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State request for federal money aims to improve dismal rate of broadband subsidy use
Just over two years ago, Congress pumped $14.2 billion into the Affordable Connectivity Program in hopes of connecting more people to high-speed internet. Eligible low-income households on tribal land can get $75 off their monthly internet bills; those outside of tribal land can get $30 a month. The program also offers $100 one-time payments for […] The post State request for federal money aims to improve dismal rate of broadband subsidy use appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
SD delegation has concerns about extension of internet subsidy program
If Congress renews funding for a program that helps low-income people pay their internet bills — a program South Dakota hopes to lean on to connect more homes to broadband in the coming years — it won’t be the result of vigorous advocacy from the state’s congressional delegation. Sen. John Thune, the ranking member of […] The post SD delegation has concerns about extension of internet subsidy program appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
An alternative proposal for the Wounded Knee medal problem
Some of the soldiers who participated in the killing of hundreds of Native American men, women and children 133 years ago today at Wounded Knee are still officially honored as heroes. Poorly written citations have confused the issue of how many soldiers received the Medal of Honor specifically for their participation in the massacre, but […] The post An alternative proposal for the Wounded Knee medal problem appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Wounded Knee descendants group plans ceremony to burn returned artifacts
This story was originally co-published by the Rapid City Journal and ICT, through a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in the South Dakota area. Last November, more than 150 items stolen from mass graves of Wounded Knee massacre victims were returned to a group of descendants, the Si’Tanka Ta’ Oyate O’mniceye (Descendants of the Si’ Tanka Nation). Now, a year later, the group plans to burn the artifacts to mark the end of the one-year traditional bereavement period called wasigla.
‘Governor’s Cup’ rodeo among recipients of millions from public fund controlled by Noem
In September, Gov. Kristi Noem carried the American flag on horseback into a Sioux Falls arena full of fans. It was the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup, advertised as “the richest rodeo in South Dakota history,” with $1 million in prize money. Noem handed out awards, posed for photos with the winners, and shared the images with thousands of followers on her social media accounts.
Lincoln County votes to support landowner position in prison site lawsuit
CANTON — Lincoln County officials want a judge to decide if the state has the right to build a prison in the county without public input or local review. On Tuesday, county commissioners voted to submit a legal argument in support of the landowners who’ve sued the state Department of Corrections, though the scope of […] The post Lincoln County votes to support landowner position in prison site lawsuit appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Like Republican legislators, citizens want to cut taxes
South Dakota lawmakers went through a bit of a tax cut frenzy in the last legislative session before finally settling on a reduction of the state sales tax. A recent poll shows that citizens favor getting into the tax cut game as well. A poll of registered voters sponsored by South Dakota News Watch and […] The post Like Republican legislators, citizens want to cut taxes appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Supreme Court won’t yet rule on presidential immunity question in Trump case
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to quickly decide if former President Donald Trump holds immunity from federal prosecution in the case linked to his actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith had asked the justices to determine if “a former President […] The post Supreme Court won’t yet rule on presidential immunity question in Trump case appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Biden to commute sentences of 11 nonviolent drug offenders
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will grant clemency Friday to nearly a dozen people serving “disproportionately long sentences” for nonviolent drug offenses as part of his administration’s effort to rectify disparities in sentencing. “All of them would have been eligible to receive significantly lower sentences if they were charged with the same offense today,” Biden […] The post Biden to commute sentences of 11 nonviolent drug offenders appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
The naughty and the nice: Home-state holiday decor bedecks congressional offices
WASHINGTON — Congress members and office neighbors on the second floor of the Longworth House Office Building showcased their holiday spirit this season in an unofficial decorating contest. The naughty and nice decorations spotlighted the characteristics and economies of congressional districts across the United States and revealed the taste in decor among both members and […] The post The naughty and the nice: Home-state holiday decor bedecks congressional offices appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
CO2 pipeline debate has resulted in divisions among ethanol proponents
