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Trump claim of presidential immunity turned down by federal appeals court in D.C.
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump can be prosecuted for charges he schemed to overturn the 2020 election, a three-judge panel of a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday, rejecting Trump’s argument he was immune from criminal prosecution for any alleged conduct during his presidential term. In a unanimous opinion, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals […] The post Trump claim of presidential immunity turned down by federal appeals court in D.C. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem’s border aid comes with personal costs for South Dakotans
During a rare joint session of the Legislature, Gov. Kristi Noem gave lawmakers an accounting of her recent trip to the “warzone” at the Texas-Mexico border. She was soon caught up in a different kind of accounting amid revelations that South Dakota taxpayers are going to be on the hook for the cost of sending […] The post Noem’s border aid comes with personal costs for South Dakotans appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Landowner protection bills advance as carbon pipeline controversy continues
PIERRE — A committee of state lawmakers endorsed three bills Monday that would protect some landowner rights but would not prevent a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline. The committee considered five bills that would impact the pipeline project. Three passed the House Commerce and Energy Committee and two failed. The three bills now headed to the […] The post Landowner protection bills advance as carbon pipeline controversy continues appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Intense opposition to U.S. Senate immigration deal quickly emerges
WASHINGTON — The proposed global security funding legislation that includes major bipartisan updates to immigration policy encountered opposition from members of both parties Monday, especially Republicans upset by the Biden administration’s handling of border security, charting a tumultuous path for passage in the Senate this week. The deal on immigration policy, negotiated for months by […] The post Intense opposition to U.S. Senate immigration deal quickly emerges appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Switch to primaries for attorney general, secretary of state advances to House
Primary voters would pick their party’s nominees for attorney general and secretary of state under a bill that cleared a state House committee Monday morning. House Bill 1198 is the third attempt in recent years – and the second in 2024 – to take candidate selection for some offices out of the hands of party […] The post Switch to primaries for attorney general, secretary of state advances to House appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Details of proposed major overhaul of U.S. immigration law, global aid package unveiled
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday night released a $118.28 billion global security package that includes a long-anticipated overhaul of immigration law negotiated by a bipartisan trio of senators. “The United States and our allies are facing multiple, complex and, in places, coordinated challenges from adversaries who seek to disrupt democracy […] The post Details of proposed major overhaul of U.S. immigration law, global aid package unveiled appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Legislative Roundup: ‘Diet weed,’ lithium taxation, quantum computers, Medicaid work requirements
Compromise can come quickly in Pierre – at least when lawmakers share the same goal. Rep. Brian Mulder, R-Sioux Falls, is the prime sponsor of a bill that aims to bar the sale or manufacture of synthetically produced “died weed” products. They’re legal under federal law because their active ingredients can be extracted from legally […] The post Legislative Roundup: ‘Diet weed,’ lithium taxation, quantum computers, Medicaid work requirements appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Calls for better teacher pay coalesce into legislation
South Dakota lawmakers haven’t made major changes to education funding and teacher pay in eight years. But that could change this legislative session. The last time the Legislature made major reforms was a half-percent sales tax increase in 2016 to boost the state’s last-in-the-nation ranking for average teacher pay. That infusion raised average teacher pay […] The post Calls for better teacher pay coalesce into legislation appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. retaliates for killings of troops by launching military strikes at Iraq and Syria
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military on Friday took a first round of retaliatory action following the deaths of three American troops by striking facilities in Iraq and Syria, according to a statement from President Joe Biden. “The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world,” Biden said. […] The post U.S. retaliates for killings of troops by launching military strikes at Iraq and Syria appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Trump federal election interference trial delayed pending appeal
A federal judge on Friday officially postponed former President Donald Trump’s trial on charges he conspired to overturn the 2020 election results. The trial, which had been scheduled to begin March 4, will be delayed while an appeals court rules on Trump’s claim that he can’t be prosecuted because the charges stem from actions he […] The post Trump federal election interference trial delayed pending appeal appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Parents and pediatricians. Not politicians.
