Per Facebook…

Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day Seven

“Why Democrats think that threatening health care in rural America is a winning proposition is beyond me.”

Click here to watch the video.

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

Attorney General Jackley Praises President Trump’s Nomination Of DCI Director Dan Satterlee as next SD U.S Marshal

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley praises President Trump’s nomination of Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Director Dan Satterlee as South Dakota’s next U.S. Marshal.

“Dan is a strong law enforcement officer, and he was my choice as DCI director when I became Attorney General in 2023,” said Attorney General Jackley. “He has been an excellent leader for DCI, and he will do the same as U.S. Marshal. I look forward to continuing our working relationship in his new position.”

Attorney General Jackley recommended Director Satterlee for the position and was supported by South Dakota Senators Thune and Rounds. President Trump then accepted that nomination.

“President Trump, Senate Leader Thune, and Senator Rounds are strong advocates of law enforcement and public safety, and this nomination reaffirms that,” said Attorney General Jackley.

Director Satterlee’s nomination has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration. If approved there, the nomination would go to the full Senate.

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From Facebook:

Gov. Rhoden Announces Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force Members

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced the membership of the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force, which will determine the best path forward for expanding rehabilitation services as the state plans for the new prison.

“Securing a new prison was a major win for our state. Pairing our new facility with strong programming will lead to the best outcomes for inmates and result in safer communities for generations to come. This task force will prioritize reducing recidivism and getting offenders back to work,” said Governor Larry Rhoden.

This task force was established through Executive Order 2025-07 following the passage and signing of SB 2, which provides for a new prison in Sioux Falls. Both SB 2 and EO 2025-07 were signed at the conclusion of the special session on September 23.

The Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force will assess the programming needs of the inmate population, understand options for faith-based and Native American-focused programs, study best practices for re-entry models, and make recommendations on how to best use the expanded space of the new facility.

“I am a strong believer in bringing voices from broad perspectives to the table. The task force’s diverse membership will ensure sound programming for our inmate population,” continued Governor Rhoden.

The members of the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force are:

• Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen, Chair;
• Mayor of Sioux Falls Paul TenHaken;
• Judge Pat Pardy, Third Judicial Circuit;
• Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr, R-District 11;
• Senator Tamara Grove, R-District 26;
• Senator Joy Hohn, R-District 9;
• Senator Paul Miskimins, R-District 20;
• Senator Ernie Otten, R-District 6;
• Senator Sue Peterson, R-District 13;
• Senator Jamie Smith, D-District 15;
• Representative John Hughes, R-District 13;
• Representative Greg Jamison, R-District 12;
• Representative Chris Kassin, R-District 17;
• Representative Brian Mulder, R-District 11;
• Representative Tim Reisch, R-District 8;
• Representative Tesa Schwans, R-District 9;
• Representative Eric Emery, D-District 26A;
• Representative Kadyn Wittman, D-District 15;
• Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Danial Haggar;
• Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller;
• Southeast Tech President Cory Clasemann;
• Minnehaha County Jail Warden Mike Mattson;
• State Court Administrator Greg Sattizahn;
• Sioux Falls City Council member Rich Merkouris;
• Founder of I.Am.Legacy Erik Brings White;
• CEO of Great Plains Tribal Leader’s Health Board Jerilyn Church;
• Executive Director of SD Council of Mental Health Centers Terry Dosch;
• Sioux Falls School Board Member Dawn Marie Johnson;
• Secretary of Labor and Regulation Marcia Hultman; and
• Department of Corrections Deputy Secretary Brent Fluke.

The task force will begin its work later this month.

Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day Six

“[F]or the sake of the American people, I hope at least a few more Democrats will join us to pass this clean, nonpartisan CR and let the Senate get back to work.”

Click here to watch the video.

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

Looking for a government job? Get your resume out, as Governor Larry Rhoden’s administration is apparently hiring someone to manage traffic in the office with an eye towards the legislative session:

Agency: Governor’s Office
Location: Pierre, SD
Salary: $65,000-$90,000 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: Z
Closing Date: 10/15/25

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Governor’s Office. For more information on the Governor’s Office, please visit https://www.sd.gov/cs.

Governor Rhoden’s office is seeking a Director of Operations to join a dynamic team, with the overall goal of advancing the Governor’s mission is to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free.

The ideal applicant will be a motivated self-starter who can manage multiple projects and process at once; a leader with the ability to help a cross-functional team meet deadlines; Trustworthy with the ability to handle confidential information with discretion; An excellent communicator with strategic thinking skills to solve problems.

