A man whose photo was used by Gov. #KristiNoem as alleged proof of drug cartel activity on tribal lands has been sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, but prosecutors said the case was not connected to #cartels. southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/04/man…

The clock is ticking: We have less than a month left to reach our end-of-year fundraising goal for more independent, nonprofit journalism in South Dakota. For the cost of a cup of coffee a month, you can help us achieve our plans for 2025. Are you in? southdakotasearchlight.com/donate/

Several legislators are proposing a #SalesTax rate increase to fund #PropertyTax relief for homeowners. “Every discussion starts with a proposal, and that’s what we’re offering here," a lawmaker said. Details of the proposal: southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/05/pro…

A state commission denied a proposal for mandatory reporting of big-game kills, in part because a future electronic tagging system could accomplish the same goal. #Hunting southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/05/pet…

Custer State Park sold 482 #bison during its 59th annual auction in November for a total of more than $885,000. More details from the auction: southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/custer-…

“South Dakota is at an exciting turning point” in the defense of criminally charged people who can’t afford lawyers, writes Neil Fulton, who says momentum is building with a study, a new commission and the first statewide public defender. Commentary: southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/06/an-…

Nice work here by @JoshuaHaiar and SD Searchlight || bsky @southdakotasearchlight.com on consummate outdoorsman John Cooper and the importance of wetlands: southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/06/wil…

#Wetlands formerly provided "an unbelievable amount of habitat," says a leading SD conservationist, but those days only "live in the heads of old guys like me now." He and others fear an accelerating impact from a recent court decision. The story: southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/06/wil…

“I don’t think there is much point in pretending this is not as serious as it is.” SD #PublicBroadcasting could cease to exist in as little as two years if lawmakers adopt Gov. Kristi Noem’s $3.6 million budget cut, the network’s executive director said. southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/06/pro…

“We’re talking loads that eclipse some of the largest cities in South Dakota." Massive #DataCenters used for cloud computing and #AI are consuming enormous amounts of energy, and developers are eyeing SD as a potential location, regulators say. southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/07/mas…

"... the Senate faces an enormous historical test – a power-hungry president committed to vastly enlarging executive power at the expense of the legislative branch." Marc Johnson commentary on the test of courage facing senators including #JohnThune. ⬇️ southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/08/tru…

#NativeAmerican children remain overrepresented in the South Dakota #FosterCare system, accounting for 72.5% of the foster care population at the end of fiscal year 2024, according to new data. southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/native-…

Dana Hess has had his issues with public broadcasting, he writes in new commentary, but he might have to become a donor if budget cuts by Gov. #KristiNoem threaten legislative livestreams operated by #SouthDakotaPublicBroadcasting. southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/10/noe…

Bovine tuberculosis has been confirmed in South Dakota #cattle for the first time since 2021, the state veterinarian said. More details about the detection and response ⬇️ southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/cattle-…

A search for spending cuts in the federal government (including by #ElonMusk and #VivekRamaswamy) could result in South Dakota and its communities paying more for #RuralWater projects, panelists said at a water summit. southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/10/sum…

A North Dakota federal judge’s ruling will temporarily keep undocumented immigrants in 19 states, including South Dakota, from getting federally subsidized health insurance, reports N. Dakota Monitor || bsky @northdakotamonitor.com. southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/10/jud…

In a procedural vote and with a yes from U.S. Rep. #DustyJohnson, R-South Dakota, the U.S. House advanced a compromise annual defense bill that includes pay raises for troops but also bans coverage for service members’ children who seek #TransgenderCare. southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/10/dc/…

The $20,000 salary increase for wildland #firefighters in the 2021 infrastructure law could be coming to an end next week if Congress doesn’t act. #Wildfires southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/12/11/dc/…

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has scheduled a series of six public input meetings in January about a #SummitCarbonSolutions application to construct a #CarbonDioxidePipeline. See the schedule: southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/state-s…

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