News Briefs - August 26, 2026

Arrest made for burglary
The Brookings County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Brookings woman after a report of a burglary in White.

Last Wednesday morning, the sheriff’s office was requested to a residence at the 100 block of South Hooker Avenue in White regarding an unknown person inside of a home. The homeowner was able to lock the suspect in the garage until deputies arrived.

Deputies conducted an investigation at the home and found there were numerous items removed from the home as well as items left behind by the unwanted person.

Tabetha Paulsen, 45 of Brookings, was arrested for First Degree Burglary, Ingestion of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Petty Theft 2nd Degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Simple Assault and was placed on a probation hold.

Paulsen’s bond is set at $10,000 and is being held at the Brookings County Detention Center.

Scout changes websites
SIOUX FALLS — The Dakota Scout is changing how it delivers its journalism online.

The Sioux Falls-based newspaper, launched in Sept. 2022 as a journalist-owned, locally operated and printed news organization, is moving its website and digital publishing operation from Substack.

The switch happened Aug. 24. It’s the first platform shift for The Scout since its launch four years ago, and it comes as the newspaper has grown beyond the capabilities of the platform it used to establish its digital operation.

For readers, the change should be largely seamless.

The Scout’s website will move to a redesigned version of TheDakotaScout.com, while readers who receive Scout stories by email will continue receiving them in their inbox. Paid subscribers will retain full access to the newspaper’s journalism, and free subscribers will continue receiving headlines and story excerpts.

Existing subscribers — both free and paid — will be migrated automatically, and paid subscribers will not need to re-enter payment information.

“Substack has been a wonderful partner since The Scout’s first issue, but the newsroom has reached the point where a new platform can better serve the newspaper and our growing subscriber base,” said Joe Sneve, who co-founded The Scout with fellow journalist Jonathan Ellis.
Sneve said the move to will give The Scout greater control over its digital operation while opening new opportunities for the newspaper to improve the experience for readers and build its audience.

“Growing pains are a good problem, and we’ve been planning this transition for months so moving our website will be as seamless as possible for our faithful readers,” Sneve said.
— Dakota Scout

Growth Alliance moves downtown
BROOKINGS — The Brookings Regional Growth Alliance is moving to a new downtown location at 416 3rd Street on August 28. The space will better support the organization’s continued growth while keeping its team close and accessible to the businesses, community members, and visitors it serves.

The Growth Alliance office will be closed Friday, August 28, and Monday, August 31, as the team completes the move. The office will reopen at its new location following the move.

Previously home to Office Peeps, the new space will provide additional room and improved functionality for the Growth Alliance team. Its downtown location will also make the organization easily accessible to businesses, community members, visitors, and others seeking information, connections, or support related to the Brookings region.

“Moving to 416 3rd Street gives us the space and flexibility we need as our organization continues to grow and our work expands,” said Lori Frederick, CEO of the Growth Alliance. “We’re excited to be in downtown Brookings, creating a space where businesses, community members, and partners can easily connect with our team.”

The project was made possible in part through a grant from Vision Brookings, supporting improvements to the space and helping strengthen the Growth Alliance’s capacity to advance economic development in the Brookings region.

The new office will also include public restrooms, made possible through the AARP Community Challenge Grant, with additional funding from the City of Brookings for the restroom build-out as part of the Downtown Master Plan. The restrooms will provide an additional amenity for residents and visitors in the downtown area.

The building will also feature a training room available for Growth Alliance members to reserve for meetings, trainings, workshops, and other professional gatherings, providing members with an additional space to connect, learn, and collaborate.

The move represents another step in the Growth Alliance’s efforts to strengthen its ability to serve the Brookings region following the consolidation of Brookings’ economic development, chamber, tourism, and downtown organizations in January 2026.

The Growth Alliance looks forward to welcoming businesses, partners, community members, and visitors to its new downtown home. Additional details about a future ribbon cutting and community event will be shared as plans are finalized, providing an opportunity for the community to tour the new space and celebrate this next chapter.

Ahlers, Gronli at Dems picnic
Democrat gubernatorial candidate Dan Ahlers and U.S. House candidate Nikki Gronli will be the keynote speakers at the Brookings County Democratic picnic on Sunday, August 30. The event is being held at the Brookings Activities Center, 320 5th Avenue, and starts at 530 pm. The event is open to the public.

Attendees are asked to bring a potluck item to share. Beverages and table service will be provided.
Other Democratic candidates who will also be speaking are: Blake Stevens, local District 07 House; Frank Kloucek, Public Utilities Commission; Terrence Davis, secretary of state; Margaret Kuipers, state treasurer; and Raeann Mettler, commissioner of school and public lands.

For further information, contact Brookings County Democrats vice-chair Lawrence Novotny, 605-691-9129.

Rotary hears about conservation
BROOKINGS — Kassidy Peters, development officer with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, addressed the Brookings Rotary Club regarding the organizations’ mission and impact across the region.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are dedicated to conserving pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through four core pillars: habitat improvement, public access, education, and conservation advocacy. With more than 400,000 members and partners nationwide, the organizations have built a powerful network, and South Dakota’s chapters rank among the strongest.

Peters opened with a sobering look at the state of North American grasslands. Since 1970, grasslands have declined by 53%, making them one of the most imperiled ecosystems on the planet. This means that 70% of the original grassland range is now gone, which has created a high urgency for conservation action. Consequences for wildlife have been severe: pheasant populations have dropped by 75%, Bobwhite Quail by 84%, and Eastern Meadowlarks have suffered significant losses as well.

Peters highlighted the PATH Program — Public Access to Habitat — launched in South Dakota in 2023 as a pilot program. Working alongside the existing Walk-In Area Program, PATH provides landowners with an additional financial incentive of up to $25 per acre in a one-time payment, typically structured on a 10-year contract. The results have been remarkable: what began with a goal of enrolling 10,000 acres per year has grown to more than 80,000 acres across 94 contracts in 38 of South Dakota’s 66 counties — all within just three years.

The program has also succeeded in opening previously landlocked public ground, creating new opportunities for hunters. Peters shared the story of a Kansas hunter who discovered the program through a podcast, made the drive to South Dakota, and has returned every year since. Notably, Brookings County does not yet have a PATH contract, and Peters encouraged any interested landowners in attendance to connect with her directly.

Peters stated that the economic case for conservation is equally compelling. According to a 2021 South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks report, out-of-state hunters generate $8.2 million in direct economic activity in the state, including $3.57 million in income-supporting jobs, $3.84 million in hunter equipment spending, and $4.46 million in trip-related spending at local restaurants and hotels.

While the official 2026 pheasant forecast from Pheasants Forever has not yet been released, early signs are encouraging. Cole Neibauer, the Brookings County Farm Bill Biologist, has indicated that birds are plentiful, and conditions in Brookings County look particularly strong. The past two years have already set consecutive records for pheasant populations, and a mild late winter combined with favorable spring conditions point toward another outstanding season.
— Brookings Rotary