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State conservation officers honored for flood rescues
State officials honored South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks conservation officers Friday for responding to over 30 rescue calls and saving about 60 people from flooding last month in the southeastern part of the state. “Many of the individuals who were rescued from rising floodwaters were quite literally pulled from dangerous situations,” said GF&P Secretary […]
Resident v. nonresident dispute yields plan limiting out-of-state hunting licenses
SIOUX FALLS — A state commission is refereeing a dispute over who should have access to a prime hunting opportunity in South Dakota’s picturesque Black Hills. In-state residents say they’re tired of competing with nonresidents for turkey hunting spots in the spring. A group representing them recently proposed limiting nonresident licenses to 661 through a […]
Counties hit with $74,000 in plaintiffs’ attorney fees for trying to restrict petition circulators
Two South Dakota counties whose policies violated petition circulators’ First Amendment rights to political speech had to fork over a combined $74,000 in attorney fees and costs for the lawyer representing the group that sued them. On Wednesday, a federal judge ordered Lawrence County to pay Dakotans for Health’s attorney, Jim Leach, $19,238.90 in fees […]
New group argues grocery tax repeal could lead to income tax; sponsor calls claim a ‘fool’s errand’
SIOUX FALLS — A new coalition opposed to eliminating the sales tax on groceries says if the ballot measure passes on Nov. 5, it could wipe out more than just the intended state sales tax, cause cuts to public services and even lead to a state income tax — all claims that the measure’s organizer […]
Sustainable jet fuel company contributes $167K in defense of carbon pipeline law
A company aiming to produce aviation fuel from ethanol in South Dakota has contributed $167,000 to defend a new carbon dioxide pipeline law that voters could be asked to reject in November. The company, Gevo, made the contribution to a ballot question committee called Protect South Dakota’s Ag Future. The contribution was not affected by […]
Regulators begin study of NorthWestern’s proposed 9% natural gas rate increase
State regulators will take six months to study NorthWestern Energy’s proposed 9% natural gas rate increase, which the company says would cost a typical residential customer an additional $8.38 per month, or $100.56 per year. The proposal would generate an additional $6 million in annual revenue for NorthWestern, which delivers natural gas to about 50,000 […]
Noem, who sent Guard troops to Texas, resists using them for her own state’s flooding
After ordering National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border three times, Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is defending her decision to avoid sending troops to flood-ravaged areas in South Dakota, saying it would be “extremely expensive” and that the Guard should only be used for “a very crisis situation.” Meanwhile, her spokesman left open the possibility […]
Company says it self-financed Noem documentary
A company that produced a new documentary about South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem did not receive any financial support from Noem or state government, according to the company and Noem’s office. “No taxpayer money was used,” said Ian Fury, Noem’s spokesman. “To my knowledge, it was funded entirely by the entity that produced the […]
Forest Service gives green light to exploratory gold drilling west of Custer
The U.S. Forest Service has given the go-ahead for a Minnesota company to drill holes in search of gold near Custer. Minneapolis-based F3 Gold received approval for its Newark Exploration Drilling Project in the Black Hills National Forest. The 36 drilling sites are scattered across national forest land about 4 miles west of Custer. The […]
Official shares data on South Dakota’s multi-family housing spree, tight labor market
Six thousand five hundred new housing units worth $1.4 billion were built in South Dakota last year, a state economic development official said Wednesday, helping alleviate rising home costs. “Our building permits are notably concentrated on multi-family housing, with an average of 1.8 units per building,” Joe Fiala with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development […]
State boards approve $30 million in bonds, $2.7 million in loans and grants
Loans and grants worth $2.7 million are headed to South Dakota businesses and communities after votes from two state government boards. The Board of Economic Development approved the loans and grants during a Wednesday meeting. All the money will be administered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The Economic Development Finance Authority, meanwhile, approved […]
South Dakota to receive $3.6 million in nationwide baby powder settlement with roots in the state
South Dakota will collect $3.6 million from Johnson & Johnson to settle allegations that the company marketed unsafe talc-based baby powder products to consumers. The settlement is part of a $700 million agreement with 43 attorneys general over claims that Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products increase the risk of ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. South Dakota […]