Johnson Priorities Included in “Peace through Strength” Annual Defense Bill

 Washington, D.C. – Today, the House passed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with several of U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson’s (R-S.D.) priorities. The bill includes provisions to strengthen deterrence against China, prohibit men from competing in women’s sports at military academies, and robust funding for B-21 aircraft procurement.

“America’s military should be the strongest, most prepared fighting force in the world. This defense package makes sure our servicemembers have what they need, when they need it,” said Johnson. “The defense package prioritizes made-in-America equipment by providing funding for Ellsworth’s B-21 Raider and ensures our military will deliver peace through strength.”

Johnson priorities included in the 2026 NDAA:

• Provides $3.45 billion for B-21 aircraft procurement.
• Provides $378 million for military construction for Ellsworth Air Force Base.
• Provides $28 million for the Watertown Complex’s National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop.
• Johnson’s priority to prohibit biological men from competing in women’s sports at military service academies.
• Johnson’s provision to strengthen deterrence against China by supporting defense industrial cooperation with U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Authorizes $35 million in Impact Aid assistance.
• Raises servicemember pay by 3.8% and improves benefits for military families.
• Fights drug trafficking.
• Ends $115 million of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Prohibits funding for the teaching, training, or promotion of Critical Race Theory in the military, including at service academies and DoD schools.
• Cuts more than $1 billion of Green New Deal programs at the DoD.
• Provides $20 billion in savings.

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Flags at Half-Staff Statewide in Honor of Charlie Kirk

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide effective immediately until sunset on Sunday, September 14, 2025, as a mark of respect for the memory of Charlie Kirk.

“Charlie Kirk was a good man, a great American, and a true voice for Freedom,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “Please join Sandy and me in praying for his family.”

This announcement is consistent with President Trump’s order, which can be found here.

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Some worthwhile thoughts on the events of the day from former State Rep. Fred Deutsch, as he notes we need a society where our leaders ensure public safety for every family in South Dakota:

 

Thune: Republicans Protect Decades of Senate Precedent on Confirmations

“[T]he amendment to the rules Republicans are proposing is an idea with bipartisan pedigree … And it would restore sanity to a confirmation process that Democrats and Republicans alike have complained is broken.”

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

Click here to watch the video.

I’m told it was quite the event yesterday for the kickoff for the Marty Jackley for Congress campaign in Sturgis at the Loud American (home of the really good steak tips), with about 200 people packed in the room. And there was quite a mix of people..

Murdoc from Dakota Town Hall noted he was sitting between Legislators California Carley and Phil Jensen.. And someone else was in a conversation between Scott Odenbach and Mary Fitzgerald.. lots of polar opposites at the event getting along. (At least for a few hours.)

South Dakota Soybean Processors Opens Historic Multi-Seed Processing Plant in Mitchell

MITCHELL, S.D. — On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, South Dakota Soybean Processors, along with project partners, investors, and state and local officials, hosted a private grand opening ceremony and celebration for their new High Plains Processing plant south of Mitchell, South Dakota. This project, which began construction in September of 2023, marks the largest agricultural project in South Dakota history.

“Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marks more than just the opening of a new facility. It marks a new era of opportunity for producers across our state,” said South Dakota Soybean Processors CEO Tom Kersting. “This multi-seed processing plant is a game-changer for our agricultural community. It not only brings additional value-added processing into the state, but by doing so, it also reduces transportation costs, increases local demand, and provides greater market stability for our soybean growers. The benefits will ripple across the entire ag economy.”

Nearly 1,000 guests attended Tuesday’s private tours of the facility followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony, including Commissioner Bill Even from the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Secretary Hunter Roberts of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Senator Casey Crabtree of South Dakota District 8, and South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden.

“South Dakota has a proud reputation of being Open for Opportunity — High Plains Processing is proof of that fact, and it is one of the largest projects in our state’s history,” said South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden. “This new facility will be a huge economic driver for the Mitchell community and a big boost to South Dakota agriculture!”

The $500 million facility has the capacity to process 35 million bushels of soybeans annually or the equivalent of one million tons of higher-oil crops. The High Plains Processing plant will provide an economic boost to not only the Mitchell area, but also the entire state of South Dakota while creating an estimated 85 full-time job opportunities and payroll of approximately $5.5 million annually.

“This plant stands as a shining example of what we can achieve when farmers, business leaders, and community members work together toward a shared goal. It’s not just a facility—it’s a legacy we’re building for the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said Kersting.

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ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN PROCESSORS

South Dakota Soybean Processors (SDSP) is a limited-liability company headquartered in Volga, South Dakota, is owned by approximately 2,200 members, most of whom reside in South Dakota and nearby states. In addition to the new Mitchell plant, SDSP operates processing plants in Volga, South Dakota, and near Miller, South Dakota. For more information on SDSP, visit SDSBP.com.

Attorney General and Law Enforcement Associations Support Prison Plan

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley and three South Dakota law enforcement associations issued statements of support for the new prison plan. The South Dakota State’s Attorneys Association, the South Dakota Sheriffs’ Association, and the South Dakota Police Chiefs’ Association agreed on the significant need for a new prison, encouraging legislators to move forward with the proposed plan.

