Hot from my mailbox, it appears that the re-study the state felt they needed to do on resolving South Dakota’s prison issue pointed them back to the beginning, and at the Lincoln County site they’ve already dumped $50 million into site prep for:

250530 SD Men’S_MP Refresh_ Updated Report by Pat Powers on Scribd

“Site Recommendations: 

Based on our site analysis and choosing by advantages method of ranking potential sites the top ranked site for Development is the Existing Lincoln County SDDOC site. This site is 10 miles from Sioux Falls, is not in proximity to major interstates, railroads, or major waterways, has the size for a full build of 1728 in phase 1 (also can service phase 4&5 or phase 6 alt), is ranked high for site access, and only scored poorly for site utilities and potential additional cost during development. Due to the fact that the State already owns this land some of the total development costs are minimized compared to other sites that require purchase and development costs.

Lincoln County was followed on the ranking system by the Huron site, which also scored well, but is very remote and directly adjacent to a major highway.

Our recommendation for site selection for phase 1 development of the men’s capacity plan is the Lincoln County Site “

Of course, this will just be that much more expensive now that they’ve delayed and fiddled around with it as long as they have.

Attorney General Jackley Announces Discovery of Human Remains Likely of Hot Springs Man Missing Since 2024

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a search conducted in Fall River County has led to the discovery of human remains which are thought to be those of Matthew Marshall of Hot Springs who disappeared from that area in July 2024.

“While positive identification is still pending, the discovery of personal belongings in the area indicate it is likely Matthew,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Thank you to all of the searchers who have worked for almost a year to bring closure for his family.”

Marshall, 28, was last seen on July 24, 2024 in Hot Springs. He was reported missing by his family Aug. 4, 2024. Multiple searches have been conducted by local law enforcement and partner agencies during the last 10 months.

The human remains were found May 29, 2025 by Custer County Search and Rescue. Attorney General Jackley said the death investigation is on-going but does not appear to be foul play.

Agencies involved in the search were the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the Attorney General’s Murdered and Missing Indigenous Persons Program (MMIP), Hot Springs Police Department, Fall River County Sheriff’s Office, Custer County Search and Rescue, and BIA Missing Murdered Unit.

Those agencies that assisted were South Dakota Wing Civil Air Patrol, Oglala Lakota County Emergency Management, Mako Sica K9 Search and Rescue, and Medicine Wheel Riders.

-30-

This morning, Attorney General Marty Jackley’s office announced that a former State Employee had been charged with four counts of falsifying her own medical marijuana card while she was an employee of the South Dakota Department of Health.

Alexandra Feiner, 24, has been charged with one felony count of Forgery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one felony count of Offering a False or Forged Instrument for Filing, Registering or Recording, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison; one felony count of Possession of a Forged Instrument, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison; and one misdemeanor count of Falsification of Public Records by a Public Officer or Employee, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail.

Read that here.

What it didn’t mention was that in 2021, Ms. Feiner was sworn in as the Student Body President for the University of South Dakota in 2021:

Student Government Association President Alexandra Fiener and Vice President Katie Brust were sworn in at the March 16 SGA meeting by former President Abuk Jiel.

Along with the new president and vice president, a new senate was also sworn in.

Read that here.

AND, last year, she was recognized as one of 30 professionals under 30 transforming public health in South Dakota by South Dakota State University:

Alexandra Feiner, B.S.
Program specialist at the Office of Medical Cannabis, South Dakota Department of Health

“My focus is on ensuring patient safety and promoting education. I shepherd medical cannabis establishments through the application process. This program spiked my interest as it is an emerging industry and provides an opportunity to ensure safe access to cannabis for South Dakotans who need relief.”

Read that here.

Not guessing (alleged) forgery was part of that criteria.

Attorney General Jackley Announces Former State Employee Charged With Forging Her Own Medical Marijuana Card

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Pierre woman has been charged with four counts of falsifying her own medical marijuana card while she was an employee of the South Dakota Department of Health.

Alexandra Feiner, 24, has been charged with one felony count of Forgery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one felony count of Offering a False or Forged Instrument for Filing, Registering or Recording, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison; one felony count of Possession of a Forged Instrument, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison; and one misdemeanor count of Falsification of Public Records by a Public Officer or Employee, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail.

