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South Dakota Searchlight
Expansion of antitrust enforcement in agriculture is a hopeful sign for farmers and ranchers
I’m a fourth-generation Brown County farmer and cattle rancher determined to make it possible for my children to be fifth-generation family farmers. That’s why I’ve been advocating since the 1980s for enforcement of antitrust laws protecting family farmers and ranchers from abuse and market manipulation by meatpackers. Now, as president of South Dakota’s largest agriculture […] The post Expansion of antitrust enforcement in agriculture is a hopeful sign for farmers and ranchers appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Counties hit with $74,000 in plaintiffs’ attorney fees for trying to restrict petition circulators
Two South Dakota counties whose policies violated petition circulators’ First Amendment rights to political speech had to fork over a combined $74,000 in attorney fees and costs for the lawyer representing the group that sued them. On Wednesday, a federal judge ordered Lawrence County to pay Dakotans for Health’s attorney, Jim Leach, $19,238.90 in fees […]
State boards approve $87 million in bonds, loans and a grant to businesses
State boards approved two loans, one grant and four bonds Wednesday worth a combined $87 million. The Board of Economic Development and Economic Development Finance Authority approved the assistance, which will be administered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The office announced the approvals in a news release. The state’s help will support private […]
Missouri leads seven states, including SD, challenging transgender health care protections
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is leading a coalition of seven states — including South Dakota — challenging a rule by the Biden administration that would preempt state restrictions on gender-affirming care. Filed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on Wednesday, the states are seeking to block the regulation and […] The post Missouri leads seven states, including SD, challenging transgender health care protections appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Statewide South Dakota 911 outage caused by hurricane in southern US, provider says
A second statewide 911 outage this year is suspected to have been caused by Hurricane Beryl making landfall in Texas on Tuesday night and damaging network infrastructure, according to South Dakota’s 911 telecommunications provider Lumen, formerly known as CenturyLink. Investigations into the cause are still ongoing, said spokesman Matthew Villarreal. “Our techs worked hard to […] The post Statewide South Dakota 911 outage caused by hurricane in southern US, provider says appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Referendum on carbon pipeline law validated for November election
A seventh ballot question has been validated by the Secretary of State’s Office for the Nov. 5 general election. The referendum asks voters to consider a recently adopted state law concerning carbon dioxide pipeline restrictions and landowner rights. Based on a random sample of signatures, the office estimated that 92% percent of the more than […]
State says six inmates injured in fights at prison in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — The South Dakota Department of Corrections says six inmates were hurt at a prison in Springfield following an overnight bout of unrest. Agency spokesman Michael Winder said Wednesday morning that the inmates suffered “non-life-threatening” injuries in fighting that began Tuesday evening at Mike Durfee State Prison. His emailed message said “several inmates” were […] The post State says six inmates injured in fights at prison in Springfield appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Gas taxes can’t pay for roads much longer, but Amazon deliveries might
For decades, states have relied on gas taxes to provide much of the money to maintain roads and bridges. But as cars become more fuel efficient, and some Americans switch to electric vehicles, state leaders say the gas tax won’t pay the bills for much longer. At the same time, many cities have seen their […] The post Gas taxes can’t pay for roads much longer, but Amazon deliveries might appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Biden commends NATO strength, pledges more aid for Ukraine against Russia
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said NATO “is more powerful than ever” in remarks Tuesday to honor the 75th anniversary of the alliance and reaffirm allied support for Ukraine one day after Russian missile strikes on a children’s hospital killed dozens in Kyiv. Biden spoke at the annual North American Treaty Organization’s summit happening this […] The post Biden commends NATO strength, pledges more aid for Ukraine against Russia appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
United by their objections to Trump, congressional Dems largely close ranks behind Biden
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats appeared to quell some inner tumult over supporting President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, after highly anticipated internal meetings Tuesday showed the president retained considerable support from the Congressional Black Caucus and other lawmakers in public statements. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Democrats from both chambers largely declined to detail their […] The post United by their objections to Trump, congressional Dems largely close ranks behind Biden appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
