Let’s Get the Prison Done
By: Representative Tim Reisch

Next week, the State Legislature will be meeting in special session to consider the plan for a new state penitentiary.

It’s no secret that I have opinions on the South Dakota Department of Corrections. I served as Secretary of that department for nearly a decade, then again as Interim Secretary just a few years ago. And I’ve been vocal in my thoughts on the management of DOC over the last few years. With leadership changing at DOC, though, I am 100% behind getting a new prison built.

Governor Rhoden asked me to be part of the prison task force because he recognized my experience in this area. Yes, we need to make changes in how we handle inmates – both from a rehabilitation and a security standpoint. But those kinds of changes will be far easier to make at a new, modern, state penitentiary.

I care about our correctional officers. I care about their safety, and I worry about their ability to adequately manage rowdy inmates in a deteriorating building that is not laid out for optimum security. Truth be told, I care about the inmates, too – about making sure that they get rehabilitated to rejoin society without returning to prison. The vast majority of our inmates will be back on the streets of South Dakota, most of them within a year or two. We need those individuals to be truly rehabilitated while they’re in prison. We want them to become productive citizens – and we don’t want them coming back to prison.

The new prison will be laid out in a far more secure manner – that’s good for both staff and inmates. It will more than triple the amount of programming and vocational training than what is in the current penitentiary, and that’s how we get inmates on a better path.

A lot of people have questioned the price or falsely claimed that it’s a “billion-dollar prison.” That’s just not true. But we need to stop kicking the can down the road. We have a very good idea of the costs, because we had already bid out the work for the previous plan. The task force made sure that this facility will be built in a fiscally responsible fashion, and the plan that’s in place achieves that without cutting corners on security or quality.

We have a good site. We have a good plan. We have the money to pay the cost, without borrowing. From my seat in the House of Representatives, I’ll be voting yes, and I’ll be asking my colleagues to do the same. Now is the time to get this done and put the conversation to rest.

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Tim Reisch represents the 8^th District in the South Dakota House of Representatives. He serves as South Dakota Secretary of Corrections from 2003 to 2011, then as Interim Secretary of Corrections from 2021 to 2022. He also served as Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard from 2011 to 2019.

This seems to be much less than it was made out to be earlier. According to the police, via the Aberdeen insider, South Dakota gubernatorial candidate Toby Doeden was put in fear of bodily harm as he was the victim of trash-talking from a geriatric assailant:

Shauna King, 69, of Aberdeen made her initial appearance before Judge Marshall Lovrien on Monday, Sept. 15. She is charged with disorderly conduct and simple assault by putting another person in fear of bodily harm, both misdemeanors. She did not enter pleas.

Both Doeden’s campaign and the Aberdeen Police Department have confirmed the incident.

Doeden posted a video to social media the morning of Sunday, Sept. 14 addressing what happened the previous evening. In it, he said a woman approached him and his family during the game and said, “We got Kirk, you’re next.”

and..

(according to Doeden’s campaign manager)…  “The individual proceeded to physically assault Mr. Doeden while making multiple threats on his life and repeatedly referencing his support for the late Charlie Kirk. The individual was immediately detained and subsequently arrested. We are grateful for the swift response of both (Northern State University) … and the Aberdeen Police Department,” he said

and..

During Monday’s hearing, Brown County State’s Attorney Karly Winter recommended a personal recognizance bond as she said King does not pose a flight risk.

Read it all at Aberdeen Insider.com

The perp’s criminal priors appear to consist of a August citation for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (SDCL 32-35-113) which was dismissed on 9/10.

Much different than what was routed through Laura Loomer whom the Doeden campaign has fed other items...

A secondary report came from controversial Trump ally Laura Loomer, who wrote, “BREAKING: South Dakota GOP Gubernatorial candidate @TobyForSD Toby Doeden was accosted and assaulted tonight at a football game by a man who attacked him over Doeden’s support for Charlie Kirk!”

Read that here.

Yeah. Which is why I was waiting for someone to actually read the police report.   It goes to show you that yes, people are awful, and there’s absolutely no justification for anyone saying anything like that. We do need more civility in our society.  And this 69 year old woman is likely to suffer consequences as a result of acting on her impulses, and probably needs some counseling for that.

