Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Rapid City Post launches; Free Digital Newspaper Aims to Provide Better Local News

(Rapid City, SD)   The HomeSlice Group announced this morning that it has launched a free, digital newspaper, The Rapid City Post, (www.RapidCityPost.com) to serve as a major local news outlet for the Black Hills Region, including western South Dakota and neighboring states.

“Comprehensive local news has, in many ways, been a casualty of the quickly evolving media landscape around the globe,” commented HomeSlice CEO Dean Kinney. “To be sure, there are numerous organizations around the state – colleagues we respect and many of whom we are partnering with in various ways – endeavoring to serve the public, but our team perceived a noticeable space in the market for a major digital publication dedicated to the Rapid City area.”

The Rapid City Post has forged alliances with other local news and sports outlets, including the HomeSlice-owned KBHB Radio News, a heritage agri-media staple since 1962, and the independent Fox Sports Rapid City, owned and operated by local sports broadcasting legend Nate Brown.  HomeSlice has also partnered with state-wide news organizations, including South Dakota Searchlight, South Dakota Newswatch, the South Dakota Broadcasters Association, and The Dakota Scout, the official legal newspaper for Sioux Falls.

Managing Editor Chris Hornick said, “The Rapid City Post is committed to delivering honest, timely, and impactful local news—by and for the residents of the Black Hills and Western South Dakota. We amplify local voices and foster deeper connections within our community, because we believe that informed citizens build stronger communities.”“We anticipate a printed companion newspaper with subscriptions and premium audio and video content,” remarked Brad “Murdoc” Jurgensen, Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Producer at HomeSlice, “but our primary vision of The Rapid City Post, is free, ad-supported, locally staffed community media with strong journalistic standards, available to everyone as they like to digest it. A podcast, an e-blast, listening live on the air, or holding the newspaper in your hand – our goal is to be the trusted community media for the Black Hills and Western South Dakota,” Jurgensen concluded.

Thune Leads Colleagues in Requesting the Removal of Extraneous Biden-Era Regulations on Broadband Program

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today led his colleagues in sending a letter to Howard Lutnick, secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, requesting the removal of extraneous Biden-era regulations as Secretary Lutnick conducts his review of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which is aimed at expanding internet access to Americans in rural areas and other unserved communities.

“As you may be aware, Republican senators have previously raised concerns with the Biden administration’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and its implementation of the BEAD program,” the senators wrote. “Specifically, NTIA ignored congressional direction and acted inconsistently with its statutory authority in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), filling the program with onerous regulations that prevented the quick, efficient deployment of broadband and resulted in not a single household being connected to the internet.”

“Under your leadership, the BEAD program can finally fulfill its long overdue mission and ensure taxpayer dollars are not spent funding extraneous, burdensome regulations,” the senators continued. “Eliminating these obstacles will empower states to work closely with broadband providers and accelerate deployment, maximize resources, and reach truly unserved and underserved communities without any more delay caused by unnecessary government interference.”

The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).

Full letter below:

Dear Secretary Lutnick:

We write to thank you for committing to a rigorous review of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.  As you may be aware, Republican senators have previously raised concerns with the Biden administration’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and its implementation of the BEAD program.  Specifically, NTIA ignored congressional direction and acted inconsistently with its statutory authority in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), filling the program with onerous regulations that prevented the quick, efficient deployment of broadband and resulted in not a single household being connected to the internet.  Therefore, we urge you to remove the Biden-era extraneous regulations as you review the BEAD program to ensure the responsible and effective use of taxpayer dollars. 

In particular, we encourage you to remove the BEAD program’s restrictive labor requirements that disadvantage rural communities, provisions favoring government-owned networks over private investment, and guidelines that prioritize certain technologies over others and clearly contradict congressional pursuit of tech-neutrality. 

Furthermore, despite the IIJA’s explicit prohibition on broadband rate regulation, NTIA exceeded its statutory authority and attempted to enact rate regulations anyway.  The inclusion of climate change mandates further diverted funds and focus away from the program’s primary objective of ensuring broadband access for unserved and underserved communities.  These unnecessary bureaucratic barriers slow deployment, increase costs, and ultimately run contrary to the very purpose of the program and should also be removed.  Even the former Director of the BEAD program recently admitted that many of these woke requirements were “inserted by the prior administration for messaging/political purposes” and “never central to the mission of the program.” 

Under your leadership, the BEAD program can finally fulfill its long overdue mission and ensure taxpayer dollars are not spent funding extraneous, burdensome regulations.  Eliminating these obstacles will empower states to work closely with broadband providers and accelerate deployment, maximize resources, and reach truly unserved and underserved communities without any more delay caused by unnecessary government interference.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.  We appreciate your leadership in reviewing and addressing these concerns, and we look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

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Gov. Rhoden Celebrates South Dakota’s Reaffirmed AAA Credit Rating

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden celebrated Fitch’s reaffirmation of South Dakota’s AAA credit rating.

