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South Dakota Searchlight

@southdakotasearchlight.com

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We provide free news and commentary on critical issues facing the state. We seek to serve the public interest with accuracy, fairness, insight and civility.

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South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · Jan 23

We'll always keep you informed here about South Dakota news. Want to see how issues you care about are playing out in other states, and in D.C.? Follow our @StatesNewsroom.com accounts and journalists from across the country. We made this Starter Pack to make it easy:

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South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1h

Trump administration layoffs and a government shutdown are threatening the success of the Conservation Reserve Program, writes Brad Johnson, who notes that SD state officials have called CRP "one of the most successful conservation programs ever implemented.”

Commentary: buff.ly/8d5vQrr

A vital federal conservation effort faces threats as it turns 40 • South Dakota Searchlight

Until Congress finishes work to write a new farm bill or extends the current one, USDA will be unable to enroll any new acres in CRP contracts.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 4h

The U.S. Senate returned to Capitol Hill following a four-day weekend, but neither Republicans nor Democrats appeared ready to work toward ending the government shutdown following another failed vote to advance a short-term funding bill.

Via @statesnewsroom.com

Trump targets ‘Democratic programs’ as shutdown standoff heads for third week • South Dakota Searchlight

The U.S. Senate returned to Capitol Hill following a four-day weekend, but neither Republicans nor Democrats appeared ready to work toward ending the government shutdown.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 5h

Protesters put 4,321 paper dolls on display at the SD Capitol, representing the number of children affected by the state’s funding reduction for #TANF, a program benefiting low-income families. “We don’t balance a budget on the backs of poor women and children," said one protester. buff.ly/NARhV1D

Protesters display paper dolls at SD Capitol to challenge benefit reduction for needy families • South Dakota Searchlight

Protesters put 4,321 paper dolls on display in the South Dakota State Capitol, representing the number of children affected by the state’s funding reduction for a program benefitting-low income…

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 13h

A new Florida law is part of a movement known as #YIGBY — Yes in God’s Backyard. Touted by some faith leaders, lawmakers and developers, the movement imagines a connection between a religious mission to serve and the hurdles of building affordable housing.

@stateline.org explains: buff.ly/ok6X0pb

Can states, and a little bit of faith, convert church land into affordable housing? • South Dakota Searchlight

Yes In God’s Backyard? Some states hope so. Lawmakers see the potential for much-needed housing on church-owned land.

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South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is infusing $300 million into a key federal nutrition program (Women, Infants, and Children, known as #WIC) to keep it running through October, while a government #shutdown continues without an apparent end point.

Via @statesnewsroom.com

Nutrition program for women, infants and children to stay afloat through end of month • South Dakota Searchlight

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is infusing $300 million into a key federal nutrition program to keep it running through October.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

After just over two years in Hamas captivity, the surviving Israeli hostages were released as President Donald Trump visited Israel and Egypt to celebrate a U.S.-brokered peace deal to end the war in #Gaza.

Via @statesnewsroom.com

Trump, U.S. leaders celebrate end of hostilities in Gaza • South Dakota Searchlight

After just over two years in Hamas captivity, the surviving Israeli hostages were released as President Donald Trump visited Israel and Egypt.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

Sioux Falls service club introduces civil discourse theme in public Q&As: “We want to create a space where these conversations don’t break down into finger-pointing and shouting."

Sioux Falls service club introduces civil discourse theme in public Q&As • South Dakota Searchlight

A club of South Dakota leaders hopes its events will counteract what members call a breakdown in communication and trust among Americans.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

On Native Americans’ Day in South Dakota, here's a look back at the speech delivered by then-Gov. George Mickelson on the first Native Americans' Day in 1990, when he described the holiday as "a foundation upon which to build friendship and trust."

Native Americans' Day in South Dakota: 'A foundation upon which to build friendship and trust' • South Dakota Searchlight

Native Americans' Day in South Dakota is described in state law as a legal holiday "dedicated to the remembrance of the great Native American leaders who contributed so much to the history of our…

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

The Trump administration plans to send paychecks to active duty troops this week, despite Congress not passing legislation to allow it during the ongoing #shutdown.

Via @statesnewsroom.com buff.ly/fV927gr

Pentagon to shift research dollars to pay troops during shutdown • South Dakota Searchlight

The Trump administration plans to send paychecks to active duty troops, despite Congress not passing legislation to allow it during the ongoing shutdown.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

The federal government shutdown is forcing a reckoning for two remote health care programs because they automatically expired. The telehealth and in-home hospital care programs were both temporary — but increasingly popular — options for #Medicare recipients.

Via @stateline.org
buff.ly/MDXQlAM

Shutdown forces Medicare patients off popular telehealth and hospital-at-home programs • South Dakota Searchlight

The federal government shutdown is forcing a reckoning for two remote health care programs because they automatically expired Oct. 1.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 2d

Since there really was no “crime emergency” in Washington, D.C., writes columnist Dana Hess, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden would have been better off giving the president a polite but firm “no" when asked for help from his state's National Guard.
Read more: buff.ly/2mh8l0K

With Guard call-up, governor enhances Trump’s vanity project • South Dakota Searchlight

By calling up the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, maybe Gov. Rhoden is showing his belief that the pen is mightier than the sword.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 2d

In spite of a push to regulate them in 16 states, just three have passed rules to regulate the use of automatic license plate readers. Privacy and technology groups have raised concerns over data storage and appropriate uses of the camera and software systems.