But otherwise, it doesn’t look like the prosecutor feels she is a risk.

According to the story, the 69 year old woman’s arraignment is set for 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Karen Soli

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, in honor of former state legislator Karen Soli. She served in the South Dakota State House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm CT on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD.

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Don’t forget the big Sioux Falls fundraiser tomorrow night for Christine Erickson for Mayor, with Special Guest Adam Vinatieri.  (The campaign released this updated host list today for her first fundraiser for the June 2026 contest.)

Hearing some updates on the 2026 races.. less that people are running statewide, and more that they’re going to sit the 2026 statewide contests out.

#1 – Amber Hulse to remain in the Senate, pass on statewide office.  Early on, the word was Amber was looking strongly at the Congressional race, and once Marty got in, there were rumors that she might be thinking about one of the undercard contests.  This weekend, I’m hearing that Amber is telling people that she’s running for re-election to her current seat in the South Dakota State Senate.

#2 – Leah Anderson announced she’s running for re-election to Minnehaha County Auditor. My same source tell me that Leah Anderson, South Dakota’s most conspiratorial minded County Auditor, is not going to be running for SOS, but will be trying to return to her current job. (Sorry for the headache, Joe!)  I would guess she’s taking a pass, so she can continue to study CIA involvement in election results.

#3 – I am hearing from multiple sources that the race for State Treasurer is wide open again, as Deputy Treasurer Jason Williams has pulled back from a run for the office that his boss is term limited from.

Stay tuned, because there’s more to come!

A Turning Point
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
September 12, 2025

BIG News

Charlie Kirk was a family man and a young, conservative leader in politics. He was known for his spirited debates where he respectfully engaged with others about the issues facing America. Our nation is mourning the assassination of Charlie. I join with many others in praying for his wife and two young kids and hope that God comforts them in this tragic loss.

The assassination is inexcusable and an attack on the idea of free, civil debate in America. Too often, we view people with differing opinions as enemies, rather than fellow Americans. Political violence is never the answer. Our nation must find a better path forward—together.

Charlie Kirk and family

 

BIG Update

America’s military should be the strongest, most prepared fighting force in the world. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) makes sure our service members have what they need when they need it.

The bill included many of my priorities, including support for our troops, necessary equipment, construction funds, and $20 billion of savings. The Ellsworth Air Force Base will receive $378 million for construction, and nearly $3.5 billion is going toward procurement of the B-21 Raider. The NDAA also strengthens America’s deterrence of China and works to eliminate the Department of Defense’s reliance on Chinese products and tech for our warfighters.

I was proud to vote to pass the NDAA to keep the United States safe, strong, and secure and ensure America projects peace through strength on the global stage.

BIG Idea

Black Hills Works provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and veterans on AbilityOne federal contracts in South Dakota. I got to meet with Mark to hear how AbilityOne has provided him the opportunity for mission-driven employment at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Johnson with Black Hills Works

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Open and Civil Discourse
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
September 12, 2025

Decades before the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech.”

Our Founding Fathers believed so strongly in civil and open public discourse that they put freedom of speech in the First Amendment. They knew that our American republic could only function if people openly shared their beliefs and the reason for those beliefs – and that had to happen at all levels of society, from statehouses and the U.S. Capitol to individual conversations between friends, family, and neighbors.

Recently here in South Dakota, we embarked on a process rooted in civil and open public discourse. When the previous prison plan failed during the legislative session, I started a prison task force to build consensus on this issue. I knew that the Legislature was very divided on the subject, so I included an even number of supporters and opponents of the original plan, as well as both Republicans and Democrats.

I challenged the task force to answer three questions: 1) Do we need a new prison? 2) How big should it be? 3) Where should it go? The task force met four times in open session and took hours of public comment. Through debate and negotiation, they came to unanimous agreement on each of the three questions.

The prison task force proved that civil and open public discourse doesn’t just make for a good process – it makes for good policy.

Just a few days ago, our nation lost one of our greatest advocates and examples of open and civil discourse. Charlie Kirk was a great champion of free speech. He would go onto college campuses, environments where most folks did not agree with him, and offer everyone the opportunity to debate him. He did not attack individuals personally. His answers were focused on his Christian faith, his conservative principles, and his reason and common sense.

