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Editor’s note: Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote this open letter to local clergy from a jail cell in Brimingham, Alabama in 1963. He began writing it in the margins of a newspaper — the only paper he had access to at the time. It is presented here slightly abridged from its’ original 7,000 words.

No one was injured in fire on Faculty Drive Saturday

BHS Principal named; Library book club offered; Former SDSU coach indicted and more

Socks help prevent numerous ailments

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings alongside that of the Apostle Paul

Established Constitutional doctrines recognize limitations on the power of the US president even when inherent powers are asserted in the area of foreign affairs

January 21, 2026

Event benefits Habitat for Humanity

Author V.J. Smith Introduces New Book Featuring “The Greatest Generation”

Also shows most diets lacking in fiber, vitamins

Governor pledges transparency in funding decisions that lawmakers might vote to take away
Legislators to debate bill that would remove governor’s sole authority over Future Fund

Ranger Roundup – January 21, 2026

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BPD Chief Drake will do two jobs amid campus shakeup

On being a neighbor and sharing tea

Ranger Roundup – January 14, 2026

With a slate of hot-button policy issues on the table and limited funding to work with, state Sen. Jim Mehlhaff of Pierre said it is difficult to predict how the 2026 legislative session will play out in the Capitol this year.

Briefs from around the Brookings area

Contrary to popular belief, the upcoming South Dakota legislative session will be more than just a slugfest over property tax relief. Some of the bills that have already been filed show that in addition to deciding the fate of property taxes, lawmakers will also be revisiting some old topics.

Concern for our democracy, and Indivisible Rising Again

It is true that the text of our Constitution’s seven original articles and 27 amendments remain unchanged, but the Constitution is not self-executing.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what race you are running. What matters is that you are running your race.

More than 200 people showed up at the downtown post office on Friday night for a vigil for Renee Good, a woman killed in a confrontation with a masked Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis last week.

An ICE officer fatally shot a woman driving an SUV through her car window in south Minneapolis on Wednesday morning.

Roger DeGroot briefed Brookings Rotary members on the upcoming session in Pierre.

People planning to testify at legislative committee hearings during the 2026 South Dakota legislative session must pre-register

Republican governor candidate Dusty Johnson wants to give first-time homebuyers two years without property taxes

Donna Powers, a longtime resident of Brookings, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, at the age of 80. Funeral Services have been set for 10:30am Friday January 9, 2026 at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Faulkton, SD.

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Ranger Roundup for January 7, 2026

Three different programs to encourage improvements to downtown buildings and businesses will continue in 2026, the city of Brookings announced this week.

Dave Quam 77, of Brookings, SD passed away January 5, 2026, at the Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by his family after a short battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

On resolutions in the new year

Brookings Area United Way’s annual campaign is making its final push through the month of January.

Small fire at Prairie AquaTech put out with no injuries

Timothy Heaton appears in court on animal cruelty charges

Noelle Ira Stangle is the first baby born in Brookings County in 2026.

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Rangers have a strong showing across the board in league games

On being intentional in 2026

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The need for more and better housing persists throughout the state

More than just houses, Branch Creek means to create a neighborhood. A place for people to live in community with each other, a place for people who want to work here but can’t currently find housing and a place for people who simply want to live in Brookings.

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The Rangers girls swept three games in SDAHA play over the weekend.

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1927-2025

Pastor Mark Johnsen wants to focus this clergy article on how our faith should inform our view of this broader subject of immigration.

City Councilors voted unanimously to reject all bids for a proposed water project at Edgebrook Golf Course after they came in over budget.

A fire on Sunday afternoon off South Main in Brookings led to the likely destruction of a mobile home.

County Commission restores library funding

Homegrown chef’s new spot hopping busy to start

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First off, I need everyone to take several deep breaths.

Present company very much included.

BROOKINGS — The questions present themselves here in various orders, but circling back to: Who would write a piano piece that took 7.5 hours to play — and who would then, more than 80 years later, pick up that piece and not only record it, but insist on playing the entire thing live?

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The annual event, which currently is celebrating its tenth anniversary, has gone from a twinkle of an idea to a shining star in the Brookings holiday calendar.

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Howard James Sigaty passed away on Dec. 3, 2025 at the age of 78 after a long battle with leukemia and heart disease.

On being just and fearing not

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Bantam A team wins pair at home

New Beginnings Birth Center at Brookings Health System is enhancing local maternity care by launching the TeamBirth program, becoming the first maternity unit in South Dakota to implement the nationally recognized initiative

Letters to the editor

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Religion column

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The initial proposed site for a new police station in Brookings, on the southwest corner of the intersection of Medary Avenue and Fifth Street.

Brookings service industry volunteers planning free community dinner for Dec. 20

On courage and wisdom in the face of heartache.

Sean Leary, a stand-up comic who was born and raised in Brookings and who organizes the comedy nights at Wooden Legs in town, will appear on a new showcase for comedians on CBS next week.

With SNAP benefits in limbo, local groups step up to feed the hungry.