SOUTH DAKOTA |
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South Dakota is a landlocked state in the North Central region of the United States. It is also part of the Great Plains. South Dakota is named after the Dakota Sioux tribe, which comprises a large portion of the population with nine reservations currently in the state and has historically dominated the territory. South Dakota is the 17th largest by area, but the 5th least populous, and the 5th least densely populated of the 50 United States.
Pierre is the state capital, and Sioux Falls, with a population of about 213,900, is South Dakota's most populous city. The state is bisected by the
Missouri River, dividing South Dakota into two geographically and socially distinct halves, known to residents as "East River" and "West River". South Dakota is bordered by North Dakota to the north, Minnesota to the east, Iowa to the southeast, Nebraska to the south, Wyoming to the west, and
Montana to the northwest. Humans have inhabited the area for several millennia, with the Sioux becoming dominant by the early 19th century. In the late 19th century, European-American settlement intensified after a gold rush in the Black Hills and the construction of railroads from the east. En-
croaching miners and settlers triggered a number of Indian wars, ending with the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. As the southern part of the former Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889, simultaneously with North Dakota. They are the 39th and 40th states admitted to the union; President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the statehood papers before signing them so that no one could tell which became a state first.
Pierre is the state capital, and Sioux Falls, with a population of about 213,900, is South Dakota's most populous city. The state is bisected by the
Missouri River, dividing South Dakota into two geographically and socially distinct halves, known to residents as "East River" and "West River". South Dakota is bordered by North Dakota to the north, Minnesota to the east, Iowa to the southeast, Nebraska to the south, Wyoming to the west, and
Montana to the northwest. Humans have inhabited the area for several millennia, with the Sioux becoming dominant by the early 19th century. In the late 19th century, European-American settlement intensified after a gold rush in the Black Hills and the construction of railroads from the east. En-
croaching miners and settlers triggered a number of Indian wars, ending with the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. As the southern part of the former Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889, simultaneously with North Dakota. They are the 39th and 40th states admitted to the union; President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the statehood papers before signing them so that no one could tell which became a state first.
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Gov. Kristi Noem budget includes $7M tax grab South Dakota retailers could take a financial hit as part of Gov. Kristi Noem’s plan to counter slumping tax revenues while standing up some new spending programs. While calling for more than $70 million in cuts to state spending during her annual budget address to lawmakers last month, the second-term Republican proposed doing away with a long-standing tax incentive program for retailers that remit sales tax to the state electronically. “This collections process is now normal business practice, and this incentive is no longer necessary,” Noem told the Legislature, saying the sales tax collection allowance was established in 2013 to motivate businesses to file their monthly sales tax bills using a then still-fledgling online remittance system. (The Dakota Scout 1/4/25) READMORE>>>>> Speculation about the qualities Lt. Gov. Rhoden might want in his replacement Gov. Kristi Noem is set to take over the Department of Homeland Security. Once confirmed, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden will serve the remainder of the term. Some are speculating what qualities Rhoden will want in the person to take over his job. An anti-abortion group formed to oppose constitutional Amendment G is dropping its lawsuit against the group bringing the initiative. South Dakota voters rejected Amendment G 59 to 41 percent earlier this month. (South Dakota Public Broadcasting 11/19/24) READ MORE>>>>> |
Sen. John Thune speaks at annual Reagan Bean Dinner in Fort Wayne
Thune is seeking to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as the party’s Senate leader, a post he has held since 2007. Thune’s chief opponent for the position is Texas Sen. John Cronyn. It’s a secret ballot, Thune said, but he has talked to incumbent Republicans and the party’s candidates about his candidacy. One of those candidates is Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., who is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Mike Braun, who is running for Indiana governor. “We’re not taking anything for granted, but we think (Banks) is going to win here and join us in the Senate,” Thune said. (Journal Gazette 10/10/24) READMORE>>>>>
Thune is seeking to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as the party’s Senate leader, a post he has held since 2007. Thune’s chief opponent for the position is Texas Sen. John Cronyn. It’s a secret ballot, Thune said, but he has talked to incumbent Republicans and the party’s candidates about his candidacy. One of those candidates is Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., who is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Mike Braun, who is running for Indiana governor. “We’re not taking anything for granted, but we think (Banks) is going to win here and join us in the Senate,” Thune said. (Journal Gazette 10/10/24) READMORE>>>>>
