Jonathan Ellis
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Editor of @nytimes’s The Upshot. Previously: @nytsports, @nytpolitics, @nytclimate, @mashable, @priceisright trip winner.
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Articles by Jonathan Ellis
A microexon regulatory code reveals autism-linked genetic variation
Abstract Neuronal microexons are a highly conserved class of alternative splicing events enriched in genes with critical functions in nervous system biology1,2. Microexon splicing is often disrupted in the brains of autistic individuals, and mice with microexon deficiencies display autism-like phenotypes1,3,4. However, the full landscape of microexons is not known, and the impact of genetic variation on these exons has not been systematically investigated.
Vermillion Settles Lawsuit With Former Police Officer
The City of Vermillion has settled a lawsuit brought by a former female police officer who alleged she was subjected to sexual harassment by fellow officers. The city agreed to pay Norma Probst $175,000 to resolve the suit. In a statement to The Dakota Scout, Vermillion Police Chief Crystal Brady said the settlement closed the matter and did not constitute an admission of fault by either party.
Vermillion Settles Lawsuit With Former Police Officer
VERMILLION — The City of Vermillion has settled a lawsuit brought by a former female police officer who alleged she was subjected to sexual harassment by fellow officers. The city agreed to pay Norma Probst $175,000 to resolve the suit. In a statement to The Dakota Scout, Vermillion Police Chief Crystal Brady said the settlement closed the matter and did not constitute an admission of fault by either party.
AG argues plaintiffs lack standing in proof of citizenship voting lawsuit
A voter registration group and a Sioux Falls man do not have standing to challenge a state law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office argues in court filings. The League of Women Voters and Sioux Falls resident Jaysen Hill challenged parts of the new law that went into effect earlier this year after the Legislature passed Senate Bill 175.
National debt drives GOP U.S. Senate challenge
When Justin McNeal’s attempt at a congressional run in 2024 fell short, the South Dakota GOP blocked his ability to collect signatures to make the ballot. That’s not the case this year. The West River Republican will appear on the June 2 primary ballot. And though he now has eyes on the U.S. Senate, his motivation for running remains the same. “My reason has not changed from two years ago when I first looked into politics,” he said.
Medal of Honor to be awarded to SD man who downed Soviet pilots
EDITOR’S NOTE: This Dakota Scout story was published in the Black Hills Pioneer Feb. 10, days after President Donald Trump announced he would present the Medal of Honor to Royce Williams. South Dakota native who shot down several Soviet fighter jets will be awarded the Medal of Honor by President Donald Trump. kAm#@J46 (:==:2>D’ 6?8286>6?E H:E9 E96 $@G:6ED @44FCC65 5FC:?8 E96 z@C62? (2C[ 2?5 E@ <66A E6?D:@?D 36EH66?
Lawmakers kill bid to entice data centers to South Dakota with tax exemptions
Hyperscale data centers will not be exempt from sales taxes in South Dakota following the defeat of a bill Wednesday morning that would have granted them 50 years of exemptions. House Bill 1005 would have put the state in line with about 40 other states that don’t tax the hardware and software used by large-scale data centers. Supporters of exempting data centers argue they require as much as $1 billion to $2 billion in investment.
Man Aquitted in Murder Case Sues Watertown, Attorney General, and State
{KXLG, Watertown, SD}A man who was jailed for nearly four years before being found not guilty of a grisly murder has filed suit against the city of Watertown and state officials, alleging he was maliciously prosecuted.
Standoff continues as school accountability board rejects lawmakers’ penalty suggestions Original
A school accountability board on Monday rejected a legislative committee’s earlier decision to waive penalties for schools that had too much cash saved up, prolonging a standoff that board members don’t yet know how to resolve. In November, the South Dakota School Finance Accountability Board recommended partial waivers for the Frederick Area and Miller school districts, both with fiscal penalties of 10% of the districts’ excess cash balances. The balances are limited by state law.
Federal suit filed against Brookings School District
The Brookings School District has filed court papers denying it discriminated against an autistic student left off a school dance team. Education officials in Brookings say a decision to keep a student with disruptive behavior off the hip hop dance squad was not discriminatory.
