Pretty sure co-hosting events with campaigns are covered by the whole “don’t endorse candidates” thing. Someone should have a word with the McPherson Central Committee..
Rounds Issues Statement Following Senate’s Passage of Continuing Resolution, Appropriations Package
Rounds secured $21.9 million in funding for projects in South Dakota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued a statement following the Senate’s passage of a continuing resolution (CR) combined with three of the Senate’s appropriations bills for FY2026:
“After 41 long days in a government shutdown, the Senate finally passed a CR to reopen the government. This CR continues current levels of government funding until January 30, 2026 and includes three of our appropriations bills in a package known as a ‘minibus.’ It now heads to the House of Representatives for final passage before being signed into law by the President.
“I’m pleased that the final deal to end the shutdown included three of our twelve regular order appropriations bills: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA); Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Agriculture); and Legislative Branch. These bills have been conferenced with the House of Representatives and are ready to be signed into law as soon as they pass the House. These bipartisan, regular order appropriations bills represent exactly how the Senate should work. I’m particularly pleased to have secured $21.9 million in projects for South Dakota in these bills, $17.7 million of which is for construction to support the bed down of the B-21 at Ellsworth. We now have until January 30 to work through the remaining nine bills. Five of these have already been passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“It’s now time to move forward and continue working on our regular order appropriations process, but we can’t ignore the devastating effect that six weeks of a government shutdown has had on our nation. This purely political shutdown was disastrous for the American people and should not have happened in the first place. Thousands of federal workers have gone without pay, millions of families have had the federal benefits they use to feed their children put at risk and our air travel system has been thrown into complete chaos. It’s my hope that these families who have suffered real damaging effects can move forward with their lives. We must work hard in the Senate to prevent a shutdown like this from happening again.”
Rounds has served on the Senate Committee on Appropriations since January 2025. He serves on the Subcommittees for all three of the bills that passed the Senate on Monday night. Read a list of Rounds’ wins in the MilCon-VA and Agriculture appropriations bills below:
MilCon-VA:
Includes five of Rounds’ Congressionally Designated Spending (CDS) requests totaling $19.4 million:
$4.8 million for planning and design for the Weapons Generation Facility Dormitory on Ellsworth Air Force Base (B-21 infrastructure).
$3.5 million for planning and design of the Communications Center on Ellsworth Air Force Base (B-21 infrastructure).
$4 million for (11) new munitions storage magazines on Ellsworth Air Force Base (supports Global Strike Command mission requirements and B-21 infrastructure).
$5.4 million for (2) munitions storage magazines on Ellsworth Air Force Base (supports Global Strike Command mission requirements and B-21 infrastructure).
$1.7 million for aircraft maintenance hangar on Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls.
Includes two of Rounds’ CDS requests totaling $2.5 million:
$2 million for SDSU’s Cottonwood Field Station Renovation and Expansion.
$500,000 for SDSU’s Transient Animal Research Support Facility.
Includes language from Rounds’ Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act to add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS) for ag related cases and requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to refer potential purchases of ag land that could be a national security risk to CFIUS.
Includes report language to address issues with Paraguayan beef imports.
Includes language from Rounds’ Rural Housing Service Reform Act which provides USDA with the same authorities as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Multifamily Foreclosure Act of 1981.
Supports efforts by USDA to prevent and control New World Screwworm infestations – including to construct a new facility in the US to provide the sterile insects necessary to prevent and control New World Screwworm.
In case you missed the other item that the SDGOP has been pushing hard this week, where they want everyone to know about some goofy program the Freedumb caucus is putting on in the chairman’s home of Miller SD..
Of course, they go so far as to put a “disclaimer” on the item they’ve pushed hard on facebook noting “Disclaimer: Sharing this information does not constitute an endorsement by the organization or its leadership. It is being shared for informational purposes only.” Despite the fact that the head of the Freedumb Caucus is married to the SDGOP Vice-chair. And the Treasurer of that group is the Treasurer of the State GOP.
Yet they claim it’s not “an endorsement by the organization or its leadership.” Suuuuure it’s not an endorsement.
It would be a breath of fresh air if the SDGOP would decide to stop attacking it’s top officeholders, and do their job; raising money and actually promoting the party’s candidates.
