Category: Uncategorized

South Dakota US Sen. Mike Rounds was interviewed tonight on 60 Minutes with regards to Chinese intrusion into our national infrastructure such as airlines, water systems, financial institutions and more:

Mike Rounds thinks he knows why China is doing this.

The Republican senator of South Dakota is chair of the Armed Services Cybersecurity Subcommittee. He believes China intends to deter the U.S. from standing up in a fight by hacking our most sensitive industries

Sen. Mike Rounds: But all it takes is a blip on the financial markets to delay certain trades by just milliseconds, to put the market into an entirely different attitude about the security and the soundness of being able to make those transactions happen.

Scott Pelley: You’re talking about causing chaos on Wall Street.

Sen. Mike Rounds: Threatening to be able to cause chaos on Wall Street would be something that they would love to do.

Scott Pelley: And turning the lights on and off.

Sen. Mike Rounds: Most certainly.

You can read the entire interview here.

If this makes you nervous, it should.

So I’m on my couch watching the sold out Hobo Day game on ESPN with a Bloody Mary.. What a morning! So many people and so many missed connections! Sorry if I missed you at the parade and tailgating as apparently I missed a lot of people, including my own sister. I didn’t get an Erin Tobin koozie (but she is saving me one), and I have lost count of the people who I didn’t get a chance to say “hi” to.

And I missed Toby Doeden? I certainly didn’t see him, but I’m told he was there. As he might have discovered, Hobo Day was not about him. It was not about his stupid bus being in the parade as he was demanding. It was not about him trying to wedge it into tailgating as he was demanding.

The rules were the same for him as they as always have been; you participate as a guest of the College Republicans and that’s it. Period. If he wanted to walk, he could walk.

So, who was there to cheer on the Jacks?

He wasn’t walking, but Governor Larry Rhoden and First Lady Sandy Rhoden were in the parade to support the Jacks!

State Senator Tim Reed was also in the parade throwing koozies out. He got one heading my way, even though I was on the wrong side of the road for that.

Democrats were there early on…

..And that was it for politicians until the trail end of the parade with the College Republican group.

Marty Jackley for Congress had a big crew walking with him, and Casey Crabtree was also represented.  Doeden’s latest lackey Cole Heisey looked rather disengaged as he threw out candy a piece at a time. Must be a tough way to pay the rent.

Supposedly Doeden was there, but we did not see him where I was towards the end of Main Street.

Hansen for Governor had a smattering, but for some reason, he quickly crossed from my side of the street to the other when he approached where I was. Hmph.

Big crew for team Dusty walking with the College Republicans..

And the man himself gave us a shout out as he was working the crowd and stopped for a quick picture with my daughter.

The college Republicans were towards the end of the parade, so about then we tapped out to reset for tailgating.

Left the camera at home (because it was tailgating), and had an quick opportunity to talk with a few friends, but as I noted early on in this post, it was impossible to see everybody.

Who didn’t leave the camera at home? Jon Hansen was walking around tailgating followed by his camera-boy & Doeden’s former PAC lackey Brian Lewis. Because nothing speaks more to authenticity than walking around people’s various tailgating events with your cameraman.

Between Doeden and Hansen, it made me glad I brought the bagful of my test t-shirts to a friend’s tailgating to give away.

Handed them off.. and they were literally gone in 60 seconds. (Sorry BB.. I will fire up my heat press and get you one).

The final for the game had SDSU victorious over UNI, 31-3.  And it appears they beat at least one self-important politician at the same time as well.

If I am reading this correctly, South Dakota State University has already had its first win of the weekend in that Toby Doeden does not feel his bus is welcome coming in at the last minute and demanding space at tailgating.. as he claims he has been refused!

Toby discovers that Hobo Day is not all about him? That’s a win in anyone’s book!

Peace and Protection
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
October 10, 2025

BIG Update

Just days after the two-year anniversary of Hamas’ abhorrent attack on Israel, there was an agreement reached on a peace deal between Israel and Hamas is a great step towards lasting peace in the region. I’m grateful the Trump Administration never gave up in their efforts to end the violence and release the hostages. Leading with peace through strength delivers real results. This is a historic peace deal.

