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US Senate postpones winter break as lawmakers try to craft an immigration deal
WASHINGTON — Members of the U.S. House headed home Thursday for a three-week winter break without completing work on several must-pass bills, but senators are now scheduled to return to Capitol Hill on Monday as leaders in the upper chamber and the White House look for an agreement on immigration policy. The last-minute scheduling change […] The post US Senate postpones winter break as lawmakers try to craft an immigration deal appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
What’s not in Noem’s budget? Governor omitted some summer-study items sought by lawmakers
Legislators spent long hours last summer digging deep into specific issues deemed potential priorities for the 2024 legislative session, including long-term care, funding for county governments and legal representation for low-income defendants. During her budget address last week, Gov. Kristi Noem did propose a 4% increase in state reimbursement to health care providers, including nursing […] The post What’s not in Noem’s budget? Governor omitted some summer-study items sought by lawmakers appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Ellsworth, SD National Guard funding included in massive defense bill passed by Congress
WASHINGTON — The massive annual defense policy package cleared Congress ahead of the holiday recess, despite protests about attaching a foreign surveillance extension and criticism that the bill did not block a Pentagon abortion policy. U.S. House lawmakers approved the package on Thursday 310-118, under a suspension of the chamber’s rules, meaning a two-thirds majority […] The post Ellsworth, SD National Guard funding included in massive defense bill passed by Congress appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
SD Rep. Johnson, House Republicans back formal impeachment inquiry against Biden
The U.S. House voted along party lines Wednesday to officially proceed with an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. The Republican-controlled chamber approved a resolution, 221-212, with Illinois Democrat Brad Schneider not voting, to allow three committees to continue their investigation into whether Biden benefited from his son Hunter’s foreign business dealings. South Dakota Rep. […] The post SD Rep. Johnson, House Republicans back formal impeachment inquiry against Biden appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Immigration talks in Congress lag as Latino lawmakers urge rejection of GOP proposals
WASHINGTON — Negotiations over immigration policy made small progress Wednesday, but not enough to strike a deal and ease the passage of billions in global security aid before Congress leaves for a three-week recess. Meanwhile, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus said they are frustrated that some proposals under discussion would make major changes in […] The post Immigration talks in Congress lag as Latino lawmakers urge rejection of GOP proposals appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
South Dakota’s new secretary of state still a mystery
In 2022, Monae Johnson was elected South Dakota’s secretary of state. Since then, she has earned another title: Queen of Irony. Her reign started at the state Republican convention when Johnson and her election integrity minions expressed displeasure at the lack of effort by Steve Barnett when it came to ensuring the security of South […] The post South Dakota’s new secretary of state still a mystery appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
SD’s Duba among dozens of Democratic legislators meeting with White House on gun violence
WASHINGTON — The White House announced its Office of Gun Violence Prevention was meeting Wednesday with nearly 100 Democratic state legislators in an effort to reduce gun violence and offer federal support. Attendees included South Dakota Rep. Linda Duba, D-Sioux Falls. As part of the meeting, known as the Safer States Initiative, the Biden administration […] The post SD’s Duba among dozens of Democratic legislators meeting with White House on gun violence appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Forest Service issues draft approval of drilling plan above Spearfish Canyon, with restrictions
A federal agency has provisionally approved a company’s plan to conduct exploratory drilling for gold above Spearfish Canyon. The company is Colorado-based Solitario Resources. Project maps show some of the proposed drill sites are less than a mile back from the canyon rim in the Black Hills National Forest, about 15 miles southwest of Spearfish. […] The post Forest Service issues draft approval of drilling plan above Spearfish Canyon, with restrictions appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
US Supreme Court to decide fate of medication abortion access nationwide
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court announced Wednesday it will hear oral arguments and decide whether broad access to the abortion pill can remain legal across the United States. The justices’ decision to hear the case this term will put abortion access and the politics that comes with it back in front of the nation’s […] The post US Supreme Court to decide fate of medication abortion access nationwide appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
SD senators help advance defense bill that faces objections in House
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate took an important step Tuesday on the nation’s annual defense policy bill, but the reliably bipartisan legislation is expected to hit the same hard-right opposition in the U.S. House that has dogged lawmakers since the beginning of this Congress. The Democratic-led upper chamber voted to end debate on this year’s […] The post SD senators help advance defense bill that faces objections in House appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Housing board backs more infrastructure, including support for dozens of new homes in Milbank
