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South Dakota Searchlight
ACLU sues state over ‘REZWEED’ vanity license plate
The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota wants a judge to stop the state from saying no to vanity license plates over “poor taste.” The nonprofit filed its lawsuit in U.S. District Court in South Dakota on behalf of a client named Lynn Hart, who’d asked for and been denied a vanity plate that […] The post ACLU sues state over ‘REZWEED’ vanity license plate appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
South Dakota inspired ICWA but still has high rate of Native children in foster care
Cheryl Spider DeCoteau was nervous. It was the Sisseton Wahpeton tribal citizen’s first time in Washington, D.C., and she sat in front of two senators, multiple congressional aides, lawyers and clerks in a large, wood-paneled committee room, bright lights shining down. Two of the 23-year-old’s sons, ages 5 and 3, sat in the audience while […] The post South Dakota inspired ICWA but still has high rate of Native children in foster care appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
The Lost Children: Overrepresentation of Native American children in the SD foster care system
South Dakota officials have known Native American children are overrepresented in the foster care system for nearly 50 years. The Indian Child Welfare Act, a 1978 federal law, was meant to tackle the problem not just in the state but across the country at a time when Native children were regularly removed from their families. […] The post The Lost Children: Overrepresentation of Native American children in the SD foster care system appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
One year out: how a free and fair 2024 presidential election could be under threat
The last time America elected a president, it led to a deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol and a failed coup that gravely damaged the political system and marred the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in U.S. history. A year from now, the nation’s voters will decide another presidential contest — likely […] The post One year out: how a free and fair 2024 presidential election could be under threat appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
An invitation from SD’s new poet laureate: Tell me the what and the why of your life
EDITOR’S NOTE: This commentary is adapted with permission from a speech by Bruce Roseland, South Dakota’s new poet laureate, in September 2023 at the South Dakota Festival of Books in Deadwood. For the next four years, I am the ambassador for poetry in South Dakota, and I take this seriously. I see much of living […] The post An invitation from SD’s new poet laureate: Tell me the what and the why of your life appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Defying the odds: Meet the attorney for 1,000 clients who beat two pipeline companies
Brian Jorde said most people didn’t think he or his clients had much of a chance to stop a pair of carbon dioxide pipelines after the plans were announced two years ago. “‘You all are a nuisance. We all know this is getting permitted.’ That has been the attitude of these pipelines since day one, […] The post Defying the odds: Meet the attorney for 1,000 clients who beat two pipeline companies appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem issues 40 more pardons since April
Gov. Kristi Noem has issued 40 pardons since April, according to records on file with the Secretary of State’s Office. The pardons bring the total number issued by Gov. Noem since the start of her first term to 268. The Board of Pardons and Paroles offers recommendations on pardons to the governor, but South Dakota’s […] The post Noem issues 40 more pardons since April appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Tourism and fairness concerns delay decision on fishing-license oddity
MADISON — It’s still cheaper for visitors from other states to buy three one-day South Dakota fishing licenses than one three-day license, at least for now. Amid debates about tourism and the fairness of fees for in-state anglers vs. out-of-staters, the Game, Fish and Parks Commission postponed its anticipated vote Thursday in Madison on the […] The post Tourism and fairness concerns delay decision on fishing-license oddity appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Task force: Young adults up to 25 need special attention from courts, corrections
People between 18 and 25 years old are more likely to commit crimes, get arrested and lose momentum in their emerging adult lives as a result. Early intervention and structured support can help keep them out of the justice system altogether. At least that’s what criminal justice research suggests. Juvenile justice report: More delinquent kids […] The post Task force: Young adults up to 25 need special attention from courts, corrections appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
SD’s Johnson votes yes as House pushes through Israel-only aid bill
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Thursday approved a $14.3 billion spending bill to aid Israel in its war against Hamas, but the measure stands no chance of passing the Senate and has elicited a veto threat from the White House. The 14-page bill, one of the first major tests for newly elected GOP Speaker […] The post SD’s Johnson votes yes as House pushes through Israel-only aid bill appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
23 Republicans, including Johnson, join Democrats to turn back Tlaib censure
