Searchlight Report
Claim This Podcastby Meghan O’Brien
Podcast Overview
<p>Reporter and host Meghan O’Brien works with other South Dakota Searchlight journalists to take listeners inside politics and policy in The Mount Rushmore State, including the annual legislative session.</p>
Language
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Publishing Since
1/22/2026
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Recent Episodes
June 12, 2026
The ‘fatal error’ in the Republican governor primary campaign, and a look ahead to the runoff
Republican political commentator Pat Powers has been writing about South Dakota campaigns for more than 20 years on his <a href="https://dakotawarcollege.com/">South Dakota War College</a> blog. He joins Searchlight Report host Meghan O’Brien to break down what he calls “the fatal error” in the race for the Republican nomination for governor. After four Republicans sought their party’s nomination, none succeeded in getting the 35% needed to win outright. Instead, the top two candidates — Gov. Larry Rhoden and businessman Toby Doeden — will face each other in the state’s first runoff election for a statewide office. Advance voting for the runoff is underway, voter registration is open until July 13 and the runoff election is July 28. The winner will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in November. To learn more about the top two Republican candidates, check out our prior episodes on <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/podcasts/ep-16-we-owe-it-to-society-to-rehabilitate-inmates-gov-rhoden-says-amid-campaign-debates-about-prison/">Rhoden</a> and <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/podcasts/ep-15-how-governor-candidate-toby-doeden-says-hell-phase-out-property-taxes/">Doeden</a>.
June 5, 2026
Previewing South Dakota’s first-ever statewide runoff election with journalist Kevin Woster
Longtime South Dakota journalist and Searchlight commentary writer <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/author/kevinwoster/">Kevin Woster</a> joins Searchlight Report host Meghan O’Brien to discuss the race for South Dakota’s Republican nomination for governor. The race is headed for South Dakota’s first-ever top two runoff in a statewide contest. No candidate reached the 35% of voters needed to secure a win Tuesday night. Advance voting for the runoff will begin June 10. Voter registration is open until July 13. The runoff election is July 28. The winner will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in November. To learn more about the top two Republican candidates, check out our prior episodes on <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/podcasts/ep-16-we-owe-it-to-society-to-rehabilitate-inmates-gov-rhoden-says-amid-campaign-debates-about-prison/">Gov. Larry Rhoden</a> and <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/podcasts/ep-15-how-governor-candidate-toby-doeden-says-hell-phase-out-property-taxes/">businessman Toby Doeden</a>. You can read <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/06/03/votes-that-cost-johnson-in-the-primary-will-stand-up-well-to-the-scrutiny-of-history/">Woster's commentary</a> on the four-candidate race now at <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com">southdakotasearchlight.com</a>.
May 28, 2026
What South Dakotans need to know about new laws and their rights before they vote in the primary election
In this episode of Searchlight Report, host and reporter Meghan O’Brien talks with Samantha Chapman of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota about the things voters need to know for the primary election: why they might have something to vote on even if they think they don’t, what to do when their rights are questioned, what to know about new laws regarding citizenship, why it’s smart to bring a sample ballot, and more. The Republican nominations for governor and U.S. House and Senate are all up for grabs, and many voters will have other items on their ballot such as legislative primaries and races for city, school and county offices. The primary election is Tuesday, June 2. Voters can use the secretary of state’s <a href="https://vip.sdsos.gov/VIPLogin.aspx">Voter Information Portal</a> to find their polling place and view a sample ballot. Voters can also track their absentee ballot through the portal. More information is available in South Dakota Searchlight’s <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guides/2026-primary-election/">Voter Guide</a>.
21 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Searchlight Report?
<p>Reporter and host Meghan O’Brien works with other South Dakota Searchlight journalists to take listeners inside politics and policy in The Mount Rushmore State, including the annual legislative session.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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