Flags at Half-Staff Statewide in Honor of Patriot Day

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide until sunset as a mark of respect for 2,977 innocent souls who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. In honor of their memory, President Donald J. Trump proclaimed September 11, 2025, as Patriot Day, 2025.

“We continue to hold the survivors of the horrific 9/11 attack and the families of those who were lost in our thoughts and prayers,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “Thank you to the brave men and women who took action to save lives in an hour of darkness. We are forever indebted to you, and we will never forget.”

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

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Thune Reflects on 24th Anniversary of 9/11

“[M]y thoughts and prayers on this anniversary remain with those who still bear the invisible scars of that day. With them, and with all those in the years since who have stood between our country and terror.”

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.

Attorney General Jackley Announces Huron Contractor Sentenced For Defrauding Customers

 PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Huron contractor has been sentenced for defrauding seven different individuals out of more than $36,000 for work not done.

Julio Morales-Ortiz, 34, was sentenced Tuesday in Beadle County Circuit Court after earlier pleading guilty to one count of Theft by Deception. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, all suspended; three years of probation, ordered to repay $36,450, and will serve 15 days in the county jail.

Morales-Ortiz, who operated a roofing and painting business, had contracted to do construction work for various customers. They paid for his services, but the work was not done. The crimes occurred between 2021 and 2023.

“When fraudulent contractors and businesses steal from those who hire them, they violate the trust of those who paid them,” said Attorney General Jackley. “This defendant took money that was given to him in good faith, and then never delivered on the work.”

The Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Protection Division and the Huron Police Department investigated the case. The Attorney General’s Office prosecuted.

People who have been a victim of any type of scam should contact the Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or at https://consumer.sd.gov/.

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Trying to imply that she “told us so” in the wake of today’s murder of Charlie Kirk in Utah, State Representative and House Majority Whip Brandei Schaefbauer might have posted one of the most classless things I’ve read today:

“Today’s tragic and horrific shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is just the latest confirmation of my warning.”

It might be hard for Rep. Brandei ‘Nostradamus’ Schaefbauer to conceive of, but what happened today really has nothing to do with her.

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.