The South Dakota Standard
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The South Dakota Standard provides news and commentary from a progressive perspective. Join the discussion.
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“The foundation of forgiveness is acceptance of the messiness of the human condition. Forgiveness is built on the knowledge that we normal, imperfect humans must learn through struggle and errors.”
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Rapid City research psychologist Christy Heacock: Self-forgiveness opens the door to forgiving others — The South Dakota Standard
“Never be defined by your past. It was just a lesson, not a life sentence.” — Tiny Buddha Forgiving is for giving. Self-forgiveness can be a life-changing gift we give ourselves that opens the...
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December 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
“The foundation of forgiveness is acceptance of the messiness of the human condition. Forgiveness is built on the knowledge that we normal, imperfect humans must learn through struggle and errors.”
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/heacock...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/heacock...
“The question before us now is this: What will it take to get enough Republicans to say, ‘That’s just too much’ and stop making excuses for self-evident lies, ignorance, and incompetence?
“Is anything going to be enough?” — Mike Levsen
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“Is anything going to be enough?” — Mike Levsen
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When will Republicans who put their fear of Trump and his behavior ahead of our country stand up to him? — The South Dakota Standard
Time is running out. Will Republicans find the courage to put our country ahead of their fear of President Trump? We are long past the point where individuals can escape being permanently stained...
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December 15, 2025 at 3:47 PM
“The question before us now is this: What will it take to get enough Republicans to say, ‘That’s just too much’ and stop making excuses for self-evident lies, ignorance, and incompetence?
“Is anything going to be enough?” — Mike Levsen
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/when-wi...
“Is anything going to be enough?” — Mike Levsen
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/when-wi...
“South Dakotans deserve a budget that is honest and straightforward, not full of contradictions. The speech may sound reassuring, but the numbers tell a different story. It is time to demand clarity, honesty and consistency from our leaders.” — Dan Ahlers
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www.sdstandardnow.com/home/sd-demo...
S.D. Democratic Party Director: We deserve straight talk, not contradictions, about state budget from Gov. Rhoden — The South Dakota Standard
Gov. Larry Rhoden’s first budget address sounded simple: a conservative plan with clear goals. But look closer and it is full of contradictions South Dakotans cannot ignore. There are claims that...
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December 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
“South Dakotans deserve a budget that is honest and straightforward, not full of contradictions. The speech may sound reassuring, but the numbers tell a different story. It is time to demand clarity, honesty and consistency from our leaders.” — Dan Ahlers
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/sd-demo...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/sd-demo...
“Chuck Schumer, the embattled Senate minority leader from New York, remarked that Trump’s recent statement amounted to ‘lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline.’”
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Trump's rhetoric continues to splash gasoline as the fire of political violence spreads across country — The South Dakota Standard
As we approach the one-year mark of Donald Trump’s second stint in the presidency, Americans may be losing the ability to be shocked. After six Democratic members of Congress, all of whom are veterans...
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December 12, 2025 at 2:22 PM
“Chuck Schumer, the embattled Senate minority leader from New York, remarked that Trump’s recent statement amounted to ‘lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline.’”
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Farmers are losing money and patience as they wait for Trump’s ‘winning’ to commence, says John Tsitrian.
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Trump helps out farmers battered by his trade policies. Is this what he meant when he promised “so much winning?" — The South Dakota Standard
It was a year ago, but who can forget then-candidate Trump’s loud boast ? He was at a rally shouting that during his administration “we’re gonna win so much you may even get tired of winning and yo...
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December 11, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Farmers are losing money and patience as they wait for Trump’s ‘winning’ to commence, says John Tsitrian.
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trump-h...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trump-h...
Brian Bengs says a new poll offers evidence that only an independent candidate can defeat entrenched South Dakota Republicans.
Is the Democratic brand poisonous in the state?
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Is the Democratic brand poisonous in the state?
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Brian Bengs, who is charting an independent course in quest for U.S. Senate, sees reasons for optimism in poll — The South Dakota Standard
Is the Democratic Party brand poison in South Dakota? Does the letter D behind a candidate’s name on the ballot ruin any chance of winning? That seems to be the case. Democrats do not hold any major ...
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December 9, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Brian Bengs says a new poll offers evidence that only an independent candidate can defeat entrenched South Dakota Republicans.
Is the Democratic brand poisonous in the state?
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/bengs-w...
Is the Democratic brand poisonous in the state?
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/bengs-w...
“Over 40 years of one-party control has NOT been good for any of us. We do some things well. But in many areas, we are either mediocre or less.”