State budget chief urges close look at schools with excess cash as property tax complaints continue
South Dakota’s top state budget official is urging a close look at cash balances in some school districts as the governor and lawmakers consider ideas for property tax relief during the legislative session that begins next month. Jim Terwilliger is the commissioner of the Bureau of Finance and Management and a member of the School Finance Accountability Board. He said the board should not condone excess school cash balances at a time when homeowners are complaining about high property taxes.
Rapid City policing agencies target ‘diet weed’ with compliance checks Original
Rapid City has conducted what sources in law enforcement and government say could be one of the first compliance checks for hemp-based intoxicants since a South Dakota law banning their sale took effect a little over a year ago. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department and Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office partnered on the operation.
Fiscal responsibility or neglect of state priorities: Surplus sparks debate about budget cuts Original
Now that South Dakota has finished its fiscal year with a $63 million surplus, some Democrats and people affected by budget cuts are criticizing the state’s Republican administration and legislative majority for slashing spending too aggressively. Falling sales tax revenues and rising Medicaid obligations drove lawmakers to enact targeted spending reductions in the fiscal year 2026 budget they adopted during the legislative session that ended in March.
Federal changes to food assistance will cost South Dakota $5 million annually Original
Federal changes to a food assistance program will cost South Dakota $5 million starting next fiscal year, according to the state Bureau of Finance and Management. The situation “could be much worse,” said state Department of Social Services Secretary Matt Althoff, given that the estimate is significantly lower than costs anticipated in other states.
New processing centers raise hopes for South Dakota hemp, tempered by challenges Original
WINFRED — Ken Meyer’s boots imprint the fine layer of dust settled over the concrete floor as he walks through South Dakota’s first industrial hemp processing facility. It’s loud. Fans whirl and machinery grinds. Strips of sunlight cut through the haze. Piles of dry hemp stalks line one wall. Meyer gestures toward a forklift feeding one of the piles into an industrial contraption. On one side of the machine, fiber pours out in tangled ribbons.
Rounds wins Trump endorsement after playing deal-making role in rescinding public media funds
President Donald Trump issued a reelection endorsement Monday for South Dakota’s U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, days after Rounds helped pass Trump’s cancellation of previously approved funds for public broadcasting and foreign aid. Rounds, a Republican former governor, is serving his second term in the U.S. Senate. He’s up for reelection next year.
Republican candidate spends $187,000 on TV ads so far, a year before SD’s primary election
South Dakota Republican governor candidate Toby Doeden spent about $187,000 on broadcast television ads in the first month after his campaign announcement, one year before the state’s Republican primary election. Candidates for statewide offices in South Dakota don’t face a state campaign finance disclosure deadline until January. But Federal Communications Commission rules require stations that use public airwaves to disclose details of political ad buys.
Exporting South Dakota to Mexico, demystifying Mobridge, northern border jumping & the trade turnaround
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -54:39 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Did you miss last week’s episode of The Scouting Report?
South Dakota leads U.S. hemp industry, though USDA report shows Texas rapidly gaining ground Original
South Dakota continued to expand its industrial hemp footprint in 2024 as Texas quickly gained ground, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Hemp Report . As defined in the 2018 Farm Bill, the term “hemp” is a cannabis plant with a no more than 0.3% concentration of the chemical that results in a high, known as THC. According to the report, which was released on Thursday, South Dakota farmers planted 3,900 acres of hemp – a 22% increase from 2023.
Longtime City Hall critic makes at least third run at Sioux Falls mayor office
David Zokaites is once again running for mayor of Sioux Falls — if the perpetual candidate ever stopped seeking public office. A familiar move for the longtime local government observer and perennial municipal office seeker, the 63-year-old citizen activist has initiated yet another mayoral campaign, this time ahead of the upcoming 2026 contest.