Despite widespread interest, only 3 states passed license plate reader laws this year • South Dakota Searchlight

Lawmakers in at least 16 states this year introduced bills to regulate the use of automated license plate readers responsible for collecting large amounts of data on drivers across the country. But…

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 3d

A professor who drew the ire of some South Dakota politicians for a 700-word social media post on conservative activist Charlie Kirk says calls to punish educators for their private views will take the U.S. down a "dangerous path."
Read more: buff.ly/YdvjkaZ

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South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 3d

Mount Rushmore's nightly lighting ceremonies ceased when the federal government shutdown began. South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden said Saturday morning that he and a handful of others will personally pay the $30.94 daily fee to keep the lights on while the shutdown continues.

South Dakota governor, officials pledge $30.94 nightly to cover Rushmore lighting during shutdown • South Dakota Searchlight

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden has pledged to pay $217 of his own money to keep Mount Rushmore lit for the next week.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 4d

The latest tariff threat from President Donald Trump came in export controls from China, the world’s second-largest economy.

Trump pledges additional 100% tariffs on China by Nov. 1 • South Dakota Searchlight

President Donald Trump threatened to add a 100% tariff rate on Chinese goods Friday, making the threat in a social media post.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 4d

A coalition now working to revamp civics education in the U.S. aim to downplay historical wrongs associated with race and gender and project the country as an exceptional force for good.

Trump undertakes a MAGA-centric makeover of US civics education • South Dakota Searchlight

WASHINGTON — A slew of conservative groups will lead a new coalition to spur civics education and make the subject more patriotic.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 4d

"Unlike Washington, South Dakota’s state government isn’t awash in bloated agencies or ridiculous programs. Instead, it more closely resembles a struggling family-run shop," writes columnist Joe Kirby.
Read more here: buff.ly/UkaUvWo

South Dakota needs modernization, not a DOGE project • South Dakota Searchlight

Instead of commissioning a serious study of how to fix it, some state leaders and candidates have floated proposals to cap or even eliminate property taxes.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 4d

States are continuing to operate federally funded programs during the #shutdown. But they say they can only front those costs for so long — and some are worried about getting repaid, reports @stateline.org.

‘This shutdown feels different.’ States might not get repaid when government reopens. • South Dakota Searchlight

States are continuing to operate federally funded programs during the shutdown. But they say they can only front those costs for so long — and some are worried about getting repaid.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 4d

After the Department of Homeland Security subjected a dairy near the home of Secretary #KristiNoem to an #immigration audit, the farm lost 38 workers.

The dairy's co-owner said "we've turned off the tap, but we’ve done nothing to create a solution as to how we find employees."

Noem's South Dakota neighbors hit with an immigration audit that decimates their workforce • South Dakota Searchlight

Dairy farm audits in South Dakota under the Trump administration’s escalated immigration enforcement efforts have “created unrest."

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 5d

A bipartisan group of former governors said President Trump’s federalization and deployment of National Guard members to Chicago upended the balance between state and federal powers, while 17 current Republican attorneys general told the court they support the administration’s move.

Former governors, state AGs weigh in on Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops • South Dakota Searchlight

President Donald Trump’s novel use of National Guard troops for law enforcement purposes has reopened a debate over states’ authority to control police powers.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 5d

There are fewer parolees on the run in South Dakota today than at any point since 2010, according to report heard by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

There are a host of reasons for the dramatic drop: buff.ly/0BMmhPB

Number of parolees on the run plummets, parole supervisor reports • South Dakota Searchlight

SIOUX FALLS — There are fewer parolees on the run in South Dakota today than at any point since 2010, the Board of Pardons and Paroles heard.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 5d

#Shutdown Day 9: President Donald Trump said he’s prepared to cancel funding approved by Congress that he believes is going toward programs supported by Democrats.

Via @statesnewsroom.com

Trump threatens 'permanent' cuts to Democratic programs on day nine of shutdown gridlock • South Dakota Searchlight

President Donald Trump said he’s prepared to cancel funding approved by Congress that he believes is going toward programs supported by Democrats.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 5d

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden reneged on his #civility pledge when he told a fellow governor to "eat a salad," writes @sethtupper.bsky.social.

Commentary:

Governor squanders his credibility on civil discourse with 'eat a salad' comment • South Dakota Searchlight

Larry Rhoden spent months steering South Dakota onto the high ground of civil discourse, only to follow Kristi Noem back into the gutter.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 5d

The state Board of Economic Development approved two loans this week for businesses in Canton and Vermillion totaling $1.67 million.

State board approves $1.67 million in loans to businesses • South Dakota Searchlight

The state Board of Economic Development approved two loans this week totaling $1.67 million from state government to businesses.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 5d

South Dakota Searchlight's journalism and commentary, States Newsroom's D.C. and national reporting, news from neighboring states, and South Dakota news from other outlets, all curated for you and sent to your inbox for free.

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