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As former Sioux Falls mayor Rick Knobe marks his 79th birthday, he continues to consider a run for governor — The South Dakota Standard
I turn 79 today (Saturday, Dec. 6.) You don’t need to call, write, or send flowers. However, small, unmarked paper money will be accepted. (I hope you are laughing. I am). It’s not a milestone birthd...
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December 6, 2025 at 11:23 PM
“Over 40 years of one-party control has NOT been good for any of us. We do some things well. But in many areas, we are either mediocre or less.”
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/as-form...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/as-form...
“Maybe a person can’t speak, or hear, or see, or stop shaking; or walk without aids; maybe they are fat or skinny and slow to understand; maybe they need a caretaker. Can the leader of the free world temper his language and refrain from mocking others?”
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Trump’s treatment of others is shameful. He has no sense of compassion. Can’t we treat each other with kindness? — The South Dakota Standard
In 1817, a doctor, paleontologist and political activist by the name of James Parkinson , identified a shaking palsy that since has been known as Parkinson’s disease . Most of us have likely kn...
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December 5, 2025 at 2:14 PM
“Maybe a person can’t speak, or hear, or see, or stop shaking; or walk without aids; maybe they are fat or skinny and slow to understand; maybe they need a caretaker. Can the leader of the free world temper his language and refrain from mocking others?”
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trumps-...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trumps-...
“Learning that South Dakota has the lowest household income in the region should serve as a wake-up call to Rhoden and the Legislature …
“That ‘beacon‘ Gov. Rhoden boasted about may actually be something more like a ‘warning light.’”
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“That ‘beacon‘ Gov. Rhoden boasted about may actually be something more like a ‘warning light.’”
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Delivering his state budget, Gov. Rhoden makes boastful, but questionable, claim about S.D.'s economy — The South Dakota Standard
Gov. Larry Rhoden delivered his annual budget address last Tuesday, covering fiscal year 2027, which will begin July 1, 2026, and end June 30, 2027. It was a bare-bones budget , largely be...
www.sdstandardnow.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:31 PM
“Learning that South Dakota has the lowest household income in the region should serve as a wake-up call to Rhoden and the Legislature …
“That ‘beacon‘ Gov. Rhoden boasted about may actually be something more like a ‘warning light.’”
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/deliver...
“That ‘beacon‘ Gov. Rhoden boasted about may actually be something more like a ‘warning light.’”
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/deliver...
“Farmers are getting squeezed by fertilizer costs and some think there's something more than just the Russia-Ukraine war that has something to do with it. They’re thinking that monopolistic practices in the fertilizer industry are running up prices …”
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www.sdstandardnow.com/home/farmers...
Fertilizer costs are hurting farmers. Some think profiteering off Ukraine war just might have something to do with it — The South Dakota Standard
As it looks like the war in Ukraine has a reasonable chance of coming to a conclusion in the foreseeable future, American farmers are no doubt hoping for some relief when it comes to the cost of a...
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December 2, 2025 at 2:18 PM
“Farmers are getting squeezed by fertilizer costs and some think there's something more than just the Russia-Ukraine war that has something to do with it. They’re thinking that monopolistic practices in the fertilizer industry are running up prices …”
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/farmers...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/farmers...
Why does Carl Kline detest ICE’s inhumane and unconstitutional practices? Let him count the ways.
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www.sdstandardnow.com/home/top-10-...
Top 10 reasons to be outraged by the racist, violent and unAmerican actions by ICE, Trump and Noem — The South Dakota Standard
Please don’t nag me about my social media behavior! I know I spend too much time looking at a screen and it makes my life too sedentary. It’s hard to run or exercise while holding my computer. But wh...
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December 1, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Why does Carl Kline detest ICE’s inhumane and unconstitutional practices? Let him count the ways.
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/top-10-...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/top-10-...
Reposted by The South Dakota Standard
Why do you appreciate unions?
I’ll start:
Weekends off
Paid vacations
Work breaks
Sick leave
Paid holidays
No child labor
Safer working conditions
Health care and retirement benefits
I’ll start:
Weekends off
Paid vacations
Work breaks
Sick leave
Paid holidays
No child labor
Safer working conditions
Health care and retirement benefits
November 30, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Why do you appreciate unions?
I’ll start:
Weekends off
Paid vacations
Work breaks
Sick leave
Paid holidays
No child labor
Safer working conditions
Health care and retirement benefits
I’ll start:
Weekends off
Paid vacations
Work breaks
Sick leave
Paid holidays
No child labor
Safer working conditions
Health care and retirement benefits
“So let’s hope that as we discovered Mozart, Bach, Leadbelly, Robert Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, Bessie Smith, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills that Gen Alpha will learn to love The Stones, Hendrix, The Doors, The Beatles and Chuck Berry.” — David Hersrud
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/new-mus...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/new-mus...
