This Northeast Radio SD newscast, aired on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, covers several local developments in Watertown, South Dakota, as well as a legislative visit.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Rotary Club has announced the recipients of its 2026 Rotary Scholarships, awarding five local students $1,000 each for their essay submissions and commitment to academic excellence and service.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - As the nation marks National Travel and Tourism Week (May 3–9, 2026), leaders from the Tourism Coalition of South Dakota and Visit Watertown gathered Tuesday to highlight the staggering economic contributions of the visitor industry. With a record $5.1 billion in visitor spending recorded in 2025, the industry has cemented its status as the state’s second-largest economic driver.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Arrow Booster Club, managed through the Arrow Education Foundation, has announced a $25,000 contribution to support construction of the new Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex for the Watertown School District.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds returned to Watertown on Tuesday to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for a new $28 million Army National Guard vehicle maintenance shop. While funding for the project was previously secured as part of a larger $406 million federal investment in South Dakota’s defense infrastructure, the groundbreaking marks the start of a critical upgrade to the state’s National Guard capabilities.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Baseball Association (WBA) set a new fundraising record Friday night, bringing in $34,000 during the 2026 Hall of Fame First Pitch Outing at Second Street Station. The annual banquet celebrated the community’s baseball heritage while generating crucial support for local athletes.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - State leaders, industry partners, and students gathered Tuesday, May 5, 2026, for the 24th Annual Governor’s Luncheon at Lake Area Technical College (LATC). This cornerstone event highlighted the institution’s pivotal role in shaping South Dakota’s workforce and economic future. The event served as both a celebration of recent milestones and a roadmap for ambitious campus expansions to address critical national labor shortages.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Downtown Watertown Collective has announced the hiring of Raina Carter as the organization’s first-ever Downtown Director, marking a new chapter in coordinated efforts to strengthen and enhance the city’s historic downtown district.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Watertown Fire Rescue responded Monday evening to a garage fire at the intersection of 2nd Street and 6th Avenue SE, arriving to find smoke coming from a detached single‑stall structure.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In a wide-ranging interview with Northeast Radio SD on Monday, May 4, 2026, U.S. Representative and gubernatorial candidate Dusty Johnson laid out a blunt assessment of the challenges facing South Dakota, from the halls of Congress to the local tax burden in Watertown.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council approved Resolution 26‑17, establishing a Special Disposal Incentive Program aimed at encouraging infill housing and redevelopment by offering a 50% credit on landfill disposal fees toward a future building permit.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council approved Resolution 26‑16, offering formal support for High Five Development LLC as the company seeks financial assistance from the South Dakota Housing and Development Authority for Phase II of the Prairie Haven development.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council approved Resolution 26‑15, a replat of the East Point Addition, allowing the property owner to subdivide land for sale despite the area lacking access to public sanitary sewer.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council approved both the annexation and commercial zoning of Lot 1 of Berven’s Addition, a 10‑acre property along Highway 212 that borders city limits on three sides.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council approved a zoning change Monday night for a portion of the Prairie Hills Development, shifting the property from C‑2 Local Commercial District to R‑2 Single Family Attached Residential District to support new twin‑home construction.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council moved through a lengthy series of alcohol‑related public hearings Monday night, addressing four renewal applications tied to alcohol sales violations, two new license applications, and two license transfers at Stony Point. While all items were ultimately approved, several drew testimony and clarification from business representatives and city officials.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council held a first reading Monday night on a zoning text amendment aimed at simplifying rules for accessory structures and deck replacements.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council reviewed a first reading of an ordinance amendment designed to fix fence‑height issues affecting homeowners with double‑frontage lots.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council held a first reading Monday night on an ordinance that would shift approval authority for several business licenses from the council to the city manager or a designated staff member.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council unanimously approved a $50,986 change order for the 5th Avenue North reconstruction project, allowing the contractor to move into Phase 2 early and accelerate the overall timeline by roughly two months.