Not spending their time playing kissy-face with self-interested fringe groups who have nothing to do with the party’s mission.
I know I’d mentioned a time or two that the Minnehaha County malcontents who tried to remove Chairman Korry Petterson have no authority under party bylaws to do so. And it appears that (once again) I’ve been proven right, as the State Republican Party Executive Board had to concede the fact in a facebook post last night.
Included in this correspondence is the official censure of Chairman Petterson. As a result of this action, the Minnehaha County Central Committee has voted to remove Chairman Petterson from his position, effective immediately. In accordance with our bylaws, Vice Chairman Symens will assume the role of Chair.
Despite the fact there’s nothing that says they can do that. It’s my understanding per reports I’d heard that the Minnehaha people were then pigeonholing some of the executive board to uphold their position.
And guess what? By a majority vote, that didn’t happen.
An Executive Board meeting of the South Dakota Republican Party was held the evening of November 10th, 2025, with 11 of 12 members attending, to address the recent vote in Minnehaha County to remove their Chairman.
It was the majority voice of the Executive Board that our bylaws do not allow for the removal of duly elected officers by going to Roberts Rules of Order for guidance in the matter.
If the South Dakota Republican Party is to have a process for removing officers, it will require a bylaws amendment to be passed by a properly convened body of the State Central Committee.
Read that here. For some reason they had to wait to announce it until they could make a graphic featuring the former 32-year Democrat & Obama supporter currently in charge of the SDGOP.
As noted, they made this decision by a majority vote. Although, if I were a betting man, I’m guessing Tom Pischke was a dissenting vote, since the people who are no longer in charge after their brief insurrection ended were his allies.
And it looks like the Minnehaha County Republican organization can get back to their business of being completely useless and dysfunctional, save for entertainment purposes.
(When exactly was that Minnehaha County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner this year?)
SECRETARY MONAE JOHNSON ANNOUNCES WINNER OF THE 2025 JOHN LEWIS YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
PIERRE, S.D. — Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson today announced Ayden Calvert as the recipient of South Dakota’s 2025 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, an honor recognizing a young leader who has demonstrated a commitment to civic engagement, community service, and integrity. The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, established by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), celebrates the legacy of Congressman John Lewis by honoring exceptional youth who show dedication to advancing positive change in their communities through leadership and public service.
“Ayden Calvert embodies the spirit of service, courage, and civic responsibility that Congressman Lewis represented,” said Secretary Johnson. “Ayden’s leadership reflects the values of perseverance, kindness, and participation that strengthen our communities and our democracy. We are proud to recognize his achievements and contributions to South Dakota.”
Secretary Johnson will formally recognize Calvert during an upcoming meeting at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.
Attorney General Jackley Joins Fight for Farmers and Integrity of Renewable Fuel Standard
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley joins the Attorneys General of Iowa and Nebraska in sending a letter to theUnited States Department of Justice, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and Securities and Exchange Commission asking them to investigate large refiners that may be skirting compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS).
President Trump’s national energy policy encourages domestic oil and gas production, including energy from renewable sources such as ethanol. In order to promote the nation’s energy independence, the RFS requires larger refineries to produce a certain quota of ethanol-blended fuels. Refineries facing economic hardship can apply to the DOE and EPA for an exemption from RFS requirements.
The Attorneys General have noted inconsistencies between high profits reported to the SEC by refineries claiming hardship exemptions which they believe indicate that certain refineries are skirting the RFS’ requirements. The letter asks these federal agencies to share information to determine if refineries touting their profits to one agency and claiming hardship to another are in compliance with RFS production and exemption standards.
“Renewable fuels are important to South Dakota’s economy, especially rural communities; but if refineries are not following the rules, they hurt our state’s farmers and ethanol industry,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Skirting RFS requirements thwarts the President’s national energy policy. The federal government needs to ensure that the RFS’ integrity is maintained.”
Board of Regents Names Dr. Alan LaFave as Next President of Northern State University
PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Board of Regents is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan D. LaFave, D.M.A., as the next President of Northern State University (NSU) in Aberdeen, beginning this January.
