Fighting for Farmers
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
August 8, 2025

 BIG Update

Law enforcement officers face risks every day to protect their communities. On Sunday, I joined Sheriff Pat West in Sturgis to thank officers serving during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. These brave men and women are responsible for keeping South Dakotans and visitors safe. Many of these officers work overtime to keep us safe, and thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill this overtime pay will be tax free.

Johnson at the Law Enforcement Appreciation event in Sturgis

BIG Idea

California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12) sets minimum standards for living space requirements for farm animals in California and prohibits the sale of products from animals confined in spaces that don’t meet California’s standards.

This rule was adopted in 2018 and has only increased costs for producers and consumers with little to no benefit for livestock. For example, the price of a pound of pork loin in California rose more than 40%, and producers are facing a $4,000 cost per animal on construction to be compliant with California’s unscientific law. Even with that amount of investment, studies show that Prop 12 rules have not led to better welfare conditions for livestock.

Reality check—producers know and want what’s best for their livestock. Prop 12 is a fantastic failure, and Congress must fix that mistake.

Click here or the image above for Johnson’s Prop 12 remarks in the Ag Committee

BIG News

It was Ag Appreciation Day at the Sioux Empire State Fair, and I volunteered to welcome and thank our producers who work tirelessly to feed and fuel the world. In Congress, I’ve fought nonstop for policies which support the agricultural industry. The One Big Beautiful Bill was full of wins for rural America, including funding key agricultural priorities that protect farmers, promote trade, and invest in research.

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One Big, Beautiful Summer
By Sen. John Thune

 It’s summertime, which means a lot of South Dakotans are taking to the roads and the skies to get a few days of rest and relaxation with their families. Everyone looks forward to a few days at the lake, or a road trip to the Badlands, a visit to Mount Rushmore or Wind Cave.

I know parents work hard all year to put money aside for a family vacation. And Republicans have worked to make summer vacations – and family life, more generally – easier for families with the One Big Beautiful Bill. That starts with permanent tax relief for working families so they can keep more of their hard-earned money to save, invest, and spend how they see fit, rather than sending it to Washington.

We prevented a massive tax hike on working families with this bill and made the lower tax rates we passed in 2017 permanent. We increased the child tax credit to $2,200 and linked it to inflation so its value will never go down. We also increased the standard deduction and created a new bonus deduction for seniors. And we included a number of policies that will help expand opportunities for workers and grow paychecks by growing our economy.

For a lot of South Dakotans, the summer can also be an opportunity to earn some extra money. I can remember looking forward to the busy summers and extra tips when I worked at the Star Family Restaurant in Murdo, where families would pass through on their vacations to the Black Hills. This is a busy time of year for those in the restaurant and tourism industries and for first responders who are keeping our county fairs and events safe. And now these hardworking folks can look forward to keeping more of the money they earn, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay.

This bill will also help provide an affordable supply of energy to the American people, which helps to make fueling up for a road trip or keeping the AC on during the summer more manageable. Our country is rich in natural resources – from oil and gas to biofuels produced right here in South Dakota – and this bill ensures that those resources are being put to use for the benefit of the American people.

South Dakotans who take to the skies for summer vacations can also rest assured that travel will get better in the coming years thanks to the down payment this bill makes on our air traffic control system. Incidents in the last few years have demonstrated the need to upgrade our air safety systems. This bill makes a major investment in improving infrastructure and training to move toward a more advanced system for safer skies and fewer delays.

The One Big Beautiful Bill is about making life better for hardworking Americans. Thanks to this bill, Americans will be able to keep more of the money they earn. They will benefit from a more affordable supply of energy and a more advanced air traffic control system. Republicans will keep working to make life better for the American people and to make our country safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

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Dangerous Freedom
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
August 8, 2025

“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.” The man who wrote those words knew a thing or two about the subject. After all, he had authored a Declaration of Independence making the bold, dangerous proclamation that the thirteen original colonies “[were], and of right ought to be, free and independent states.”

When Thomas Jefferson wrote about “dangerous freedom,” he was writing to fellow Founding Father James Madison, the architect behind America’s Constitution. These two men realized that freedom is not always clean and tidy – not always safe and predictable. Freedom can be messy, even chaotic. And the order that emerges from that chaos is far more wonderful than anything “peaceful slavery” could ever achieve.

I can think of no better example of “dangerous freedom” than the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Hundreds of thousands of bikers descend on South Dakota’s Black Hills to celebrate their freedom, and they don’t do so half-heartedly. They rev their engines, blast their music, and enjoy their comradery. The air has a wild tinge to it. It’s chaotic, even dangerous – but it’s free.

