Another …”interesting” legislative measure has come falling out of the hopper, this time from Rep. Garcia of Watertown, where she creates a crime of hazing and attaches a penalty to it.  But it’s almost like she’s trying to cover up for someone, as she conveniently inserts into law what hazing isn’t. And she wants to codify that if hazing occurs as part of high school or college sports, they get a pass:

“hazing” means any activity by which a person recklessly endangers the health or safety of, or causes a risk of extreme psychological distress or bodily injury to, another person for purposes of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating in connection with a school, college, or university. The term “hazing” does not include reasonable and customary interscholastic or intercollegiate athletic practices, competitions, or events, or any authorized law enforcement or military training.”

Wait..  So let me understand this. Garcia wants to declare it hazing if while at a chess club event they put salt in the milk of the new guy, but it’s not hazing if it’s an interscholastic or intercollegiate athletic event and someone is sodomized with a broom?

Well, which one tends to make the news in South Dakota?

How about this one from September in Codington County, an area just to the east of the district Garcia represents..

In a news release today Sheriff Brad Howell says the investigation is still active and ongoing. As we shared last night in an exclusive interview, at least three 7th-grade boys say they were beaten on a bus traveling to and from their football practice.

The middle school boys and their parents have come forward to talk about bullying endured on a school bus. It got so bad the boys say they were forced to quit a sport they loved

Read that here.

More on this incident..

On Monday, September 16th, we learned of incidents involving students riding one of our minibuses. This information focused on bullying/hazing actions by Henry School students. Henry administrators immediately began an investigation into the incident and reported it to law enforcement. We determined that there were multiple students in violation of district policy and our code of conduct for activity participants. Appropriate disciplinary action has been taken. We regret that this incident happened and want you to know that we make our students’ safety and well-being of the utmost importance. In addition, the students must learn that inappropriate actions have consequences.

– Todd Obele, Henry School District Superintendent

Dakota News Now received screenshots of one parent’s plea on social media, stating her son had been abused by his football teammates in the locker room and while on the bus.

Read that here.

Or this even more egregious incident from 2023..

After six high school baseball players were charged with rape in South Dakota, the state prosecutor is disputing the defense’s main argument, saying that its “hazing ritual” claims only serve to make this a much larger issue potentially.

The charges stem from the alleged sexual assault of two teenage boys in June, and all six defendants have entered “not guilty” pleas. The defendants argue that what occurred during a summer tournament was part of a “team hazing ritual” and not sexual assault.

“I also think it’s very important for people to understand that I do not think that this was an isolated incident within the Mitchell Legion baseball team. I do believe that this was a culture of repeated behavior that had been going on for possibly years,” Pennington County State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel said.

Read that here.

State Senator Michael Rohl had attempted a bill (Senate Bill 72) back in 2022 which passed the State Senate 19-16, but was killed in the House.  The main difference was that Rohl’s bill did not give a specific carve out if it happened as part of sports, unlike Garcia’s bill, which is trying to codify an attitude of “boys will be boys” as they try to rape younger teammates and beat them in relation to their participation in sports.

Many of these measures across the country are in response to real or imagined college greek organization hazing or initiation rituals. And if it happens, yes, there should be consequences.  But as evidenced by very current South Dakota specific news stories from 2023 and 2024, what should be of even more heightened concern is that hazing absolutely still happens in high school sports with a smirk, as they are beating and sexually abusing others.

Should a measure like this be put into law? Absolutely. Should they give a special carve out for high school and college sports and give them a pass for mayhem? Absolutely not.

Johnson Votes to Protect Life 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to protect every baby that survives a failed abortion attempt.

“There should be no doubt that a child born after a failed abortion attempt is a living person,” said Johnson. “This bill will ensure babies who survive an attempt to end their life will receive the care they need. Every child deserves a chance at life.”

Johnson recently earned an A+ rating on the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life Scorecard, which takes into account his votes and actions in the 118th Congress.

Background on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act:

• Requires that health care practitioners who are present at the live birth exercise skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child—the same degree of care that would be offered to any other child born prematurely of the same gestational age. After those efforts, the health care workers must transport and admit the child to a hospital.
• Requires health care practitioners and hospital employees to report violations to law enforcement authorities, reducing the number of born-alive abortions that go unreported.
• Penalizes the intentional killing of a born-alive child through fines or up to 5 years imprisonment.
• Gives the mother of the abortion survivor a civil cause of action against the abortionist and protection from prosecution, recognizing that women are the second victims of abortion and promoting the dignity of motherhood. 