South Dakota turned to paraprofessionals to attack a teacher shortage, and hundreds responded Original
Jaimie Bartmann planned to quit her job in education. She loved being a paraprofessional in the Montrose School District in southeastern South Dakota, but after nine years assisting teachers and students, she wanted to make a bigger impact. “I felt limited,” Bartmann said. “A family trusts you with their child — whether you’re a paraprofessional or a teacher. But as a ‘para,’ you only assist them.
Sioux Falls business owner and former state trooper announces Democratic bid for U.S. Senate Original
Julian Beaudion, a small-business owner and former state trooper from Sioux Falls, announced Thursday that he is seeking South Dakota’s Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Mike Rounds. “This campaign isn’t about me — it’s about securing a future where South Dakota’s working families don’t get left behind,” Beaudion said in a statement. He and his wife co-own Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen, and he also operates The Hub, a professional development program.
Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet arrests could lead to deportations
April 10, 2025 By Jonathan Ellis, The Dakota Scout Three people connected to Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet face potential deportation after their arrest Tuesday on charges of harboring illegal workers. Hui Weng, Min Lin and Jin Ju Pan were denied release by Federal Magistrate Judge Veronica Duffy at their first appearance Wednesday. The government asked for their detention until trial because they pose a flight risk.
APPG on Immigration Detention
We are delighted that recently Parliamentarians held a meeting to re-establish the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Immigration Detention. Following a vote by the membership, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (Labour) was elected as the APPG’s new Chair, and Rt Hon. the Lord Garnier KC (Conservative), Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat) and Mohammad Yasin MP as its officers. Medical Justice was re-elected as the APPG’s secretariat.
A sweet surprise: Quadruplet set of calves born on northeast South Dakota ranch
VEBLEN, S.D. — Mike Stavick has spent his whole life in the cattle business after buying his first cow when he was in the seventh grade in 1981. But, the night of Feb. 4, 2025, will go down as one of the most unforgettable days of his ranching career when one of his cows gave birth to a quadruplet set of calves — something that has a one in 700,000 chance of happening.
South Dakota governor's office wants court to reseal Noem credit card spending
PIERRE — A lawyer for Gov. Larry Rhoden is asking the Attorney General’s Office to rescind a legal agreement that the office made with The Dakota Scout this week to provide the paper with former Gov. Kristi Noem’s credit card records. The request also asks that the office force The Scout to return the records. Those records were obtained Feb.
A sweet surprise: Quadruplet set of calves born on northeast South Dakota ranch Original
VEBLEN, S.D. — Mike Stavick has spent his whole life in the cattle business after buying his first cow when he was in the seventh grade in 1981. But, the night of Feb. 4, 2025, will go down as one of the most unforgettable days of his ranching career when one of his cows gave birth to a quadruplet set of calves — something that has a one in 700,000 chance of happening.
GOP lawmaker lambasted over bill to defund Huron schools
PIERRE — A West River lawmaker who sponsored a bill to defund the Huron School District has created uproar at the Capitol and around the state, leading to widespread condemnation from his colleagues. Rep. Phil Jensen’s one-sentence House Bill 1224 would have prohibited the South Dakota Department of Education from forwarding any general fund state aid to Huron schools. Jensen, a Rapid City Republican, has served in both the House and Senate since 2009.
Gov. Kristi Noem wins confirmation to be Homeland Security secretary
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem will be the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, one of the most consequential roles in the federal government, following a favorable Senate vote Saturday. Noem won confirmation from the U.S. Senate with 59 votes to 34 against. The 53-year-old South Dakota governor survived the Senate’s power of advise and consent granted under the U.S. Constitution.
Eminent domain reform to be introduced in South Dakota Legislature
PIERRE, S.D. — Eminent domain and private property rights will be a key issue among lawmakers as the South Dakota Legislature begins the second week of session. Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, and Sen. Mark Lapka, R-Leola, are leading efforts in protecting landowners with House Bill 1052, which would prohibit the exercise of eminent domain for a pipeline that carries carbon dioxide. “We are laying the first brick in rebuilding the wall of property rights in South Dakota,” Lems said.
