Author: Pat Powers

Governor Kristi Noem’s weekly column: Securing Our Homeland

Pat Powers

Securing Our Homeland
By: Gov. Kristi Noem 
November 15, 2024  

I love South Dakota. I love our natural beauty – from the rolling plains to the incredible Black Hills, from the Mighty Missouri to the peaceful prairie lakes. I love our people – they’re the hardest working around with common sense American values and strong family morals. I love everything about our state (except for maybe the January weather).

Over the last six years, I have had the opportunity to serve as Governor of the greatest state ever. It has been the honor of my lifetime to be our state’s top advocate, to serve as Commander in Chief of our National Guard, and to make decisions that honor our state motto, “Under God, the People Rule.”

You may have heard that President Trump has asked me to come serve in his Administration as the Secretary of Homeland Security, and I am honored by the nomination. When President Trump asked me, I said yes because it is an opportunity for me to serve our nation – but also because it is an opportunity to make South Dakota safer.

I respect the Senate’s role to engage fully and openly on the upcoming confirmation process. I look forward to discussing our nation’s security challenges and my commitment to addressing them head-on.

This position oversees the federal agencies responsible for our immigration system. Over the last four years, every state has become a border state. Millions of illegal immigrants have poured over our southern border, including at least 16,000 murderers and at least 18,000 rapists – and they’ve all been released into the interior of our nation. Think about that – that’s at least 3 murderers for every county in America. I don’t want any murderers in my county or anywhere near my kids and grandkids.

This border crisis has impacted us here in South Dakota, too. It has driven up crime in communities across the country as drugs and human trafficking have increased because of the willful inaction by the current administration. In South Dakota, this has hurt us the most on our tribal reservations, and I have extended my hand to help them address the very real public safety crisis that is caused by the cartels and their affiliates.

In this new role, I’ll oversee FEMA, just as you’ve seen me respond to flooding, blizzards, tornados, and wildfires in our state. We’ve made cybersecurity South Dakota’s next big industry, and I’ll have the opportunity to do similar work overseeing the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). And South Dakota has become an example of innovative law enforcement training opportunities with our first-ever tribal-focused law enforcement training – I look forward to doing similar work with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

Everything that I do will be focused on making America SAFE again, and that will make South Dakota safer, as well.

This state has been home all my life – and always will be. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve you. I’ll be around for a bit yet, and when I take my new role, rest assured that I will continue to serve you in the years to come.

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Summit Carbon Solutions Secures North Dakota Pipeline Permit

Pat Powers

Summit Carbon Solutions Secures North Dakota Pipeline Permit

Critical Milestone Achieved for Carbon Capture and Storage Infrastructure Project

Ames, Iowa [November 15, 2024] – Summit Carbon Solutions is pleased to announce that the North Dakota Public Service Commission has granted it a Route Permit* , a significant milestone in advancing Summit’s CO2 pipeline project. This decision highlights the Commission’s thorough review process and dedication to balancing economic opportunities with stakeholder interests.

“We commend and respect the North Dakota Public Service Commission for their diligence and thoughtful approach in reviewing this project,” said Wade Boeshans, Executive VP of Summit Carbon Solutions. “This decision is a testament to North Dakota’s commitment to fostering innovation while working closely with communities and industries. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with stakeholders across the state to deliver long-term benefits for farmers, energy producers, and local communities.”

Summit Carbon Solutions has worked extensively with North Dakota landowners, community leaders, and other stakeholders and has implemented material changes incorporating their feedback. These efforts have fostered a path forward that aligns with the state’s priorities and supports North Dakota’s leadership in agriculture and energy innovation.

“Summit Carbon Solutions has been amazing to work with, ” said Joshua Seil, a signed landowner along the Bismarck reroute.“They showed up at our home anytime requested of them and have thoroughly explained all issues/concerns we have had. They even offered to move the pipeline within limitations on my land to have the best fit for everyone involved. They listened to my wife and I’s concerns, answered any questions rendered to them, and have been very accommodating throughout this entire process.”