“The building of a new prison, at a reasonable cost and that is respectful of taxpayer dollars, will help ensure our correctional system is equipped to meet today’s challenges,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “The construction of a new prison is not about expanding incarceration; it is to replace an outdated facility, address overcrowding, and provide safer environments for staff and inmates alike. By investing in a modern infrastructure, we are taking a responsible step forward to protect our communities and support a more effective justice system.”

“Our first duty is the safety of our communities,” wrote Jason Foote, South Dakota Police Chiefs’ Association President. “South Dakota needs a secure, modern, and humane facility that keeps our communities safe, protects staff, treats those in custody with dignity, and supports rehabilitation where possible.” You can find the statement of support from the South Dakota Police Chiefs’ Association here.

Police Chief Jason Foote served on the Prison Task Force, which reached a unanimous agreement on the new prison plan.

“Much of the current facility is an unsafe environment for both guards and inmates. A new facility is needed to ensure both are provided with a safer environment,” wrote the South Dakota State’s Attorneys Association. “A new prison is not solely about incarceration, but also about rehabilitative services and ensuring that individuals who enter the correctional system have a meaningful incarceration with access to resources which address the root causes of much criminal behavior.” You can find the statement of support from the South Dakota State’s Attorneys Association here.

This week, Governor Rhoden released the full plan for a new prison.

“County jails are increasingly forced to house individuals sentenced to the state, filling local beds that are already in short supply—at county expense,” wrote the South Dakota Sheriffs’ Association. “We urge our legislators to support the recommendations made by the Prison Reset Task Force at their upcoming special session and move forward with construction of the new prison.” You can find the statement of support from the South Dakota Sheriffs’ Association here.

Additional information about the plan for a new prison is outlined on the Governor’s FAQ page.

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This is right up with his theory that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are a plot by the vaccination companies. Tonight, the 4% candidate for Governor, Toby Doeden, is spewing new crazy talk on social media that almost has no basis in reality.

I say almost, as he spells his opponents’ names mostly right, but it drops off pretty damn quickly after that:

You know how sometimes you read something so dumb on Facebook that it just kind of leaves your mouth open, going ‘who are these people who believe this nonsense?’  Because there is just so much of it here.

Silly claim #1:  We are winning! All of the latest polling has us either first or second in the race.

No. Not at all. The first poll that came out had Toby Doeden at 4%. I have been made aware of a more recent one that has Toby at maybe around 15 to 18%. But never has he left third place in any reputable benchmark. He might be running text message push polls, or standing in front of his employees while he asks them but that certainly isn’t anything reputable or the real thing.

Silly claim #2: “INTERIM Governor, Larry Rhoden, is refusing to drop out of the race… While Larry is nowhere near the top of the polls, he still has a small base of support…they are likely going to try and pay him off…They are even allegedly offering him enormous amounts of cash to get him out.

That’s even more ridiculous than Toby‘s first horseshit claim. Never mind Larry Rhoden has not gotten into the race yet.  It reminds me of when the emails go out to the gullible, declaring that the sender is a Nigerian prince who needs the recipient’s help collecting his inheritance. The unscrupulous send out appeals, trying to figure out who the stupid people are who are gullible enough to fall for their scheme; and then they start working them hard.

No one is trying to buy off the Governor. If Toby thinks he can prove it, he needs to put up or shut up. Because it is a laughable falsehood.

Silly claim #3: “At the end of the day, we are in great shape! Our message is spreading, and we are winning! The political establishment is terrified.”

Again, more silliness. No one fears Toby. He can make up all the stuff he wants, but it’s not convincing anybody to vote for him. The man who has only ever voted in 1 Republican Primary (last year) is not convincing anyone to get out of the race.

This is just a social media sideshow. And most legitimate political campaigns would find it clownish.

But then again. Consider the source.

Attorney General Jackley Announces Former State Employee Sentenced For Forging Her Own Medical Marijuana Card

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces a Pierre woman has received a suspended imposition of sentence for earlier pleading guilty to one felony count of Offering a False or Forged Instrument for Filing, Registering, or Recording after falsifying her own medical marijuana card while she was an employee of the South Dakota Department of Health.

Alexandra Feiner, 24, was sentenced Tuesday in Hughes County Circuit Court. She faced a maximum sentence of two years in prison. The defendant was sentenced to two years in prison, all suspended; placed on probation for two years, and fined $500.

“There are 14,000 state government employees in South Dakota and the overwhelming majority work hard for South Dakota,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The behavior of one should not reflect poorly on the majority.”

The crimes occurred in March 2024. The defendant avoided both the medical provider certification requirement and the fee.

The State Department of Health cooperated with the investigation conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

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In case you missed it, Congressman Dusty Johnson was down in Brandon on August 22 meeting with and touring Spartan Emergency Response, talking about their workforce development partnerships with Southeast Technical College.

It must have been a popular topic. as 2 weeks later, Toby Doeden must have hopped in his jet and went to Brandon to post the same thing.  And wasn’t paying attention, because he said he’ll fight for workforce development… that per the prior post they already have for Spartan Emergency Response?

 

It’s kind of like deja vu.  Or is Toby just following Dusty around on Facebook and doing the same thing in hopes he can move off of 4%?

Just askin’