The Dakota Scout, a journalist‑owned newspaper serving Sioux Falls and the surrounding region, will transition its online publishing platform from Substack to Beehiiv on the evening of Monday, Aug. 24. The change marks the first major technology shift for the outlet since its launch in September 2022.
Why the move matters locally
Founder and co‑publisher Joe Sneve explained that the newspaper has outgrown Substack’s capabilities. “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,” Sneve said. The Beehiiv platform will give The Scout greater control over its website design, reader data, and digital tools, allowing the newsroom to expand its online presence while maintaining its weekly print edition.
Impact on readers
For subscribers, the transition should be seamless. Paid subscribers will retain full access to all journalism, and free subscribers will continue receiving headlines and story excerpts. All existing accounts—both free and paid—will be migrated automatically, and paid readers will not need to re‑enter payment information. Email newsletters will still land in inboxes as before.
The first story on the new Beehiiv‑powered site is scheduled for 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Readers who do not see the email that morning should check spam or junk folders and move the message to the primary inbox to ensure future delivery.
Expanded digital coverage
While The Scout continues to publish a weekly print edition, most of its reporting now appears online between print cycles. Digital subscribers receive dozens of additional stories each week—breaking news, government and politics coverage, investigations, and other reporting focused on Sioux Falls and the broader South Dakota community. The platform shift is intended to support that growing digital operation and improve the overall reader experience.
Support and contact information
If readers encounter issues accessing their accounts after the migration, they can call 605‑271‑4586 or 605‑413‑3177, or request a phone call by emailing [email protected].
New subscriptions are $7 per month or $77 per year, providing full access to the newspaper’s online reporting, including stories that do not appear in the printed edition.
Original reporting: The Dakota Scout (Sioux Falls) — read the source article.