Eminent domain reform to be introduced in South Dakota Legislature Original
PIERRE, S.D. — Eminent domain and private property rights will be a key issue among lawmakers as the South Dakota Legislature begins the second week of session. Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, and Sen. Mark Lapka, R-Leola, are leading efforts in protecting landowners with House Bill 1052, which would prohibit the exercise of eminent domain for a pipeline that carries carbon dioxide. “We are laying the first brick in rebuilding the wall of property rights in South Dakota,” Lems said.
Biden commutes life sentence of Leonard Peltier, gunman who executed two FBI agents in South Dakota
President Joe Biden commuted the prison sentence of Leonard Peltier on Monday in his final hours in office, setting free the American Indian activist who was convicted of murdering two FBI agents in South Dakota. The decision to free Peltier from prison comes after decades of pressure — Peltier became an international cause célèbres among left-wing groups calling for his release. Now 80, Peltier was convicted in 1977 for the murders of FBI Special Agents Ronald Williams and Jack Coler.
Sanford Health muscling into Rapid City with purchase of hospital
Sanford Health is diving into the Rapid City health market in a big way, buying a luxury physician-owned hospital that has some of the highest quality-of-care metrics in the country. The move to acquire Black Hills Surgical Hospital will also come with its biggest asset — its doctors, who currently own 46 percent of the hospital, Sanford President and CEO Bill Gassen confirmed in an interview with The Dakota Scout.
Brookings Farmers Market extending into the winter season
BROOKINGS, S.D. — After wrapping up one of their most successful summers yet, the Brookings Farmers Market recently announced their decision to extend the market into the winter season. Starting Nov. 21, the market will open up in the Brookings Activity Center the first Saturday from 9-12pm and the third Thursday from 4-7 pm of each month from November to April.
Groups differ on South Dakota’s Referred Law 21 Original
BROOKINGS, S.D. — As the general election approaches in November, groups across South Dakota are working to get their message across on Referred Law 21, a ballot measure that will regulate carbon dioxide pipelines in the state. Originally called Senate Bill 201, the bill was passed by the South Dakota State legislature during the 2024 legislative session and signed by Gov.
Lalley: Walking and thinking about life in our times, in this city
I went for a long walk Sunday night, just as the sun set, far earlier than I was expecting. It was just one of those kind of nights. Still warm for late October, requiring just a light jacket. No wind, after what has seemed an endless string of blustery days. So many ash trees with a blue 5 spray painted on the trunk at eye level, predicting their doom by way of a little green bug. A couple generations ago we lost all the elm trees on the block where I grew up.
Client Alert: Tips to Preserve and Maximize Insurance Recovery for Your Business Following Hurricane Helene
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The immediate days following a major hurricane can be a stressful and confusing time for companies and businesses dealing with storm-related losses. It can also be expensive. Insurance will often help pay for these expenses or any loss or damage to property. The following tips may assist you and your business with preserving your insurance rights. Provide Notice Immediately. Notify your broker or insurance carrier directly of any property damage or interruption to your business.
By Stacy RC Berliner, Jonathan Ellis Verified, P. Wesley Lambert, Meagan R. Cyrus, Amanda M. Leffler
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Lexology
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From drought to floods: Soggy summer takes South Dakota to new extreme
Emergency management officials have shifted their focus from flooding in South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska to further south on the Missouri River, where more rain this week brought predictions of second crests. Flood concerns were being felt as far south as St. Louis as the Missouri River continues to carry runoff from record-setting storms in South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska, combined with more recent rains over Missouri.
Indexing all of Wikipedia, on a laptop
In November, Cohere released a dataset containing all of Wikipedia, chunked and embedded to vectors with their multilingual-v3 model. Computing this many embeddings yourself would cost in the neighborhood of $5000, so the public release of this dataset makes creating a semantic, vector-based index of Wikipedia practical for an individual for the first time. Here’s what we’re building: You can try searching the completed index on a public demo instance here.
Reprieve granted to Dell Rapids salvage owner, but axe could still fall
A rural Dell Rapids man has been given a reprieve after the Minnehaha County Commission voted this week to declare his property a public nuisance. Bernie Opland now has until June 3 to remove junk cars and other material from his property at 24635 470thAve. after getting in contact with the Minnehaha County Planning Department. Opland missed the meeting Tuesday in which the commission voted to declare his property a nuisance.