It is alleged that the defendant avoided both the medical provider certification requirement and the fee.

“The defendant is charged with using her position of trust as a Department of Health employee for her own personal benefit,” said Attorney General Jackley. “This type of conduct reflects poorly on those state government employees who work hard for South Dakotans.”

The alleged crimes occurred between March 2024 and March 2025. The State Department of Health cooperated with the investigation conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

No initial court appearance has been scheduled for Feiner. She is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

-30-

In the comment section, Sioux Falls Democrat & Mayoral Candidate Jamie Smith is taking some heat over the December Hawaiian trip that then Speaker of the House Spencer Gosch authorized him to take on behalf of the legislature – nevermind that the junket was in December of 2022, the last month he served, after choosing not to run ten months before, in February of 2022.

Twelve South Dakota state lawmakers took a trip to Hawaii in December 2022. A controversy was born out of that trip because of the attendance of outgoing state lawmakers Reps. Spencer Gosch (R-Glenham) and Jamie Smith (D-Sioux Falls).

Critics argued that both lawmakers were outgoing, and thus their attendance on the trip was unnecessary. Smith unsuccessfully ran for governor last November, and Gosch was defeated in a bid to run for senate in June 2022.

Both former lawmakers argued that the trips were already booked prior to their electoral defeats. Others have suggested that the trips could prove useful for outgoing lawmakers who may one day return to the legislature.

and..

“It grows out of an abuse of power by the former speaker of the House approving a trip to Hawaii for he and Democrat leader last December, a few weeks before they were leaving office,” Schoenbeck said.

Remember the entire story here.

Gosch attending was bad enough, but at least he had attempted to run for the legislature at the time.   The bigger point is that Smith had already taken his name out of consideration, and was not even a candidate for the legislature, very likely at the time the travel was booked.   Unless people are in the habit of booking travel 10 months out.

Modernizing Government
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
May 30, 2025

BIG Update

The 250 students at Girls State in Vermillion had great questions and high enthusiasm about being civically involved. We had a great conversation about politics and policy in D.C., why that matters in South Dakota, and the importance of civility in politics. The American Legion Auxiliary always puts on a great event, and I was happy to join them.

Johnson speaking at Girls State

BIG Idea

America’s environmental review process is still done on paper, which slows down a process that already takes years to complete. This slow, laborious process disincentivizes investments and expansion of our economy.

I introduced the Interactive Federal Review Act to modernize this process that is stuck in the 90s. My bill would direct the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to use interactive, digital platforms to complete the permitting process, cutting the review times in half.

President Trump recently issued a memorandum encouraging federal agencies to adopt this electronic approach to permitting. I look forward to working with the Trump Administration and Congress to speed up vital infrastructure projects in our country and let America build again.

BIG News

The Senate recently voted to prohibit California’s zero-emissions mandates from going into effect. These mandates would force all vehicles sold in California to be zero-emissions—electric vehicles—by 2035, restricting consumer choice. If someone wants to drive an EV, they have the right to do so, but I don’t think the government should be choosing the car that is best for you.

As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I’ve long opposed policies like this that would create harmful patchworks of different regulations. The House voted on this issue in early May, and it now awaits President Trump’s signature.

###

Opportunities in Education
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
May 30, 2025

May is graduation season. Kids across South Dakota are looking forward to enjoying the summer, and they’re also looking ahead to whatever comes next. Hopefully, they have the opportunity to enjoy the warm summer weather – then get to work on whatever their futures have in store!

On my Open for Opportunity tour, I’ve been able to visit many schools across all levels of education – including an elementary school in Winner, a high school in Aberdeen, a tribal school on the Standing Rock Reservation, several of our tech colleges, and every one of our Board of Regents institutions. I’ve seen a wide variety of high-quality educational opportunities that are setting our kids up for success in their careers and lives. More than that, I’ve seen hard-working South Dakotans full of passion for helping our kids learn and grow.

I’ve also had the opportunity to speak to several groups of young South Dakotans. About a month ago, I spoke to a lunch where we honored students who were in the top 1% of their high school graduating class – a terrific accomplishment! I also visited with young female leaders at Girls State and will be doing the same at Boys State.