“South Dakota’s economy is thriving, and we are receiving national recognition for our fiscal responsibility,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “We have so much to celebrate, including our 136^th consecutive balanced budget. As long as I am Governor, we will remain conservative with the taxpayer dollars of hardworking South Dakotans.”

Fitch highlighted South Dakota’s diverse economy, ample financial flexibility, competitively low long-term liabilities, and impressive employment gains.

“The state’s ‘AAA’ IDR is supported by consistently well-managed fiscal operations, strong reserve balances and a history of maintaining budgetary structural balance,” wrote Fitch.

South Dakota’s rating outlook remains stable. Our fiscal conservatism, commonsense regulatory policies, and record unemployment rates will ensure South Dakota’s economic success continues for generations to come.

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Gov. Rhoden Signs Good Government Bills into Law

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed 16 “Good Government” bills into law.

“South Dakota is a tremendous example of commonsense regulations and good government, and these bills will build on that,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “The Declaration of Independence clearly states that ‘governments are instituted among men’ to protect the rights of the people, and these bills ensure that remains true. They are an important step towards keeping South Dakota strong, safe, and free!”

Governor Rhoden signed the following 16 bills into law:

• HB 1007 prohibits use of the South Dakota public utilities commission gross receipts tax fund for reimbursement of costs incurred by the Public Utilities Commission;
• HB 1008 includes a hybrid facility as a facility to be regulated by the Public Utilities Commission;
• HB 1041 revises and repeals certain provisions pertaining to the state library and State Library Board;
• HB 1059 clarifies the meaning of teleconference for purposes of open meeting requirements;
• HB 1106 requires a report regarding refugee resettlement services;
• HB 1131 makes an appropriation for the restoration, maintenance, and repair of the state capitol;
• HB 1216 modifies and repeals provisions related to the Legislative Research Council;
• HB 1225 updates and repeals provisions related to the reporting of hospital charge information;
• SB 3 increases driver license fees;
• SB 26 reduces employer contribution rates and increases the administrative fee rate for reemployment assistance;
• SB 45 imposes a motor vehicle technology fee;
• SB 90 clarifies provisions regarding tax deeds;
• SB 128 amends requirements for an official newspaper;
• SB 171 adds questions about historical property to seller’s disclosure statement;
• SB 176 clarifies the discovery procedures and powers and modifies the administration of the Government Operations and Audit Committee; and
• SB 215 removes the prohibition against a landowner having an easement on the landowner’s property.

Governor Rhoden has signed 193 bills and VETOED two this legislative session.

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Rounds Named 5th Most Effective Republican Senator for 118th Congress
Rounds named a top lawmaker in defense, agriculture and Indian Affairs issues

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) was named as one of the top-five most effective Republican lawmakers in the 118th Congress by the Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL). The CEL score is based on metrics such as substance of bills introduced, their progression throughout the legislative process and how many were signed into law.

In addition to being recognized as one of the top-five most effective Republican lawmakers in the Senate, Rounds was also named:

• 2nd most effective Republican on Agricultural issues (9th overall)
• 3rd most effective Republican on Indian Affairs issues (6th overall)
• 3rd most effective Republican on Labor and Employment issues (6th overall)
• 4th most effective Republican on Defense issues (6th overall)
• 14th most effective Senator overall

“As lawmakers, one of the most important parts of our jobs is writing and introducing substantive bills and shepherding them through the legislative process with the ultimate goal of getting them signed into law,” said Rounds. “We were successful in getting results for the people of South Dakota in the 118th Congress across policy areas ranging from agriculture to national security and defense.

“As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, a large part of my daily work is focused on national security. Each year, the committee works to compose the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding to support our national defense programs as well as our men and women in uniform and their families. This past year, I authored 40 individual provisions that were included in the NDAA. The bill also included $282 million in projects at Ellsworth Air Force Base and $2.6 billion for procurement of B-21 Raider bombers which will be based at Ellsworth. We also included a number of provisions related to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence efforts to support our national defense.

“South Dakota is also home to a robust agriculture industry. Despite not serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee, I continue to work on introducing legislation that supports our farmers and ranchers that call South Dakota home. This includes supporting American-made products all the way from the farm to the shelves at the grocery store.

“In addition, as the only member of the South Dakota delegation serving on the Indian Affairs committee, I’m committed to working with all nine tribes in South Dakota on legislation that helps tribal members while also upholding tribal sovereignty. This includes legislation that improves the Indian Health Service and addresses the ongoing public safety crisis on reservations. Last Congress, our legislation, the Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Improvement Act, was signed into law, which reformed the NADL program administered by the VA to make it more accessible to Native American veterans living on tribal trust land.

