Pierre
USD student introduces new voting registration initiative
A new voter registration initiative was introduced to the Young Democrats of South Dakota last week by Addison Miller, a sophomore political science student at the University of South Dakota. Miller calls the initiative “Passive Active Registration” with the goal of increasing the number of newly registered Democrats by 50% in areas deemed possible and […]
Nicotine knockout: SD legislation looks to limit minor consumption of nicotine products
USD students might see a change in their vape pens and other nicotine products. Legislation proposed in the South Dakota Legislature aims to crack down on youth nicotine consumption by eliminating flavored Juul pods, which proponents of the legislation said target underage consumers. Two bills regarding nicotine, House Bill 1063 and House Bill 1064, are […]
Editorial: Kill House Bill 1215
It’s evident that South Dakota as a government is against the LGBTQ+ community and they continue to show their disdain by creating legislation directly attacking their rights. House Bill 1215 was introduced last week and aims to strip rights from the LGBTQ+ community. One of the most controversial policies is not recognizing gay marriage, which […]
New bill to make gender affirmation surgeries and procedures illegal
Lawmakers in Pierre began the first set of hearings on Monday to decide on a new bill that will, if passed, affect doctors and transgender minors. The bill would make it a first-class misdemeanor if doctors conduct gender affirmation surgeries and treatments The Vulnerable Child Protection Act (VCPA), also known as House Bill 1057, is […]
USD Student Government votes in favor of Dakota’s Promise Scholarship
The student governments of South Dakota’s six regental universities passed a resolution in support of the Dakota’s Promise Need-Based scholarship on Dec. 10. This scholarship would move the Board of Regents one step closer to their post-secondary education goal. According to the resolution from the South Dakota Student Federation, the South Dakota Student Federation […]
Current and former USD students defend diversity offices in letter to Board of Regents
A group of USD students and alumni showed support for campus diversity offices after state legislators expressed concern to the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) about their role in promoting intellectual diversity Tuesday. Over 60 current and former students signed a letter defending USD’s diversity offices, which was distributed to the Board of Regents […]
Senate Bill 122 moves past committee hearing, colleges concerned
The South Dakota Judiciary Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 122 to the Senate floor on Tuesday. SB 122 will “restrict the enactment of policies governing the possession of firearms at a public institution of higher education.” Essentially, if passed, this bill will forbid the Board of Regents, South Dakota Board of Technical Education or […]
South Dakota becomes 14th state to legalize ‘constitutional carry’ for concealed weapons
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed into law her first bill while as Governor. Senate Bill 47, which Noem signed on Thursday, will make it legal for South Dakota residents to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. Noem said she was “proud” have this be the first legislation she signed while in office as […]
Kristi Noem may face challenges as South Dakota’s first female governor
South Dakotans elected the state’s first female governor, Kristi Noem, last November. Noem served in the U.S. House of Representatives for South Dakota before she was elected governor. Although Noem has experience within South Dakota politics, some women said there is still fear she will not be taken seriously as a leader because of her […]
Committee denies one abortion bill, passes another
South Dakota Senate Bill 6, requiring women to view a sonogram and listen to the fetal heartbeat prior to an abortion, failed in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Friday. However, Senate Bill 72, which requires women to sign a state department of health form prior to an abortion, will be seen on the Senate […]