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Republicans vs. uber-Republicans: Primary slugfest approaches
The 21 subjects turned in by lawmakers as potential summer study subjects made for interesting reading. The Legislature’s Executive Board hit on two subjects to study this summer. One is a study of the accuracy and consistency of property tax assessments. Don’t get too excited; your property taxes aren’t likely to go down as a […] The post Republicans vs. uber-Republicans: Primary slugfest approaches appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley proposes adding radiation exposure bill to stalled tax package
WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri thinks he’s found a path for stalled tax legislation that would temporarily expand the child tax credit and restore business tax breaks that are expired or have sunset under the 2017 tax law. Hawley’s idea is to attach the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to the tax bill […] The post U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley proposes adding radiation exposure bill to stalled tax package appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Price goes up for Governor’s House program, but less than recent years
The homes built by inmates and sold to income-eligible South Dakotans will cost more come Friday, but the price hike is lower than it has been for the last three years. The South Dakota Housing Development Authority Board voted Tuesday to increase the prices for Governor’s Houses, which are constructed at Mike Durfee State Prison […] The post Price goes up for Governor’s House program, but less than recent years appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Cost of workforce ads starring Noem rises to $9 million
Governor Kristi Noem’s administration has signed a contract amendment raising the maximum spending on workforce recruitment ads starring the governor to $9 million. The contract is publicly viewable in the state’s online portal for financial documents, Open.SD.gov, which also shows the state has paid $8.5 million to the firm managing the campaign so far. The […] The post Cost of workforce ads starring Noem rises to $9 million appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Republicans return to D.C. amid dwindling majority, suspense over House speaker post
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans are returning from a two-week recess Tuesday with an even slimmer majority and the potential looming chaos of a second speaker fight in less than a year. Hours before recess began on March 22, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed a motion to vacate the U.S. House speaker’s office, […] The post Republicans return to D.C. amid dwindling majority, suspense over House speaker post appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Wind Cave tours suspended again, but officials hope to solve elevator problems for good this time
HOT SPRINGS — Long-lingering elevator problems at Wind Cave National Park will prevent cave tours this summer at the southwest South Dakota attraction, but park officials hope a replacement elevator system will be a permanent solution. The park recently announced that cave tours will be suspended beginning May 1 to accommodate the work. The elevator […] The post Wind Cave tours suspended again, but officials hope to solve elevator problems for good this time appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem doesn’t address exceptions but calls Trump’s abortion statement ‘exactly right’
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said Monday that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s new statement on abortion is “exactly right,” but she didn’t specifically say whether she agrees with his support of several abortion-ban exceptions. Trump released a video Monday in which he backed away from supporting a national abortion ban and said the […] The post Noem doesn’t address exceptions but calls Trump’s abortion statement ‘exactly right’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
In Wisconsin, Biden underlines plans to help college students with ‘unsustainable debts’
WASHINGTON — During a speech in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday, President Joe Biden touted his administration’s efforts to provide student debt relief through several new proposals, such as canceling accrued interest. “While (a) college degree still is a ticket to the middle class, that ticket is becoming much too expensive,” Biden said. “Things are a […] The post In Wisconsin, Biden underlines plans to help college students with ‘unsustainable debts’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Trump says abortion policy should be left to the states, backing away from national ban
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced a shift in his views on abortion laws Monday, releasing a video advocating for state legislatures to make those decisions, not Congress — and was immediately met with strong criticism from an influential anti-abortion group that said it should remain a national debate. “My view is now […] The post Trump says abortion policy should be left to the states, backing away from national ban appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Biden proposes new student debt relief plan for millions of borrowers
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Monday will announce the rollout of a student debt forgiveness proposal that the White House believes is narrowly targeted enough to survive legal challenges. The plan, if finalized, would include a one-time cancellation of all accrued interest for 23 million borrowers. It would also cancel the full amount of […] The post Biden proposes new student debt relief plan for millions of borrowers appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Fundraising prowess is key factor as Thune seeks to succeed McConnell