Like any parent, I’ve spent a lot of time at the doctor’s office over the years. From routine well-baby visits and annual exams to (thankfully fewer) urgent-care situations, I know my way around the clinic. My husband and I have had many questions and great conversations with our doctors regarding the best care for our […] The post Parents and pediatricians. Not politicians. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State apologizes, pays transgender advocacy group $300,000 for discrimination
The state of South Dakota has issued an apology letter and a $300,000 payment to a transgender advocacy group for the abrupt cancellation of a Department of Health contract in 2022. Those are the terms of a settlement agreement inked Thursday in a federal discrimination lawsuit filed by The Transformation Project shortly after the cancellation. […] The post State apologizes, pays transgender advocacy group $300,000 for discrimination appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Child care costs far outpace wages, but dependent care tax credit stuck at 2001 rate
The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday evening to assist low-income families through an expansion of the child tax credit and the bill now awaits approval in the Senate. But some organizations are also highlighting a separate tax credit for child and dependent care, which they say is not providing adequate assistance to families […] The post Child care costs far outpace wages, but dependent care tax credit stuck at 2001 rate appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Death penalty repeal fails by one vote in Senate committee
PIERRE — A Senate panel narrowly shot down a bill to repeal the death penalty in South Dakota on Thursday. The 4-3 vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee came after about an hour of emotional testimony from a judge who presided over a death penalty case, the widow of a slain correctional officer and multiple […] The post Death penalty repeal fails by one vote in Senate committee appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem confirms $1.3 million of border assistance was a gift to Texas
PIERRE — Governor Kristi Noem confirmed Thursday that when she sent South Dakota National Guard troops to help Texas secure the U.S.-Mexico border, she did so with the understanding that the costs would not be reimbursed. “If you look at the amount of dollars that Texas has spent in protection of the southern border, which […] The post Noem confirms $1.3 million of border assistance was a gift to Texas appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Public-private campground dispute flares again in debate over failed bill
PIERRE — A bill seeking to restrict the expansion of state campgrounds was defeated Thursday following spirited testimony from a campground owner who said the legislation was about “broken trust.” The legislation aimed to amend state law to prevent new state campgrounds or additional state camping sites from being built without the approval of legislators. […] The post Public-private campground dispute flares again in debate over failed bill appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
SD’s Johnson votes yes on child tax credit expansion, business tax breaks
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to approve a $78 billion tax package that would expand the child tax credit and reinstate some tax incentives for businesses. The 357-70 vote sends the bill, dubbed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, to the U.S. Senate, where lawmakers are expected […] The post SD’s Johnson votes yes on child tax credit expansion, business tax breaks appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem to lawmakers: Be ready to take action on southern border ‘invasion’
PIERRE — Gov. Kristi Noem used a speech Wednesday before a joint session of the South Dakota Legislature to call the U.S.-Mexico border a “war zone” controlled by drug cartels that also use South Dakota’s reservation communities as a home base for drug distribution. The speech referred to the border situation as “an invasion,” but […] The post Noem to lawmakers: Be ready to take action on southern border ‘invasion’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Fed keeps interest rates same, as expected, with changes likely months away
The Fed held key interest rates steady again Wednesday, as expected, and signaled that a decision that could affect everything from credit card rates to the housing market to new business creation could still be months away. It was the fourth consecutive time the central bank has left the rate unchanged since its September 2023 […] The post Fed keeps interest rates same, as expected, with changes likely months away appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Biden, not Congress, responsible for action on immigration, U.S. House speaker asserts
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday used his first floor speech since taking hold of the gavel more than three months ago to call for immediate action to address undocumented immigration and border security, saying it’s a “moral” responsibility. The Louisiana Republican, however, argued the task should fall to the White House, […] The post Biden, not Congress, responsible for action on immigration, U.S. House speaker asserts 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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