South Australia Digest — local news from South Australia

Small businesses in regional Australia are struggling to stay afloat as rising costs and changes to card surcharge payments loom large. Clothing shop owner Francene Martin says she feels "constant pressure" from mega competitors like Amazon, Temu and Shein.

Despite a massive population boom in Mount Barker, historic main street retailers are struggling against rising overheads and tight household budgets. While some hospitality venues are thriving, boutique owners warn that independent shops could soon vanish without local support.

Dozens of couples have been left in limbo following the sudden shutdown of Ondeen, a picturesque wedding venue in Verdun. The closure has sparked a tense legal battle between the business owners and the property landlord.

Polling officials who offered to work at the recent state election were ignored by the South Australian Electoral Commission (ECSA), despite having previous experience. The ECSA is facing scrutiny over its handling of the election, which saw various issues before, during, and after polling day.

A Pooraka property identified as the Descendants outlawed motorcycle gang clubhouse has been declared a "prescribed place" by the South Australian government. Members who attempt to enter the site now face up to three years in prison under the new crackdown.

A bitter funding standoff between state and federal ministers has left public schools billions of dollars short of minimum standards. As politicians debate the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, disadvantaged schools continue to ration critical opportunities for their students.

A country football league has distanced itself from comments made at a recent awards event, where the master of ceremonies joked about the Sydney Swans scandal. The league has described the comments as "insensitive" and "unacceptable".

South Australia's police commissioner is calling for tougher penalties for those who buy illicit tobacco products, in an effort to crack down on the black market trade. The commissioner believes that penalising people caught buying illegal cigarettes could help to "kill off the market".

A Port Augusta early learning centre has been closed for two weeks after a child with allergies was hospitalised due to being served food they shouldn't have been served. The Education Standards Board found the provider had contravened its responsibility to protect children from harm and hazards.