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South Dakota Searchlight

@southdakotasearchlight.com

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We provide free news and commentary on critical issues facing the state. We seek to serve the public interest with accuracy, fairness, insight and civility.

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South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · Jan 23

We'll always keep you informed here about South Dakota news. Want to see how issues you care about are playing out in other states, and in D.C.? Follow our @StatesNewsroom.com accounts and journalists from across the country. We made this Starter Pack to make it easy:

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South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 6h

The U.S. Senate failed to advance a resolution designed to curb the president’s power regarding military actions abroad after the Trump administration ordered four strikes on boats in the Caribbean. South Dakota's John Thune and Mike Rounds voted against advancing the resolution. buff.ly/jcV2MkX

US Senate rejects restriction of military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean • South Dakota Searchlight

The resolution failed to advance 48-51 after Democratic Sens. Adam Schiff of California and Tim Kaine of Virginia forced a procedural vote.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 8h

Iowa biofuels leaders say the state has ceded its position as the nation's #ethanol king to Nebraska: "We have been the world’s best place to turn corn into ethanol, and we’ve held that crown for 25 years. Last week, we got knocked off.”

Via @iowacapitaldispatch.com

Biofuels leaders: Iowa cedes its ethanol ‘crown’ to Nebraska with CO2 pipeline start • South Dakota Searchlight

Iowa biofuels experts congratulated Nebraska for the Tallgrass Trailblazer pipeline, but said it means Iowa is no longer king of ethanol.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 9h

Landowners forced from their homes five years ago by a #sinkhole in Black Hawk asked the South Dakota Supreme Court to hold the state accountable.

More details from the oral arguments: buff.ly/m3Wpusg

Sinkhole victims ask Supreme Court to help them seek compensation from state • South Dakota Searchlight

Landowners forced from their homes by a sinkhole asked the South Dakota Supreme Court to help them hold the state accountable.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 12h

Shutdown Day 8: Congress has just one week to break the stalemate and fund the government before active duty military members miss their first paycheck.

Via @statesnewsroom.com

Shutdown day eight: Congress standoff unchanged as first missed federal payday nears • South Dakota Searchlight

Congress has just one week to break the stalemate and fund the government before active duty military members miss their first paycheck of the shutdown.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 14h

Xcel Energy is requesting a rate increase that would cause electric bills for the company’s average South Dakota residential customer to go up by 19%, which equates to $21 per month.

Average residential bill would go up $21 monthly if regulators approve Xcel electric rate increase • South Dakota Searchlight

Xcel Energy is requesting a rate increase that would cause monthly electric bills for the company’s average South Dakota residential customer to go up by 19%, which equates to $21 per month.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 15h

Former FBI Director #JamesComey pleaded not guilty to two felony charges in federal court in Virginia, in response to an indictment that followed an extraordinary pressure campaign from President Donald Trump.

Via @statesnewsroom.com

Former FBI Director Comey pleads not guilty to criminal charges demanded by Trump • South Dakota Searchlight

A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, indicted Comey in September on one charge of making false statements to Congress.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 16h

The U.S. Senate confirmed Ron Parsons as South Dakota’s new U.S. attorney. This will be Parsons’ second stint as the top federal prosecutor in the state, after he previously served in the job during the first Trump administration. buff.ly/Kms479d

Senate confirms new US attorney for South Dakota • South Dakota Searchlight

The U.S. Senate confirmed Ron Parsons as South Dakota’s new U.S. attorney. Senators voted 51-47 to confirm a lengthy list of presidential nominees

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 18h

As Oregon awaits more clarity from a federal appeals court on the Trump administration’s attempts to deploy National Guard troops from multiple states to Portland, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary #KristiNoem traveled to the city’s ICE facility.

Via @oregoncapitalchronicle.com

Noem visits Portland ICE facility as lawsuit over National Guard deployment continues • South Dakota Searchlight

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to Portland's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Tuesday.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

In one exchange during an oversight hearing before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Attorney General #PamBondi lashed out at Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, “I wish you’d love Chicago as much as you hate President Trump.”

Via @statesnewsroom.com

A combative AG Pam Bondi confronts US Senate Judiciary over Trump crackdown • South Dakota Searchlight

Bondi lashed out at Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, “I wish you’d love Chicago as much as you hate President Trump.”

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

The head of South Dakota's Division of Criminal Investigation has been nominated to lead the U.S. Marshals Service in the state.

State detective agency boss nominated to lead U.S. Marshals Service in South Dakota • South Dakota Searchlight

President Donald Trump has nominated the head of South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation to lead the U.S. Marshals Service in the state.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

A federal judge will hear arguments in Illinois over Chicago’s lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s deployment of #NationalGuard troops to the state before deciding whether to block the move, the judge wrote in an order.