BIG Idea

Monday marks the 35^th Native American Day in South Dakota. The holiday was adopted in 1990 as a sign of reconciliation and to honor the culture and contribution of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people.

In March, I was named the most effective House member on Native American issues by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. The federal government has trust and treaty obligations to assist our nation’s tribes. That’s why I’ve advocated for additional law enforcement funding for tribes, reforms to the Indian Health Service, funding for tribal colleges and universities, and more. I can’t do it all without the leadership and coordination of tribal leaders in South Dakota. I’m grateful for their partnership.

BIG News

The federal government remains shut down and the impact continues to grow. I voted two weeks ago to keep the government open and ensure essential services continue, which includes paying federal employees. Next week, 1.3 million service members will miss their paycheck if the government is not reopened. I’ve completed the necessary paperwork to not receive a paycheck while our men and women in uniform go without. Our troops deserve better—it’s time for liberals in the Senate to reopen the government.

Federal safety nets, like WIC, are already running out of funds. WIC helps the most vulnerable women, infants, and children afford formula and food they need. This shutdown is already impacting these vulnerable populations the hardest.

Shutdowns don’t benefit anybody. I’ve introduced a bill to make sure a shutdown never happens again. The government must be open to work as it should for the American people.

Click here or the image above to watch

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A Shared Land
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
October 10, 2025

I recently visited Washington, DC, to see our South Dakota National Guard soldiers who are part of President Trump’s effort to make DC safe and beautiful again. I was amazed by what they told me about their mission. But I was even more impressed by what I heard from a South Dakota native who lives in DC: “Having the National Guard here has changed everything. I’ve been here for 5 years, and I’ve never felt so safe as right now.”

Washington, DC, is our nation’s shared capital city. It’s a place that all of us should admire and respect, because it’s the seat of a government founded in admirable and respectable principles.

I heard our founding principles reflected time and time again throughout my trip to DC. Both the Trump Administration and Congress are focused on returning our government to one that is of, by, and for the people – and that is limited by the constitutional provisions that our Founding Fathers so wisely put into place. We talked about restoring opportunity for agriculture, security for our people, and economic possibilities that will make South Dakota, and our entire nation, grow and thrive.

I strengthened my rapport with crucial leaders like Senate Majority Leader John Thune (we are proud to have a South Dakotan in such a key position!), U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Deputy Director of ICE Madison Sheahan (herself a former South Dakotan). And I strengthened our connection to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which is such a crucial entity for a rural state like ours.

I’m also working on strengthening relationships with our Native American tribes. I know that maintaining trust between the State and the Oceti Sakowin can be challenging, but I am committed to achieving it. I’ve visited several tribal nations on my Open for Opportunity tour, and I hope to visit all nine of our tribal nations soon.

South Dakota became a state in 1889, but long before that, this great land was already home to the Oceti Sakowin. We have nine tribal nations: Cheyenne River, Crow Creek, Flandreau, Lower Brule, Oglala Lakota, Rosebud, Standing Rock, Sisseton Wahpeton, and Yankton.

Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Crazy Horse Memorial and stand atop his arm. This monument has always impressed me – his face rises over 87 feet tall! Crazy Horse was recognized by the tribes as their greatest leader, which is why that memorial is such a crucial part of our Black Hills today.

Since 1990, South Dakota has recognized tribal nations on Native American Day. As we celebrate Native American Day, I encourage all South Dakotans to learn more about each of the tribes that call this land home. The South Dakota Office of Indian Education provides valuable resources for teachers, students, and the general public to learn more about the history, language, and cultural values of the Oceti Sakowin.

I invite tribal leaders to reach out with ideas on how we can better support your communities – just as I did with our federal leaders in Washington, DC. If we communicate and work together, the sky is the limit for what we can achieve.

