Amber Hulse today was on facebook noting the endorsement of the Pennington County Sheriff, checking off the support of all of the chief law enforcement officers in her District in her race for State Senate:
Rounds Requests Tribal Law Enforcement Training Center in South Dakota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) sent a letter to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior requesting a meeting to discuss options for law enforcement training in South Dakota.
Currently, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) requires a majority of tribal law enforcement officers to receive training at a facility in New Mexico. Discussions with tribal and law enforcement leaders have indicated that the distance to this facility is a barrier for recruiting law enforcement officers in the region. Recently, leaders of tribes in South Dakota have declared states of emergency because of rampant crime.
“With no basic federal training options for tribal law enforcement on the Great Plains, prospective officers are opting to work for local agencies or leave the law enforcement field altogether,” Rounds said. “This has been especially difficult for law enforcement in the Great Plains Region, which is home to some of the largest tribes in the nation. We need to support them during a time where crime is rising everywhere nationwide, but especially on tribal lands.”
Read the full letter HERE or below.
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Dear Assistant Secretary Newland:
I write to you to address the tribal law enforcement crisis in the Great Plains Region. It has become clear that a lack of law enforcement personnel is contributing to the ongoing crime wave, and that recruiting and training appear to be root causes of this situation.
As you are well aware, tribal law enforcement leaders are struggling to hire and retain law enforcement officers in tribal communities. As you also know, several tribal law enforcement agencies in the Great Plains Region only employ a handful of officers. As a consequence, as few as two officers can be tasked with patrolling millions of acres during a shift. Criminal entities are taking advantage of these shortages and are distributing higher volumes of illegal drugs, including fentanyl.
It is my understanding the BIA requires the majority of tribal law enforcement officers to receive training at the U.S. Indian Police Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. In my recent discussions with Great Plains Region law enforcement leaders, it has become apparent that the distance to this academy is a recruitment barrier. With no basic federal training options for tribal law enforcement on the Great Plains, prospective officers are opting to work for local agencies or leave the law enforcement field altogether. This has been especially difficult for law enforcement in the Great Plains Region, which is home to some of the largest tribes in the nation. I have consulted with tribal leaders and believe that the possibility of opening a tribal law enforcement training facility in the Great Plains Region would address this issue.
In our consultation, I have become aware of several suitable, existing training facilities that could address the recruitment and training problem without significant cost. I believe that such an outcome would garner support from tribal leaders and result in the building of greater law enforcement capacity throughout the region. With the current situation in mind, I respectfully ask you to meet with me to discuss this issue.
Please contact members of my staff to coordinate such a meeting.
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Johnson Fights to Secure Payments for National Guard Members
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) urged National Guard Bureau Chief Daniel R. Hokanson to ensure the availability of incentive programs for National Guard members.
“Missing or delayed bonus payments for our soldiers has become a troubling trend—one that cannot continue,” said Johnson. “Our servicemembers are counting on bonuses they were promised to pay their bills. We must uphold our word to the men and women serving our country.”
On March 1 of this year, the Army National Guard suspended reenlistment bonuses. While the incentives program was restarted on March 8, this is not the first time incentives programs were suspended or delayed. In October 2023, more than 9,000 soldiers experienced delays in receiving their enlistment bonus, some by up to five years. A similar scenario occurred in 2021. Further, the National Guard suspended student loan repayments for soldiers in July of 2023.
The Armed Services significantly missed its recruitment goals for 2023 by over 40,000 people. This leaves our military with the smallest active-duty force since 1940. Johnson’s letter asks if the Armed Services are short of their recruiting goal, why the incentive programs are not funded properly.
Read Johnson’s letter to Hokanson here.
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Dan Kippley Announces Candidacy for Minnehaha County Commission
Sioux Falls, SD – Dan Kippley announced today his intention to run for the Minnehaha County Commission in the Republican Primary taking place on June 4, 2024. Dean Karsky, current Minnehaha County Commission Chair, is seeking re-election. Kippley is seeking the other seat.
“Minnehaha County deserves strong and decisive leadership, a commissioner who can be authentic and isn’t afraid to make a difficult decision. My past record of accomplishments in my 40-year business career and advocate for our community have prepared me to be what Minnehaha County needs at this important time in our history.” – Dan Kippley, Minnehaha County Commission Candidate.
As your next Minnehaha County Commissioner, I will focus on:
“I have the proven community leadership experience necessary to begin work on day one as your next Minnehaha County Commissioner. My commitment to the citizens and visitors of our community has been proven by my actions, not just my words.
“Kippley has lived in South Dakota for 45 years and Sioux Falls since 2005. He has two grown children & four grandchildren. He owns Kippley Consulting and specializes in business & leadership development by connecting needed resources for his clients. In his free time, he enjoys playing with the grandkids, watching SDSU sporting events, golfing and traveling.”
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Gov. Noem’s Freedom Works Here Ad Wins National Award
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem’s Freedom Works Here Ad, “Bright Side,” won a national award for Best TV Ad at this year’s Reed Awards.
“When I kicked off Freedom Works Here, my goal was to tell South Dakota’s story to the entire nation,” said Governor Noem. “I am blown away by the national recognition these ads have brought to South Dakota – and people are moving here because of it! We have welcomed thousands of people to our state and are looking forward to welcoming even more.”