Key/Responsibilities:

Day-to-day responsibilities will include advancing the Governor’s conservative principles to by leading processes for the Governor and team. This includes the following aspects:

• • Preparation for the Governor, Lt. Governor, and team for events and meetings requires a quarterback to bring the necessary information together and effectively communicate with all groups involved. This position is a leader of processes through a cross-functional team of internal and external stakeholders to ensure effectiveness and impact.
  • Legislative Session brings a season of challenges and opportunities for the Governor. This person is the lynch pin in several process that keep the Governor, Lt. Governor, and senior leadership team informed and prepared for each day.
  • The Governor is responsible for appointing members to hundreds of boards, commissions, and councils. This position is responsible for tracking of all the expiring board appointments and coordinating with all of the executive branch agencies for recommendations. Then, see the process through after the appointment is made, including some Senate confirmed positions.
  • This position assists the policy team with needed research and should have the ability to fill in gaps with communication and research in this function of the office, especially during the fast-paced season of Legislative Session. This includes some lobbying on behalf of the Executive Branch.
  • Given the dynamic nature of a Governor’s Office, there are other duties as assigned including events, special projects, and assisting with other needs of the team.

This individual will report to Governor Rhoden’s Chief of Staff but will also interact with members of the Governor’s senior team on a frequent basis. Travel will be less than 25% and a mix of in-state and out-of-state. 

Read the job listing and apply here.

Any applicants must be home grown, as the listing notes that they will not sponsor work visas.

From my inbox:

The (Republican or Independent or whatever) Justin McNeal for something campaign is pre-announcing that they’re going to be making a campaign announcement at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial.

Except there’s a bit of a problem with that, because the National Park Service does not permit partisan political campaigning to be conducted in parks.

We’ll see how this goes.

In case you’re not up on the latest slang which my children are more likely to utter than I am (courtesy of Google AI):

“Sus” is primarily a slang term that is short for suspect or suspicious, used to describe someone or something that seems untrustworthy, strange, or potentially deceptive. The term gained significant popularity through social media and is often used playfully or jokingly, though it can also convey genuine wariness.

I bring it up in looking at Republican candidate for Secretary of State Heather Baxter, as she brags on her website about the breadth of her legislative work:

As your candidate for South Dakota Secretary of State, I’m committed to transforming our state’s future with bold, transparent, and community-driven leadership. My priorities reflect my proven record as a state representative, where I’ve championed election integrity, supported small businesses, and served South Dakotans with unwavering dedication.

Her… “proven record?” Where she claims she allegedly “championed election integrity, supported small businesses, and served South Dakotans with unwavering dedication?”  Where exactly did she do these things she claims?  Because if you go an actually look at her record, it’s like she saw the seasons changing, and mistakenly got out her crackpot instead of her crockpot.   Baxter’s record by and large (over 80%) consists of originating legislation for the election goofballs.

Don’t believe me? Here’s a list:

Do you see anything in there on making sure Rapid City has clean water, or keeping criminals off of Rapid City streets?   How about her claim for small business? ANYTHING on jobs, economic development? Or even workforce housing? Nope. There was one bill (House Bill 1198) for a tuition benefit for dependents of deceased veterans, which was unanimously spiked by Appropriations.  But the vast majority of the bills she primed in the House had literally nothing to do with Rapid City interests, had an altogether similar thread, and all too familiar backers:

(House Bill 1145 had no proponents, because it was duplicative and discarded in favor of House Bill 1062.)  In each and every case, you have to take a serious look at who is pushing and testifying on these election bills she was carrying. Because NONE OF THEM are her constituents!

Look at the proponents – Baxter’s only role appears to be to act as a sock puppet in Pierre for SD Canvassing. Her version of serving South Dakotans with unwavering dedication appears to be fronting bills for the election conspiracy goofballs. And please take note that for the bills they tried to pass, they were opposed in all cases by at least one county auditor, the Secretary of State’s office, and others.

This should be a huge red flag that Baxter does not serve her District now. Nor does she want to run as the candidate for South Dakota Secretary for State representing the state’s 300,000 plus Republicans. She wants to run as SD Canvassing’s candidate, representing a couple dozen activists and hucksters at best.

A very good reason for most Republicans in South Dakota to consider Baxter’s candidacy as not one for SOS, but one that’s “sus.”  As my kids say.

Thune Joins Maria Bartiromo on Fox News

 “[Chuck Schumer’s] rank-and-file members shouldn’t follow his lead on this. This is where you need to separate from your leader and actually do the right thing for your constituents and for your country.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News.

Click here or on the picture to watch.