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Medication abortion rates grew 10% over the last few years, report shows
Researchers found that 63% of all abortions provided in the U.S. last year were medication abortions. There were an estimated 1,026,690 abortions — the most in over a decade — performed in the formal health care system in 2023, according to a report released Tuesday by the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research organization. The […] The post Medication abortion rates grew 10% over the last few years, report shows appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem signs bills including abortion video mandate, petition signature withdrawal process
Gov. Kristi Noem signed dozens of bills into law during the past several days, including two related to abortion. One bill requires the production of a video and other materials explaining the state’s abortion ban. Another one allows people to withdraw their signatures from ballot-question petitions, such as one currently circulating that would reinstate abortion […] The post Noem signs bills including abortion video mandate, petition signature withdrawal process appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
‘Syrup-gate’ exposes the folly of legislative commemorations
What’s the last week of the legislative session without a little controversy? This year’s wasn’t about sales taxes or teacher pay or free school lunches. It was about pancake syrup. It started with House Commemoration 8031, recognizing the “true American success story” of Nancy Green, known as the trademark for Aunt Jemima. The commemoration honored […] The post ‘Syrup-gate’ exposes the folly of legislative commemorations appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Oglala, Rosebud tribal presidents demand governor apologize for comments last week
Two tribal leaders in South Dakota are demanding Gov. Kristi Noem apologize for comments she made about tribal governments at town halls last week. The president of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe released a statement over the weekend calling the comments defamatory and racially prejudiced. The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe released a statement Monday […] The post Oglala, Rosebud tribal presidents demand governor apologize for comments last week appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Sunshine Week speaker reveals ‘steady decline in transparency’
Last week we observed Sunshine Week by discussing ominous clouds of secrecy forming on the horizon. Truthfully, the overcast conditions are already here. Sunshine Week is a national observance focused on government transparency and the public’s right to know. The South Dakota NewsMedia Association First Amendment Committee hosted a public webinar on March 14 with […] The post Sunshine Week speaker reveals ‘steady decline in transparency’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Clemency request provides window into new law requiring longer wait times
SIOUX FALLS — A three-time bank robber and repeat escape artist who learned yoga and logged more than 300 hours of coursework in prison may have a shot at freedom in old age thanks to a Thursday vote from the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles. If Gov. Kristi Noem signs on to the […] The post Clemency request provides window into new law requiring longer wait times appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem shares more ‘influencer’ posts that critics label unethical and ‘bad judgment’
Smile Texas isn’t the only business South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is promoting to her social media followers. The second-term governor promoted two other South Dakota businesses on her personal X feed (formerly Twitter) on Thursday: Fit My Feet in Rapid City, owned by state Department of Public Safety Secretary Bob Perry’s son, and Common […] The post Noem shares more ‘influencer’ posts that critics label unethical and ‘bad judgment’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
New group aims to refer carbon pipeline law to voters
Voters could be asked to reject a new state law regulating carbon dioxide pipelines. The law was passed during the recently concluded legislative session and signed by Gov. Kristi Noem. Supporters said it will implement new protections for landowners while providing a path forward for the pipeline project. Opponents view it as a capitulation to […] The post New group aims to refer carbon pipeline law to voters appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Johnson tells seniors that changes to Social Security and Medicare will be needed
SIOUX FALLS — Three changes should be considered to prevent Social Security and Medicare from running out of money, Republican U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson said Thursday during a town hall meeting at a retirement community. Those changes are raising the age when future recipients can start getting benefits, raising the maximum amount of income that’s […] The post Johnson tells seniors that changes to Social Security and Medicare will be needed appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Pipeline protest trial ends, ruling still months out
There was no answer to the $38 million question as a four-week trial over the cost of Dakota Access Pipeline protests ended Thursday. No closing arguments were presented. A ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Dan Traynor is still months away, and will follow additional summary documents from attorneys. Attorneys for North Dakota argue the […] The post Pipeline protest trial ends, ruling still months out appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Closed public records obscure reasons for crime trends in South Dakota
