PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- With the bulk of the 99th legislative session in the rear view mirror lawmakers are turning their attention to the interim and possible summer studies.  District 24 Representative Mike Weisgram of Fort Pierre says he’d like to see a deeper dive on eminent domain. District 24 Senator Jim Mehlhaff agrees with Weisgram on… Read more »

SCOTTSDALE, A.Z.(Press Release)- The 122nd National Farmers Union will begin Sunday in Scottsdale, AZ.  The convention runs through Tuesday. Here’s the schedule of events taking place: Sunday, March 10 9:00 AM Registration Desk Opens Exhibits Open Policy Committee Available for Delegate Presentations (Until 3:30 PM. Sign up on site.) 1:00 PM Opening Session Welcome Messages… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- Governor Kristi Noem wasted no time in signing three major pipeline bills into law. Together, supporters call the measures the “Landowner Bill of Rights” in dealing with Carbon Capture pipelines. Opponents, like landowner Joy Hohn of Hartford, say the package missed the mark. Several major farm groups came out in support of the… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KWAT)–House Bill 1092 has been sent to Governor Noem for her signature. If signed, it would raise the 911 surcharge that is applied to each phone line in the state. The money generated from that surcharge is used to fund the operations of 911 centers across South Dakota, including the regional 911 Dispatch Center… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release) – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted South Dakota’s Digital Equity plan.  The Digital Equity Act, part of the Internet for All initiative and a key piece of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity… Read more »

WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- As directed by President Biden, the federal government has expanded healthcare for all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.… Read more »

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- The City of Aberdeen Utilities Department will be conducting smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system in the upcoming months. This testing will begin the week of March 11, 2024. This study will involve the opening and entering of manholes in the streets and public utility easements. An important task of the… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. & PIERRE, S.D.(Press Releases)- President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union Thursday night in front of a joint session of Congress. South Dakota leaders delivered the following statements after the speech. Congressman Dusty Johnson: President Biden gave the State of the Union address last night.  In it, he criticized his likely… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – On Thursday, Governor Kristi Noem signed the following four bills into law: HB 1185 amends provisions regarding entry on private property for examination and survey of a project requiring a siting permit; HB 1186 defines the requirements for granting a carbon pipeline easement; SB 201 provides new statutory requirements for regulating… Read more »

PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — With little dissent, the South Dakota Legislature passed a $7.3 billion Fiscal Year 2025 budget today. HB1259 passed the Senate 32 to 2 and the House 69 to 1. As is tradition, it was the last bill the legislature passed before going home from the 37-day main run of the session.… Read more »