Searchlight Report

In this episode of Searchlight Report, host and reporter Meghan O’Brien talks with Samantha Chapman of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota about the things voters need to know for the primary election: why they might have something to vote on even if they think they don’t, what to do when their rights are questioned, what to know about new laws regarding citizenship, why it’s smart to bring a sample ballot, and more. 

The Republican nominations for governor and U.S. House and Senate are all up for grabs, and many voters will have other items on their ballot such as legislative primaries and races for city, school and county offices.

The primary election is Tuesday, June 2. Voters can use the secretary of state’s Voter Information Portal to find their polling place and view a sample ballot. Voters can also track their absentee ballot through the portal. More information is available in South Dakota Searchlight’s Voter Guide.

In this special edition of the Searchlight Report, host Meghan O’Brien interviews U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, one of four people running for the Republican nomination for governor of South Dakota.

In a series of four episodes, O’Brien asked all four candidates the same set of questions on topics including abortion, relationships with tribal nations, climate change, taxes and Medicaid. She also asked each candidate to share a “big idea” for South Dakota.

South Dakota’s primary election is June 2.

In this special edition of the Searchlight Report, host Meghan O’Brien interviews Jon Hansen, speaker of the state House and one of four people running for the Republican nomination for governor of South Dakota.

In a series of four episodes, O’Brien asked all four candidates the same set of questions on topics including abortion, relationships with tribal nations, climate change, taxes and Medicaid. She also asked each candidate to share a “big idea” for South Dakota.

South Dakota’s primary election is June 2.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Hansen's campaign said a noticeable irregularity in the quality of his voice during this episode was due to "minor technical difficulties."

In this special edition of the Searchlight Report, host Meghan O’Brien interviews Gov. Larry Rhoden, one of four people running for the Republican nomination for governor of South Dakota.

In a series of four episodes, O’Brien asked all four candidates the same set of questions on topics including abortion, relationships with tribal nations, climate change, taxes and Medicaid. She also asked each candidate to share a “big idea” for South Dakota.

South Dakota’s primary election is June 2.

In this special edition of the Searchlight Report, host Meghan O’Brien interviews Toby Doeden, an Aberdeen businessman and one of four Republicans running for their party's nomination for governor of South Dakota.

In a series of four episodes, O’Brien asked all four candidates the same set of questions on topics including abortion, relationships with tribal nations, climate change, taxes and Medicaid. She also asked each candidate to share a “big idea” for South Dakota.

South Dakota’s primary election is June 2.

This week’s episode of Searchlight Report features Reporters Joshua Haiar and Makenzie Huber and Editor Seth Tupper in conversation with host Meghan O’Brien about their series on how and when South Dakotans will be impacted by new laws that use higher sales taxes to reduce property taxes.

In this week’s episode of Searchlight Report, reporter and host Meghan O’Brien takes listeners through the expense and unease surrounding a fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore, including an ongoing drought and potential harm to endangered species, as well as resistance from Indigenous groups in the Black Hills. Also, a final debate between the state’s four Republican gubernatorial candidates hosted by Sioux Falls Live and The Dakota Scout features disagreements about education, and the state’s only Democratic candidate for governor responds.

In this week’s Searchlight Report podcast episode, host Meghan O’Brien talks to both sides in a dispute over proposed drilling for uranium in South Dakota’s Black Hills. She also explains Gov. Larry Rhoden’s $10 million in grants to spur defense contracting and bring a gunsmithing program to the state, plus a legislative board’s decision to raise the pay of the state investment officer despite concerns about underperformance. And she shares audio highlights from the second debate in the race for the Republican nomination for governor.

This week, reporter and Searchlight Report host Meghan O’Brien brings listeners the key moments — courtesy of KELO-TV — from the first debate in the race for South Dakota’s Republican nomination for governor. She also has highlights from the Legislature’s Veto Day, including the fate of legislation on lab-grown meat, in-home care and a deteriorating dam. 

In the 10th episode of Searchlight Report, reporter and host Meghan O’Brien has interviews from the streets of Pierre during a No Kings protest against the Trump administration. She also explains what new voters in South Dakota will need to know about proving their citizenship for the upcoming election. Reporter Makenzie Huber spoke with a state lawmaker about what was neglected in this year’s legislative session. Plus, “a South Dakotan everyone can be proud of.”