Former South Dakota TV anchor Shad Olson faces trial for alleged domestic violence

Shad Olson, a former South Dakota television news anchor, is set to stand trial in June over allegations that he violently assaulted his longtime girlfriend in a drunken rage.
The incident, which took place in February last year at the woman’s home in Rapid City, has led to charges of simple assault-domestic violence, a Class 1 misdemeanor in South Dakota.
As per The New York Post, court documents detail that Olson, 52, allegedly grabbed his girlfriend by the throat, slammed her to the ground multiple times, and chased her barefoot out of the house. According to an affidavit of probable cause, he repeatedly called her a “crazy b—h” and attacked her as many as five times.
The victim told authorities she was lucky to have landed on a carpeted floor, as it likely prevented broken bones. She further claimed that Olson had assaulted her on previous occasions, particularly when he drank heavily and became distressed over political issues.
"Shad is stressed over politics and it makes him drink," she allegedly told investigators. She also said, “She has been going through this for eight years and thought she was going to die.”
During the attack, Olson reportedly lifted her by the throat, saying, “You made me do this,” before shaking her with her feet off the ground. She eventually escaped to a neighbor’s house, where law enforcement was called.
Olson was arrested but later released on a $5,000 bail posted by Jodie Frye, a former legislative candidate, New York Post reported.
Initially charged with aggravated assault-domestic violence, a felony, Olson saw the charge dismissed by the Meade County State’s Attorney’s Office in November 2024 for unspecified reasons. However, the lesser misdemeanor charge remained, leading to a scheduled jury trial on June 5. Olson had initially considered a plea agreement but later withdrew, choosing to contest the case in court.
Olson began his journalism career in 2000 as a reporter and anchor for KOTA Territory News, an ABC affiliate in Rapid City. His career faced controversy in 2010 when he was suspended for delivering a speech at a Tea Party rally, raising concerns over journalism ethics.
He resigned soon after and later worked for KNBN NewsCenter 1, an NBC-affiliated station. Olson also served as campaign counsel for Republican Neal Tapio’s unsuccessful 2018 congressional bid.