Pierre
South Dakota Residents Protest “Hands Off”
On Saturday, April 5, thousands of South Dakota residents from across the state gathered in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Brookings to join the national “Hands Off” protest. The event was a part of the national 50501 project, which aimed and succeeded at holding 50 protests across all 50 states in just one day. Protesters assembled […]
Senate Bill 100 Could Allow Concealed Carry on Public Universities
A South Dakota legislative bill is being referred to the House State Affairs Committee after passing in the Senate. If it passes the House of Representatives and is signed into law, it would allow concealed carry on public college campuses across the state of South Dakota. Senate Bill 100 was first introduced at the meeting […]
South Dakota’s Political Prominence Brings Change and Uncertainty
In the wake of the 2024 general election, South Dakota has seen some of its politicians sent to prominent positions. Senator John Thune won a bid to become the Senate Republicans next leader, replacing Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. “I wasn’t surprised by that at all,” said political science professor Julia Hellwege. “I think has […]
South Dakota Has No Place for CO2 Pipelines
Last Wednesday, the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) denied a permit for a CO2 pipeline in five South Dakota counties. Earlier this year, Navigator CO2 Ventures, a Texas-based carbon management company, announced plans to build a carbon dioxide pipeline from North Dakota to Illinois. The pipeline would carry carbon dioxide from around two dozen facilities […]
Suspension Over for Sen. Frye-Muller
After being placed on indefinite suspension, the South Dakota Senate voted to reinstate Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller following the recommendation of a committee regarding her comments to a staffer. This follows a complaint made on Jan. 25 against the Rapid City senator by a Legislative Research Council staffer in the wake of a conversation between her, […]
SHED lobbies South Dakota Legislature in Pierre
Students in Higher Education Days (SHED) is a student lobbying group that goes to Pierre during the legislative session to encourage the legislature to pass certain bills. SHED takes place on Jan. 30 and 31. The first day students get training on how to lobby and they get together for a social. On day two, […]
Legislature to reinstate diploma privilege for law school, bill killed in committee
House Bill (HB) 1073 was introduced to the South Dakota House of Representatives this legislative session by Rep. Mary Fitzgerald from Lawrence County. HB 1073 would have allowed people graduating from the law school at USD to practice law in the state without taking the bar exam. However, the bill was killed during the House […]
Legislature divided on trans rights, governor defends Opportunity Center
On Jan. 27 the state capitol held press conferences and multiple house and senate sessions to wrap up their third week. Reporters asked multiple questions about similar topics between the Democrats, Republicans and Gov. Kristi Noem. Democrat Sens., Troy Heinert and Jamie Smith, discussed Senate Bill 46 which would not allow transgender women to […]
South Dakota legislature redistricts Clay County
Every 10 years, legislators redraw the legislative districts of South Dakota. This year, the State House and Senate differed on their approaches. The State House’s draft plan, along with other differences from the final plan, included splitting the city Vermillion into three separate districts. Lee Schoenbeck, District 5 legislator and president pro tempore of South […]
Former Executive Director Summoned after Noems Daughter Denied Certification
In July, Governor Kristi Noem summoned Sherry Bren, the former executive director of the South Dakota Appraiser Certification Program, to her office to discuss appraiser procedures after her daughter, Kassidy Peters, was denied her certification to become a real estate appraiser. Peters was at the meeting as well. In Nov. Four months after, Peters obtained her licenses. After the meeting […]