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Summit Carbon Solutions Takes Steps to Protect Pipeline Permit Process 

Ames, Iowa [January 23, 2024] – Summit Carbon Solutions has filed a legal action to ensure a fair and transparent process for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) review of its pipeline permit. The company is asking the court to prevent Commissioner Kristie Fiegen from participating in the decision. While Summit is confident in its ability to secure the necessary approvals, her involvement risks opening the door to appeals that could delay the project for months or even years, creating unnecessary uncertainty for farmers, ethanol producers, and local communities relying on the project’s success.

Commissioner Fiegen recused herself from Summit’s previous case because the pipeline crosses land owned by her sister-in-law and her sister-in-law’s husband, who received compensation for easement rights. The McCook County land remains part of the route, creating an unavoidable conflict of interest. This conflict could make the permit vulnerable to immediate legal appeals, regardless of the outcome.

“We’ve worked hard to meet the permitting requirements in every state along our route, earning unanimous approvals in Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota,” said Summit Carbon Solutions General Counsel, Jess Vilsack. “We’re committed to keeping the process in South Dakota clear of any issues that could create uncertainty for farmers, ethanol producers, and local communities depending on this project’s success.”

Summit Carbon Solutions is confident in its application and remains committed to working with state officials, landowners, and stakeholders to move the project forward.

 

About Summit Carbon Solutions: 

Summit Carbon Solutions is driving the future of agriculture by expanding economic opportunities for ethanol producers, strengthening the marketplace for Midwest-based farmers, and creating jobs. In developing the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world, the company seeks to connect industrial facilities via strategic infrastructure to store carbon dioxide safely and permanently in the Midwest United States. For more information, visit www.SummitCarbonSolutions.com.

 

Thune: Sean Duffy Should Be Swiftly Confirmed

“There is no reason to delay this uncontroversial and qualified nominee.”

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): 

“I’ll be filing cloture on former Congressman Sean Duffy’s nomination to be secretary of transportation here shortly. 

“Yesterday, the Commerce Committee favorably reported Congressman Duffy’s nomination in a 28-0 vote – in other words, unanimously. 

“And I hope we will be able to move this nominee quickly as we did with Secretary Rubio, who was also unanimously reported out of committee. 

“Congressman Duffy is highly qualified for this position. 

“He served five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

“As the co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, he played a role in advancing a number of transportation and infrastructure projects. 

“And at his hearing last week, he demonstrated his knowledge of the issues that will be his responsibility in this role. 

“Our colleague, Senator Baldwin, said that he is, and I quote, ‘the right person for this job.’ 

“There is no reason to delay this uncontroversial and qualified nominee. 

“If Democrats want to spend their nights and weekends taking votes on uncontroversial nominees, we can do it that way. 

“But one way or the other, these nominees will be confirmed.”

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The South Dakota Legislature continues to propose meddling with the people’s right to initiative and referendum, as State Representative Tina Mulally has introduced HJR 5004 this week to double the signatures needed to get initiated measures on the ballot, and raising the number required to bring a constitutional amendment by half again:

You would think that Tina has something against the people bringing measures for a vote of the public?

The measure is co-sponsored by Rep’s Aylward and Rice, and Senators Lauren Nelson, Tom Pischke, and Carl Perry, because he’ll add his name to anything.

 

Jeopardizing Economic Opportunity
by Mike Karbo, Midwest Region Director for the American Petroleum Institute

The South Dakota legislature recently proposed new laws in the Senate and House that could negatively affect energy production, energy jobs and affordable energy in the state. The bills, aimed at prohibiting CO2 pipeline infrastructure statewide, could end up killing good-paying jobs and limiting energy innovation and infrastructure.

CO2 pipelines are essential for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology that works with existing power and ethanol plants to capture and store carbon underground before it is emitted into the atmosphere. To limit carbon emissions in energy projects nationwide, CO2 pipelines are crucial to this effort and work effectively to bolster responsible energy production in the region.

Most importantly, the proposed project currently in the permitting process could employ thousands of workers and help bring affordable, reliable energy to hundreds of thousands across South Dakota. There are more than 5,000 miles of CO2 pipelines nationwide already safely promoting CCS, with South Dakota-based projects forecasted to contribute $3.3 billion to the GDP and more than 4,000 jobs. CO2 pipelines advance lowering carbon emissions from the production and supply of the abundant energy sources on which families rely.

South Dakota lawmakers should think twice before changing the rules for CO2 pipelines in the middle of the process and jeopardizing economic opportunity and prosperity.

—

About API: ​​​​​​API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its nearly 600 members produce, process and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports millions of U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans.

Johnson’s Wounded Knee Bill Passes U.S. House 

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act passed the U.S. House unanimously. U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) worked with the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to introduce the bill that would preserve a section of the land where hundreds of Lakota Indians were massacred by the U.S. Army.

“In 2023, I visited the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre. I met with descendants of the survivors, and I saw the bloodstained floorboards of St. John’s Church where the wounded were treated,” said Johnson. “It was a tragic day in America’s history. My bill acknowledges our mistake and ensures this land will be sacred for generations to come.”

