees, like Rockefeller Center's famous tree, didn't start appearing in the U.S. until the 20th century.
The Christmas tree is a tradition older than Christmas
Evergreens have long served as symbols of life during the bleakness of winter. But Queen Victoria spurred the tradition that has become a global phenomenon.
Identity theft can happen to anyone, but you can take steps to protect yourself.
Is Your Identity Safe? What To Do If It’s Not
by Mariana Raymond of Truecaller (NAPSI)—Identity theft is becoming more common, affecting people from all walks of life—but you can protect yourself.   The Problem Scammers are always …
How Techy are American Drivers?
(BPT) - Technology is impacting every aspect of our lives — including our cars. And as technology reshapes the automotive industry, from the advancements in electric vehicles (EVs) to …