Politics

Dangerous, potentially deadly distracted driving remains a hard habit to break in South Dakota

South Dakota lawmaker Doug Barthel, a former police chief in Sioux Falls, tried to make state roadways safer from distracted drivers by spearheading passage of a law in 2020 to restrict cell phone use behind the wheel. The South Dakota law allows cell phone use in a vehicle, but only

Controversy surrounds plan to end food tax by ballot measure

If Gov. Kristi Noem doesn’t fulfill her campaign pledge to repeal the South Dakota sales tax on food during the 2023 legislative session, voters may get a chance to decide the issue on the 2024 ballot. But there’s already controversy about the wording of a proposed ballot measure

Push for greater Native American voting access could impact South Dakota race for governor

A recent court ruling that found South Dakota violated federal voting registration laws has reignited the long-standing concern over Native American ballot access as the state braces for a 2022 gubernatorial election that could hinge on Indian Country precincts. In a state with nearly 78,000 Indigenous residents, comprising 8.

With a campaign focused on character, Jamie Smith sees ‘genuine’ shot at upsetting Gov. Kristi Noem

RAPID CITY, S.D. – On debate night in South Dakota, Karen Marso parked her car and quickly scooted across a road in Rapid City to join a group of three dozen backers of gubernatorial candidate Jamie Smith. The gaggle of Smith supporters was there to await the arrival of the

How Kristi Noem rode shifting political winds to Pierre and possibly back to DC

“She’ll shift her views or positions if she sees that someone or an idea is popular. She can very easily transition.”

Improving civility in America begins with better behavior by leaders, panelists say

Improving civility in America begins with better behavior by leaders, panelists say

Holding elected leaders accountable for boorish or coarse behavior is one strategy to help restore civility to American politics, according to a panel of South Dakota experts in public discourse. In a recent poll commissioned by South Dakota News Watch, 79% of 500 registered voters said civility in America has

As lawmakers raise questions, election officials in South Dakota defend state’s electoral system

Despite the concerns of some lawmakers and citizens, South Dakota election officials are “very confident” that the state electoral process is sound and that the 2022 general election results will be accurate and valid. As is the case in almost all states, the South Dakota electoral process has come under