There is no easy answer in the debate over lithium mining — and either way is a difficult environmental trade-off
The 2024 South Dakota Legislature ultimately failed to pass a bill (HB 1043) which would have begun to regulate and tax lithium mining, which is seen as an emerging environmental threat in the Black Hills. The bill, which would have imposed modest 5 percent tax on net profits from lithium mining, passed the House but repeatedly failed to get the required two-thirds vote in the Senate, where the numbers were complicated by the cancer-related absence of Sen. Mike Diedrich and by Gov. Noem’s refusal to appoint a replacement for disgraced Sen. Jessica Castleberry while she awaited an advisory opinion from the South Dakota Supreme Court about what constitutes a conflict of interest for state legislators. (South Dakota Standard 3/23/24) READ MORE>>>>>
The 2024 South Dakota Legislature ultimately failed to pass a bill (HB 1043) which would have begun to regulate and tax lithium mining, which is seen as an emerging environmental threat in the Black Hills. The bill, which would have imposed modest 5 percent tax on net profits from lithium mining, passed the House but repeatedly failed to get the required two-thirds vote in the Senate, where the numbers were complicated by the cancer-related absence of Sen. Mike Diedrich and by Gov. Noem’s refusal to appoint a replacement for disgraced Sen. Jessica Castleberry while she awaited an advisory opinion from the South Dakota Supreme Court about what constitutes a conflict of interest for state legislators. (South Dakota Standard 3/23/24) READ MORE>>>>>
How South Dakotans Really Feel About Kristi Noem
Gov. Kristi Noem bet on herself and it paid off as she rose to the top of South Dakota politics. Noem’s confidence has been a hallmark of her career, as she won two terms in the state House of Representatives, four in the U.S. Congress and two as governor. She never walked away from a fight, and often rode toward them aboard her horse or motorcycle.And now that assured, combative nature has caused a possible career-ending blunder. Noem’s admission that she shot and killed a puppy and a goat—made in a soon-to-be released book—has made her the subject of derision and ridicule across the state, nation, and world. She has united Democrats and Republicans in rolling their eyes in amazement, and attacking her for her insensitivity and callous behavior. (Daily Beast 5/2/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Gov. Kristi Noem bet on herself and it paid off as she rose to the top of South Dakota politics. Noem’s confidence has been a hallmark of her career, as she won two terms in the state House of Representatives, four in the U.S. Congress and two as governor. She never walked away from a fight, and often rode toward them aboard her horse or motorcycle.And now that assured, combative nature has caused a possible career-ending blunder. Noem’s admission that she shot and killed a puppy and a goat—made in a soon-to-be released book—has made her the subject of derision and ridicule across the state, nation, and world. She has united Democrats and Republicans in rolling their eyes in amazement, and attacking her for her insensitivity and callous behavior. (Daily Beast 5/2/24) READ MORE>>>>>
SOUTH DAKOTA NEWS NOTES: January 26, 2024:
Kristi Noem Offers to Drive Greg Abbott More Razor Wire
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem offered to deliver razor wire via car to her Texas counterpart and fellow Republican, Greg Abbott, to use along the U.S. southern border amid Abbott's ongoing fight with the federal government on border control. Speaking with Fox News' Martha MacCallum on Thursday, Noem defended Abbott's use of razor wire and other barriers to fortify Texas' southern border along the Rio Grande. The Biden administration has argued that the barriers prevent federal Border Patrol agents from reaching migrants as they cross the river, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the federal government is allowed to remove the razor wire. (Kaitlyn Lewis/Newsweek) READ MORE>>>>>
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem offered to deliver razor wire via car to her Texas counterpart and fellow Republican, Greg Abbott, to use along the U.S. southern border amid Abbott's ongoing fight with the federal government on border control. Speaking with Fox News' Martha MacCallum on Thursday, Noem defended Abbott's use of razor wire and other barriers to fortify Texas' southern border along the Rio Grande. The Biden administration has argued that the barriers prevent federal Border Patrol agents from reaching migrants as they cross the river, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the federal government is allowed to remove the razor wire. (Kaitlyn Lewis/Newsweek) READ MORE>>>>>
“The courts have recognized the right to counsel is a pervasive right, because it impacts all other rights and our ability to assert those rights,” Sattizahn said. “South Dakota has had a very long tradition of recognizing the importance of counsel.” |
Bill to establish statewide oversight, funding for public defense passes House State Affairs Committee
The South Dakota House State Affairs Committee unanimously passed a bill Friday laying the groundwork for the state to begin to oversee and fund criminal public defense, a responsibility historically shouldered by counties. House Bill 1057 outlines the creation of a Commission on Indigent Legal Services and an Office of Indigent Legal Services. (Shalom Baer Gee/Rapid City Journal 1/20/24) READ MORE>>>>> |
Will Kristi Noem's proposed 4% increase in state aid to education increase teacher pay?
