Politics

New machines, games help video lottery revenues rebound in SD

Eight years after a smoking ban dealt South Dakota video lottery owners a heavy blow, the industry has quietly remade itself, last year recording nearly its highest revenue in 30 years. The games brought in $221 million in fiscal 2018, substantially higher than the $176.6 million achieved at the

Thousands of South Dakota voters don’t live where they register

Thousands of people who don’t live in South Dakota have become official residents, gotten registered to vote and then cast ballots in state elections, which some lawmakers and election officials fear could unfairly alter election results or open the door to fraud. State election officials say they are aware

Lawmakers spar over potential reduction in state sales tax rate

A debate is raging in Pierre this legislative session over how – and some say even if – taxpayers will see a reduction in the sales tax rate now that South Dakota has begun to collect new money from online retailers. When it comes to legislative intrigue, the contentious wrangling over the

Governor proposes higher payment rate, grant program for nursing homes

Governor proposes higher payment rate, grant program for nursing homes

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Wednesday announced a plan to aid South Dakota’s financially troubled nursing home industry by raising the rate of Medicaid payments and providing $5 million in grants to facilities that innovate. Noem shared her ideas as part of her first budget address to both

In 30 years, gaming has revitalized and challenged Deadwood

As Deadwood saunters into its 30th year with legalized gaming, the Wild West town made famous by Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and a posse of other western legends, doesn’t resemble its former self. The historic place perched in the highest reaches of the northern Black Hills once glittered

Women to have ‘larger voice’ in 2019 South Dakota Legislature

In South Dakota and across the country, women will play a larger role in lawmaking and policymaking at almost all levels of government in 2019. The new U.S. Congress will feature a record number of women in both the House and Senate. South Dakota will have its first female

Little-known law forces adult children to pay for nursing home care for parents

Little-known law forces adult children to pay for nursing home care for parents

An obscure South Dakota law can force adult children to pay the cost of long-term care for their parents if the elder family members cannot pay on their own. The civil law has been on the books in South Dakota since 1939, and is rarely used. But as the cost