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Senator Mike Rounds WEEKLY ROUND[S] UP: November 11-15, 2024

Welcome back to another edition of the Weekly Round[s] Up. It’s been a while! The Senate has been out of session for the past six weeks, which means I was able to work from South Dakota. While my home is in Fort Pierre, I was able to make trips around the state to attend different meetings and visit with South Dakotans. Just to give you a snapshot of my month: I visited with a political science class at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, I spoke at a roundtable discussion hosted by students at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, I hosted a coffee and conversation with residents in Yankton, I spoke at a dinner hosted by the Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity in Rapid City, attended meetings with the Sioux Falls Rotary Club and Sioux Empire Realtors Association in Sioux Falls and celebrated our law enforcement at the South Dakota Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner.

Now we’re back in Washington to hit the ground running after what’s been a huge week for Republicans both in South Dakota and across the nation. Once everyone is sworn into office in January, we will have Republican majorities in both the Senate and House, as well as President Trump and his new administration in the White House. In case you missed it, my seatmate and our fellow South Dakotan Senator John Thune is our next Senate Majority Leader. Take all of this together and we’re looking at the opportunity to accomplish a lot of priorities over the next couple of years. All of this and more coming up in my Weekly Round[s] Up:

Meetings this week: Luis Elizondo, former director of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program; and Youssef Amrani, Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States. I spoke at a reception hosted by the UAP Disclosure Fund. I also attended a celebration for the 249th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

Most of our time this week was spent on Senate Leadership Elections. As I mentioned, Senator Thune was elected as our next Senate Majority leader. I was honored to give the seconding speech for his nomination in our meeting. I believe Senator Thune is the right guy for this job and our conference agrees. John embodies the principles and leadership qualities that our nation needs at a critical time. With him leading us in the Senate, Speaker Johnson in the House and President Trump in the White House, Republicans are now positioned to spend at least the next two years getting our country back on track. I couldn’t be more excited for my friend John Thune. We’re ready to get to work!

Votes taken: 8 – all of these were on nominations to judge positions in Florida and Illinois, as well as positions on the U.S. Tax Court and in the Office of Government Ethics.

Hearings: I had one closed hearing with the Select Committee on Intelligence.

Classified briefings: I had one classified briefing with General Timothy Haugh, the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command.

My staff in South Dakota visited: Aberdeen, Brookings, Deadwood, Lead, Milesville, Philip, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Sturgis.

Steps taken this past week: 53,386 steps or 26.8 miles.

Video of the week: I had the opportunity to visit with Linsey Davis on ABC Prime Time following the Senate Leadership elections:

Brian Tande Selected as New President of South Dakota Mines

PIERRE, SD – The South Dakota Board of Regents is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Brian Tande as its next President of South Dakota Mines. Dr. Tande brings a wealth of experience in engineering education, research, and leadership to the position, positioning the Rapid City university for continued excellence and innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

“Dr. Tande’s depth of experience in academic leadership and his dedication to fostering innovation and student achievement made him the ideal choice to lead South Dakota Mines into its next chapter,” said committee chairman Regent Jeff Partridge. “The comprehensive search process ensured we found an exceptional leader who aligns perfectly with the university’s mission and values. We are excited to welcome him to our community and look forward to the vision and energy he will bring to the institution.”

Dr. Tande currently serves as the Dean of the College of Engineering and Mines at the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks, a role he has held for the past five years. His time at UND is marked by numerous accomplishments, including expanding programs, fostering industry partnerships, and promoting student success.

Before becoming Dean, Dr. Tande held a variety of leadership and academic roles at UND, including Associate Dean, Department Chair, and Director of the Jodsaas Center for Engineering Leadership and Entrepreneurship. He also served as a tenured faculty member, demonstrating his commitment to mentoring students and advancing academic excellence. In addition, he served as Graduate Programs Director and Associate Professor at Kansas State University.

“I am incredibly honored to be able to serve as South Dakota Mines’ next President. While I have been familiar with its strong reputation for many years, the conversations I have had with students, faculty, staff, and alumni during this process have left no doubt that South Dakota Mines is truly a unique and special place,” said Dr. Tande. “I want to thank all who participated in this search and the Board of Regents for the trust they have placed in me. Along with my dedicated colleagues, I will be working very hard to maintain our strong student-centered culture, conduct impactful research, grow the economy of Rapid City and the Black Hills region, and serve the people of South Dakota.”

Dr. Tande will assume his new role on January 9, succeeding President Jim Rankin, who retired this past summer.

Cybersecurity Grant Program Position announced by Dakota State and Attorney General Marty Jackley

MADISON, S.D., Nov. 18, 2024 – Dakota State University and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announce the hiring of Mike Waldner as director of the newly established Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program.

This initiative, funded through Senate Bill 187, will enhance the cybersecurity infrastructure of South Dakota’s municipalities by providing secure email solutions, technical support, risk assessments, and specialized training to strengthen defenses of local governments against cyber threats.

Municipalities nationwide are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, and South Dakota’s communities are not immune to this trend. In 2023, the Center for Internet Security reported a 51% increase in ransomware incidents targeting state and local governments, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.

The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, under Senate Bill 187, was given oversight of this grant program, and Attorney General Jackley underscored the significance of this initiative.

“Cybersecurity is vital for the safety and security of our communities. We look forward to working with DSU and Mike Waldner to ensure that every municipality in our state has the resources it needs to defend against cyber threats. This program is an important step toward making South Dakota a model of cybersecurity for the nation,” Attorney General Jackley said.

