Hot off of my e-mail this AM, outgoing Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken has sent out a letter announcing what he anticipates the next chapter of his career will look like. While not directly stating what he’s going to be doing, he does specifically note “I do not intend to run for another public office at this time and look forward to seeking opportunities in the private sector.”:

Dear Friends,

It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Sioux Falls as Mayor since 2018. I am blessed by the outpouring of support from friends like you that have kept me charging ahead to make Sioux Falls an incredible place to live during my tenure.

During my seven years in the mayor’s chair, we have accomplished tremendous things. As Sioux Falls has grown by more than 30,000 new residents, we invested in infrastructure growth of roadways and a massive expansion of our wastewater system. While other cities moved to defund police, we expanded our ranks and built a state-of-the-art public safety training campus. Our administration brought together the city, businesses, and philanthropists to finish the Levitt, complete the State Theater, open The Link to serve those battling addiction, and build Jacobson Plaza at the Falls. Sioux Falls also proved its resilience through tough times as we overcame flooding, tornadoes, civil unrest, political tensions, and a pandemic. Through it all, Sioux Falls was named on of the 10 Best Run Cities in America this past year.

I am proud of the work we’ve done for Sioux Falls, but I am especially proud of the nearly 1,500 city employees as well as everyone we have collaborated with to improve the lives of the people who call Sioux Falls home. I’m also extremely grateful for the love and support of my family. Being mayor is a very demanding job, but it’s even tougher being the family of the mayor. I couldn’t do this without Jill and my great kids.

As I move into my final year in office, many are asking me what’s next. The words of encouragement have been humbling as I prepare to pass the baton to the next mayor. After prayerful thought and discussions with my family, I do not intend to run for another public office at this time and look forward to seeking opportunities in the private sector.

This does not mean I am walking away from politics. I will certainly stay engaged to help make sure South Dakota elects pragmatic leaders to local and state offices with servant hearts and the best interests of South Dakotans as their priority.

Again, thank you for your support over the years. It has meant the world to me and my family. We’ve got a lot of work to get done in Sioux Falls as we run through the tape in this final year together!

Blessings,
Paul

Mayor TenHaken does note in the letter that he plans to “stay engaged to help make sure South Dakota elects pragmatic leaders to local and state offices with servant hearts and the best interests of South Dakotans as their priority.”

So I’m guessing he’ll be supporting whomever runs against Bethany Soye?

According to social media and many, many mourners, Casey Wilson, a leader in South Dakota’s shared parenting movement lost his life yesterday in an automobile accident.

Casey, who helped organize efforts on social media for the shared parenting movement, as well as led the “Kids Need Both Parents PAC” was one of the most active and visible leaders of the movement to change the traditional custody arrangements in case of divorce to recognize greater rights for non-custodial parents. Wilson was also part of local country music duo “The Barn Flies” along with his wife Carleen Wild Wilson, featuring Carleen as vocalist and Casey on guitar which has enjoyed a popular following in the state. The group had been scheduled to play at Leavitt at the Falls in Sioux Falls this weekend.  Casey was well known as an area farrier and former PRCA Team Roper.

Please keep Carleen and his children in your thoughts.

Gov. Rhoden Establishes the Governor’s Resilience and Infrastructure Task Force

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed Executive Order 2025-06, which establishes the Governor’s Resilience and Infrastructure Task Force (GRIT).

“I am committed to keeping South Dakota strong, safe, and free for generations to come,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “We pray that the most challenging circumstances will never arise, but we are preparing so that South Dakota can face such situations with determination, resilience, and grit.”

The GRIT task force will serve as a strategic advisory body to develop policy recommendations, assess risks and vulnerabilities, and support long-term planning and investment in critical infrastructure systems across our state.

The GRIT task force will include the following members appointed by the Governor:

• Representatives from state agencies for public safety, military, cybersecurity, water and wastewater, transportation, or other agencies as designated by the Governor;
• Members from industry, utilities, the private sector, and academia; and
• Subject matter experts in cybersecurity, emergency management, and critical infrastructure.

The task force will be chaired by Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen, and Adjutant General Mark Morrell will serve as vice chair.

“The GRIT task force is a proactive step forward to ensure that our state is equipped with strong infrastructure systems that can weather even the most turbulent of times,” said Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen. “I am honored by Governor Rhoden’s appointment, and I look forward to working with General Morrell to lead this crucial effort.”

“I am grateful for Governor Rhoden’s leadership and proactive decision to strengthen our critical infrastructure systems,” said Adjutant General Mark Morrell. “Protecting the people of South Dakota is of utmost importance, and due to the sensitive and secure nature of GRIT, prudent thought will be given to the details we are able to share with the public.”

This task force supports President Trump’s Executive Order 14239, “Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness,” which empowers state and local governments to play a more active role in national resilience and preparedness.

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Looks like Toby Doeden is doing all he can to promote legislators supporting him for Governor.

First it was Taffy, now it appears that Logan Manhart is diving in:

And on Social Media today, Toby is doing his best to promote more association with his campaign by posting pictures of other legislators who were at his announcement enthusiastically supporting him..

Such as Senator “California” Carley…

Senator Carl Perry..

And Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer.

Speaking of State Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer diving in the Doeden dumpster, her ties to Doeden are particularly interesting, as she’s a House Majority Whip under Doeden’s only other announced competitor(s) at the moment, House Speaker Jon Hansen and Assistant Speaker Karla Lems.

While she’s serving in House Leadership, where almost all members of GOP House Leadership have pledged fealty to Hansen, she comes with a close association with Doeden, having previously donated to his PAC. And she invoked his name directly on the House Floor to defend him when Brandei tried to claim a campaign finance clean-up bill (which limited the amount of money that could be “loaned” to a campaign) was actually a personal attack on Toby Doeden:

You can review all that here.

Bonus association between Schefbauer and Doeden – here’s a factoid from public records that has not been mentioned before. According to the Secretary of State records, Rep. Schaefbauer’s current voting address is an apartment/townhome in the complex at 1915 10TH AVE SE in Aberdeen, owned by Plaza Rentals, LLP.

And who owns Plaza Rentals, LLP?

Of course.  Toby Doeden owns Plaza Rentals where Rep. Schaefbauer lives.

And apparently he also owns Rep. Schaefbauer’s loyalty as well.  I mean, she’s the one holding the sign claiming that Doeden is for the people, not the powerful.

As she campaigns for her landlord.

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.

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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.

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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.

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