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U.S. Senate Republican blocks legislation protecting in vitro fertilization
WASHINGTON — U.S. Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi blocked a bill from passing Wednesday that would have preserved access to in vitro fertilization nationwide, stalling a push by Democrats following a landmark Alabama state Supreme Court decision. The court ruled earlier this month that frozen embryos counted as children under state law and parents […] The post U.S. Senate Republican blocks legislation protecting in vitro fertilization appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Congress brokers deal on government spending deadlines, trying to avoid shutdown
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans and Senate Democrats attempting to avert a partial government shutdown brokered an agreement Wednesday to extend government funding deadlines for a little while longer. The bipartisan deal will give Congress until March 8 to pass six spending bills lawmakers have finalized, and until March 22 to pass another six bills […] The post Congress brokers deal on government spending deadlines, trying to avoid shutdown appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. Supreme Court to decide if Trump is immune from prosecution for acts as president
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear former President Donald Trump’s argument that he should be immune from criminal charges related to the 2020 election. In a one-page order, the court set an expedited briefing schedule, with oral arguments to be held the week of April 22. Proceedings in the federal trial court […] The post U.S. Supreme Court to decide if Trump is immune from prosecution for acts as president appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Senate adds $3 million to statewide public defender bill to reimburse counties
The Senate unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would create a statewide public defender’s office after adding a $3 million one-time appropriation to reimburse counties for current indigent legal defense costs. Under existing law, counties must cover the costs of attorneys for criminal defendants who can’t afford them. The new state office would assume responsibility […] The post Senate adds $3 million to statewide public defender bill to reimburse counties appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State lawmakers amend petition signature withdrawal bill to remove ‘chaos factor’
In response to a potential ballot measure that would reinstate abortion rights, the Senate State Affairs Committee amended and advanced a bill Wednesday in Pierre that would allow people to remove their signatures from ballot-question petitions. The bill passed 8-1 and now heads to the Senate floor. An emergency clause in the legislation would make […] The post State lawmakers amend petition signature withdrawal bill to remove ‘chaos factor’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Last-minute bill would require earlier voter registration due to ‘perceived’ election concerns
PIERRE — Despite county auditors saying it could result in fewer South Dakotans voting, a legislative committee endorsed a bill Wednesday that would require voters to register 30 days before an election rather than the current 15. The House State Affairs Committee endorsed the bill with a 9-4 vote. Rep. Kirk Chaffee, R-Whitewood, introduced the […] The post Last-minute bill would require earlier voter registration due to ‘perceived’ election concerns appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Thune among possible successors after McConnell says he’ll step down as GOP leader
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky will step down as the Senate Republican leader in November, he said on the Senate floor Wednesday, announcing the end of a run as party leader that broke records for its length and shaped American politics over nearly two decades. “One of life’s most underappreciated talents is […] The post Thune among possible successors after McConnell says he’ll step down as GOP leader appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State Senate advances millions for water, prison construction, nursing homes and more
PIERRE — The state Senate advanced spending bills Tuesday that include millions to build a new men’s prison, fund water and wastewater projects, and keep nursing homes afloat, among other priorities. One bill would allocate $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding for water infrastructure at the proposed men’s prison site in rural […] The post State Senate advances millions for water, prison construction, nursing homes and more appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
A partial government shutdown is days away. There’s no agreement on federal funding yet.