Fundraising prowess has emerged as a key factor in choosing the next Senate GOP party leader to succeed current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). McConnell’s announcement that he will be stepping down from the Republican Party’s Senate leadership in November has started a succession bid that will require contenders to showcase their fundraising skills. McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party […] The post Fundraising prowess is key factor as Thune seeks to succeed McConnell appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
EPA data: South Dakota industrial chemical releases rise amid national decline
Most mountain and plains states have seen reductions in pollutants released to the air, water and soil since 2013 at a rate of decline more than double the national average. In South Dakota, though, toxic releases increased by 16%. That’s according to recently published 2022 data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxics Release Inventory. […] The post EPA data: South Dakota industrial chemical releases rise amid national decline appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Q&A: Johnson calls criticism of his forestry hearing ‘absurd’
Dusty Johnson resents the implication that he’s looking out for the timber industry at the expense of the Black Hills National Forest. “The idea that anyone in government wants to allow the timber industry to cut what they want to cut is absurd,” Johnson told South Dakota Searchlight. “I think it does a tremendous disrespect […] The post Q&A: Johnson calls criticism of his forestry hearing ‘absurd’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Historic high-speed internet opportunity hinges on affordability and digital skills
South Dakota has a historic opportunity to expand access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to everyone in the state, no matter where they live or their circumstances. Access, however, depends on more than wires, poles and other pieces of infrastructure. It also depends on making sure that internet service is affordable, and that all South […] The post Historic high-speed internet opportunity hinges on affordability and digital skills appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
South Dakota Investment Council takes cautious approach to artificial intelligence stocks
The overseers of South Dakota’s investments have put some money into companies that aim to cash in on artificial intelligence, but the explosion in public interest hasn’t changed the state’s money management strategy. Leadership with the South Dakota Investment Council offered insights on the AI boom after prompting from its advisory board, which met in […] The post South Dakota Investment Council takes cautious approach to artificial intelligence stocks appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
In Maryland appearance, Biden pledges federal support to rebuild collapsed bridge
DUNDALK, Maryland — President Joe Biden traveled to Maryland on Friday to tour the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge by helicopter before meeting with the families of the construction workers who are presumed or confirmed dead after the collapse last week. Biden said he understood the families’ pain of losing their loved ones, and pledged […] The post In Maryland appearance, Biden pledges federal support to rebuild collapsed bridge appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
From fringe to foreground: ‘Loose cannon’ lawmaker departs as leading legislative voice
South Dakota lawmakers had a historic opportunity to boost the state’s lowest-in-the-nation teacher pay in 2016, but the votes weren’t there. The legislation failed by one vote on a Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre. Lee Schoenbeck was a member of the state House at the time and a supporter of the bill. During a […] The post From fringe to foreground: ‘Loose cannon’ lawmaker departs as leading legislative voice appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
The IRS is testing a free method to directly file taxes. But not everyone is thrilled.
WASHINGTON — Many U.S. taxpayers in a dozen states for the first time can electronically file their federal returns directly to the Internal Revenue Service for free — but critics insist the new federal benefit is not needed and will even harm both users and states. More than 50,000 taxpayers in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, […] The post The IRS is testing a free method to directly file taxes. But not everyone is thrilled. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Health and Human Services increases loan forgiveness for OBs, midwives who practice in rural areas
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday a $25,000 increase in loan forgiveness available to primary care providers in designated underserved areas. That means qualifying individuals are eligible for up to $75,000 in forgiveness if they commit to two full-time years of service. The amount is available to medical and osteopathic doctors, including OB-GYNs, […] The post Health and Human Services increases loan forgiveness for OBs, midwives who practice in rural areas appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Hundreds of opponents convince commission to scale back expansion of out-of-state duck licenses
In response to hundreds of opposition comments, the Game, Fish and Parks Commission curtailed a proposal to expand waterfowl licenses for hunters from other states. “We’re not always going to rubber-stamp everything,” said Commission Chair Stephanie Rissler. The amended proposal, which affects duck and goose hunting, passed the commission on a unanimous vote. It increases […] The post Hundreds of opponents convince commission to scale back expansion of out-of-state duck licenses 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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