New group argues grocery tax repeal could lead to income tax; sponsor calls claim a ‘fool’s errand’
SIOUX FALLS — A new coalition opposed to eliminating the sales tax on groceries says if the ballot measure passes on Nov. 5, it could wipe out more than just the intended state sales tax, cause cuts to public services and even lead to a state income tax — all claims that the measure’s organizer […] The post New group argues grocery tax repeal could lead to income tax; sponsor calls claim a ‘fool’s errand’ appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Native American man used by Noem as alleged proof of cartel presence takes plea deal in drug case
Nearly two months after Gov. Kristi Noem used a photo of him as alleged proof that cartels have overrun tribal communities, a Rapid City man accepted a plea deal this week to a drug conspiracy charge. Charles Cain Merrival, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, has been jailed in Rapid City for two and […] The post Native American man used by Noem as alleged proof of cartel presence takes plea deal in drug case appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Former legislator establishes Republican group to support abortion-rights amendment
Casey Murschel, a Republican former legislator and former Sioux Falls city councilor, will lead a new group of Republicans supporting an abortion-rights ballot question, she said Tuesday. Murschel said the group, Republicans for Freedom Amendment G, does not have a roster of members yet and has some members who are not yet “public.” Abortions are […] The post Former legislator establishes Republican group to support abortion-rights amendment appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Election audits match machine tallies in most counties, ‘minimal’ discrepancies in others
Post-election audits across South Dakota matched primary election night results from tabulator machines in most counties, according to statewide data released Wednesday by the Secretary of State’s Office. Post-election audits are a routine practice in most states to verify whether equipment used to count votes worked properly and yielded the correct result, but the review […] The post Election audits match machine tallies in most counties, ‘minimal’ discrepancies in others appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Federal judge declines to intervene ‘at this time’ in fight over abortion ballot measure
A federal judge is declining, for now, to stop a lawsuit in state court against South Dakota’s abortion-rights ballot measure. Judge Karen Schreier signed her order Friday. She said a state court should rule on a key issue in the lawsuit before she considers intervening. But she added, “If the state court ruling contradicts a […] The post Federal judge declines to intervene ‘at this time’ in fight over abortion ballot measure appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Police academy for tribal recruits should lead to regional effort, attorney general says
PIERRE — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley hopes a new basic law enforcement training course that prioritizes tribal recruits will prove the state could host regional training for Native American officers from the Upper Midwest. Jackley and U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell spoke Monday at the George S. Mickelson Law Enforcement Center in Pierre, in […] The post Police academy for tribal recruits should lead to regional effort, attorney general says appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Sustainable jet fuel company contributes $167K in defense of carbon pipeline law
A company aiming to produce aviation fuel from ethanol in South Dakota has contributed $167,000 to defend a new carbon dioxide pipeline law that voters could be asked to reject in November. The company, Gevo, made the contribution to a ballot question committee called Protect South Dakota’s Ag Future. The contribution was not affected by […] The post Sustainable jet fuel company contributes $167K in defense of carbon pipeline law appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation
President Joe Biden pledged Monday to stay in his race for reelection, even after a weekend in which a growing number of Democrats asked for him to withdraw and a key U.S. House Republican called for an investigation into the president’s doctor. In a letter to congressional Democrats, Biden argued that the calls for him […] The post Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows
Clinic closures in the wake of the Dobbs decision and questions about the legality of emergency contraceptives, including disinformation that some are abortion drugs, may have contributed to a sharp drop in the rate of prescriptions for contraceptives in states with the most restrictive abortion bans, according to a University of California Los Angeles study. […] The post Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Company applies to build 68-turbine, $621 million wind project in northeast SD
An energy company has applied to construct another wind farm in northeastern South Dakota. The company is Chicago-based Invenergy. It wants to build up to 68 turbines through its South Dakota subsidiary, Deuel Harvest Wind Energy South. The turbines would be spread across 54 square miles of privately owned land near the small town of […] The post Company applies to build 68-turbine, $621 million wind project in northeast SD 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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