With each of these groups of young leaders, I shared a simple bit of advice that I got from a pastor long ago: “Don’t wait for doors to open. Check and see if they’re locked. Oftentimes, you’ll find that they’re unlocked.” The same is true for each of us – and for our entire state – as we pursue opportunities.

In each of these audiences, I looked around the room and saw hundreds of bright-eyed South Dakotans eager to make their mark on the world. I see the same energy and enthusiasm in the eyes of my own young grandchildren. If they check the doors, they’ll find more unlocked doors than they anticipated – and they’ll have even more opportunity to make their mark on South Dakota.

The purpose of education is to prepare our students to be strong citizens with the potential for productive careers. And every South Dakota student should have the opportunity to get the right education for their needs. As we continue working to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free, I will be prioritizing our kids’ education – because they truly are our future.

Opportunity is not limited by my vision, or even the vision of any individual South Dakotan. It is as broad as the South Dakota prairie and as high as Black Elk Peak. Our young South Dakotans know how to dream big, and they have the youth and vitality to chase down those big dreams. I wish them well and will support them however I can as we work together to chase down opportunities for South Dakota.

###

Out and About in South Dakota
By Sen. John Thune

I recently had the opportunity to travel all over South Dakota: to Clark and Redfield, Beresford and Dakota Dunes, and to Wall and Philip. I appreciate the chance to travel the state far and wide to get feedback on my work in Washington, and it’s always nice to see some familiar faces and meet new folks along the way.

During my travels, I had valuable conversations with South Dakotans. I visited Redfield Community Memorial Hospital, where I heard from talented and dedicated health care professionals. In Wall and Philip, I sat down with local leaders to hear about their communities’ needs and how I can be helpful to them. I had a chance to catch up with local leaders over the famous pies at Leo’s Good Foods on Main Street in Redfield. And I had a great conversation with the sheriffs of Pennington, Meade, and Jackson counties about their important work keeping their communities safe.

South Dakota small businesses were also on my calendar. I enjoyed meeting a number of business owners at the Dakota Valley Business Roundtable in Dakota Dunes, and I had good conversations with the Clark Chamber of Commerce. I visited Tony’s Collision Center, Westside Implement, and Dakota Style Foods in Clark.

As the Senate is preparing to take up legislation to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts for families and businesses, South Dakota small businesses’ input is especially valuable. Farms, ranches, and small businesses in our state benefited from lower tax rates and incentives to invest in their employees and in new technology after Republicans passed pro-growth tax reforms in 2017. With much of that policy set to expire at the end of this year, I’m working to provide tax certainty to South Dakota businesses so they can help get our economy moving again.

These tax policies have been especially impactful for American manufacturers. I appreciated the opportunity to meet with workers at Spartan Emergency Response’s facility in Brandon, where South Dakotans build emergency vehicles used across the country. I had a great time visiting Long Creek Steel north of Beresford and learning about water tank and tower production at the Maguire plant in Sioux Falls.

As I travel around the state, I also appreciate meeting young South Dakotans. Whether addressing Girls State at the University of South Dakota, cheering on runners at the state track meet in Sioux Falls, or just interacting with community members of all ages, it’s always heartening to meet the next generation of leaders and hear what’s on their mind.

Getting to interact with South Dakotans from every walk of life is one of my favorite parts of my job. It’s a pleasure to be able to see our state and hear from its people. I hope to see you around this summer, and I hope you will come say hello.

###

 

Minnehaha County Democrats are already drawing up battle lines over the Sioux Falls mayoral race, if we’re to believe their social media:

We’ll see how that turns out for them.

From Facebook, and I’m sure coming to an unwanted text message near you, apparently Taffy Howard is endorsing Toby Doeden for Governor:

Given Taffy’s track record, I’m not so sure Mr. Scowly Face should be clucking about that one.

There are rumors that Howard could be Doeden’s running mate. Which will have us watching next years’ session closely, as the last time Taffy Howard ran for Statewide office in 2022, out of 377 recorded roll call votes on the House floor she skipped 53 votes, or 14% of them.  (seriously, I counted).  She also skipped the vote to send impeachment to the Senate for trial on the impeachment for Jason Ravnsborg.

Who’s going to be the next endorsement? Phil Jensen?

Stay tuned.