“On behalf of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, I am encouraged by the swift passage of the Wounded Knee Massacre site bill by the House of the 119th Congress. We continue to support Representative Dusty Johnson’s efforts in Congress to preserve the memory of the Wounded Knee Massacre and the legacy and sacrifice of our ancestors. This sacred site should forever serve to remind us of where we as a country have been and as a marker for how much further we have to go. This bill has bipartisan support and we look forward to a timely and favorable vote by the Senate to protect our Wounded Knee site in perpetuity,” said Frank Star Comes Out, President, Oglala Sioux Tribe. 

“We thank Congressman Dusty Johnson and all the members of the House for acting quickly as the new Congress begins to pass the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act. This vital legislation honors the memory of our ancestors who were brutally murdered at the Wounded Knee Massacre site and will preserve this sacred ground for future generations and ensures it is maintained as an undeveloped memorial. We urge the Senate to now take up and pass this bill expeditiously so it can be signed into law,” said Ryman LeBeau, Chairman, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. 

“Congressman Johnson has long been a champion of tribal issues in the great state of South Dakota, and his Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act is a continuation of this important work. This legislation will set aside land within the Pine Ridge Reservation as a sacred site and memorial for the Lakota people who died during the tragedy of the Wounded Knee Massacre. I thank Congressman Johnson for his thoughtful work on this bill and look forward to working with him on more legislation in the future,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR)

Last Congress, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act passed the House unanimously but was not voted on by the U.S. Senate. Johnson reintroduced the bill earlier this month.

Read full bill text here. Find the Covenant between both tribes here. Find the map here.

Wounded Knee Massacre Background:

In the late 1880s, a movement called the Ghost Dance swept across the nation. Indians believed that this dance would give stolen land back to the Indians, bringing about a renewal of Native society. Indians would join together, wearing shirts they believed would protect them from bullets, to dance for this renewal, all at the protest of the federal government.

On December 29th, 1890, a group of Lakota Indians led by Chief Spotted Elk had made camp near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. There, U.S. Army 7th Calvary troops were sent to disarm the Lakota. A struggle occurred between the U.S. Army and some of Chief Spotted Elk’s band – a majority of which consisted of women and children. A shot rang out, and the U.S. Army opened fire on the largely unarmed group, massacring an estimated up to 350-375 Lakota Indians. Twenty-five U.S. soldiers also died.

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Thune to Senate Democrats: We Can Do This the Easy Way or the Hard Way

“Democrats have already begun stalling President Trump’s nominees – and it doesn’t seem to matter who it is.”

 Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Attorney General Jackley Confirms No Explosives Found at State Prison Site in Lincoln County

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley confirms that no explosives were found Wednesday afternoon following an investigation at the site of the new state prison in Lincoln County.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation’s Bomb Unit was dispatched to the scene after a citizen called the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office concerned about the possibility of agricultural-related explosives being located at the scene where several old farm buildings were to be demolished.

“The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received the first call and promptly responded,” said Attorney General Jackley. “DCI, the Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol searched the area and found no explosives of any kind. We utilized two DCI bomb technicians and a Highway Patrol Police Service Dog. We appreciate the quick response and cooperation of those involved.”

Attorney General Jackley said DCI has cleared from the scene.

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District 4 State Representative Dylan Jordan was in House Education Committee yesterday testifying in favor of HB1009, the education voucher bill he’s fronting for toxic lobbyist Anthony Miryzants and his group.

And right off Jordan explained why this bill was needed, because as he claims,”the leftists, the LBGTQIA2S+ communities and the woke agenda make their way into our public school system,” down to rural school districts:

The measure is estimated to cost anywhere between $150-200 million, which is a lot to spend to address Jordan’s fear of gay people coming to Clear Lake, SD. So it was sent back for a fiscal note and we will likely see it again.

However, regarding his concern over the need to bring legislation to prevent exposing impressionable young minds to the LBGTQIA2S+ communities and the woke agenda.. I’m pretty sure he advertises himself as a Disc Jockey (Jordan River Entertainment).

Jordan River Entertainment LLC provides everything from Protestant Christian Wedding ceremonies to dances that will make you Boogie all night long and Karaoke whenever you want it!

Hmmm.. Boogie all night long? Sounds like devil music to me.

Before he brought this bill, did he go through every singer/songwriter he plays to make sure they do not promote a woke agenda, or promote the LBGTQIA2S+ community? Has he stripped Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Elton John and Ricky Martin from his playlists?  If these are his values he wants to uphold as a state legislator representing his district, he’d better get that copy of the Village People singing YMCA out of his music catalog darned quick.

It’s going to be a long session.