Via @statesnewsroom.com

Trump deployment of troops to Democratic states targets Illinois • South Dakota Searchlight

A federal judge will hear arguments in Illinois over Chicago’s lawsuit challenging President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to the state.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

Gov. Rhoden has issued 65 pardons and one commutation since taking office in January, according to records on file with the South Dakota Secretary of State. buff.ly/oGIl6Ld

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden issues 65 pardons, one commutation since taking office • South Dakota Searchlight

A state board makes recommendations, but the South Dakota Constitution grants the governor sole authority to extend clemency.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

Patrick Lalley of Sioux Falls Live picks up on Searchlight's reporting about Gov. Rhoden's use of executive clemency, writing "The reason John [Hult] was able to go through the paperwork for that fine story was because of another good reporter many years ago. That was David Kranz." buff.ly/1HI96Mi

Lalley: Criminal pardons are public in South Dakota because of Dave Kranz

A phone call from Russell Means on New Year's Day in 2003 exposed Bill Janklow's secret pardons and a 17-month saga that changed the law and opened the files.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

Meanwhile, @stateline.org reports on newly available federal data showing South Dakota with the nation's third highest increase in prisoner populations. buff.ly/YbtbDFk

South Dakota has third-highest increase amid growing US prison population • South Dakota Searchlight

The nation’s prison population grew for the second consecutive year in 2023, reversing more than a decade of steady decline.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

Voices from South Dakota’s Legislature, judiciary, schools, law enforcement, mental health, tribal health and nonprofit spheres will pick up and carry on a conversation about inmate rehabilitation and recidivism that began with a lawmaker-led summer study this year. buff.ly/Xys0k1S

Rehabilitation task force will pick up prison population talks where lawmakers left off • South Dakota Searchlight

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announced the membership of a correctional rehabilitation task force on Tuesday.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

Defense Secretary Hegseth's decision to protect medals awarded for the #WoundedKneeMassacre "may indeed be his final one," writes Craig Howe, "but his proclamation that the medals will never be rescinded betrays a lack of awareness of how fast attitudes can change."

Commentary:

Hegseth’s own decision may be final, but the Wounded Knee medals debate is not over • South Dakota Searchlight

The defense secretary's proclamation that the medals will never be rescinded betrays a lack of awareness of how fast attitudes can change.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

The Trump administration may try to interpret a law enacted during his first term in office differently than it did following the last #GovernmentShutdown, potentially denying back pay to hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers.

Via @statesnewsroom.com
buff.ly/xzXHxyj

Trump floats plan to deny back pay to furloughed federal workers after shutdown • South Dakota Searchlight

The Trump administration may try to interpret a law enacted during his first term in office differently than it did following the last government shutdown.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 1d

For the first time, traditional tribal healing practices can be reimbursed by #Medicaid at tribal health facilities in four states, reports @stateline.org.

Tribal traditional healing gets Medicaid reimbursement in 4 states • South Dakota Searchlight

For the first time, traditional tribal healing practices can be reimbursed by Medicaid at tribal health facilities in four states: Arizona, California, New Mexico and Oregon.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 2d

President Donald Trump sent mixed messages about whether he would negotiate a deal with Democrats to extend the enhanced tax credits for people who get their health insurance from the #AffordableCareAct Marketplace, one of the main issues that led to the #GovernmentShutdown.

Government shutdown enters day six with talks over health care at an impasse • South Dakota Searchlight

President Donald Trump sent mixed messages about whether he would negotiate a deal with Democrats to extend health care tax credits.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 2d

The leader of an association of federal judges did not hesitate when asked about her colleagues’ top concern: “I think every judge right now is concerned about their safety and the safety of their families:"

Judge says colleagues are worried about ‘their safety and the safety of their families’ • South Dakota Searchlight

The leader of an association of federal judges did not hesitate when asked about her colleagues’ top concern.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 2d

The White House slammed a Trump-appointed federal judge for blocking the deployment of #NationalGuard troops to Oregon, as hostilities escalate between the administration and Democratic states where Trump has begun sending in troops.

Via @statesnewsroom.com

Trump deployment of troops to Oregon intensifies confrontation with Democratic-led states • South Dakota Searchlight

The White House slammed a President Donald Trump-appointed federal judge for blocking the deployment of National Guard troops to Oregon

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 2d

"Let the words go out from this place in this day: No eminent domain for private gain in the state of Iowa": GOP candidates for Iowa governor voice their opposition to CO2 pipelines.

Via @iowacapitaldispatch.com southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/10/06/r...

GOP candidates for Iowa governor voice their opposition to CO2 pipelines • South Dakota Searchlight

Republican politicians spoke to landowners at a Shelby County event against carbon sequestration pipelines.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 2d

The state of South Dakota could be forced to pay at least $74,000, plus interest, in attorney fees for a group that's suing to protect a longer circulation period for ballot-question petitions. buff.ly/EtwhGb2

State on the hook for at least $74,000 if it loses appeal in petition deadline case • South Dakota Searchlight

The state of South Dakota could be forced to pay at least $74,000 in attorney fees for a group suing to protect a longer circulation period for ballot-question petitions.

southdakotasearchlight.com

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 3d

During #NationalNewspaperWeek, Dana Hess writes that every community needs someone "putting in long hours at school board and city council meetings and keeping tabs on the county commission. They need someone asking tough questions ..."

Commentary:

Every community needs somebody asking tough questions • South Dakota Searchlight

If readers fail to embrace local newspapers, there’s a good chance the future will be devoid of the kinds of stories they need.

South Dakota Searchlight @southdakotasearchlight.com · 4d

Gov. Larry Rhoden has issued 65 pardons and one commutation since taking office in January, according to records on file with the South Dakota Secretary of State.

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden issues 65 pardons, one commutation since taking office • South Dakota Searchlight

A state board makes recommendations, but the South Dakota Constitution grants the governor sole authority to extend clemency.