DSU President José-Marie Griffiths highlighted the program’s importance, saying, “Dakota State University is at the forefront of cybersecurity education and research, and this grant program exemplifies our commitment to serving South Dakota. Mike’s leadership and expertise will be instrumental in safeguarding our state’s public infrastructure, and I look forward to seeing the positive difference he and the program will make.”

South Dakota District 8 Senator Casey Crabtree, who sponsored the legislation, added, “Strengthening our municipalities’ cybersecurity is crucial for the resilience of our state’s infrastructure. This program, led by the Attorney General’s Office and DSU, will provide essential resources and support to protect our communities from evolving cyber threats. It’s a significant advancement for South Dakota’s cybersecurity. Mike has a tremendous background in state government, I am confident he will lead this program well.”

Waldner has had pivotal leadership roles in many programs throughout the state, including the efforts to install the state’s first internet connection and create the state’s internet presence, the K-12 Data Center Project, FirstNet (law enforcement network), and ConnectSD broadband initiative. 

He began his new position on Nov. 18, and shared his commitment to the program’s mission.

 “It’s a privilege to be part of this initiative that will have a real impact on the security of South Dakota’s communities. I am honored to lead this effort and look forward to working with partners across the state to strengthen our cybersecurity posture,” Waldner said.

 The Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program is supported by an advisory council comprising experts from various sectors:

State Agencies

• Consumer Protection, Jody Gillaspie
• Secretary of State, Monae Johnson

Dakota State University

• Ashley Podhradsky, VP Research and Economic Development
• Arica Kulm, Director of Digital Forensics, Leader of Project Boundary Fence

Law Enforcement

• SD Sheriffs Association, Staci Ackerman
• Dave Ackerman, Sheriff

Counties and Municipalities

• South Dakota Association of County Commissioners, Eric Erickson
• Minnehaha County, Monte Watembach
• City of Pierre/Hughes County, Craig Waldron
• City of Sioux Falls, McKenzie Hermanson
• Executive Director, South Dakota Association of County Commissioners, Kris Jacobson
• Lawrence County, Greg Dias
• Brown County, Pat Wolberg
• South Dakota Municipal League, Sara Rankin
• South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems, Jeremiah Corbin

Federal Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Jim Edman

Statewide Cybersecurity Industries

• SBS CyberSecurity, Chad Knutson
• Golden West, Eric Eisenbraun
• Servos, Pat Snow

This broad coalition will work closely with DSU to prioritize and address the cybersecurity needs of South Dakota’s communities, helping to build a safer digital landscape for all residents.

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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

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

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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Representing for South Dakota, showing our pride for the new US Senate Majority Leader.

(No, I was not a student in 2004, but I’m young at heart.)

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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South Dakota Republican Party Chairman John Wiik has sent out a few thoughts on the election and the aftermath, which I share here for Republicans who might not get the e-mail forwarded to them if they’re in one of the counties with a dysfunctional Republican organization.

A few thoughts on the election and the aftermath…

From Chairman John Wiik 

As chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party, I first would like to thank everyone for your hard work defeating Amendment H.  This has been a priority for the central committee to defeat from the moment it was introduced.  Thank you for your work. 

 

Amendment G was also defeated, and largely because of your work, you should be proud that we maintained the pro life state we have worked so hard to become. 

 

We see our majority increasing in the South Dakota legislature, and finally, all 3 branches of the US government are in the capable hands of Republicans.  Governor Noem is likely the next Secretary of Homeland Security.  Senator Thune was just elected Senate Majority Leader, and Congressman Johnson was reelected by tremendous margins. 

 

Governor Noem’s departure will move Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden to the Governor’s Office, and the search for a Lieutenant Governor begins.  Our bench is deep and we will find the best fit for the Rhoden administration and for South Dakota.

 

Regarding Senator Thune and the Majority Leader election, please allow me to chime in with a little history.  Senator Thune was elected to Congress in 1996.  Before that, all three of our national Congressional delegation members were Democrats.  In the years since, he led this party to take down the Daschle Democrat organization in South Dakota piece by piece.  By 2004, he ran against Daschle himself, vanquishing the sitting Majority Leader and shutting down Daschle’s Democrat state mechanism once and for all. We are standing on the shoulders of three decades of hard work by and for Senator Thune, Governor Noem, Senator Rounds, Congressman Johnson and countless others.

 

While Democrats tried to pick up the pieces with the election of Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, a relatively unknown State Representative from Hamlin County swooped in, worked harder than anyone else could have, and defeated her, effectively ending Democrat relevance, with no Democrat elected to a statewide office since 2008.

 

As someone who has shed blood, sweat and tears and invested time, treasure, and talent to get those two elected, this is the reddest red-letter day in South Dakota history!  Both Governor Noem and Senator Thune have pledged to work with President Trump to enact his mandated agenda for the American people.  Let’s use this day to celebrate the accomplishments of the last 30 years of hard work and trust that President Trump’s administration is in incredibly capable hands and the SDGOP had a huge part in Making America Great Again.  

 

Thanks again for all that you do for the SDGOP! 

Chairman John Wiik

Thune: Our Work Begins Today

 “I look forward to working with my Republican colleagues here in the Senate and with President Trump and Vice President Vance to build a strong and prosperous America and a bright new dawn for the American people.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video.

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the Senate will deliver on the mandate the American people have given President-elect Trump and the new Republican Congress to secure the border, grow the economy, and restore American strength.