A carbon pipeline project aimed at reducing heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions from the Midwest ethanol industry is irritating some within that very industry. Summit Carbon Solutions aims to transport carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to an underground storage site in North Dakota. Its CEO, Lee Blank, recently emphasized the importance of the pipeline for the […] The post CO2 pipeline debate has resulted in divisions among ethanol proponents appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Nursing home complaints up 38% since last year
Complaints against South Dakota nursing homes are the highest they’ve been in at least eight years. The state Department of Health oversees 97 long-term care facilities, according to its website. It fielded 54 complaints as of Dec. 19 – a 38% increase over 2022 and three times higher than 2021 and 2020, when the state […] The post Nursing home complaints up 38% since last year appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State disaster report prepares for more natural disasters in coming years
South Dakotans have less than two weeks to review and comment on the state’s new 2024 hazard mitigation plan, which is used to navigate and prepare for costly and deadly disasters. The plan is updated every five years to meet state eligibility requirements for increased mitigation funding from the federal government. The comment period was […] The post State disaster report prepares for more natural disasters in coming years appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Pennington County GOP wants full representation by start of legislative session
Some Pennington County Republicans are voicing frustration over Gov. Kristi Noem’s decision to wait on a South Dakota Supreme Court opinion about conflicts of interest before filling two vacant seats in the state legislature. Meanwhile, the Governor’s Office says Noem’s hands are tied. With 20 days left before lawmakers convene in Pierre to craft and […] The post Pennington County GOP wants full representation by start of legislative session appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Senate confirms Oklahoma’s first Native American female federal judge, overcoming GOP opposition
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed the first Native American woman to serve as a federal judge for the state of Oklahoma, despite some Republicans’ protest of her work as the top prosecutor for the Cherokee Nation. Sara Hill, the Nation’s former attorney general, was confirmed as a U.S. District judge for the […] The post Senate confirms Oklahoma’s first Native American female federal judge, overcoming GOP opposition appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Report: Let USD Law grads earn law license through supervised rural practice
University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law students could soon earn their law license through supervised practice before graduation and two years of public service legal work in rural areas afterward. That’s if the state adopts the recommendations of a bar exam committee. South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen called for the […] The post Report: Let USD Law grads earn law license through supervised rural practice appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Building transmission takes forever. The Biden administration is pushing to change that.
The SOO Green electric transmission project, a 350-mile high-voltage line between Mason City, Iowa, and Plano, Illinois, was proposed in 2018 to deliver renewable power and to better connect the nation’s two largest power markets. The project won approval from Iowa regulators this fall. The developers of the line, which will link wind and solar power produced […] The post Building transmission takes forever. The Biden administration is pushing to change that. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Is it hunting? ‘Wild’ game increasingly raised in captivity for profit
When Jeff Olson saw a photo of a massive buck deer recently – along with a message suggesting it was a record breaker – he was immediately skeptical. Olson is a Black Hills Sportsmen Club board member and a former state Game, Fish and Parks commissioner. “Any real hunter knows wild deer don’t look like […] The post Is it hunting? ‘Wild’ game increasingly raised in captivity for profit appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
South Dakota’s riparian buffer strip initiative lacks gumption
Agriculture stands as a cornerstone of South Dakota’s economy, wielding considerable influence as an $11 billion industry. Gov. Kristi Noem, hailing from a family farm and deeply rooted in the ranch lifestyle, firmly advocates that agriculture and conservation should go hand in hand. Throughout her time in office, she has committed to expanding programs in […] The post South Dakota’s riparian buffer strip initiative lacks gumption appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
GOP presidential field generally opposes eminent domain for carbon pipelines
Republican presidential contenders are generally against using eminent domain to build carbon dioxide pipelines, according to their public statements in recent months and information their campaigns have provided to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. The issue is a regional dispute that has gained wider attention as the candidates seek Iowans’ votes in the upcoming first-in-the-nation caucuses. […] The post GOP presidential field generally opposes eminent domain for carbon pipelines 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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