We could sure use a lot more Charlie Kirks in the world today.

Charlie Kirk was killed doing what he loved: participating in open and civil discourse. He was shot for the crime of having a difference of opinion and practicing the very thing that the First Amendment protects. We can honor his legacy by continuing to talk to each other and focusing on reason and principle, rather than personal attacks.

As we approach the upcoming special session on the new prison, I hope that everyone takes the time to review the facts and make their decision based on common sense and the principles of public safety and fiscal conservatism. We had a good process, we have a good plan, and we have the money to pay for it. Let’s get it done so that we can focus on rehabilitating people and make our state a better, safer place to live.

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No More Delays: Republicans Are Restoring the Senate
By Sen. John Thune

Last year, the American people gave President Trump a mandate. Like every president before him, President Trump needs a team to help enact his agenda. But unlike his predecessors, President Trump has had to face unprecedented obstruction from Senate Democrats in getting members of his administration confirmed quickly. Republicans are putting an end to Democrats’ antics to ensure the Senate can do its job and President Trump can have his administration at full strength.

It takes more than 1,000 Senate-confirmed officials to fill a president’s administration. To get so many people on the job quickly, the Senate has historically bundled noncontroversial, lower-level nominees in batches and confirmed them by voice vote. But that’s not how things have gone this year. While previous presidents have had a majority of their nominees approved in this more efficient manner, President Trump is the first president on record not to have a single nominee confirmed this way. Because Democrats have refused to speed things up even for nominees who have bipartisan support, the Senate has had to consider all of President Trump’s nominees one at a time.

That stops now. Republicans have taken steps to restore the Senate’s traditional confirmation process so we can get the rest of President Trump’s team in place. What we’ve done is simply codify in Senate rules what was once understood to be standard practice, and that is confirming lower-level nominees expeditiously in batches. It’s an idea that Democrats actually proposed themselves, and it’s a step toward both the Senate and executive branch working more efficiently for the American people.

The status quo is simply untenable. The Senate has been in session longer and has taken more votes in the last eight months than any Senate has at this point since the 1980s. Yet, at our current pace, facing the same Democrat obstruction, there would still be hundreds of vacancies remaining when President Trump’s term ends. Not to mention the fact that the more time the Senate spends on nominations, the less time we have for working on legislation.

Eight months of petty partisanship is long enough. Democrats have broken the confirmation process. Republicans are fixing it, and we’re ensuring that, in the future, duly elected presidents are able to get their teams in place without unnecessary and partisan delays so they, and the Senate, can fulfill their responsibilities to the American people.

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Gov. Rhoden and Colleagues Urge Congress to Protect Nation from Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Governors Commend President Trump for His Action

PIERRE, S.D. – On Wednesday, Governor Larry Rhoden and 30 fellow governors wrote Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer urging them to take action against Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) that pose an increased threat against our nation’s critical infrastructure and public safety. You can find the letter here.

“While the use of drones have proven valuable to governments for a wide variety of important purposes…these systems are also increasingly being used for things like espionage, stalking, and other kinds of attacks,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden and his colleagues. “More must be done to ensure states have the express legal authority and capability to detect and mitigate drone activity over critical infrastructure and major events.”

The Governors specifically urged Congress to:

• Enact legislation that strengthens and clarifies the coordination between federal and state authorities, enhancing states’ capacity to detect and mitigate UAS threats; and
• Grant states explicit legal authority, similar to that of the federal government, to detect and mitigate UAS threats.

“Congress cannot wait for a catastrophic event to occur before taking action. This clarity is essential for effectively safeguarding our citizens and critical infrastructure,” continued Governor Larry Rhoden and his colleagues. “Recent incidents of drone intrusions over sensitive sites and high-profile events underscore the pressing need for robust legislative action to address these vulnerabilities and enhance security.”

Governor Rhoden and his colleagues also commended President Donald J. Trump’s action to address this critical issue through the signing of Executive Order 14305, “Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty,” and Executive Order 14307, “Unleashing American Drone Dominance.”

Governor Rhoden was joined in signing the letter by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, American Samoa Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Vermont Governor Phil Scott, U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.