If you’re ready to spend more than $400,000 on a home in Milbank, the city will soon have 33 to choose from. At least that’s the plan, as presented to and backed by the South Dakota Housing Development Authority board on Tuesday. The board signed off on an $825,000 loan meant to help cover the […] The post Housing board backs more infrastructure, including support for dozens of new homes in Milbank appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Behind the humor, lieutenant governor’s second broken gavel has sentimental value
When legislators criticize Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden for his heavy-handedness during South Dakota’s legislative session, they’re being literal: He raps the gavel so loudly that people jump from surprise. When Rhoden slammed the gavel down to bring the Legislature to order last Tuesday ahead of Gov. Kristi Noem’s budget address, the gavel snapped in half, […] The post Behind the humor, lieutenant governor’s second broken gavel has sentimental value appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
With pipeline growth booming, the US agency in charge of safety struggles to keep up
The pipeline industry added thousands of miles of natural gas, crude oil and carbon dioxide pipelines to the national network in recent years. But the federal regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that vast system’s safety failed to grow at the same pace. Pipeline miles expand every year, and are expected to see even faster growth […] The post With pipeline growth booming, the US agency in charge of safety struggles to keep up appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Q&A: The cyber expert who took Mike Lindell’s $5 million challenge in Sioux Falls and won
At first, Bob Zeidman was reluctant to take Mike Lindell up on his $5 million challenge to anyone who could disprove his claim that the 2020 election was stolen. In 2021, Lindell held a “cyber symposium” in Sioux Falls, where he vowed to unveil proof that China had interfered in the election. Zeidman is a […] The post Q&A: The cyber expert who took Mike Lindell’s $5 million challenge in Sioux Falls and won appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Nonprofit launches zebra mussel study and accuses state of ‘capitulation’
A nonprofit is launching a study on the economic impact of the zebra mussel invasion in South Dakota and accusing state government of a lackluster response to the problem. The South Dakota Lakes and Streams Association, based in Sioux Falls, said Monday it will spearhead a $107,000 study. It’s designed to provide legislators and other government […] The post Nonprofit launches zebra mussel study and accuses state of ‘capitulation’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Rapid City hotel owners apologize for statements about Native Americans
EDITOR’S NOTE: South Dakota Searchlight is publishing this letter at the request of Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City, which agreed as part of a consent decree to write the letter and send it to the media. — We extend our sincere apology to all for the statements made by Connie Uhre on March 19-20, […] The post Rapid City hotel owners apologize for statements about Native Americans appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
‘Good taste and decency’ standard for vanity license plates to be snuffed by settlement
The Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division will no longer serve as an arbiter of good taste and decency in its review of personalized license plates, according to a settlement agreement filed with the U.S. District Court of South Dakota. The consent decree and stipulation document saying as much was filed late last week in […] The post ‘Good taste and decency’ standard for vanity license plates to be snuffed by settlement appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
US Supreme Court asked to quickly rule on Trump claims of presidential immunity
WASHINGTON — Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to expedite a decision on former President Donald Trump’s claims of presidential immunity in the 2020 election interference case. Smith asked the justices to rule on a matter that ordinarily would first go to a lower federal appeals court, […] The post US Supreme Court asked to quickly rule on Trump claims of presidential immunity appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
‘Let it speak for us’: Legislator plans to pursue South Dakota flag redesign
South Dakota needs a new flag, says Brandon Valley High School student Ryan Schultz. Schultz, who is passionate about flag design and vexillology (the study of flags), is leading the charge, pushing for legislation that would establish a redesign committee. “I think having a good flag can unify us as a people,” Schultz said. In […] The post ‘Let it speak for us’: Legislator plans to pursue South Dakota flag redesign appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
‘Hope for the best’: Experience down, turnover up in SD law enforcement
The Corson County Sheriff’s Office in north-central South Dakota is constantly cycling through open positions. The five-man agency has about two open spots a year and struggled to get applications for the latest position, said Sheriff Alan Dale. In years prior, he’d get about a dozen applicants for one position and fill it quickly. The […] The post ‘Hope for the best’: Experience down, turnover up in SD law enforcement 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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