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden huddled with top congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday amid a crunch over government funding as well as a familiar stalemate over assistance to two major allies — and no solution immediately in sight. Lawmakers leaving the meeting, which lasted about an hour, said it was worthwhile, even […] The post A partial government shutdown is days away. There’s no agreement on federal funding yet. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Medicaid work requirement question will appear on South Dakota ballots in November
South Dakotans will vote on Medicaid work requirements in the Nov. 5 general election. The measure would not immediately impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients who qualify under recently expanded income guidelines, but would authorize state officials to impose work requirements if they so choose and if the federal government allows it. On Tuesday at […] The post Medicaid work requirement question will appear on South Dakota ballots in November appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State House endorses millions for border deployment, phonics instruction and other projects
PIERRE — Republican lawmakers voted to replenish the state’s Emergency and Disaster Fund on Monday, informally endorsing Governor Kristi Noem’s impending National Guard deployment to the nation’s southern border. Rep. Tony Venhuizen, R-Sioux Falls, said the flow of people across the border is “a failure by the federal government,” and until the feds correct that […] The post State House endorses millions for border deployment, phonics instruction and other projects appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State Senate votes to back stricter version of ban on sale of ‘diet weed’
The state Senate has voted to pass the original, stricter version of a ban on the widely available, hemp-derived “diet weed” products that induce highs similar to marijuana. House Bill 1125 had originally targeted a wide swath of products. The gummies, vape pens, pre-rolled joints and smokable flowers can be produced using high concentrations of […] The post State Senate votes to back stricter version of ban on sale of ‘diet weed’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Senate sends bill creating Indian Child Advisory Council to governor’s desk
PIERRE — A bill to create an Indian Child Advisory Council passed the South Dakota Senate in a 31-1 vote on Monday and now heads to Gov. Kristi Noem’s desk for her consideration. House Bill 1232 would bring together stakeholders from the Department of Social Services, South Dakota’s nine tribes, members of the Legislature, and […] The post Senate sends bill creating Indian Child Advisory Council to governor’s desk appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Lawmakers advance bill allowing adult permit holders to carry concealed guns in schools
Legislation that would allow adults to carry concealed pistols in schools after getting a permit and permission from a principal is two steps from becoming law in South Dakota. The House Judiciary Committee voted 11-1 on Monday at the Capitol in Pierre to send the bill to the House floor. If it passes there without […] The post Lawmakers advance bill allowing adult permit holders to carry concealed guns in schools appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Pipeline bill amended to return rulemaking to counties — unless PUC says otherwise
A state House panel updated a high-profile carbon pipeline bill to retain county rights to regulate pipeline locations. But that change was accompanied by another that would force the state’s Public Utilities Commission to overrule counties if their pipeline rules are too burdensome. It’s the latest twist for Senate Bill 201. The bill, which passed […] The post Pipeline bill amended to return rulemaking to counties — unless PUC says otherwise appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Bill protecting election officials, poll workers from threats passes state House committee
A bill introduced at the request of the Secretary of State’s Office aiming to protect election workers passed the House State Affairs Committee in an 8-5 vote on Monday in Pierre. The bill would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor if a person directly or indirectly threatens or intimidates an election official or poll worker […] The post Bill protecting election officials, poll workers from threats passes state House committee appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Legislative Roundup: Direct democracy, abortion, pipelines and property rights take center stage
Bills addressing pipelines, property rights, abortion and direct democracy are provoking strong opinions from legislators as they begin the final two weeks of their annual lawmaking session at the Capitol in Pierre. Democrats are calling House Bill 1244 an assault on citizens’ rights to gather the thousands of petition signatures necessary to place questions on […] The post Legislative Roundup: Direct democracy, abortion, pipelines and property rights take center stage appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
GOP backs voting by mail, yet turns to courts to restrict it in battleground states
Fearing that Democrats hold a crucial edge in ballots cast before Election Day, national Republicans are working to convince their voters to take advantage of mail and early voting this year. “We can’t play catch up. We can’t start from behind. We can’t let Dems get a big head start and think we’re going to […] The post GOP backs voting by mail, yet turns to courts to restrict it in battleground states appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Corrections secretary: New women’s prison could be filled with addicts on day one
PIERRE – The state’s new women’s prison may well be full when it opens, South Dakota’s corrections secretary said this week, a reality largely attributable to the prevalence of drug abuse in the penal population. The new prison will free up space for addiction treatment, but the secretary said she’s concerned about the potential for […] The post Corrections secretary: New women’s prison could be filled with addicts on day one appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Trump triumphs over former SC Gov. Nikki Haley in SC GOP primary
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Former President Donald Trump won an expected blowout victory Saturday over former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley in the South Carolina Republican presidential primary. The Associated Press called the race at 7 p.m. with zero percent of the precincts reporting. When state election officials had counted 62% of the ballots, Trump held […] The post Trump triumphs over former SC Gov. Nikki Haley in SC GOP primary 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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