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South Dakota Searchlight
State demographer projects older population over the next decade
South Dakota’s population will continue to grow, but at a slower rate, while continuing to become more diverse and elderly in the next couple of decades, according to state demographer and South Dakota State University professor Weiwei Zhang. Zhang presented her findings, based on census data, to the legislative House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday […] The post State demographer projects older population over the next decade appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Chief justice: Prioritize public defense, problem solving courts and help for young adults
South Dakota should embrace the role of public defenders, work to guide young adults out of trouble’s way, try harder to protect judges from danger and support problem-solving alternative courts, South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen told lawmakers on Wednesday at the Capitol in Pierre. Jensen also touched on potential changes to bar […] The post Chief justice: Prioritize public defense, problem solving courts and help for young adults appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Another stopgap spending bill in the works as Congress struggles to avert shutdown
WASHINGTON — Congress on Wednesday appeared to be on track to pass a third deadline extension for at least some of the government funding bills that were supposed to become law more than three months ago — putting off a potential government shutdown. The move, while not final, would give the Republican House, Democratic Senate […] The post Another stopgap spending bill in the works as Congress struggles to avert shutdown appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem celebrates tribal flag display, but only two of nine participating so far
PIERRE — Governor Kristi Noem celebrated a new, permanent display of Native American tribal flags in the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, but only two of the nine tribes in the state have contributed flags so far. The two tribal nations whose flags now hang in the Capitol are the Rosebud and Standing Rock Sioux tribes. […] The post Noem celebrates tribal flag display, but only two of nine participating so far appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Which states will join the new summer meal program for low-income kids? Here’s the list.
WASHINGTON — Children from low-income families in 35 states, four tribes and all U.S. territories will now receive permanent food assistance during the summer months when schools are closed, leaving children in 15 states — including South Dakota — excluded from the benefits. Low-income families will now receive $40 each month for each eligible school-aged […] The post Which states will join the new summer meal program for low-income kids? Here’s the list. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Wounded Knee descendants decide not to burn artifacts
RAPID CITY — More than 150 recently repatriated artifacts from the Wounded Knee Massacre were set to be burned. Instead, tribal leaders from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and later the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe asked to halt the ceremony. On Dec. 29, instead of burning the artifacts, descendants of Wounded Knee Massacre survivors gathered […] The post Wounded Knee descendants decide not to burn artifacts appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
In State of State, Noem offers few new proposals while reviewing her record
PIERRE — Governor Kristi Noem recounted her administration’s achievements while offering few new proposals Tuesday during her 2024 State of the State address at the Capitol. Noem organized the speech as a “Top Ten List of things we are doing here in South Dakota to ensure that Freedom Works Here.” The list highlighted her efforts […] The post In State of State, Noem offers few new proposals while reviewing her record appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Immigration talks center on parole, asylum policy; Thune says deal unlikely before deadline
WASHINGTON — A deal on changes to immigration policy remained elusive on Tuesday for top U.S. Senate negotiators. Those leading the talks — Sens. James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma, Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut and Kyrsten Sinema, independent of Arizona — have worked for weeks to strike a deal between the White House and Senate […] The post Immigration talks center on parole, asylum policy; Thune says deal unlikely before deadline appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Three-judge federal panel grills Trump lawyer on claim of presidential immunity
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump appeared in federal court Tuesday seeking immunity from charges that he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and knowingly fed lies to supporters who turned violent on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump, who is leading polls in the 2024 Republican presidential primary field, watched while his attorney D. […] The post Three-judge federal panel grills Trump lawyer on claim of presidential immunity appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Trump legal problems abound as first test of 2024 presidential campaign nears in Iowa
WASHINGTON — On the cusp of a 2024 election season like none other in U.S. history, former President Donald Trump’s legal and political worlds are set to converge. Trump’s lawyers today will argue before a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. that he is immune from prosecution for actions he’s accused of taking while in […] The post Trump legal problems abound as first test of 2024 presidential campaign nears in Iowa appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Hydrogen tax rules draw fire from industry