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to quash an effort to censure Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib after Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene accused her of “antisemitic activity.” The motion to table the resolution, introduced by Greene on Oct. 24, succeeded in a 222-186 vote Wednesday night. The Georgia Republican falsely accused […] The post 23 Republicans, including Johnson, join Democrats to turn back Tlaib censure appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Juvenile justice report: More delinquent kids taken to court
South Dakota prosecutors filed more juvenile delinquency petitions in fiscal year 2023 than at any time in nearly a decade, according to an annual report presented Wednesday to a state committee. The report came during the fall meeting of the Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Oversight Council, which is a group of representatives from law enforcement, schools, […] The post Juvenile justice report: More delinquent kids taken to court appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Governors risk NCAA ramifications with opposition to transgender policy, scholar says
Governors criticizing an NCAA policy on transgender student athletes may put their universities at risk of “penalties or ramifications” if those institutions disobey the policy, according to a sports law scholar. Joshua Lens is an assistant professor of recreation and sport management at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, who wrote an article on NCAA transgender […] The post Governors risk NCAA ramifications with opposition to transgender policy, scholar says appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Biden launches ‘Investing in Rural America’ push with Cabinet officials
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and administration officials are kicking off an “Investing in Rural America” event series, starting with a visit to a Minnesota farm Wednesday to announce nearly $5 billion for conservation, economic development and “climate smart” agriculture. Biden, who is running for reelection in 2024, has been highlighting what the administration calls […] The post Biden launches ‘Investing in Rural America’ push with Cabinet officials appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Thune and Rounds vote against Biden pick for ambassador to Israel
The U.S. Senate voted, 53-43, Tuesday to confirm Jacob J. Lew as ambassador to Israel amid a recent escalation in the U.S. ally’s war with the militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Senators of both parties agreed the need to confirm an ambassador to Israel gained urgency after Hamas’ surprise attack on Oct. 7 […] The post Thune and Rounds vote against Biden pick for ambassador to Israel appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Tough to evaluate other penitentiary location options without transparency
South Dakota is finally moving forward on the long overdue replacement of its men’s penitentiary near downtown Sioux Falls. It announced a new site and a timeline for the move. However, the process for selecting a replacement site has raised questions and concerns from the public. In recent decades, downtown Sioux Falls has grown into […] The post Tough to evaluate other penitentiary location options without transparency appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State monitoring timber transport project to keep unwanted bugs out of Black Hills
A South Dakota forest expert is leading an effort to ensure invasive tree bugs are not hitching rides on trains from other parts of the country to the Black Hills. The trains are transporting logs from forests in other states to Black Hills sawmills in need of timber. It’s a pilot project operated by the […] The post State monitoring timber transport project to keep unwanted bugs out of Black Hills appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Forest Service floats fee increase as latest response to Black Hills UTV surge
There was a time years ago when Travis Bies didn’t worry as much about cattle escaping his Black Hills pastures. “Every Monday, you had to be there and check your gates to make sure they were closed,” Bies said. “Now, I’ve had to hire a full-time person to be there every day.” That’s because so […] The post Forest Service floats fee increase as latest response to Black Hills UTV surge appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
If you’ve lost Medicaid since the pandemic, expansion coverage may be available
You may not recognize my name, but you might recognize my face. Last year at this time, my personal story was featured as part of the campaign to expand health insurance access in South Dakota. I shared how I didn’t have health insurance when I was diagnosed with leukemia at age 26. I encouraged you […] The post If you’ve lost Medicaid since the pandemic, expansion coverage may be available appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Big prices drive interest in small homes, but lot-size rules stand in the way
Rob Poeppel wants to build illegal houses. Or at least they would be illegal if he hadn’t gotten a waiver from the Rapid City Council. The 165 houses the Rapid City developer and real estate agent hopes to build and sell aren’t designed for drug dealers or meant to be used for otherwise unscrupulous activity, though.
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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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