Gov. Kristi Noem has proposed a 4% increase in state aid to education for fiscal year 2025, which will affect teacher salaries and other parts of education in the 2024-2025 school year. Right now, state aid to education is at 7% for FY24. If the Legislature adopts the 4% increase in state aid to education Noem proposed this year, state aid to education will have increased more than 26% since she took office during FY19, she said in her budget address. (Morgan Matzen/Rapid City Journal 1/20/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Gov. Kristi Noem has proposed a 4% increase in state aid to education for fiscal year 2025, which will affect teacher salaries and other parts of education in the 2024-2025 school year. Right now, state aid to education is at 7% for FY24. If the Legislature adopts the 4% increase in state aid to education Noem proposed this year, state aid to education will have increased more than 26% since she took office during FY19, she said in her budget address. (Morgan Matzen/Rapid City Journal 1/20/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Trump’s violent talk shows signs of taking over Congress
“It’s not the route that I’d like to see any of us go,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). “I understand the reason why there was anger.” But he said “both individuals should have had a different approach to resolving it.” Rounds, who endorsed Sen. Tim Scott’s (R-S.C.) now-defunct presidential campaign because he liked its positive message, said “you’re seeing folks on both sides of the political spectrum being less respectful of other people.” (Alexander Bolton/The Hill 11/16/23) READ MORE>>>>>
“It’s not the route that I’d like to see any of us go,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). “I understand the reason why there was anger.” But he said “both individuals should have had a different approach to resolving it.” Rounds, who endorsed Sen. Tim Scott’s (R-S.C.) now-defunct presidential campaign because he liked its positive message, said “you’re seeing folks on both sides of the political spectrum being less respectful of other people.” (Alexander Bolton/The Hill 11/16/23) READ MORE>>>>>
Zorek Richards
April 5, 2023:
The 98th Session of the South Dakota Legislature wrapped up Monday with Veto Day. Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported: "Winner: Criminal Justice.' The state is funding the construction of two new prisons to ease overcrowding at the women’s facility in Pierre and the men’s facility in Sioux Falls. Construction on the women’s prison in Rapid City is slated to start in the summer. Meanwhile, the Department of Corrections will start the process to design and find the next location for the men’s penitentiary in the Sioux Falls area."
Yet the prison population of South Dakota is about twice that of North Dakota. Before they spend money to build a new prison, they might try using North Dakota as a template to reduce prison population to half of what it is now.
The Leader writes "Reducing the prison population by half should solve our short and long term prison problems. A rough calculation suggests that half the prison population would need half the space, half the staff and a lot less expense. This should be very attractive to fiscal conservatives.The prisons are currently managed by the Department of Corrections. The high numbers of people who return to our prison system suggests they are not correcting much."
The 98th Session of the South Dakota Legislature wrapped up Monday with Veto Day. Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported: "Winner: Criminal Justice.' The state is funding the construction of two new prisons to ease overcrowding at the women’s facility in Pierre and the men’s facility in Sioux Falls. Construction on the women’s prison in Rapid City is slated to start in the summer. Meanwhile, the Department of Corrections will start the process to design and find the next location for the men’s penitentiary in the Sioux Falls area."
Yet the prison population of South Dakota is about twice that of North Dakota. Before they spend money to build a new prison, they might try using North Dakota as a template to reduce prison population to half of what it is now.
The Leader writes "Reducing the prison population by half should solve our short and long term prison problems. A rough calculation suggests that half the prison population would need half the space, half the staff and a lot less expense. This should be very attractive to fiscal conservatives.The prisons are currently managed by the Department of Corrections. The high numbers of people who return to our prison system suggests they are not correcting much."
Feb 21, 2023: Aberdeen News: Gov. Kristi Noem's foreign ag bill dies in South Dakota Senate
Gov. Kristi Noem's foreign agriculture bill reached as far as the South Dakota Senate floor, and that's where it died.
Legislators killed the bill on a 11-23 vote on Tuesday, which means the state will have to rely on the current statute that's in place to restrict ag land purchases in South Dakota.
This follows more than half an hour of dialogue between from Senators, who went back and forth on the bill.
Gov. Kristi Noem's foreign agriculture bill reached as far as the South Dakota Senate floor, and that's where it died.
Legislators killed the bill on a 11-23 vote on Tuesday, which means the state will have to rely on the current statute that's in place to restrict ag land purchases in South Dakota.
This follows more than half an hour of dialogue between from Senators, who went back and forth on the bill.
Jan 26, 2023: Mitchell Republic: Proposed South Dakota grocery tax repeal passes first procedural hurdle, nursing some concerns
A cut to the state sales tax on food, the central promise of Gov. Kristi Noem’s campaign for a second term as South Dakota’s chief executive, has passed its first hurdle in the legislative process, emerging from the House Taxation committee by a 12-1 vote on Thursday, Jan. 26.
A cut to the state sales tax on food, the central promise of Gov. Kristi Noem’s campaign for a second term as South Dakota’s chief executive, has passed its first hurdle in the legislative process, emerging from the House Taxation committee by a 12-1 vote on Thursday, Jan. 26.
Dec 16, 2022: Dakota News Now: Ethics board dismisses Noem plane case, says law is unclear
South Dakota’s ethics board dismissed a complaint against Gov. Noem for using state government aircraft to attend events hosted by political organizations because state law does not define what is meant by “state business.”
South Dakota’s ethics board dismissed a complaint against Gov. Noem for using state government aircraft to attend events hosted by political organizations because state law does not define what is meant by “state business.”
Dec 16, 2022: Dakota News Now: Kristi Noem orders Health Department to terminate Transgender group contract
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem instructed the S.D. Department of Health to terminate their contract with The Transformation Project, which is a transgender activist group, according to The Daily Signal
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem instructed the S.D. Department of Health to terminate their contract with The Transformation Project, which is a transgender activist group, according to The Daily Signal