The October announcement that the U.S. Department of Energy had selected seven regional hub projects for billions in federal money to spur the production of clean hydrogen was met with considerable fanfare from the fledgling industry, seen as crucial to helping decarbonize the American economy. But when the Biden administration’s Treasury Department released proposed regulations last […] The post Hydrogen tax rules draw fire from industry appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Former official: Politically connected firm was ‘obvious’ favorite for Noem ad campaign
PIERRE — A former Noem administration employee told legislators Monday that a politically connected, out-of-state marketing firm seemed predestined for selection to carry out a state advertising campaign. “It was pretty obvious that was who we would be selecting at the end of this,” said Nate Welch. He was marketing director for the Governor’s Office […] The post Former official: Politically connected firm was ‘obvious’ favorite for Noem ad campaign appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State Supreme Court signals caution in conflict of interest case
PIERRE — The South Dakota Supreme Court might soon offer clarity on what it means for a lawmaker to have a conflict of interest on state contracts. Or it won’t. On Monday in Pierre, the justices spent much of a hearing on the matter peppering Attorney General Marty Jackley and lawyers for the governor and […] The post State Supreme Court signals caution in conflict of interest case appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
With abortion on the 2024 ballot, campaigns could see millions in funding from familiar players
Abortion access has been a central question in at least six state elections since the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2022 Dobbs decision, including ballot questions in California, Michigan and Vermont that added access to abortion care as an explicit right, and 2023’s gubernatorial race in Kentucky, a state with a near-total ban where an anti-abortion […] The post With abortion on the 2024 ballot, campaigns could see millions in funding from familiar players appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Climate changing: Research shows times for ‘prescribed burns’ in the West shifting
Deciding when and where to conduct prescribed burns is becoming increasingly important as the climate warms, and, according to a recent study, the timing and frequency of appropriate weather will also play a larger role. Prescribed burns are an essential tool land managers use in reducing fuel availability for extreme wildfires, and conditions favorable to […] The post Climate changing: Research shows times for ‘prescribed burns’ in the West shifting appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Education, taxes, crime: Notable bills filed ahead of South Dakota’s 2024 legislative session
Teacher pay, tax relief, election processes, and tweaks to medical marijuana laws are among the topics of bills filed ahead of the annual legislative session. More than 100 bills have been introduced so far. More than 500 bills were filed during the 40-day session last year. The 99th South Dakota legislative session kicks off Tuesday […] The post Education, taxes, crime: Notable bills filed ahead of South Dakota’s 2024 legislative session appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
December jobs report: Wages up, hiring steady as job market ends year strong
Friday’s jobs data showed a strong, resilient U.S. labor market with wages outpacing inflation — welcome news for Americans hoping to have more purchasing power in 2024. The December jobs report unveiled another unemployment rate below 4%, as it has for two years, at 3.7%, the same as it was for November. The economy added […] The post December jobs report: Wages up, hiring steady as job market ends year strong appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Does South Dakota have too many universities?
Savvy business owners and managers are always looking for efficiencies in order to enhance profitability. Not so in government. The motivations are different there. Government officials tend to resist change. Once a government benefit, building or department is created, people and jobs become dependent on maintaining the status quo. And those people wield political clout. […] The post Does South Dakota have too many universities? appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
One in five SD students is chronically absent. The state is awarding millions to address it.
Student absenteeism is one of the biggest problems facing South Dakota public education, said state Secretary of Education Joseph Graves. Chronic absenteeism among South Dakota students jumped from 14% during the 2018-2019 school year to 21% during the 2022-2023 school year. That increase is more pronounced among Native American students, whose chronic absenteeism rates jumped […] The post One in five SD students is chronically absent. The state is awarding millions to address it. appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Presidential candidates largely mum about details on how to ‘save’ Social Security
WASHINGTON — The winner of next year’s presidential election could very well be holding the reins when it comes time to address Social Security’s complicated financial situation. The program, which millions of retirees depend on for income stability, will see benefits cut by nearly a quarter in 2033 if Congress and the White House haven’t […] The post Presidential candidates largely mum about details on how to ‘save’ Social Security 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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