Freedom Works Here is the most successful workforce recruitment campaign in South Dakota history. 9,361 people have expressed interest in moving to South Dakota, and over 2,300 have worked directly with our job experts to begin the process – many are already here!
To learn more, visit FreedomWorksHere.com.
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If you’re in Sioux Falls on April 9, SDFRW & the local Minnehaha-Lincoln Republican Women are hosting a watch party for the local elections that evening:
(Normally, I’d point out that this is yet another function that Minnehaha Co GOP used to do, but the important thing is that it’s good that someone is stepping up to fill the void -pp)
Check it out!
Today, the McPherson County Commission mirrored what Lawrence County did, and unanimously sent the election conspiracists packing when presented with a petition that would have required them to violate federal laws designed to protect the rights of the disabled to vote:
The petition also sought to ban ExpressVote machines, which are used by voters who require assistance in filling out their ballots.
Use of those machines is required by federal law as part of the Help Americans Vote Act passed by Congress in 2002. Voters insert their ballot into the machine and use it to mark their selections. The machine then fills in the appropriate bubbles on the ballot. No vote information is saved on the machine.
Howard said commissioners rejected the petition because they can’t legally enforce an ordinance that conflicts with state and federal law.
I’m sure we’re going to continue to read stories like this for quite some time to come.
Gov. Noem to Tribes: “Banish the Cartels.”
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem issued a statement regarding cartel presence on South Dakota Native American tribal reservations.
“I call on all our tribal leaders to banish the cartels from tribal lands,” said Governor Noem. “The cartels instigate drug addiction, murder, rape, human trafficking, and so much more in tribal communities across the nation, including in South Dakota. I will work with you to sign Law Enforcement Agreements to immediately assist you, respect your sovereignty, and uphold tribal law.”
Mexican drug cartel presence in Indian country is a problem across the nation. Recent media reports say, “In many ways, Indian reservations make for ideal places for a drug operation to set up shop. The communities suffer from high rates of drug addiction and low numbers of law enforcement.”
In addition, the Biden Administration is underfunding tribal law enforcement, preventing the tribes from adequately responding to public safety issues. Last week, Governor Noem called for an audit of federal funds going to South Dakota’s Native American tribes. Since then, dozens of Native Americans from across South Dakota have reached out to the Governor thanking her for speaking the truth and asking for her help.
“Every time that a South Dakota tribe has asked me for assistance, I have done what I can, both while in Congress and as governor,” continued Governor Noem. “I will continue to speak the truth, call out corruption wherever I see it, and fight to protect the lives of Native Americans in our state – because that’s what they deserve.”
Last week, immediately following Governor Noem’s call for an audit, multiple members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, including tribal council members, unveiled serious allegations of corruption within tribal government including:
Video of these comments will be made available upon request.
Governor Noem has repeatedly reiterated a request for Law Enforcement Agreements between the State of South Dakota and the state’s Native American tribes: “Although the state and tribes might not always agree, the need for law and order in our communities is imperative to combat illegal activities in our most vulnerable and rural areas.”
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Was it something I wrote?
Minnehaha County Republican Party Vice Chair, and leader of at least one GOP anti-incumbent facebook-based hate squad, Jennifer Foss is apparently upset with me today. And she takes to facebook deciding to bring the “ha ha” into the Minnehaha County GOP.
This crabby Karen vice-chair is demanding that ‘whoever is the SNITCH‘ to deliver a message to “outcasted GOP puppet” me.
Is ‘outcasted‘ a word? I’m not sure that’s proper english. And, if I’m outcasted (sic), I’m not sure exactly how I’m engaged in some sort of puppetry?
You can go ahead and read it for yourself, since it only took her groups’ snitches 2 hours to hand it over to the enemy, and I’m still giggling about it.
I’m sure that this is just going to bring the donors and supporters rolling back in the door for the Minnehaha GOP.
But, what do I know? Alternately being a GOP puppet or not knowing what real Republicans look like, depending on which paragraph we’re reading in her rant.
I’ll let the Vice-Chair be the queen of real Republicans in Minnehaha County, while I worry about actually getting people elected to office.
And guys, keep snitching! But don’t tell Vice Chair Jennifer. Because you all know the old saying – snitches get stitches!
Is that a spark of life over at the State Democrat Party?
Because for the first time since 2018 a Democrat successfully filed for Congress, as today the Secretary of State certified Democrat Sheryl Johnson’s petitions to run for the office.
The last Democrat who got on the ballot was in 2018, when Democrat and former Judge Tim Bjorkman got on the ballot, ultimately receiving 36% of the vote after running a lackluster campaign against Dusty Johnson who received over 60%. 6 years and two general elections later, the policy minded Congressman Johnson has been cited by at least one poll as the most popular elected official in the state, and has won national accolades for the quality of his constituent service. Johnson has also managed to build up a war chest he didn’t have to tap over the past two election cycles, and will not be taxed by a primary election.
Not an enviable environment for Sheryl Johnson to run in. But for the Democrats, they’re probably happy that they have someone who is running who could make the ballot.
Small victories.