That being said, there is a thin blue line keeping that freedom from becoming too dangerous. The men and women of law enforcement attend the Rally in numbers, as well. They do heroes’ work to tamp down on the overindulgence of the Rally’s vices. I attended several events at the Rally, including the annual Law Enforcement Picnic (an event I try to never miss), and I thanked those brave men and women in uniform for everything they do to keep the event safe.

Amidst all that freedom, flags wave everywhere you turn. Old Glory is on proud display, whether it be in the hundreds of flags in the field at the Buffalo Chip or towering from a crane above downtown Sturgis. And the rallygoers take the time to honor the men and women who served in our nation’s armed forces. I also attended the annual Military Appreciation Day festivities. It was a privilege to honor those who signed their name on the dotted line to make sure that our freedoms remain intact.

I’ve often said that South Dakota is the freest state in a nation founded on the principle of Freedom. And during the Rally, Sturgis becomes the freest city in the freest state. Men and women from across the country – and around the globe – come here to celebrate Freedom. I was born in Sturgis, a fact that I’m very proud of. And I ranch just about 40 miles to the east. My family has been on that land for generations. There is no better place in the world to be free!

But Freedom is not promised to us. We have to do what it takes to defend it. When we take the opportunity to celebrate what it means to be free, then we gain a deeper appreciation for that freedom.

I hope the men and women who attended the Rally appreciated the opportunity to celebrate their dangerous freedom. I sure enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate with them. As the Rally ends and everyone heads for home – no matter what city, state, or country that home may be – I hope they take that spirit of freedom home with them, and in so doing, make their homes just a bit more like Sturgis: free, with just a touch of danger.

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Had a reader share this with me yesterday, as Attorney General Marty Jackley is hosting a fundraiser for his congressional run with in the neighborhood of 200 hosts sponsoring the event at $1000 per couple.

The Event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19th from 5:50-7:30 PM at the Washington Pavilion.

State Enters Purchase Agreement for New Prison Land at Benson Rd. Site

Agreement Contingent on Approval by Legislature

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced that the State of South Dakota has entered into a purchase agreement that grants the State the option to purchase land at the Benson Road site. This agreement represents over $10 million savings on what was estimated by the prison task force.

“South Dakota needs a new prison to keep our people safe, and we are moving forward with delivering a proposal that prioritizes safety and conservative fiscal stewardship,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “We appreciate the Legislature’s continued attention to this project, and we are excited to deliver this as efficiently as possible for South Dakota taxpayers.”

The land in question is approximately 148 acres in northeast Sioux Falls along Benson Road (the “Benson Road site”). The State of South Dakota will only complete the purchase if approval to acquire the site is granted by the South Dakota Legislature.

If the purchase of the Benson Road site is approved by the Legislature on September 23, 2025, the Lincoln County site would no longer be owned by the State. As private property, any agricultural use or development of this land would be subject to county zoning.

“Residents of Lincoln County should be excited about the opportunity to regain control over what happens to that land,” said Sen. Ernie Otten (R-Lincoln County), who served on the prison task force. “I look forward to working with my fellow legislators to get this project across the finish line.”

The Benson Road site will represent millions of dollars in savings on utility development costs compared to the Lincoln County land, as there will be no need for a water tower, long sewer line, or other expenses. The purchase of the new Benson Road site also represents a more-than $10 million savings on the previous estimate by the prison task force. The purchase price is to be paid as follows:

• Cash payment of $12.5 million dollars for the Benson Road site, plus
• Exchange of the previously proposed Lincoln County land with an estimated agricultural value of $4.5 million.

You can find a full handout depicting the Benson Road site here.

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Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Leland Kleinsasser

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Friday, August 8, 2025, in honor of former state legislator Leland Kleinsasser. He served in the South Dakota State House of Representatives from 1979 to 1980 and the South Dakota State Senate from 1981 to 1988.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm MT on Friday, August 8, at Bethel Mennonite Brethren Church in Yale, SD.

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SOUTH DAKOTA BOARD OF REGENTS ANNOUNCES PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH FOR NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Board of Regents has officially begun the search for the next president of Northern State University (NSU) in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Serving around 3,500 students on a 75-acre campus, NSU is recognized for its quality instruction, community engagement, and a range of extracurricular activities. As a regional comprehensive university, it meets educational and workforce needs in business, academics, the arts, and sciences, offering personalized teaching and flexible online programs.

CANDIDATE PROFILE & APPLICATION PROCESS

The Board of Regents seeks a forward-thinking, collaborative leader capable of building upon NSU’s existing strengths as a regional comprehensive university. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in academic leadership, innovation in student services, engagement with faculty and community partners, and strategic campus stewardship.

Applicants must submit all materials electronically, and priority consideration will be given to applications received by September 24, 2025. All applications will remain confidential except for those individuals selected to participate in on-campus interviews.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• Letter of interest
• Current résumé or CV
• Names with contact information (position, address, email, phone) for at least five professional references

Visit northern.edu/nsu-presidential-search for the full position description and application process.

