Mehlhaff named Legislative Research Council Interim Director

MEHLHAFF NAMED LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COUNCIL INTERIM DIRECTOR

PIERRE – Legislative Research Council (LRC) Deputy Director and Chief Fiscal Analyst Jeff Mehlhaff has been named
as LRC’s Interim Director. The LRC’s Executive Board officially made the appointment at its June 16, 2026, meeting.

Mehlhaff succeeds John McCullough, who resigned this month after serving in the Director position since
March 26, 2024. Prior to becoming Director, McCullough was the LRC’s Chief Research and Legal Analyst and
served as Interim Director from October 2023 to March 2024 following the resignation of then-Director Reed
Holwegner. McCullough was initially hired as the Code Counsel for LRC in 2021.

Mehlhaff began his career with the LRC in 2016 as a fiscal analyst and became Chief Fiscal Analyst in December
of 2020. The Deputy Director title and duties were added to his position in April of 2024.

The Executive Board has tasked Senator Chris Karr (R-Sioux Falls), Chair, Representative Jon Hansen (R-Dell
Rapids), Vice Chair, and Senator Liz Larson (D-Sioux Falls), Ranking Minority Member, with reviewing applicants
for the Director position until August 31, 2026. Application information will be posted on the LRC website at
https://sdlegislature.gov/.

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John Fitzgerald Announces endorsements from Sheriff Mike Milstead and Sheriff Brian Mueller in Attorney General Campaign

JOHN FITZGERALD ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS FROM SHERIFF MIKE MILSTEAD AND SHERIFF BRIAN MUELLER IN ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMPAIGN

SAINT ONGE, S.D. — John Fitzgerald announced today that he has received the endorsements of Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead and Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller in his campaign for South Dakota Attorney General.

Sheriff Milstead and Sheriff Mueller lead law enforcement agencies in South Dakota’s two most populous counties and bring decades of experience in public safety and criminal justice. Their support reflects confidence among law enforcement professionals in Fitzgerald’s candidacy and his commitment to protecting South Dakota communities.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of Sheriff Mike Milstead and Sheriff Brian Mueller,” Fitzgerald said. “Both men are highly respected leaders in law enforcement who have dedicated their careers to keeping South Dakotans safe. They understand the challenges facing law enforcement, prosecutors, and victims of crime. Their support means a great deal to me.”

Fitzgerald noted that endorsements from the sheriffs of South Dakota’s two largest jurisdictions reflect confidence in his experience, judgment, and ability to serve as the state’s chief prosecutor in the fight against crime.

“When the elected sheriffs responsible for protecting the largest populations in South Dakota place their trust in your leadership, it sends a strong message,” Fitzgerald said. “I believe these endorsements reflect my experience as a prosecutor, judge, and public servant, and my commitment to enforcing the rule of law, supporting victims, and working closely with law enforcement agencies across our state.”

Fitzgerald is seeking the Republican nomination for South Dakota Attorney General and has emphasized combating violent crime, supporting law enforcement, protecting victims, and ensuring accountability throughout the criminal justice system.

Convention race endorsements; SD State Auditor and State Treasurer give stamps of approval in their races

South Dakota State Treasurer Josh Haeder today gave his stamp of approval to Melissa Hull to be his successor in the election battle coming up next week at the Republican convention in Rapid City, via a message posted to Facebook by Hull:

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Hull faces Black Hills area real estate agent Heath Shields in the vote to be held on June 27th.

Similarly, in a postcard that went out to delegates recently from State Auditor candidate Catherine Barranco, State Auditor Rich Sattgast has also lent his support to the sole candidate running for that seat at the moment:

Lots more activity coming in the days leading up to the SD GOP Convention.

Keep it tuned here for updates on the races, and information on last minute entries.

This is why Christine Erickson is heading into next Tuesday with a huge head of steam

Just seeing another video on Facebook where people from every walk of life are attesting to how as a City Councilwoman, Christine Erickson made things happen in that community.

In this one, John Snyder co-founder of 605 Creative relates how Christine helped his group get a Sioux Falls flag approved by the City Council.  (The same flags her opponent flies off his trailer as he campaigns for the office.)

Thune: Senate to Prioritize Passage of NDAA

Thune: Senate to Prioritize Passage of NDAA

“For 251 years, Americans have bravely gone to fight our nation’s battles. And for 251 years, it’s been Congress’ job to stand behind them and provide what they need to execute the mission.”

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.

 

Release: Former Governor Kristi Noem joins mining firm as advisor

Secretary Kristi L. Noem Joins NovaRed Mining Advisory Board

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – June 16, 2026) – NovaRed Mining Inc. (CSE: NRED) (OTCQB: NREDF) (“NovaRed” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and current Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas, Secretary Kristi L. Noem, has joined the Company in a strategic advisory role to support NovaRed’s mission of acquiring and advancing critical mineral exploration opportunities through its artificial intelligence-enhanced technology platform.

Ms. Noem is an American public policy leader, executive, and former senior government official with extensive experience spanning economic development, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, national security, and public-private collaboration. Over the course of her career, she has served as Governor of South Dakota, a member of the United States House of Representatives, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, providing her with broad experience in government affairs, strategic planning, regulatory matters, stakeholder engagement, and large-scale organizational leadership.

In 2025, Ms. Noem served as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, overseeing one of the federal government’s largest departments and directing initiatives involving critical infrastructure, transportation security, interagency coordination, and strategic operations. As Governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025, she led statewide economic development and infrastructure initiatives while working closely with industry, government agencies, and private-sector stakeholders. Prior to that, Ms. Noem represented South Dakota in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, where she participated in legislative initiatives relating to taxation, economic policy, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and national defense.

Brian Goss, Chief Executive Officer of NovaRed Mining Inc., stated, “Kristi brings exceptional leadership experience and a deep understanding of the policy, regulatory, and economic factors that influence infrastructure investment, resource development, and long-term economic growth. Her perspective and experience working across government and industry will be valuable as NovaRed advances its corporate development strategy and evaluates new opportunities.”

Kristi Noem commented, “I look forward to supporting the Company’s strategic objectives. In an increasingly competitive global environment, secure and reliable access to critical minerals has become an important economic and national security priority. NovaRed is pursuing opportunities in sectors that will remain important to long-term growth and supply-chain resilience, and I am excited to contribute my experience in public policy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning as the Company advances its initiatives.”

Ms. Noem’s appointment reflects NovaRed’s commitment to assembling an advisory team with expertise across government, industry, capital markets, infrastructure, and resource development. By combining machine learning-driven geospatial intelligence with traditional geological expertise, the Company seeks to identify and advance domestic exploration opportunities that support long-term economic and strategic objectives.

About Novared Mining Inc.

NovaRed Mining Inc. (CSE: NRED) (OTCQB: NREDF) is a mineral exploration company focused on the identification, acquisition, exploration and development of copper-gold porphyry projects in British Columbia, leveraging an artificial intelligence-enhanced geospatial technology platform that it developed to identify and evaluate prospective mineral properties. The Company’s optioned Wilmac copper-gold project comprises 16,078 hectares located within the Quesnel porphyry belt in the Similkameen Mining Division, southwest of Princeton and approximately 10 kilometres west of Hudbay Minerals Inc.’s producing Copper Mountain Mine. For more information, visit novaredmining.com.