Do you like Governor Kristi Noem? Do you like pheasant hunting? If you answered yes to both of those questions then you should click on the link below to sign up and win a once-in-a-lifetime hunting experience with Governor Noem in October! https://t.co/PH2k1VnsRw pic.twitter.com/MNtOMrGG51
— South Dakota GOP (@sdgop) September 9, 2021
Great news.
Mr. Chipman’s extreme views on gun control & his obvious contempt for law-abiding gun owners make him unfit to run @ATFHQ. Clearly, some of my Democrat colleagues agree too. https://t.co/rpi7URwNqu— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) September 9, 2021
So, the Rapid City Journal is reporting that some of the Rapid City School Board members think that by rejecting state and federal funds, they somehow have the ability to keep immigrants out of their school district.
And even better. They don’t want none of that state and federal money:
Board Representative and 1st Vice President Gabe Doney responded via email to tell Meyer that by accepting the grant, RCAS was implicitly giving the green light for more immigrants to move to Rapid City. He expressed similar sentiments to the Journal, saying that accepting a federal grant pertaining to immigration “could create a bigger problem down the road.”
“Next year is it going to be 100 [students], or 300? Do we really want that in Rapid City? $30,000 could turn into $1 million,” Doney told the Journal.
And…
Meyer also heard back from Area 2 Representative Jim Hansen, who told Meyer he voted against the grant because he does not want there to be “federal and state ties to our school district.”
Couple of items here.
If someone could figure out how to cut federal and state ties to a South Dakota school district, I’m sure the state would LOVE to not have to provide the money they spend out of the state budget on it. But, it might cheese off the local taxpayers though. Especially when they see their property tax bill double, because they still have to educate children.
Then there’s the part about educating those darned immigrants. Who says they have to? Well, those pesky meddlers at the US Department of Justice:
English learner (EL) students constitute nine percent of all public school students and are enrolled in nearly three out of every four public schools. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA), public schools must ensure that EL students can participate meaningfully and equally in educational programs.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have issued joint guidance to remind state education agencies (SEAs), public school districts, and public schools of their legal obligation to ensure that EL students can participate meaningfully and equally in educational programs.
And..
School districts must have procedures in place to accurately and timely identify potential EL students. Most school districts use a home language survey at the time of enrollment to gather information about a student’s language background and identify students whose primary or home language is other than English.
School districts must then determine if potential EL students are in fact EL through a valid and reliable test that assesses English language proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Read that federal guidance here.
Well what happens if they don’t want to follow those darned federal laws and do all that stuff they’re obligated to?
Well, then parents can file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, because education is actually a civil right.
If parents have questions, want additional information, or believe that a school is violating federal law:
You may visit the website of ED’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at www.ed.gov/ocr or contact OCR at (800) 421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339) or at ocr@ed.gov. For more information about filing a complaint, visit www.ed.gov/ocr/complaintintro.html.
You may visit DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section, website at www.justice.gov/crt/about/edu/ or contact DOJ (877) 292-3804 or education@usdoj.gov. For more information about filing a complaint, visit www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/#three.
For more information about school districts’ obligations to English learner students and limited English proficient parents, additional OCR guidance is available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/ellresources.html.
And that usually doesn’t end up well for the school district.
If anything does come off the entertaining school board meetings in Rapid City, I’d bet we see legislation this next session to allow the recall of school board members.
Because it’s sounding like there’s some buyer’s remorse lately.
Bipartisan American Beef Labeling Act Would Reinstate Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), today announced the American Beef Labeling Act, legislation that would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. This legislation, which will be formally introduced next week, would require the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, to develop a World Trade Organization-compliant means of reinstating MCOOL for beef within one year of enactment. USTR would have six months to develop a reinstatement plan followed by a six-month window to implement it. If USTR fails to reinstate MCOOL for beef within one year of enactment, it would automatically be reinstated for beef only.
“Transparency in labeling benefits both producers and consumers,” said Thune. “Unfortunately, the current beef labeling system in this country allows imported beef that is neither born nor raised in the United States, but simply finished here, to be labeled as a product of the USA. This process is unfair to cattle producers and misleading for consumers. When you see a ‘product of the USA’ label on the grocery store shelf, it should mean just that.
