Signs are pointing to South Dakota having more serious talks about protecting the state's waterways from agriculture runoff. That has conservationists feeling hopeful, even with political complications. The legislature's Executive Board received a water quality update last week. For rivers and streams, nearly 80 percent of the stretches evaluated don't support one or more of their beneficial uses, like swimming or fishing.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - Recent survey data from the Mid-America region indicates the economy is navigating significant financial pressures, particularly in the agricultural sector. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI), which tracks the farm-dependent economy across a 10-state region, fell to its lowest level since May 2020 in October 2025. This contraction is fueled by farmland prices sinking below growth-neutral levels and a multi-year decline in farm equipment

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a proposed nationwide settlement with Lowe’s Home Centers LLC, a subsidiary of Lowe’s Companies Inc., to resolve alleged violations of the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - High school entrepreneurs from Watertown and the surrounding region have achieved notable success in the 2025 BIG Idea Competition, with students from Webster, Groton, and Northwestern High Schools securing victories in the prestigious special categories.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - In an effort to encourage safe driving habits and enhance public safety during the holiday season, the South Dakota Highway Patrol has announced that sobriety checkpoints will be conducted across 15 counties throughout December.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown Lions Club has announced a new partnership with Professional Hearing Services to establish "SD Hears," a program designed to provide hearing assistance to local and area residents facing financial barriers to care.

Northeast Radio SD News – Claire City, SD - A single-vehicle crash one mile east of Claire City, South Dakota, on Sunday evening resulted in the death of one man and serious injuries to another.

Northeast Radio SD News - Milbank, SD - The Grant County Development Corporation (GCDC) has officially launched the first capital campaign in its over 40-year history, seeking to raise $1.5 million to address key community and economic development priorities in Grant County.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) responded to a two-vehicle collision late Monday evening at the intersection of 15th Avenue and 29th Street SE.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown Planning Commission has initiated a review of the city’s zoning ordinance that could lead to allowing "service stations for motor vehicles" (commonly known as gas stations or C-stores) as a permitted use within the I-1 Light Industrial District.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The 2026 Watertown Area Snow Queen Festival culminated Sunday evening with a grand coronation at the Goss Opera House, where high school senior Emily Jensen was crowned the new Senior Snow Queen. The festival, which featured the theme “Enchanted Forest,” celebrated the community involvement and leadership potential of young women across the Watertown area.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Glacial Lakes Humane Society has moved a step closer to building a new facility after the Watertown Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Northeast Radio SD News – Lake Norden, SD - The Hamlin County Sheriff's Office stopped two vehicles engaged in street racing Saturday evening, with drivers recorded traveling at speeds over 100 miles per hour.

Northeast Radio SD News - Iroquois, SD - A Saturday night shooting incident at a home in Iroquois resulted in one man being injured and another being arrested, according to a release from South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Emergency crews responded to a serious incident Monday morning after a vehicle reportedly drove into a pond and became fully submerged. On Monday, November 24, 2025, at approximately 9:52 AM, the Watertown Police Department, Watertown Fire Rescue, Codington County Emergency Management, and Codington County Search and Rescue were dispatched to the area of the 200 block of Challenger Way Southeast.

Northeast Radio SD News – Lake Norden, SD - Two juveniles sustained no injuries following a single-vehicle crash late Saturday night in rural Hamlin County. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, at approximately 10:21 p.m., the Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a crash site on 194th Street, about a quarter-mile east of 447th Street, near Lake Norden. The Lake Norden Fire Department and Lake Norden Ambulance were also dispatched to the scene.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Codington County Highway Superintendent, Randy Falvey, presented updates on ongoing projects, winter readiness, and new equipment rental rates during the County Commission meeting last Tuesday.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - A California man has been sentenced to 33 years in federal prison for leading a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking and money laundering organization operating between California and South Dakota.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced the creation of a new Advisory Task Force Committee on Open Meetings Laws, which will convene for its first meeting on Tuesday, November 25, in Pierre.

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) Board of Directors has approved three new strategic initiatives to support nonprofit organizations across the state. Beginning in January 2026, the foundation will open funding opportunities focused on Child Wellbeing, Housing, and Workforce Development.