“There is still plenty of work to be done on all of these issues and more in the current Congress. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Senate to get results for the people of South Dakota.”

Click HERE to read more about the CEL’s Legislative Effectiveness Scores.

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Just received this interesting message..

“In the Pennington County Democratic party e-mail this morning they have a call to collect Dem-friendly businesses.  I’m not a dem, so I have no additional information.  I just wonder if it will turn dems from doing business with businesses that aren’t on the list.  I also wonder about publication of the list and what business in the mostly Red Pennington county shopping area.”

Democrat Friendly Businesses in South Dakota by Pat Powers on Scribd

In looking at the Google Form, it’s not something created specifically by Pennington County Democrats, but by the state-level South Dakota Democratic Party. So, I would assume that all of the Dem party organizations may be sending it out.  Very interesting.

If I were cynical and had worked in politics a long time.. I might wonder if this is a way for Democrats to gather a list of business owners to recruit, since there are a few too many Republicans who have tried to close South Dakota for business, as they attack data centers, wind, solar & mining, building and development, etcetera and so on.

Who knows? Democrats might be trying to see how many business owners are re-evaluating the political causes they put their coin and efforts behind?

When there are Republicans out there who deride basic economic development as crony capitalism and the liberals against the transport of ethanol byproducts via pipeline have taken over the SDGOP, I’m not sure that I can blame Democrats for shooting their shot.

Thune: Agriculture is the Lifeblood of Our Country

 “[W]e have a responsibility to the men and women who work hard every day to deliver food, fuel, and fiber for America and the world.”

Click here to watch the video.

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor.

Attorney General Jackley Announces Brookings Area State Employee Charged With 11 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Brookings man has been charged with 11 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

Mohammad Ghosheh (Go-shin) was arrested Tuesday, March 25. He was released on a $10,000 cash bond. His initial court appearance is April 28 in Brookings County Circuit Court.

“The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a missing 15-year-old female from North Carolina. Our investigation discovered that she had been in contact with the defendant,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Our investigation continues, and further charges may be filed.”

Ghosheh is a South Dakota state government employee.

DCI is leading the investigation and has been assisted by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Child (ICAC) Task Force, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and the Brookings Police Department. The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case.

The defendant is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

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Johnson Named Most Effective House Member on Native American Issues, 3rd Most Effective on Transportation

 Washington, D.C. – The Center for Effective Lawmaking named U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) the most effective House member on Native American issues and third most effective on Transportation issues during the 118^th Congress.

“South Dakota knows the importance of transportation and Native policies,” said Johnson. “I’m proud to receive these rankings and deliver real results for my constituents. The 119^th Congress is off to a strong start, and I’m determined to keep up the good work.”

Johnson also received top ranks from the Center for Effective Lawmaking in the 117^th Congress and the 116^th Congress.

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The long arm of the law (albeit in diminished form) will catch up with former local newscaster Shad Olson tomorrow as he faces a change of plea/sentencing hearing at 8:30 AM.

According to court records, the Change of Plea/Sentencing hearing is set for 8:30 AM, I believe in the Meade County Courthouse. If you recall, this has been a long and twisted saga that began over a year ago, when Olson was arrested and on charges of domestic assault in February of 2024:

A political activist, podcaster and former television anchor from the Black Hills is in jail facing felony assault charges.

Shad Olson was arrested earlier this week by the Meade County Sheriff’s Office following allegations of domestic assault causing serious bodily injury for an incident that reportedly took place Friday at his home north of Rapid City, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Dakota Scout.

Read that here.

And as more details came out, the story got worse and worse..

The victim asked Olson “if he was drinking already and he became mad.” She then told Olson, who she described as unemployed and lacking a source of income, that she “works hard to support their family,” to which he simply retorted she was a “crazy [expletive],” documents state.

and..

From there, the victim said Olson chased after her as she ran away from her home. They had been living together from some time, but she told the officer “she pays for everything in the home while Olson worries about the country,” the documents read.

The officer asked the victim if Olson had assaulted her before, with her replying “yes.”

The victim said Olson, who runs his own far-right, eponymic podcast, is “stressed over politics,” which influences his drinking. She then told the officer Olson blames his political frustrations on her.

Go read this story now.

There was also this affidavit:

After the arrest, the twists and turns continued, as despite past boasting of Olson on social media of being of significant financial resources, his actual financial situation was not so rosy. And Olson found himself “indigent and financially unable to obtain counsel.”

And in a surprising interlude, he was stuck in the county jail for a couple of weeks, due to his indigence, until a not unfamiliar name in Rapid City conservative political circles bailed him out of jail:

His $5000 bail was paid by former District 34 Legislative hopeful Jodie Frye-Byington, the twin sister of controversial District 30 State Senator Julie Frye-Mueller.