Recent news and analysis on South Dakota

Latest news, breaking stories, and expert analysis on South Dakota. Stay informed with comprehensive coverage from trusted sources.

• Judge blocks South Dakota law criminalizing abortion pill ads

  A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking South Dakota from enforcing its law criminalizing abortion pill advertising, ruling the state failed to prove the law meets strict scrutiny. The lawsuit was filed by Nancy Turbak Berry and Mayday Health, which advertised abortion pills via gas station placards in December 2025.

• South Dakota parole grants drop 17%, returns to prison spike

  Discretionary parole grants in South Dakota fell 17% over two years, while returns to prison for parolees surged after Governor Rhoden's crackdown. In May 2025, 237 parolees were returned, up from 87 monthly before the crackdown. The policy followed a police shooting by a parolee.