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Draft language released for potential recreational marijuana ballot measure
South Dakota voters could have another chance to legalize recreational marijuana next year. The state’s voters rejected recreational cannabis legalization in 2022, 53% to 47%. The new petition comes from Matthew Schweich, of Sioux Falls, a longtime leader in pro-marijuana efforts. On Friday, state Attorney General Marty Jackley fulfilled his legal obligation to release a […]
Another death raises motorcycle rally’s fatality count
There has been another traffic fatality associated with this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The latest death happened Thursday when a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 90 and hit a 2008 GMC Yukon head-on, according to the Highway Patrol. The 61-year-old male driver of the motorcycle was wearing […]
State investigating officer-involved shooting in Sturgis
State officials are investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened Wednesday in Sturgis, according to Attorney General Marty Jackley. One person was injured, Jackley’s office said in a news release, but officers were unharmed. The state Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting the investigation at the request of the state Highway Patrol. The timing of the […]
Traffic counts plummet during motorcycle rally’s first four days
Traffic counters recorded a 16% decline from five-year averages during the first four days of this year’s Sturgis motorcycle rally, according to the state Department of Transportation. Counts at nine locations entering Sturgis were down 13% from the five-year average on Friday, and were down 37% from the five-year average on Saturday. The counts rebounded […]
No Labels recognized as a political party in South Dakota
A national organization that might field a third-party candidate for president has been recognized as a political party in South Dakota. Monae Johnson, South Dakota’s secretary of state, announced Friday that No Labels has filed the required number of petition signatures to establish itself as a party in the state. No Labels now has 30 […]
State seeks pledges to explore South Dakota respectfully
Modern information sharing means there are almost no undiscovered places anymore, and that’s led to some negative effects that state tourism officials are trying to counteract. Travel South Dakota, an arm of the state Department of Tourism, is launching a campaign encouraging visitors and South Dakotans to pledge that they’ll travel respectfully. The campaign, which […]
Dakota State president moderates artificial intelligence briefing for senators
Dakota State University President Dr. José-Marie Griffiths moderated a briefing Wednesday on artificial intelligence for members of the U.S. Senate, according to Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota. Griffiths said in a news release, “With so many questions about where AI is heading and how it will change the world, it is important that our leaders […]
South Dakota student debt relief could reach $147 million under new plan
More than 3,000 South Dakotans qualify for a combined $147 million in student debt relief offered by a new Biden administration policy, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The Department of Education and the White House announced last week that more than 800,000 federal student loan borrowers across the country will have their remaining […]
Congressional Roundup: Foreign ownership, culture wars in the military, child tax credit, and more
Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, is supporting another effort to limit foreign ownership of U.S. land. The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party recently introduced the Protecting U.S. Farmland and Sensitive Sites From Foreign Adversaries Act, with the support of Johnson, who’s a member of the committee. The bill would expand the jurisdiction […]
State aims to convert 90 teacher aides into certified educators
About 90 teacher aides from more than 50 school districts have been selected for a program to help them become fully certified teachers. Over a span of two years, the aides will have the opportunity to complete accredited coursework virtually outside of work – ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree. Participants will be responsible for up […]
SD receives share of millions to help small meat processors
A new round of federal grants to help smaller meat and poultry processors fight industry consolidation includes $15 million for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and $834,000 for a five-state region including South Dakota. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide $115 million in total grants, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced recently. Vilsack held a […]
Congressional Roundup: Rounds advocates for defense and AM radios
A congressional defense spending bill includes about $400 million for South Dakota construction projects, according to Sen. Mike Rounds. Rounds, a Republican, is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Earlier this week, the committee sent the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2024 fiscal year to the full Senate. “The NDAA is […]