Whither the stolen vehicle? That’s the question I’m left with after the biannual crime stats breakdown at the Sioux Falls Law Enforcement Center this week. The 2023 crime stats presented Tuesday ran the gamut. Big picture, crime is down from last year; up from 10 years ago. Up like the population. It’s just how things […] The post Closed public records obscure reasons for crime trends in South Dakota appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Push for election hand counts spreads despite rejection in Lawrence County
An effort to reduce the use of technology in elections is spreading to additional South Dakota counties. Petitions have been filed in two counties and are circulating in at least 21 more of the state’s 66 counties to place measures on local ballots. The petitions need signatures from 5% of registered voters in the county. […] The post Push for election hand counts spreads despite rejection in Lawrence County appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Higher credits for private school scholarships, campus obscenity ban: More bills signed into law
Gov. Kristi Noem has signed numerous bills into law this week, including one that will increase the yearly cap on private school scholarships funded by state tax credits. The credits are available to insurance companies. For every dollar they contribute to private school scholarships for low-income students, the companies get an equivalent amount of credits […] The post Higher credits for private school scholarships, campus obscenity ban: More bills signed into law appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. House Speaker Johnson says IVF should be protected — just not by Congress
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday that it’s up to states and not Congress to preserve access to in vitro fertilization, weighing in on a growing national debate and campaign issue. “It’s not my belief that Congress needs to play a role here,” the Louisiana Republican said during a press conference at the House […] The post U.S. House Speaker Johnson says IVF should be protected — just not by Congress appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Consumer advocacy group sues Noem over her Texas tooth promo video
A consumer advocacy group said it filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Washington, D.C., against South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for allegedly engaging in misleading advertising practices in her five-minute promotional video for a Texas dental practice. Noem released the video Monday night on social media. In it, she mentioned a long-ago bicycling accident that knocked […] The post Consumer advocacy group sues Noem over her Texas tooth promo video appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem sucker punches South Dakota dentists
Sporting her new pearly artificial Texas smile, Gov. Kristi Noem this week punched South Dakota dentists in the teeth and ended up in court. Her video infomercial promoting her flight to Texas to obtain a mouthful of perfect teeth has been described as “bizarre” and “very weird.” Supporters and critics alike are aghast at her […] The post Noem sucker punches South Dakota dentists appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
New scorecard rates nation’s grid managers on connecting renewables
Across the country, electric demand is growing and could explode if green goals like electrifying home heating, industry and transportation come to fruition. At the same time, many states, utilities and businesses have pledged to decarbonize, helping push older coal and gas power plants that have struggled to stay economically competitive into retirement. Yet in the […] The post New scorecard rates nation’s grid managers on connecting renewables appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem slings accusations about tribes while signing education bills
MITCHELL — Gov. Kristi Noem leveled accusations against Native American parents and political leaders Wednesday while saying she wants to help Native American students succeed. She made the comments during a town hall meeting in Mitchell, where she signed two education bills into law, and at a later town hall in Winner. Chronic absenteeism among […] The post Noem slings accusations about tribes while signing education bills appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Crush of complaints forces state to hire extra help for officer misconduct investigations
There are so many complaints about cops now flowing into the Division of Criminal Investigation that the agency has hired a second full-time investigator to handle them. Former FBI agent Dave Keith was hired to handle allegations of officer misbehavior recently, DCI Director Dan Satterlee said Wednesday during the March meeting of the Law Enforcement […] The post Crush of complaints forces state to hire extra help for officer misconduct investigations appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
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We use our journalistic searchlight to illuminate critical issues facing South Dakota, dissect the decisions made by state leaders, and explain the consequences of their policies and the role of politics on South Dakotans. We publish news and commentary that prioritizes accuracy, fairness, insight and civility. There is no charge to access our content, or to subscribe to our email newsletter. We invite and publish guest commentary that contributes to productive public discourse and adheres to our editorial policies. South Dakota Searchlight launched in 2022. We’re an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The staff of the Searchlight retains full editorial independence.
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