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Democrats’ Shutdown Drags On
By Sen. John Thune

The government shutdown has entered its second week. In that time, Democrats have had numerous opportunities to end the shutdown by supporting the clean funding extension that has already passed the House and that President Trump is ready to sign. But, at the behest of their far-left base, they remain determined to prolong the government shutdown and the pain it is causing around the country.

Not even the prospect of American troops, law enforcement, and other federal workers going without a paycheck has been enough to get Democrats to support a clean bill to reopen the government. The Democrat leader’s only interest seems to be in what the shutdown does for his party. “Every day gets better for us,” he says. I don’t know whether every day is getting better for Democrats, but it’s certainly not getting better for the American people, who continue to suffer the consequences of Democrats’ shutdown.

The reason we’re in this mess – the reason why paychecks for service members and law enforcement officers are in jeopardy – is because Democrats’ far-left base has demanded that Democrats fight President Trump at all costs. And so even though Republicans haven’t asked Democrats to support a single new Republican policy, Senate Democrats continue to reject passing a clean, nonpartisan funding bill. They continue to bow to their far-left base, which is telling them to hold out, and insist on a staggering $1.5 trillion in new partisan spending.

Democrats may be earning points with the far left, but I doubt they are getting much praise from any other corner. A recent poll found that 65 percent of voters think Democrats should reopen the government instead of holding out for their partisan demands. And I expect that number will only grow as Democrats’ blocking government funding only causes more pain.

There’s no reason it has to be this way. The clean, nonpartisan funding extension the House advanced is just one Senate roll call vote away from going to the president. President Trump stands ready to sign it. The shutdown can end as soon as a handful of Democrats decide they have had enough and join Republicans to support the clean extension. If Democrats would only agree, we could reopen the government in a matter of hours and stop this madness.

When this ends is entirely up to Democrats. The only viable option is to pass the clean funding extension, and we need just a handful more Democrat senators to pass this bill. We need just a handful of Democrats to realize that their partisan demands aren’t worth widespread pain. Time will tell if they will.

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Thune Applauds Senate Passage of NDAA, Urges Democrats to Stop Holding Troops’ Paychecks Hostage

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which authorizes significant investments for Ellsworth Air Force Base and the future B-21 bomber mission.

“This year’s NDAA builds on the historic security investments we secured in the One Big Beautiful Bill and will strengthen the important role that South Dakota plays in keeping our nation safe by providing critical resources to Ellsworth Air Force Base and the B-21 mission,” said Thune. “The NDAA is one of the most important bills that Congress considers every year, and I’m pleased that the Senate made it a priority this year to ensure our military has everything it needs to project American strength and promote peace.

“While I’m pleased we were able to get this legislation across the finish line, it is imperative that Senate Democrats stop holding the federal government – and military pay – hostage and reopen the government,” Thune continued. “Democrats need to do the right thing and vote to reopen the government so our troops can get paid and continue to provide for their families.”

The NDAA includes significant investments that will benefit South Dakota:

• Fully authorizes the B-21 Raider program, including over $3.4 billion for procurement;

• Authorizes $378 million in military construction projects to support the future B-21 Raider mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base;
• Authorizes $28 million for the Watertown Army National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop;
• Requires a “bomber roadmap” detailing bomber force structure, modernization, and transition plan for fielding the B-21;
• Modifies the Defense Community Infrastructure Program to better support the quality of life of the airmen stationed at Ellsworth;
• Supports munitions production, leveraging South Dakota industries; and
• Authorizes robust munitions production for the B-1 and future B-21.

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It’s shocking to see that there’s a former newscaster in trouble with the law who is not the overly verbose Shad Olson.

Former KEVN newsreader & Deadwood City Commissioner Blake Joseph has apparently found himself at the receiving end of a recall petition effort after being charged with a number of things, some still pending, including alternate charges of 49-31-31(1); Contacting someone by phone to terrorize, threaten, harass or annoy. According to the Black Hills Pioneer:

The warrant, issued for the arrest of Blake Joseph, 39, came the same day he pleaded no contest and was fined for careless driving and a subsequent failure to appear charge, stemming from a July 2024 incident during the annual Days of ’76 parade.

