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South Dakota Searchlight
Democrats nominate PUC candidate at state convention
The South Dakota Democratic Party has nominated Forrest Wilson, of Lead, as its candidate for the Public Utilities Commission in the Nov. 5 general election. Wilson is the director at the Lead-Deadwood Boys & Girls Club. “South Dakotans deserve a public utilities commissioner who will advocate for the everyday utility rate payer,” Wilson said in […] The post Democrats nominate PUC candidate at state convention appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
SD courts aim to improve language access as diversity, interpreter needs grow
Interpreter use in South Dakota courtrooms has more than doubled in the last decade, according to the Unified Judicial System. Requests for translation services, which cost the state more than $26,000 a year in 2022 and 2023, increased from 1,566 in 2013 to 3,570 in 2023 UJS expects further growth in requests as South Dakota […] The post SD courts aim to improve language access as diversity, interpreter needs grow appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Industry, clean power groups breathe a sigh of relief as Senate approves energy regulators
Three nominees by President Joe Biden to serve on the nation’s top energy regulatory panel, which had risked losing a quorum, were approved this week by the U.S. Senate. The vote to approve the new members — two Democrats and a Republican — for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was cheered by industry, renewable power […] The post Industry, clean power groups breathe a sigh of relief as Senate approves energy regulators appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branch’s already-limited […] The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Official shares data on South Dakota’s multi-family housing spree, tight labor market
Six thousand five hundred new housing units worth $1.4 billion were built in South Dakota last year, a state economic development official said Wednesday, helping alleviate rising home costs. “Our building permits are notably concentrated on multi-family housing, with an average of 1.8 units per building,” Joe Fiala with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development […] The post Official shares data on South Dakota’s multi-family housing spree, tight labor market appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Failure to make domestic violence arrests draws demerits for Bennett County sheriff’s deputy
The state’s police commission has ordered a Bennett County sheriff’s deputy to take part in remedial training because of his mishandling of domestic violence cases. The Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission made its vote on Deputy Kevin Curtis after a Wednesday hearing in Pierre. The hearing included more than two hours of testimony […] The post Failure to make domestic violence arrests draws demerits for Bennett County sheriff’s deputy appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears
WASHINGTON — When Lauren Miller flew from her home state of Texas to Colorado two years ago she felt a moment of relief when the plane took off — not because she had been delayed for hours or because she needed a vacation, but because she was about to meet with doctors who would be […] The post State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. House GOP votes to hold attorney general in contempt in dispute over audio recording
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans voted Wednesday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for his refusal to release audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interviews with Department of Justice officials. The GOP lawmakers maintain the audio is valuable for their monthslong impeachment inquiry into Biden. House Republicans brought the contempt citation […] The post U.S. House GOP votes to hold attorney general in contempt in dispute over audio recording appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Man in photo Noem used as alleged proof of cartels says it’s hindered his right to a fair trial
A Native American man said Gov. Kristi Noem hindered his ability to receive a fair trial when she displayed a photo of him recently as alleged proof of cartel activity on reservations. Noem flashed three photos during a May 17 press conference while talking about the Mexican drug cartel activity she said is happening in […] The post Man in photo Noem used as alleged proof of cartels says it’s hindered his right to a fair trial appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
The wait begins for Leonard Peltier
RAPID CITY, S.D. — By July 1, a decision will be made regarding what could be Anishinaabe AIM activist and now elder Leonard Peltier’s last shot at freedom. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians citizen’s parole hearing lasted about seven hours on June 10. This was Peltier’s first parole hearing in over a decade. […] The post The wait begins for Leonard Peltier appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem’s ‘banish the cartels’ obscures statewide drug problem, tribal leaders say
For months, Gov. Kristi Noem has stoked controversy by calling on tribal leaders to “banish the cartels.” But Noem has never mentioned 18-pound methamphetamine shipments from Arizona to Trent, population 218, by way of Mexico. She hasn’t publicly spoken about the Mexican nationals convicted recently for their roles in a locally led, Sioux Falls-based drug […] The post Noem’s ‘banish the cartels’ obscures statewide drug problem, tribal leaders say 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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