Committee Selected to Search for Next Planning and Development Director

Sioux Falls, South Dakota:  Mayor Christine Erickson has selected a six-member hiring committee to conduct the search for the City of Sioux Falls’ next planning and development services director. The committee will seek national, regional and local candidates to fill the position.

“The Planning and Development Services team is responsible for so many aspects that shape our economic vitality and quality of life in Sioux Falls,” Mayor Erickson said. “We need a strong team and leader who can help our community navigate growth while maintaining the services we provide today. I’m looking for a director who will lead with vision, integrity and innovation.”

Hiring committee members include:

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From KELOland comes a story worth your reading time about how the death of Chris Hesla, long-time wildlife advocate at the legislature is connected to the recent reprimand of a Pierre physician at St. Mary’s Hospital:

The widow of a Pierre man has come forward to say that she is the person who filed the complaint about questionable patient care which resulted in formal disciplinary action against medical doctor Nielsen Howard Burns.

The South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners issued a public reprimand of Burns earlier this year.

The information about Burns’ reprimand — his second by the board — was part of a broader KELOLAND News report in July on actions the state board had taken in recent months against seven licensees.

and..

Colette Hesla reached out to KELOLAND News after the initial story. She said that she had brought the complaint against Burns after the death of her husband, Chris Swen Hesla, of Pierre.

Chris Hesla was a major figure in the outdoors community as the long-time executive director for the South Dakota Wildlife Federation. He had been taken by ambulance from their home to the Avera St. Mary’s Hospital emergency room in Pierre on August 11, 2022.

Read the entire story here.

 

It was a sleepy Tuesday of news until late this afternoon when the Democrat dropped out of the US Senate race:

However, as recently as yesterday, some people including this reporter from the Washington Post were out there claiming that was not going to be the case:

Now, less than a day later, he was having to update his post – but was very specific to note that Beaudion was NOT supporting the remaining independent candidate Brian Bengs, who was running in third place in polls prior to today’s announcement.

We’ll see how this changes the context of the race with Bengs, the independent third place candidate running against Senator Mike Rounds, who has already been endorsed by President Trump.

Attorney General Jackley Announces State Appeals Federal Injunction in Mayday Health Lawsuit

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces he has appealed a U.S. Federal Court’s preliminary injunction that halted the enforcement of a new state law that prohibits the advertisement, dispensing, and distribution of abortion pills in South Dakota.

The U.S. District Court in Rapid City in July ruled in favor of Mayday Health which had requested the injunction. The law was scheduled to take effect July 1.

“South Dakota’s law prohibiting advertising for illegal abortion pills is designed to protect women’s health and innocent life,” said Attorney General Jackley.  “As Attorney General, I stand with the Legislature, Governor, and our citizens in defending and protecting innocent life.”

Attorney General Jackley’s appeal was filed Monday with the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Attorney General Jackley Joins Coalition Urging Congress to Help States Fight Medicaid Fraud

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined 16 other Attorneys General in requesting Congress to support the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act.

The Attorney General Office’s State Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) and others throughout the nation are limited by current federal regulations to only investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud.

“Cracking down on beneficiary fraud protects limited resources and strengthens public trust” said Attorney General Jackley.  “The STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act authorizes the Attorney General’s Office to investigate and prosecute individuals who defraud Medicaid for personal gain, ensuring care is preserved for those who truly need it.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General found that in 2025, MFCUs recovered $4.64 for every dollar spent by States and the Federal Government. For fiscal year 2025, almost $2 billion was recovered from criminal and civil cases combined.

In 2025, South Dakota’s MFCU collected $208,486.40 in restitution for criminal cases and $17,100.64 in restitution on civil cases.

Other Attorneys General joining the letter to Congress are from: Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

You can read the letter here: https://ago.mo.gov/wp-content/uploads/Guthrie-Pallone-Crapo-Wyden-Fraud-8.3.26.pdf

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The Dakota Scout just posted a story this afternoon about Senator John Thune’s political adviser Jon Lauck taking a new position with Augustana University in Sioux Falls:

A longtime political adviser to Sen. John Thune will leave the staff to become the new executive director of the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University.

Augustana University President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin announced the appointment of Jon Lauck to the center on Monday. Lauck has been with Thune since Thune won office in 2004. Lauck replaces Harry Thompson, who retired July 31 after 42 years at Augustana.

Read the entire story here.

That’s going to leave big shoes to fill on Senator Thune’s staff, as Jon has been with the Senator since the early years.  Congratulations to a good guy on his new position!