For questions or accommodations during the application process, contact:

Kayla Bastian, Chief Human Resource Officer | South Dakota Board of Regents Phone: 605‑773‑3455 | Email: kayla.bastian@sdbor.edu

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From Huron Radio News comes a warning that several South Dakota newspapers, including the Brookings Register and Huron Daily Plainsman look to be no more:

The complete list of South Dakota NMC newspapers is available here.

South Dakota

• Brookings Register – Brookings, SD
• Moody County Enterprise – Flandreau, SD
• The Daily Plainsman – Huron, SD
• Redfield Press – Redfield, SD
• Payday – Huron, SD

 

Here in Brookings, my home for about 20 years now, the local Boys and Girls Club has had a community raffle for a long time where they raffle off a new truck, at $100 a ticket such as this one they did in 2024. As described in the local paper..

This year’s grand prize is a 2024 Dodge RAM 1500 Classic Warlock Quad Cab 4×4, or the winner’s choice of $25,000 in cash or $25,000 credit toward a vehicle at Einspahr Auto Plaza.

and..

 In addition to the grand prize options, the truck, the cash, or the vehicle credit, two runner-up winners will each receive $1,000 in cash. Only 1,200 tickets will be sold, and each ticket purchased early is automatically entered into weekly Friday drawings for early bird prizes. 

Read that here.

Each ticket is for a 1/1200 chance for a 25k prize, plus a couple of minor, but reasonable second prizes.

I bring this up, as the SDGOP is at it again for their fundraising attempts to make up for only bringing in $85 in June, which they didn’t want to tell anyone about.  This time in fundraising efforts, we have their current version of the SDGOP and their own $100 raffle ticket:

How many tickets do they intend to sell?

According to e-mails sent out to County GOP groups today,  Their plans are to sell “only 2000 tickets.”  What does your $100 raffle ticket earn you a .05%  or 1/2000 chance to win?  Well, here’s the list and the values filed with the Secretary of State:

 

You could win a $250 12 gauge… or a $320 .keltec 22lr  pistol, which you can pick up at Cabela’s $100 cheaper than the GOP can apparently buy it for.  And there’s a Arken SH4J scope which is marked up by $200 over Amazon. Is it me, or does this kind of seems out of proportion for a $100 raffle ticket?  They do have a $5000 custom gun with a carbon fiber stock from a Miller, SD gun dealer which is the big prize, but the lesser prizes drop off quickly.

None of them really make me want to rush out and buy a ticket like a $25,000 car would.  And, unlike the car which I believe is somewhat sponsored, I don’t know if any of these guns are donated.   I can’t help but wonder which gun dealer they’re going through on this, because it seems like they are the big winner, as someone who is buddies with the chairman is getting an opportunity to clear out some stock at healthy prices courtesy of the SDGOP, which might otherwise be gathering some dust. Unless there’s a run on .22lr keltec pistols I don’t know about.

According to the party’s own website on the raffle, what do you get if you win?  First off, aside from showing up on fundraising reports, if it’s one of the guns, you also win a $25 fee on top of your gun, because “Winner is responsible for the FFL transfer fee of $25 per firearm.”  They might win a $225 .22 pistol, and have to pay a $25 fee to get it? Hold me back.

As noted in their fundraising wish list from the last central committee meeting, the SDGOP claims they’ll raise $25k with this raffle in 2025, and 50k through next year.

I can’t imagine how this raffle is going to pay off with what seems to be with whatever the chairman was sold by his local gun dealer.  I guess we’ll see.

As tends to be the case with the SDGOP nowadays, good luck with that.

Senator Tom Pischke – whom I believe sits on the SDGOP Executive Board – is catching more heat today over his attacks on facebook against Republican Women.

Today, the woman who was on the receiving end of the social media insults which triggered his earlier censure by the Minnehaha County GOP is publicly speaking out on her treatment & experience in the face of Senator Pischke’s more recent sexual innuendo and harassment of a Republican woman on facebook.

Let’s not forget the 2024 incident which earned him the nickname of “Sticky Tom,” and a ban from the floor of the House of Representatives, was directed against a female state representative.

I hate to ask, considering the source.. but does Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene have a point?

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and steadfast supporter of President Donald Trump, has publicly criticized her party over its treatment of women and has said the GOP is out of step with the priorities of the Make American Great Again (MAGA) movement.

“I don’t know if the Republican Party is leaving me, or if I’m kind of not relating to Republican Party as much anymore,” she told the Daily Mail.

She added that women in her party were “really sick and tired of the way men treat Republican women.”

Read that here.

The SDGOP might have elected the first woman to serve as South Dakota Governor in 2018.. but it seems like some people still act like it’s 1918.