Lawmaker fails to garner support for adding anti-collusion language to state law
PIERRE — A bid to add language to state law that would forbid officials from colluding to steer government contracts failed Monday, with opponents arguing state law already prohibits rigging contracts. The bill, brought by Sioux Falls Republican Chris Karr, was a response to evidence that the contract awarded to the firm behind Gov. Kristi Noem’s Freedom Works Here campaign was preordained.
South Dakota kills legislation that would raise minimum age to marry from 16 to 18 Original
PIERRE — A 1930s-era law that sets the minimum age to be married at 16 in South Dakota will remain unchanged following a divided vote Monday that crossed party lines. The House State Affairs Committee voted 8-5 Monday, Jan. 29 to kill legislation that would have raised the minimum age of marriage to 18. Sponsored by Rep. Kadyn Wittman, the Sioux Falls Democrat called the legislation “crucial” to protecting minor girls from exploitation. From 2000 to 2020, 838 minors — ages 16 and 17 — were married.
The 3 Paradoxes of Cloud Native Platform Engineering
Cloud native computing has come to dominate enterprise IT for every organization that requires dynamic, flexible infrastructure at scale. Kubernetes and the rest of the cloud native ecosystem Kubernetes enable companies to build and deploy applications faster, more reliably and at a lower cost but can be complex and difficult to master. The promises of speed and scale may seem out of reach when development teams get caught up in the details.
National demonstration to Keep Campsfield Closed
We are keen to share news of the inaugural national demonstration to Keep Campsfield Closed, organised by the Coalition to Keep Campsfield Closed and Oxford Student Action for Refugees. The protest will take place at the site of the former Campsfield House IRC in Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxfordshire (OX5 1RE) on Saturday 25 November 2023 from midday.
Minnehaha County seeks legal action to remove restrictions on fair grounds property
Nov. 7, 2023 By Jonathan Ellis, The Dakota Scout Minnehaha County will pursue a civil action to determine whether there is legal authority to remove deed restrictions on land that was donated for the W.H. Lyon Fair Grounds. In a 4-0 vote Tuesday, the County Commission authorized county legal officials to seek the civil action. It was one of the main recommendations of a 15-member task force that studied the fair from May 2022 to May 2023, when the task force issued its final report.
Brook House Inquiry Report
Yesterday we saw the long awaited publication of the Brook House Inquiry Report, and what a damning indictment of the immigration detention system in the UK it is. Its findings are sobering and it makes a clear argument for change, most notably echoing our long standing calls for a 28 day time limit on immigration detention.
UNHCR publishes summary of two alternative projects
In addition to publishing their evaluation of the second Home Office Funded community based alternative to detention pilot project, they have also published a helpful summary of the two pilot projects. This summary includes the first pilot, run by Action Foundation, and the second pilot, run by the King’s Arms Project. The Home Office started these pilot projects in response to the recommendation in the report by Stephen Shaw back in 2018, and they had committed to four different pilot projects.
A humane alternative to detention
Recently the evaluation report of the second Home Office funded alternative to detention pilot project was published. A two-year pilot ran by King’s Arms Project, in Bedfordshire, demonstrates a cost-effective and more humane alternative to detention centres. Being two-thirds cheaper than a detention centre. With 80% of clients being offered viable options to regularise their immigration status.
New National Refugee Strategy
Our friends at the Refugee Council recently published their ambitious new national refugee strategy for the UK. It sets out a coherent plan to tackle channel crossings and create a fair and functioning asylum system that delivers order and compassion. Over the last few months we have heard a number of government supporting MPs say that there is no alternative to the government’s current plans on asylum. The fact is that there are alternatives that are both practical and compassionate.
UNHCR statement on 'Illegal Migration Bill'
The Government’s Refugee Ban Bill, the so-called ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ was passed by Parliament this week. The UNHCR put out a very strong statement in response, and we were keen to re-produce it in full.
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