With more than 82% of the easements for the North Dakota route secured, Summit Carbon Solutions remains committed to working collaboratively with affected landowners and communities as the project progresses toward construction and operations. Summit has secured a permit in Iowa for its base scope pipeline route and will apply in South Dakota on November 19. The project aims to support North Dakota’s leadership in energy innovation while opening new markets for low-carbon ethanol and driving economic growth across the region.

Attorney General Jackley Announces Multi-Agency Investigation Leads To Drug Arrest

Pat Powers

Attorney General Jackley Announces Multi-Agency Investigation Leads To Drug Arrest

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces a Rapid City man was arrested Tuesday, Nov. 12, on six drug charges following an investigation conducted by federal, state, and local law enforcement.

Nicholas Edward Schell, 28, is charged with one felony count each of Possession with Intent to Distribute in a Drug Free Zone; Maintaining a Place Where Drugs are Kept, Sold or Used; Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Hashish and Edibles); Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Psilocybin Mushrooms); and Possession with Intent to Distribute one pound or more of Marijuana. Schell also is charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

“These are serious crimes that prey on our communities,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Thank you for the exceptional cooperative work of all law enforcement involved in this investigation.”

Schell was identified as a possible supplier of marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, hashish, and THC Edible products in Rapid City. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team (UNET), which consists of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the Rapid City Police Department, and the South Dakota National Guard Counter Drug Program, initiated the investigation which determined Schell was involved with the distribution of illegal substances.

A South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper and a Pennington County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted multiple traffic stops in connection to this investigation. During one traffic stop of Schell’s vehicle, a Rapid City Police Department K9 dog was deployed. Two handguns were seized along with drug paraphernalia and approximately $1,400 cash.

UNET and DEA conducted a follow up search warrant at Schell’s residence. Law enforcement recovered more than13 pounds of marijuana, nine pounds of Psilocybin Mushrooms, multiple pounds of THC edibles, THC Wax/Hashish, and THC Cartridges. The search also led to the discovery of 13 additional firearms and more than $160,000 in U.S. currency.

Schell made his first court appearance Thursday, Nov. 14, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 27. He is being held in the Pennington County Jail and is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution. The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

Participating law enforcement agencies in this investigation were DCI, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration and the UNET.

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Leader-Elect Thune Meets with Speaker Johnson

Pat Powers

Leader-Elect Thune Meets with Speaker Johnson
“In order to enact President Trump’s agenda, it will take each and every Republican working together.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today met with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) following Thune’s election to serve as Senate majority leader and Johnson’s nomination to serve as Speaker of the House in the 119th Congress.

Thune and Johnson released the following statements after the meeting:

“In order to enact President Trump’s agenda, it will take each and every Republican working together,” said Leader-elect Thune. “Speaker Johnson and I had a productive meeting today getting organized for the work ahead, and I look forward to our partnership as we reverse the Biden-Harris agenda and advance President Trump’s priorities on behalf of the American people.”

“Leader Thune and I are ready to hit the ground running and put America first in the 119th Congress,” said Speaker Johnson. “Congress has been given a clear mandate from the American people, and we look forward to working with President Trump to secure our borders, cut taxes, reduce inflation, slash bureaucratic red tape, restore America’s dominance, rebuild our military, and instill fear in our overseas enemies. America’s best days are ahead with Republicans in charge in 2025.”

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Dusty Johnson Congratulates Governor Noem on Selection to Serve as Homeland Security Secretary

Pat Powers

Johnson Congratulates Governor Noem on Selection to Serve as Homeland Security Secretary

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) released the following statement:

“My friend Kristi Noem is a fantastic choice for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. She knows how important it is to protect our country and has demonstrated strong work ethic as South Dakota’s governor. I’m confident Kristi will secure the southern border and keep America safe.”

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Release: 2025-2026 SENATE MINORITY LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCED

Pat Powers

2025-2026 SENATE MINORITY LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCED

PIERRE – The newly-elected Senate Democrat caucus met November 9, 2024, to determine legislative leadership for the 2025-2026 Legislative term.

The following members were elected to minority leadership positions in the Senate:

  • Minority Leader: Liz Larson
  • Assistant Minority Leader: Jamie Smith
  • Minority Whip: Red Dawn Foster

Legislator information is available on the LRC website.

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