New Music That Doesn’t Suck: Rock endures. Some dismiss it. Some show little interest, but good music will always survive — The South Dakota Standard
(Editor’s note: New Music That Doesn’t Suck is an occasional commentary on the current state of rock music by music industry veteran David Hersrud.) Over the past 10 years or so I have read nu...
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November 30, 2025 at 2:12 PM
“So let’s hope that as we discovered Mozart, Bach, Leadbelly, Robert Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, Bessie Smith, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills that Gen Alpha will learn to love The Stones, Hendrix, The Doors, The Beatles and Chuck Berry.” — David Hersrud
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/new-mus...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/new-mus...
Reposted by The South Dakota Standard
The irony is rich.
November 28, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The irony is rich.
Reposted by The South Dakota Standard
What do these corporations have in common?
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
November 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
What do these corporations have in common?
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
“I’ll never forgive these ‘leaders’ — men who claim to love and care for women — for being silent and abdicating their responsibility to make the world safer for ALL women! Calling this out should be the easiest thing they do all day.” — Emily Tupa
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www.sdstandardnow.com/home/while-t...
While Trump once again insults a woman, Thune, Rounds and Johnson cower rather than confront him — The South Dakota Standard
I just called the Rapid City office of Sen. John Thune and spoke with a man named Bill. I asked him at what point Sen. Thune might make a statement condemning Trump’s abhorrent treatment of women? I w...
www.sdstandardnow.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:05 PM
“I’ll never forgive these ‘leaders’ — men who claim to love and care for women — for being silent and abdicating their responsibility to make the world safer for ALL women! Calling this out should be the easiest thing they do all day.” — Emily Tupa
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/while-t...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/while-t...
Reposted by The South Dakota Standard
Mark Kelly is a national hero who has served his country for his entire life.
Donald Trump is a felon-rapist who is taking food from hungry children.
If you're attacking the former and supporting the latter, you're a lousy human and a terrible patriot.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/the-astron...
Donald Trump is a felon-rapist who is taking food from hungry children.
If you're attacking the former and supporting the latter, you're a lousy human and a terrible patriot.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/the-astron...
The Astronaut and the Ass (Mark Kelly is The Patriot Donald Trump Will Never Be)
In case you haven’t been following closely lately, we’re currently in the “let’s attack a decorated war veteran and retired astronaut” portion of the collapse of Republican morality.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Mark Kelly is a national hero who has served his country for his entire life.
Donald Trump is a felon-rapist who is taking food from hungry children.
If you're attacking the former and supporting the latter, you're a lousy human and a terrible patriot.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/the-astron...
Donald Trump is a felon-rapist who is taking food from hungry children.
If you're attacking the former and supporting the latter, you're a lousy human and a terrible patriot.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/the-astron...
Reposted by The South Dakota Standard
Reposted by The South Dakota Standard
“First, I’m thankful, make that grateful, to the people across this state and country who organized the hundreds of demonstrations, protests and rallies.” — Rick Knobe
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www.sdstandardnow.com/home/there-a...
Among many reasons to be thankful? Numerous peaceful demonstrations across South Dakota and the country — The South Dakota Standard
I have a couple of additions to the list of things I’m thankful for this year. First, I’m thankful, make that grateful, to the people across this state and country who organized the hundreds of dem...
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November 28, 2025 at 5:12 AM
“First, I’m thankful, make that grateful, to the people across this state and country who organized the hundreds of demonstrations, protests and rallies.” — Rick Knobe
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/there-a...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/there-a...
Reposted by The South Dakota Standard
This is a really big story that should not be missed. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
DOJ Says Noem Made Final Decision on El Salvador Removals in Breach of Court Order
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:38 AM
This is a really big story that should not be missed. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Reposted by The South Dakota Standard
Trump and his minions celebrate violence. Senate Majority Leader John Thune could take a stand against that, but of course, he won’t.
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trump-m...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trump-m...
Trump meets Saudi crown prince, keeps up his caustic, callous and dismissive attitude toward political violence — The South Dakota Standard
As we approach the one-year mark of Donald Trump's second stint in the presidency, Americans may be losing the ability to be shocked by the president’s caustic and callous attitude toward political vi...
www.sdstandardnow.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Trump and his minions celebrate violence. Senate Majority Leader John Thune could take a stand against that, but of course, he won’t.
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trump-m...
www.sdstandardnow.com/home/trump-m...
Reposted by The South Dakota Standard
Reposted by The South Dakota Standard
It’s crazy to think about the crimes we’re going to learn about after this regime ends.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 PM
It’s crazy to think about the crimes we’re going to learn about after this regime ends.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.