“South Dakota cattle producers work tirelessly to produce some of the highest quality beef in the world. The pandemic has onlyhighlighted their important role in our domestic food supply and the urgent need to strengthen it. To ensure the viability of cattle ranching in this country, the system in which producers operate must be fair and transparent. As a long-time supporter of MCOOL, I am proud to introduce this legislation, which will move us one step closer to making that a reality.”
“Montana ranchers raise the best cattle in the world, and it’s time American families are guaranteed the right to know whether their beef is from Broadus or Brazil,” said Tester. “This bipartisan legislation will make sure consumers know when they’re buying American beef at the supermarket, and it will defend Montana’s family farmers and ranchers by leveling the playing field.”
“It’s time to restore Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) once and for all,” said Rounds. “This is an important step in restoring market integrity for consumers and cattle producers. For too long, the packers have skewed this market in their favor. Now, we take it back. I’m thankful to my colleagues for helping carry this important issue for consumers and cattle producers. I’ve long said that consumers will need to drive and help carry this policy debate. For those of us who support MCOOL for beef, this is just the start. The nine major cattle producing states won’t get this done alone. We need a national campaign to see this over the finish line.”
“Americans should know exactly where their beef is coming from, but current USDA labeling practices allow big meatpacking companies to falsely label imported beef as being a product of the USA,” said Booker. “I’m proud to join colleagues in this bipartisan legislation that will restore mandatory country of origin labelling of for all beef products and provide fairness for our family farmers and ranchers.”
“Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) has long been a top priority for the South Dakota Stockgrowers,” said James Halverson, executive director of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association. “MCOOL is the only way every single American producer can differentiate their beef from foreign products without leaving it up to some arbitrary program. We greatly appreciate working with Senator Thune on this legislation and hope we can continue to work together to get this across the finish line. The American consumer deserves to know where the center of their plate was born, raised, and harvested. American farmers and ranchers have invested countless amounts of time and treasure meeting consumer demand with the best beef in the world. It’s time we market all American beef that way.”
“During the nearly seven years since MCOOL for beef was repealed, U.S. cattle producers experienced lower cattle prices and were deprived the means to build demand for their U.S.-produced cattle,” said Bill Bullard, chief executive officer of R-CALF USA. “Senators Thune and Tester’s bill to restore MCOOL for beef will now provide that means, and for that we are extremely grateful.”
“We greatly appreciate the work of Senators Thune and Tester in continuing to push forward solutions to define what constitutes a U.S. beef product,” said Justin Tupper, vice president of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association. “From the perspective of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, that label should pertain only to beef that was born, raised, and harvested in the U.S.A. This legislation provides a pathway for achieving clear, accurate labels so that consumers can continue choosing to put high quality American beef on their plates.”
“On behalf of America’s family farmers and ranchers, we applaud Senators Thune and Tester for introducing common sense legislation to help consumers know where their food comes from,“ said Rob Larew, president of National Farmers Union.“We have long fought for mandatory Country of Origin labeling for food products, recognizing consumers want this information so they can make educated decisions in grocery store aisles.”
Governor Noem appoints Stacy Vinberg Wickre to the 7th Circuit Court
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Noem has appointed Stacy Vinberg Wickre to serve as a circuit court judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit, made up of Custer, Fall River, Oglala Lakota, and Pennington Counties. Judge Vinberg Wickre replaces retired Judge Robert Mandel.
“Stacy has shown common sense and fortitude that will suit her well as she takes the bench,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “She has handled a wide variety of cases in her practice and will take a balanced approach.”
Stacy has been a Deputy State’s Attorney for Pennington County since 2017 and currently serves as the Felony Department Supervisor. In addition to her experience in prosecution over the last 11 years, she spent over 16 years in private practice in Minnesota and South Dakota.
“I am truly honored and humbled to accept Governor Noem’s appointment and to serve as a Circuit Court Judge,” said Stacy Vinberg Wickre.
Stacy grew up in Montana, receiving her bachelor’s degree from Montana State University – Northern, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Montana in 1994. Stacy has called South Dakota her home since 1999. She loves spending time with her husband, son, and daughter horseback riding in the Hills, roping, fishing, hiking, and hunting. A photo of Stacy can be found here.
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This has been bouncing around the last couple of days on Facebook, and I just caught it today.
