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Alabama’s Britt blasts Biden on economy, immigration in GOP State of the Union reply
First-term U.S. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday night, and laid blame on Biden for a host of national and international crises — what she said is chaos at the border, in cities, in the economy and among U.S. allies. Britt stuck […] The post Alabama’s Britt blasts Biden on economy, immigration in GOP State of the Union reply appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Biden warns ‘freedom and democracy are under attack’ in fierce State of the Union address
WASHINGTON — In remarks pivotal to his reelection this fall, President Joe Biden in his State of the Union address Thursday night portrayed himself as the defender of democracy, touted the bipartisan deals he’s brokered during his first term in office and appealed to Congress to support Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion. […] The post Biden warns ‘freedom and democracy are under attack’ in fierce State of the Union address appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. House, with yes vote from Johnson, approves immigration bill linked to Georgia murder
WASHINGTON — Hours before President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, the U.S. House Thursday passed the Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia college student whose murder has been blamed by conservatives on White House immigration policies. On the 251-170 vote, 37 Democrats voted with Republicans who pushed for the legislation. South Dakota’s […] The post U.S. House, with yes vote from Johnson, approves immigration bill linked to Georgia murder appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Rounds votes yes, Thune no as US Senate endorses extension of radiation exposure fund
The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to expand eligibility and extend the life of a fund for people exposed to radiation by the federal government. South Dakotans who worked in uranium mining, milling and transport decades ago in Edgemont are among those already eligible for the program who could benefit from the extension. In a 69-30 vote, […] The post Rounds votes yes, Thune no as US Senate endorses extension of radiation exposure fund appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
New hearing ordered for woman sentenced to prison without aid of attorney
When Tashina Abraham-Medved appeared in a Roberts County courtroom to be sentenced for felony drug ingestion in April of 2022, her lawyer asked to be removed from the case. That court-appointed attorney, Robert Doody, said there had been a “serious communication breakdown” between himself and his client. Judge Jon Flemmer denied the request and sent […] The post New hearing ordered for woman sentenced to prison without aid of attorney appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Bill allowing counties, cities to reject initiative petitions fails by one vote
A bill that would have allowed county commissioners or city finance officers to reject local ballot-question petitions if they violate state or federal law failed by one vote on the last day of the legislative session. The bill was a response to petitions regarding election security concerns circulating in at least 18 of South Dakota’s […] The post Bill allowing counties, cities to reject initiative petitions fails by one vote appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Prisons, education and the end of federal pandemic aid: Legislature passes $7.3 billion budget
South Dakota lawmakers ended the main part of their legislative session Thursday by approving a $7.3 billion balanced state budget for next fiscal year, starting July 1 – including a $27 million increase above what Gov. Kristi Noem recommended in December. Legislators are scheduled to return to Pierre for one day on March 25 to […] The post Prisons, education and the end of federal pandemic aid: Legislature passes $7.3 billion budget appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Biden to announce U.S. will construct a port on Gaza coast to deliver humanitarian aid
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is expected to use his State of the Union address Thursday night to announce that the U.S. military will build port infrastructure on the Gaza Strip coast to allow humanitarian aid to arrive by sea. Senior White House officials briefed reporters earlier in the day on the plan that they […] The post Biden to announce U.S. will construct a port on Gaza coast to deliver humanitarian aid appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Biden backs RECA legislation ahead of vote
The White House endorsed legislation to extend funding and expand eligibility for people exposed to radiation by the federal government. The White House wrote of its support for a Senate bill extending the expiration date for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), in a policy memo released Wednesday. “The President believes we have a solemn […] The post Biden backs RECA legislation ahead of vote appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Fluoride in public water has slashed tooth decay, but some states may end mandates
Kentucky state Rep. Mark Hart has been drinking fluoridated water his entire life. In 1954, five years before Hart was born, his home state mandated adding or adjusting levels of the mineral, which occurs naturally in water, in drinking water systems of populations larger than 3,000. But after hearing from a constituent a few years […] The post Fluoride in public water has slashed tooth decay, but some states may end mandates appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Legislature passes attempted balance between landowners and carbon pipeline project
Years of debate about a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline came to a head Wednesday at the state Capitol as lawmakers passed three bills intended to strengthen landowner protections while maintaining a regulatory path forward for the project. The bills passed the state House of Representatives and Senate and now head to the governor’s desk for […] The post Legislature passes attempted balance between landowners and carbon pipeline project appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Johnson votes yes as U.S. House passes $468 billion spending package that would stave off shutdown
WASHINGTON — U.S. House lawmakers cast a broadly bipartisan vote Wednesday to approve a six-bill government funding package, marking one of the few consequential votes on major legislation that chamber has taken since Republicans took the majority more than a year ago. The $468 billion package includes half of the annual spending bills for the […] The post Johnson votes yes as U.S. House passes $468 billion spending package that would stave off shutdown appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Lawmakers approve $10 million for airport grants as session winds down
Airports across the state may soon be able to apply for a share of $10 million in state-funded grants to improve, expand and support the future capacity demands of their terminals, thanks to a bill headed to the governor’s desk. The grants would be issued by the state Aeronautics Commission. Lawmakers said the grants would […] The post Lawmakers approve $10 million for airport grants as session winds down appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Federal judge nominees for South Dakota appear before committee in Washington, D.C.