Dr. LaFave returns to his alma mater and longtime institution after seven years as President of Valley City State University (VCSU) in North Dakota, during which he oversaw a time of growth, progress, and strategic collaborations. Prior to his presidency at VCSU, he spent nearly three decades at Northern State University, from Instructor to Professor of Music, Department Chair, Associate Dean, Dean of the School of Fine Arts, and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Dr. LaFave earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Northern State University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Arizona State University.
“Dr. LaFave brings the combination of deep institutional knowledge of Northern State University, a proven leadership record in a university presidency, and a clear vision for aligning higher education with community needs,” said Board President Tim Rave. “We are confident that he will guide NSU towards a vibrant future where students succeed, the campus community is engaged, and the region benefits. We’re grateful for his willingness to come home and serve.”
The South Dakota Board of Regents and Northern State University look forward to working with Dr. LaFave to ensure a smooth transition and to support his vision for the university’s future.
“I am excited to return to NSU and to the Aberdeen community. I am committed to honoring NSU’s legacy while guiding it toward a future of continued growth, innovation, partnerships, and student success,” said Dr. LaFave. “I am grateful for this opportunity and appreciative of the South Dakota Board of Regents. I look forward to strengthening the university’s relationships with the community and the region as we continue to address workforce needs.”
Dr. LaFave’s appointment follows an extensive national search process conducted in partnership with the Regents, the NSU search committee, campus stakeholders, and community members.
This past week the election conspiracy goofballs in SD Canvassing declared they are hosting a “Hand Count” Expo in Sioux Falls, to try to spread their goofiness to end the use of ballot counting machines… well, because.
Due to their failure to convince anyone that we need election results to be slower and more inaccurate by counting ballots by hand, they feel they need more conspiracy minded luddites out there to spread their gospel. So they are attempting to boost their numbers by inviting people to become “certified hand counter trainers.”
With their post, the Hand Count Expo promoters have a picture of election conspiracy huckster Rick Weible speaking to people who believe too much of what their crazy relative posts on facebook.
Of course, this is the same Rick Weible who claimed to be “a South Dakota hero…”
Rick Weible claims his life is at risk, and it’s a plot by the US Government (start at 5:50).
The big questions about the Hand Count Expo we should know before people consider attending is whether or not you can become certified if you’re missing a finger or two? Because if they only have a partial hand, that person may require assistive technology to effectively hand-count.
And let’s face it. The hand-counting election conspiracists of South Dakota Canvassing have a tendency to completely discount things like assistive technology. Especially when it comes to voting.
She said South Dakota Canvassing does not seem to understand why the machine exists as required by the Help America Vote Act.
These specific machines are designed to help people with disabilities vote independently.
and..
“Who in the world would be against that,” Frankenstein asked. “Who would be against helping disabled people vote? I don’t think these folks realize that when they put number three on a petition, that says electronic voting devices of any kind are prohibited.”
She said the Help America Vote Act requires one of those electronic devices to be in every polling place for every federal election. “So, if your ballot has a federal election on it, those have to be in the polling place,” she said. “So, the problem with the petition, there could be others, but the one that’s just glaring and obvious for this election lawyer is that number three, there’s no exception made for federal cases … so it outright violates the Help America Vote Act.”
and..
Frankenstein said if that happens, the county will be sued. She said she will get called to defend the county, and she will lose.
“I can’t possibly defend that,” she said. “How could I defend a county ordinance that violates federal statute?”
Just so you’re aware of all these caveats, such as no one in South Dakota is really doing slow and inaccurate hand counting of ballots in the state, that the use of technology is embedded in federal law and is never going away, and that this whole thing is a charade of self-promotion being put on by goofballs and hucksters… well then, you do you and become a “certified hand count trainer” if you’re so inclined.
I’m sure that the certificate will be be printed off on a laser printer and handed to the participants. Which is ironic, considering laser printers are a technology that actually has been hacked, as opposed to ballot counting machines which are not hooked up to the internet.
If you do decide to go, find out if you get a official tin-foil hat with that make-believe certification. It might be collectible someday when we look back 100 years from now and shake our heads over this period in history.
From Facebook, South Dakota College Republican Chairwoman Jorja Whempner has decided to step down from her position, as she pursues a new professional opportunity.