We’re out of session, so it must be time for summer vacation.  Especially for a number of legislators who have signed up for a “South Dakota Legislative White House Fly-In in Washington DC, from August 10-12, 2026.”

I mean, I don’t think it’s going to be a Spencer Gosch Hawaiian cliff-diving level soiree. But it’s a junket nonetheless. I’m informed taxpayers are covering the flights for legislators, the Leadership Institute is handling hotels for some, and there may be yet-to be disclosed corporate sponsors for meals.

But even more interesting, while I’m told the trip had been mentioned in passing since March, the word is that legislators finally got the sign-up in early-July. The first notice since session was fully 1-MONTH AFTER several had lost the primary. So, they are well aware they’re not coming back, as are the people in charge of the chambers who sign off.

And while they are requiring White House clearance for a visit there – TWO of the attendees are currently facing felony charges in court:

 

John “California” Carley?  – He lost. And suddenly his fiscal conservatism evaporates in the face of a free vacation to Washington DC. Same thing with Carl Perry.  Curt Voight got tossed out, yet he’s on the freebie list.  Terri Jorgenson is a nice lady, but why is she going?  Neither Les Heinemann nor Julie Auch are running for the legislature, but they want their ‘bennie.’

And then we have the legislators facing felony charges in South Dakota. Travis Ismay, for what is said to be him deciding to do his own road work and Tom Pischke, who is alleged to have filed false election documents.  Do the conditions of their bond restrict out of state travel? Because they need to check.

What’s the important subject matter where we’re paying for lame ducks to go to Washington? Aside from the White House visit, I’m told the Leadership Institute is going to give a presentation on campaigning and social media.  Yes, we’re paying money to send people who will not be coming back next year to go to Washington to meet with the White House, and to learn how to do social media.

I would wager this isn’t going to come up in Taffy Howard’s next GOAC meeting.  In fact, I notice that FIVE members of GOAC – FULLY HALF OF THEM – including Taffy are on the flight. And they’re not asking the question about lame duck legislators going out to Washington on the taxpayer’s dime?

Isn’t fiscal conservatism great?

Update: So, how does this work?  Just had a note from a House member:

For your article, none of the house even knew about the event, at all, until July despite the Senate knowing since session.

That is, unless they only told their minions, and withheld it from the rest on purpose. Which is entirely possible.

 

Democrats Go to Extremes
By Sen. John Thune

At the start of last year, a New York Times poll offered a warning to Democrats. The headline read, “Many Americans Say the Democratic Party Does Not Share Their Priorities.” Just weeks after Democrats were rejected at the ballot box, the Times poll suggested that one of the reasons for their loss was that Americans thought that Democrats weren’t concerned about the things that matter most to them.

A year and a half after that poll was taken, Democrats have had numerous opportunities to demonstrate some moderation to voters. But the record shows that they have not evolved a bit. Take for example the fact that radical transgender ideology remains an article of faith among Democrats and that they have repeatedly opposed efforts to keep biological men out of women’s sports. One Democrat even called the recent unanimous Supreme Court decision upholding state laws protecting women’s sports “unjust,” as if making women compete against biological men is somehow just.

Of course, Democrats are still proudly pro-abortion, too. Democrats won’t even support legislation to provide medical care to a baby born alive during a failed abortion or a bill to ensure a pregnant college student knows there are resources available to help her finish her degree and have her baby. Democrats directed small-business COVID relief funds to Planned Parenthood, even though that organization was not legally eligible to receive funding. And they are doing everything in their power to eliminate pregnancy resource centers simply because they won’t recommend abortion.

It’s not just on these issues. Far-left activists seem to be the audience for almost everything Democrats do these days. Twice in the last year, Democrats have caused a record-long government shutdown. While TSA lines snaked outside of airports and Americans were visiting food banks because they had to work without pay, the Democrat leader was quoted saying, “Every day gets better for us.”

Then at the start of this year, Democrats shut down the U.S. Department of Homeland Security because they didn’t want to fund law enforcement. A few years ago, defunding law enforcement was a fringe position. This year, it became the official position of Democrats as they tried to completely defund immigration enforcement and Border Patrol. Once again, it didn’t matter to Democrats that Americans would be less safe with open borders, their audience was far-left activists.

Democrats have had numerous opportunities to work with Republicans on things that matter to the American people, but they have repeatedly chosen to follow members of their far-left base instead. Now it seems Democrats are poised to follow the far-left directly into socialism. Self-identified democratic socialists have been winning elections across the country. How long before there’s no distinguishing between Democrats and democratic socialists?

