Category Archives: State News

Time Is Right For Nebraska-South Dakota Highway

A lawmaker is promoting construction of a long debated four-lane highway between Yankton and Norfolk, Nebraska, citing the recent availability of federal money. Nebraska state Sen. Mike Flood has proposed a bill that would turn the 57-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 81 into an expressway. Flood said Norfolk was mistakenly overlooked on the state’s 1988…read more »

Juneteenth Declared Holiday In South Dakota

 Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a bill that makes Juneteenth an official state holiday in South Dakota. South Dakota was the last state to make June 19 a legal holiday with North Dakota approving legislation last April and Hawaii declaring the holiday with legislation in June. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.,…read more »

Judge Blocks South Dakota Abortion Pill Rule

 A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction against a South Dakota rule that would make the state one of the hardest places in the U.S. to get abortion pills. U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier issued the injunction late Tuesday against a rule pushed by Republican Gov. Kristi Noem that would have required abortion-seekers to…read more »

Johnson Ready For Reelection

Republican Representative Dusty Johnson made it official on Monday. He is hoping to represent South Dakota in Congress for a third term. Johnson’s announcement to seek reelection came via Twitter on Monday morning. This comes less than a month after South Dakota Senator John Thune announced he would be seeking reelection in the United States Senate. Johnson…read more »

3 Killed In Pierce House Fire

Three children died Saturday when a home caught fire in a rural area of northern Nebraska. The fire broke out just after 3:30 a.m. in the town of Pierce. Three people got out, but a 17-year-old, 15-year-old and 12-year-old were unable to escape. They were pronounced dead at the scene, Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency…read more »

Housing Crisis Hits Nebraska

South Dakota is not the only state tackling the housing crisis, Nebraska is too. A new measure making its way through the Nebraska Legislature would create a single state housing agency, in part to address what has become a crisis for Nebraska’s lowest- income workers. Senator Justin Wayne of Omaha has introduced the housing bill.…read more »

Gragert Says No To Reelection

Local Nebraska State Senator Tim Gragert says he will not be seeking a second term in the Legislature this year. Gragert was elected to the Legislature in 2018. After winning the Primary Election in a crowded field of six candidates, Gragert went on to win the General Election and has represented District 40 since being…read more »

Noem Traveling To Wyoming For GOP Fundraiser

South Dakota’s governor will take part in a Republican fundraiser in western Wyoming’s wealthy Teton County next month. The “formal event” with Gov. Kristi Noem will be Feb. 18 at the Four Seasons hotel in Teton Village, according to a Teton County GOP email Friday. Individual tickets for the “Patriots Dinner” are $500 and tables…read more »

Trump Calls Rounds A Jerk

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said Monday he stands by his statement that former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, after Trump called his fellow Republican a “jerk” for his comments. Rounds said he was “disappointed but not surprised” by Trump’s attack. Since his loss, Trump has made repeated false claims that the…read more »

Thune Seeks Reelection

John Thune will seek a fourth term as a U.S. Senator this year. Thune announced his plans for reelection in a tweet on Saturday. Thune says that work continues, which is why after careful consideration and prayer, and with the support of his family, his is asking South Dakotans for the opportunity to continue serving them…read more »