And seriously? I can’t express how much dumber I am for having read it:
The reporter has her own comments about it as well:
i’m honestly surprised it’s taken this long for people to come at me based on my hair. a “students first” fb group posted my photo & cited my “liberal bias” -no quotes from my stories, just a photo of me/my hair.
my hair doesn’t write my stories or affect my reporting in any way— abby wargo (@abbylwargo) September 7, 2021
Personally, having read Abby Wargo while she was at the Cap Journal and now at the RCJ, I can’t say that I’ve ever noted anything that made me roll my eyes, or gave me cause to point out what I perceive as bias. But that’s just me. If you want to disagree with what the reporter writes, go for it. I do it all the time. Go ahead and call balls and strikes on her ideas. All in favor of that.
But when you’re left with taking pot-shots at the reporter’s personal appearance because of how she colored her hair? You probably should be embarrassed.
Because those are the same kinds of attacks that Matt Walsh was just making against Governor Noem, and comments that certain liberals have made against other Republican women. It’s pretty chauvinistic, and really just implies she’s no more than her personal appearance because of her gender.
And really, I’m just dumber for having read it on Facebook, and I’m personally embarrassed that people claiming to be “Conservative” put it in writing. Because it’s not conservative.
It’s just basically being a sh*thead, and turning people who might support you into those who will not.
From Sanford Health, the latest report seems to show that of the people hospitalized, we’re continuing to run consistent numbers when you compare it to the prior report. First the latest report from 7 hours ago…:
And the prior report from about a week ago..
About the same hospitalized and in the ICU, but the number on ventilators seems to be starting to creep up.
Big commonality is that 95% of the people in the hospital sick with COVID-19 have not gotten vaccinated.
Just sayin.
After US Congressman Jim Clyburn held a press conference to complain that the distribution of rental welfare in several states needs to be faster, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem fired back at the Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.
Noem let the Congressman know that South Dakota is managing just fine without his demands, and that most South Dakota renters enjoy something even better than government hand-outs: a job.:
Chairman James C Clyburn 2021-09-07 by Pat Powers on Scribd
Gov. Noem Blocks Telemedicine Abortions in South Dakota
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2021-12, which directs the South Dakota Department of Health to establish rules preventing telemedicine abortions in South Dakota. The executive order also restricts chemical abortions in the state.
“The Biden Administration is continuing to overstep its authority and suppress legislatures that are standing up for the unborn to pass strong pro-life laws. They are working right now to make it easier to end the life of an unborn child via telemedicine abortion. That is not going to happen in South Dakota,” said Governor Noem. “I will continue working with the legislature and my Unborn Child Advocate to ensure that South Dakotaremains a strong pro-life state.”
The executive order restricts telemedicine abortion in the following ways:
The executive order also directs the Department of Health to do the following:
“We commend Governor Noem for taking this bold action that will save lives from dangerous chemical abortions, which have a fourfold higher rate of complications compared to surgical abortion,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of Susan B. Anthony List. “The Biden administration would turn every post office and pharmacy into an abortion center if they had their way, leaving women alone and at risk of severe heavy bleeding, physical, emotional, and psychological stress, and more. States must take action. Governor Noem is setting a courageous model today that we hope more state leaders across the nation will soon follow.”
“I applaud Governor Noem’s action today to stop dangerous chemical abortion drugs from being mailed to South Dakota women,” said Catherine Glenn Foster, President and CEO of Americans United for Life. “This is no longer about ‘a woman and her doctor,’ but a woman – or girl – and a stranger on the internet. States can no longer depend on the FDA to regulate abortion drugs in any meaningful way, and I am pleased to see Governor Noem step up for her state. Abortion is never safe, but it’s far more dangerous when women are abandoned by physicians and left to manage their complications alone.”
Governor Noem plans to work with the South Dakota legislature to pass legislation that makes these and other protocols permanent in the 2022 legislative session.
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From Twitter via the Argus Leader, Avera Health is reportedly joining Sanford Health in requiring doctors and other employees to be vaccinated against COVID:
Avera Health will require full vaccination for its physicians, employees and volunteers by Dec. 1, the healthcare system announced Tuesday. https://t.co/eeYVKJrIJW
— ArgusLeader911 (@Argus911) September 7, 2021