Politics

Long-held rural values at odds in South Dakota gun range debate

Long-held rural values at odds in South Dakota gun range debate

RAPID CITY, S.D. – An effort to build a huge gun range and shooting complex north of Rapid City has created divisiveness and hard feelings between two of South Dakota’s most iconic populations. The values run deep and histories stretch long among people in the two groups – those devoted

Updated: Tension between governor and GOP-led Legislature stalls $200 million workforce housing program

Steve Westra, head of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, announced in April that he is resigning from his position effective May 22, 2023. No formal reason for the resignation was given, though Gov. Kristi Noem said in a statement: “South Dakotans are building the strongest economy in America

Most South Dakota county auditors disagree with election drop box ban

Most South Dakota county auditors disagree with election drop box ban

When the question of using election drop boxes for South Dakota early voting was raised in a House State Affairs committee hearing in Pierre in early February, the discussion took on an ominous tone, mirroring national rhetoric over the integrity of American elections. “It’s simply too easy for bad

South Dakota Republicans criticize program that provided $3.8B to state

South Dakota Republicans criticize program that provided $3.8B to state

South Dakota’s Republican congressional delegation and GOP Gov. Kristi Noem supported funding measures signed by President Donald Trump that provided more than $10 billion in federal funding to the state to battle and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. But they’re not so willing to praise a program approved

Civil civics: Observers note more positive pulse in South Dakota politics

As it winds to a close, the 2023 legislative session in South Dakota will likely be remembered as the year of the great tax cut debate and for the somewhat surprising willingness of the GOP-led Legislature to reject several proposals from a popular Republican governor. But many observers and participants

South Dakota News Watch co-sponsors USD state of democracy conference

The state of American democracy, and the role the media play in creating an informed electorate, will be at the heart of a daylong conference to be held on the campus of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion on Friday, March 10. The annual Democracy Conference, sponsored by the

Exclusive: How South Dakota spent $14 billion of pandemic relief funds

South Dakota received nearly $14 billion in federal COVID-19 funding from March 2020 through January, according to an internal state fiscal report obtained exclusively by South Dakota News Watch. The document tallies the $13.84 billion intended to help governments, businesses, organizations and individuals survive and recover from a pandemic