Government
Former lieutenant governor launches ‘Vote in Honor of a Veteran’ initiative
SIOUX FALLS — South Dakota’s voter turnout has disappointed some military veterans. Former Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, has launched an initiative urging citizens to “Vote in Honor of a Veteran,” emphasizing the sacrifices made by military personnel to secure the democratic rights Americans enjoy. “We always think that government […]
Sales tax ballot measure sparks debate about potential impact on state’s bond rating
Opponents of a Nov. 5 ballot measure that would reduce state sales tax collections worry it could be the final straw that breaks South Dakota’s AAA bond rating — a criticism that the measure’s proponents dispute. The measure is intended to repeal state sales taxes on groceries, but opponents say its imprecise language could broaden […]
Congress aims to boost enforcement at the border – with Canada
WASHINGTON – While much of U.S. border security talk focuses on the southwest corner of the country, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill in June aimed at a different target — growing migration along the U.S.-Canada border. The legislation, titled the Northern Border Coordination Act, was co-authored by Sens. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, […]
Pesticide labeling becomes issue in South Dakota’s U.S. House race
Legislation affecting the regulation of pesticide labels has become an issue in South Dakota’s U.S. House race after a Democratic challenger leveled criticism at incumbent Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson. The Washington Post reported in June that Rep. Johnson worked with biotech giant Bayer to insert a provision into a draft of the federal farm bill. […]
More than 1 million veterans receiving benefits via PACT Act ahead of anniversary
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday celebrated the number of veterans enrolled in VA health care and benefits as part of a law he signed nearly two years ago, though he said more work must be done for troops who were stationed at a base in Uzbekistan in the early 2000s. “Two years ago, […]
Black Hills Energy proposes Rapid City power plant costing up to $270 million
Black Hills Energy plans to build a new power generation plant in Rapid City for a cost between $250 million and $270 million, according to a notice sent Aug. 2 to state regulators on the Public Utilities Commission. The plant would have three engines fueled by natural gas and three turbines using natural gas and […]
South Dakota joins 14 other states challenging health insurance for DACA recipients
TOPEKA, Kansas — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit Thursday on behalf of 15 states, including South Dakota, in an attempt to stop President Joe Biden from expanding health care access to DACA recipients by making them eligible for participation in the Affordable Care Act’s insurance marketplace. Kobach, a Republican who built a […]
McCook Lake victims still ‘in the dark,’ waiting for FEMA help nearly seven weeks after flood
Nearly seven weeks after the devastating June 23 flood at McCook Lake, victims are still in limbo about the possibility of federal aid, and some feel abandoned by government officials. Renae Hansen is a flood victim and works with the McCook Lake Izaak Walton League, which has tried to fill some of the leadership and […]
South Dakota Democratic leaders vote to oppose open primaries ballot measure
The executive board of the South Dakota Democratic Party voted on Thursday to oppose Constitutional Amendment H, a ballot measure that would open up primary elections to all voters regardless of party affiliation. Currently, Democrats and Republicans conduct their own party primaries to choose their nominees for the general election. Democrats allow independents to cast […]
Johnson denies trying to help company shield itself from existing Roundup cancer lawsuits
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, denies allegations that a provision he helped insert into a draft of the federal farm bill would protect the maker of Roundup from pending lawsuits claiming that frequent use of the herbicide causes cancer. “Our legislation doesn’t do anything in the courts,” Johnson said Wednesday in an interview with […]
11-state push for EPA rule on farm chemicals includes SD
OMAHA — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined two farmers and state agricultural officials Wednesday in drawing a line in fertile soil. The two ag-led states were among 11 states urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to stop a patchwork of state labeling efforts on farm chemicals. Attorneys general […]
New bans on panhandling in medians spark debate over free speech rights
Despite court rulings that soliciting money is protected as free speech, some cities and at least one state are considering new restrictions on panhandling in traffic medians, arguing it’s a safety hazard. New Mexico’s Democratic governor this year and an Arizona Republican lawmaker last year proposed statewide bans on asking for money on street medians, […]