Joseph was charged on Friday with a single count of making threatening or harassing phone calls in which he, “did contact another person with intent to terrorize, intimidate, threaten, harass, or annoy by using obscene or lewd language or by suggesting a lewd or lascivious act,” according to the warrant.

and..

According to Schumacher’s report, Joseph during questioning denied owning or using a device or app that would spoof his number; however, he allegedly acknowledged the content and tone of the messages, as the conversation appeared familiar and consistent with a past heated exchange between the two. Joseph repeatedly said he did not recall sending the texts and was confused about the origins of the number. Schumacher reported that Joseph also alternated between denying knowledge of the phone and stating, “I don’t know,” or “I don’t remember.”

Read the entire story here, where the editor notes that portions of the story might be NSFW.

Apparently, enough people were fired up about it to start a recall petition effort.

A petition turned in late last week to recall a Deadwood City Commissioner has met the necessary number of signature requirements.

The petition accused Commissioner Blake Joseph of several offenses in connection with a 2025 incident. They include misconduct, gross partiality, abuse of office and crimes while in office.

In July 2024, Joseph was charged with careless driving and traveling through a roadblock, after he allegedly struck a Deadwood firefighter manning a roadblock with his vehicle during the Days of ‘76 Parade. The traveling through the roadblock charge was dismissed in May 2025; however, on July 2, Joseph faced another misdemeanor after he failed to appear for his trial for careless driving. Since then, Joseph was also cited in August of this year for having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Read the first story here.

and following up, Joseph is not going quietly into the night according to more coverage from the Rapid City Post:

Joseph has filed for a temporary restraining order the election from happening until he has a chance to challenge those petitions. His court filings claim, in part, that he was denied access to the petitions and that allegations against him are unsubstantiated and unproven.

Read that here.

KOTA also has a story on the whole thing, where Joseph claims the facts that are flying around “are in defamation,” and provides some gibberish complaining that there were things “he was not allowed to add a voice to” in reference to past actions and when asked about current cases, notes “we don’t speak about those things until they are finished.”

(Seriously, watch the video, and admire that ‘stache)

So basically, this City Commissioner doesn’t like people talking about things he’s been arrested for, complains that he couldn’t talk about past actions, and can’t speak about current things.  And in looking at many of those cases, including the new lawsuit to stop the action, he appears to be handling many of these things on a pro-se basis.  (and according to an on-line resume of his, he can do all of this with either a Chinese or Yiddish accent. And puppets.)

I sense that this is not the last we’re going to hear about this elected official.

Thune on Israel-Gaza Peace Agreement

“It is vital that Israel and especially Hamas implement the terms of this agreement as quickly as possible, so that this can truly mark the beginning of an end to the bloodshed and – I hope – a lasting peace for this most war-torn of regions.”

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

Marshall Selberg to Announce Candidacy for Sioux Falls Mayor

Marshall Selberg, a proven community leader, former City Council member, and small business owner, will officially announce his campaign for Mayor of Sioux Falls on Wednesday, October 15 at 4:00pm at The South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, 1600 Russell St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104.

He is emphasizing a platform focused on unity and expertise to drive the city forward.

“It is my great honor to run for Mayor of Sioux Falls because I believe our city’s best days are ahead—if we work together to make them happen,” Selberg stated.

The campaign’s core message centers on Selberg’s track record as a “bridge builder and problem solver” dedicated to bringing diverse people and personalities together to achieve common goals.

Selberg brings eight years of government experience as the City Council representative for the Southwest District, where he served in various leadership roles including three years in Council Leadership, including two of those as Council Chair. As a real estate business owner for 18 years who has served in various roles in community organizations, including 15 years as a Chamber of Commerce Diplomat Emeritus, Selberg possesses a deep understanding of the local economy, job creation, and managing sustainable growth.

“I’ve always believed that life begins when we begin to serve, and the strong desire to serve the people of Sioux Falls has stayed with me,” Selberg said.

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