Two nominees for federal judgeships in South Dakota told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that they’d apply the law fairly and equally, with an eye to court precedence and balance. It was the first appearance in Washington, D.C., for Eric Schulte and Camela Theeler, both of Sioux Falls, since their official nominations to […] The post Federal judge nominees for South Dakota appear before committee in Washington, D.C. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Legislature passes bill aiming to increase teacher salaries, compensation
PIERRE — School districts may soon be required to raise average teacher compensation each year by a rate nearly equal to the increase in state education funding. The Senate and House of Representatives sent a bill to the governor Wednesday that would require school districts raise average teacher compensation – which includes salary and benefits […] The post Legislature passes bill aiming to increase teacher salaries, compensation appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Trump, Biden close in on clinching nominations after broad Super Tuesday victories
WASHINGTON — Despite facing 91 felony counts, hefty civil penalties and a packed 2024 legal calendar, Donald Trump emerged on Super Tuesday as the Republican Party’s presumptive choice as its presidential candidate in November. The former president has secured 995 of the necessary 1,215 GOP delegates needed to clinch the GOP nomination, and likely will […] The post Trump, Biden close in on clinching nominations after broad Super Tuesday victories appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Nikki Haley to withdraw from the GOP contest after winning just 1 Super Tuesday state
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley plans to withdraw from the Republican presidential contest Wednesday, ending her increasingly long-shot bid of toppling former President Donald Trump, according to multiple media sources. Haley will give a speech at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Charleston, where she launched her campaign, The Wall Street Journal first reported. While she […] The post Nikki Haley to withdraw from the GOP contest after winning just 1 Super Tuesday state appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Rapid City wants passenger rail, sends support to Federal Railroad Administration
Rapid City Council members plan to tell the Federal Railroad Administration that their city should be connected to Sioux Falls and Minneapolis by passenger rail. Mayor Jason Salamun read a resolution saying as much out loud at Monday’s city council meeting, after which the council voted unanimously to approve it. “I can tell you I’ll […] The post Rapid City wants passenger rail, sends support to Federal Railroad Administration appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State Senate keeps sales tax reduction temporary
The state Senate killed off a last-minute attempt Tuesday in the House to permanently lower South Dakota’s sales tax to 4.2%, as lawmakers acted on several bills during the third-to-last day of the legislative session. The Legislature and Gov. Kristi Noem lowered the sales tax from 4.5% to 4.2% last year, but that tax relief […] The post State Senate keeps sales tax reduction temporary appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Biden to push for return of expanded child tax credit in State of the Union speech
WASHINGTON — Top White House economic officials said Tuesday that President Joe Biden will announce how his administration is tackling economic issues — from the housing crisis to restoring the expansion of the child tax credit — during this week’s State of the Union address to Congress and the nation. “Providing more breathing room to […] The post Biden to push for return of expanded child tax credit in State of the Union speech 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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