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Missed care, fewer patients: Rural families and clinics feel Medicaid cuts
Rural children and families are having to skip vital health treatments and even ending up in the emergency room, while already struggling rural clinics are losing more patients, as states cull their Medicaid rolls. The process began in April 2023, when pandemic-era rules that prohibited kicking people off Medicaid coverage expired and states again began […] The post Missed care, fewer patients: Rural families and clinics feel Medicaid cuts appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. House rebukes Biden administration over pause in heavy bomb shipments to Israel
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed legislation Thursday rebuking President Joe Biden’s decision to withhold some military assistance from Israel amid its ongoing war in Gaza. The 224-187 vote (including a yes vote from South Dakota Republican Dusty Johnson) approved a bill released over the weekend by a handful of Republicans that, in part, “calls […] The post U.S. House rebukes Biden administration over pause in heavy bomb shipments to Israel appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Advocates press U.S. House to extend radiation exposure fund that includes SD
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers and advocates rallied outside the U.S. Capitol Thursday, urging House lawmakers to extend a fund for victims of U.S. nuclear testing that is set to expire in less than a month. But critics say the program is too expensive and should be winding down, and it’s not clear if the House will […] The post Advocates press U.S. House to extend radiation exposure fund that includes SD appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Abortion-rights measure validated for the ballot, but challenge expected
A state office said Thursday that a petition seeking to reinstate abortion rights has enough valid signatures to make the Nov. 5 ballot, but opponents have already promised a legal challenge. Based on a random sample of signatures, the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office estimated that 85% percent of the nearly 55,000 signatures on […] The post Abortion-rights measure validated for the ballot, but challenge expected appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State board approves $3.5 million in loans to businesses
A state government board recently approved three loans to businesses totaling $3.5 million. The Board of Economic Development approved the loans, which will be administered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “This financing allows two more local businesses the ability to grow in South Dakota,” said Jesse Fonkert, the office’s deputy commissioner, in a […] The post State board approves $3.5 million in loans to businesses appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Federal bench at full strength in South Dakota following confirmation of Camela Theeler
South Dakota’s federal courts once again have a full slate of judges after the U.S. Senate voted 90-4 on Thursday to confirm Camela Theeler’s nomination to the federal bench. The vote came one day after the Senate voted 61-33 to confirm Sioux Falls lawyer and former state bar president Eric Schulte to replace outgoing U.S. […] The post Federal bench at full strength in South Dakota following confirmation of Camela Theeler appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Production jumps higher at Black Hills gold mine
Gold production was up and silver production was way up last year at South Dakota’s only active large-scale gold mine, according to new numbers reviewed Thursday by a state board. Chicago-based Coeur Mining owns the Wharf Mine, near Terry Peak and the city of Lead in the northern Black Hills. Gold production at the mine […] The post Production jumps higher at Black Hills gold mine appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Housing boom in most of the US could ease shortage, but cost is still a problem
The United States has added almost 5 million housing units since 2020, most heavily in the South and most of them single-family homes, making a housing shortage look conquerable in much of the nation. Still, even more homes need to be built — especially single-family homes, experts say — and continuing high interest rates are hurting potential homebuyers. […] The post Housing boom in most of the US could ease shortage, but cost is still a problem appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. Senate GOP tries to block states from spending some of their COVID relief cash
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected efforts to roll back guidance from the Treasury Department regarding how state and local governments can spend funding approved by Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 46-49 vote on the Congressional Review Act resolution ended an attempt by several GOP senators to block the Biden administration from […] The post U.S. Senate GOP tries to block states from spending some of their COVID relief cash appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
After Lower Brule vote, eight of nine tribes have endorsed Noem ban
Eight of nine tribal governments in the state of South Dakota have endorsed the banishment of Gov. Kristi Noem from their lands. The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe unanimously approved a resolution to bar Noem on Wednesday, according to Tribal Chairman Clyde Estes. The vote comes one day after a similar resolution from the Crow Creek […] The post After Lower Brule vote, eight of nine tribes have endorsed Noem ban appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. Senate approves Sioux Falls lawyer for federal judgeship
The U.S. Senate approved one of two federal judge nominees for South Dakota on Wednesday on a vote of 61-33. Sioux Falls lawyer Eric Schulte will fill the impending vacancy of U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier, who announced her retirement last year and pledged to continue working until her replacement is appointed. Schulte, a partner […] The post U.S. Senate approves Sioux Falls lawyer for federal judgeship appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Five-year FAA bill clears U.S. House, boosting flights into Washington, D.C.
The U.S. House voted 387-26 Wednesday to clear a bill to reauthorize $105 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years — and to finalize a hotly debated deal adding flights at busy Washington Reagan National Airport. Advocates for the bill, which won votes from every ideological corner of the often-divided House, […] The post Five-year FAA bill clears U.S. House, boosting flights into Washington, D.C. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
South Dakota joins lawsuit against new federal guidance on sex-based discrimination
South Dakota has joined a multi-state lawsuit against new federal workplace harassment guidelines that cover an employee’s gender identity. The federal Equal Opportunity Employment Commission published updated guidance on April 29. It covers over 70 examples of unlawful harassment, including not just sex-based but also harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age […] The post South Dakota joins lawsuit against new federal guidance on sex-based discrimination appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
CNN sets first Biden-Trump presidential debate for June 27 in Atlanta
WASHINGTON — CNN announced on Wednesday morning that it will host a debate between President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at the network’s Atlanta studios on June 27. CNN said there would be no audience present for the debate and moderators will be announced later. A second debate will be hosted […] The post CNN sets first Biden-Trump presidential debate for June 27 in Atlanta appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Feds incentivize better biosecurity at dairy farms for bird flu
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced it will pay dairy farms with confirmed avian influenza infections to help contain the virus’ spread to people and more cows. Federal funding is now available to cover the costs of enhanced biosecurity measures, protective equipment for workers, heat treatments for tainted milk, and veterinary and testing fees. […] The post Feds incentivize better biosecurity at dairy farms for bird flu appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem hires former Oglala Sioux police chief for state post as another tribe votes to ban her
Gov. Kristi Noem appointed a former Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety chief to a post in the state’s Department of Tribal Relations on Tuesday, alleging he “found himself without a job” for speaking up about drug cartels on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The appointment of Algin Young as tribal law enforcement liaison came […] The post Noem hires former Oglala Sioux police chief for state post as another tribe votes to ban her appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues
WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North […] The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Anti-abortion group is behind calls labeled a ‘scam’ by state election official
Hundreds of phone calls this week that the South Dakota secretary of state has labeled a “scam” are originating from an anti-abortion group seeking to disqualify an abortion-rights ballot measure. A petition was submitted last week to the Secretary of State’s Office with enough signatures to place the measure on the Nov. 5 ballot, but […] The post Anti-abortion group is behind calls labeled a ‘scam’ by state election official appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Where Thune, Rounds and Johnson rank on list of most bipartisan members of Congress
WASHINGTON — Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick were the most bipartisan members of Congress last year, according to a newly released analysis from the Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. The least bipartisan House lawmaker was Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, while Alabama’s Katie […] The post Where Thune, Rounds and Johnson rank on list of most bipartisan members of Congress appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
The number of births continues to fall, despite abortion bans
Births continued a historic slide in all but two states last year, making it clear that a brief post-pandemic uptick in the nation’s birth numbers was all about planned pregnancies that had been delayed temporarily by COVID-19. Only Tennessee and North Dakota had small increases in births from 2022 to 2023, according to a Stateline […] The post The number of births continues to fall, despite abortion bans 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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