Last year, many Americans said they didn’t think Democrats share their priorities. Since then, Democrats have given them more reason to think so, and instead of moving toward the middle, Democrats are just getting more extreme.

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Guest Column: Meet the Interns
By Interns Cassie, Brooke, Levi, Owen, Ben, and Brooklyn
July 31, 2026

This summer, five interns spent the summer in Washington, D.C. and one intern served in the Sioux Falls office to experience the work of a congressional office. An internship in Congressman Johnson’s office provides hands-on learning about Congress, policy, and constituent services.

Meet the interns:

Cassie grew up in Brookings, South Dakota and is studying agribusiness management with a minor in public law at the University of Wyoming. Her favorite part of the internship was being able to connect with fellow South Dakotans in the agriculture industry.

Brooke is originally from Worthington, Minnesota and just recently graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in political science. She hopes to build her career in political communications and digital media.

Levi, a rising junior at Augustana University, is double majoring in mathematics and government and international affairs with a minor in trusts. His favorite part of the internship was all the relationships he built.

Owen grew up in Brookings, South Dakota and is studying political science and international relations at Stanford University. He hopes to eventually attend law school.

Ben, a rising junior at Vanderbilt University, is double majoring in political science and business. He hopes to pursue a career in law or government relations. He enjoyed getting to see how South Dakota’s biggest issues play out nationally.

Brooklyn is originally from southwest Minnesota and will be a first-year law student at the University of South Dakota. After law school, she hopes to pursue a career in agricultural and environmental law. Her favorite part of the internship was getting the opportunity to work directly with South Dakotans, helping them navigate and resolve the issues they brought to our office through congressional casework.

Every day brought new opportunities and experiences. We spent some days buried in policy research and others sitting in on hearings or tagging along to meetings. Owen was able to attend a hearing with the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, gaining a firsthand look at how Congress approaches one of the country’s most pressing national security issues.

For many of us, the most meaningful moments came from connecting the work back home to South Dakota. Cassie had the chance to meet with South Dakota agricultural organizations, sitting in on conversations that shape the policies farmers and ranchers across the state depend on.

Brooke spent time on media row, getting a hands-on introduction to the political communications world. Whether through policy or press, we found real ways to plug into the issues that matter most to South Dakotans.

Beyond the substance of the work, what stuck with us most was the office itself – the people, the mentorship, and the chance to learn by doing. We left the summer with a genuine understanding of what public service looks like day-to-day.

It was a summer well spent, and one that gave us a taste of life in Congress!

Left to Right: Cassie, Brooke, Levi, Johnson, Ben, Owen

Johnson with Brooklyn

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Governor and Grandpa
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
July 31, 2026

Our family recently welcomed our tenth grandchild. There’s nothing like being surrounded by my children while watching their own children grow. But it all started 45 years ago on the first day of August, when my bride, Sandy, and I committed to a life together rooted in faith and love. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” Looking back, I can see God’s favor in so many ways, and one of His greatest gifts has been my wife and the family we’ve built together.

Sandy has been by my side while serving as First Lady of South Dakota for over 18 months now, but we’ve been building a life for 45 years. We have both spent a lifetime loving South Dakota – the state where we were born and raised. The best days in my family are certainly ahead of us. Celebrating each of my sons as they have become husbands and fathers always brings me to appreciate how we got here and what we’ve accomplished along the way. We served our community, built our church, held each other up, and pushed each other forward. But more importantly, the life we’ve built over the years is a testimony to God’s faithfulness.

The same goes for our great state. Our best days are not in our rearview mirror – our windshield is far bigger. But we can’t forget to take pride in the milestones we have met, the adversities we have overcome, the blessings our good Lord has provided, and the discipline it took to keep our core principles at the forefront of our decisions.

Because of our history and our results, South Dakota has surged to the second-best state in the nation in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best States rankings. This rise from the eighth spot last year is a testament to our positive direction. We’re strong, safe, and free – and we’re becoming more so every day!

South Dakota is precious to me. Sandy and I chose this state to build a life and raise a family. And I’m proud that all of my four sons have chosen to grow their own families here. As Sandy and I have traveled the state together, we have met so many people and families; some new to South Dakota and some who have lived here for generations. But we all have one thing in common – we love this state and want to see it cared for so our children and grandchildren can thrive.

Governor is a title I wear with honor, but there’s no better title than Grandpa. I’m watching the creation of the next generation while holding the steering wheel for where we go next. I’m focused on both of these titles so we can keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free. I will continue to work hard to ensure future generations get to experience all the open opportunities across this great state – a state I have come to love more and more every day.

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