South Dakota’s Pheasant Hunting Tradition
By Sen. John Thune

A crisp, cool morning. The sight of blaze orange all around. Shouts of “rooster!” followed by the crack of a shotgun. It can only mean one thing: It’s pheasant season in South Dakota.

Ring-necked pheasants were introduced in South Dakota over 100 years ago. Not long after they were introduced, our state’s hunting tradition began, and as South Dakota’s pheasant population grew, so did the number of hunters who flocked to the prairies each year. Today the pheasant opener is all but an official holiday, and it’s a key part of our state’s heritage, our communities’ character, and many South Dakota families’ traditions.

Like a lot of South Dakotans, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t look forward to the start of pheasant season. My dad, Harold, taught my brothers and me how to bag a rooster when we were growing up. Dad was never one to miss a hunting season, even into his late 90s. I shared pheasant hunting with my daughters and, later, their husbands, and I’m looking forward to my grandchildren joining us in the field when they’re old enough.

For me, spending time in South Dakota’s great outdoors with family and friends is a large part of why I look forward to pheasant season each year. Of course, like most sportsmen, I also look forward to the challenge of the hunt itself. While the goal is to limit out, pheasant season’s benefits also go beyond just satisfied hunters, of which there are plenty. Last year, 127,000 hunters bagged 1.15 million pheasants. A majority of hunters come from outside of South Dakota, drawn in by our state’s reputation as the Pheasant Capital of the World. The activity around the annual hunt contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to our state’s economy, too, as hunters from near and far support local businesses.

South Dakota’s famed pheasant hunting is thanks, in no small part, to land conservation efforts that support quality habitat for ringnecks. The pheasant population each fall depends on the spring nesting season and the ability of pheasants to hide their nests and protect their young. The Conservation Reserve Program, which supports farmers who take environmentally sensitive land out of production, plays an important role in establishing and maintaining pheasant habitat. The program has become the cornerstone of federal conservation programs and is a major reason for South Dakota’s renowned pheasant population. In the Senate, I’m continuing to work to support and strengthen this program in the next farm bill for South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers and to ensure future pheasant seasons are as good as seasons past.

There’s so much to look forward to when the third Saturday in October rolls around each year. Family and friends coming together in the great outdoors. The next generation of hunters sharing in the challenge of hunting. And at the end of the day, enjoying a big meal, which hopefully includes some fresh pheasant. I wish all the hunters across South Dakota a safe and successful hunting season.

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The Big Three – Groundhog Day, Again
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
October 20, 2023

BIG Update

For more than two weeks, the U.S. House has not had a Speaker of the House, and without a leader, the House is at a standstill. It’s an unfortunate situation, but I am holding onto hope that we will make it out the other side – quickly. America has been in seasons of chaos like this and much worse before, and we remain the greatest nation in history. There are 247 years that testify to America standing as a beacon of hope and freedom. Sometimes it is messy, but the beauty of America is unity, despite our differences.

BIG Idea

The Subcommittee on Highways and Transit met this week to discuss solutions for the Highway Trust Fund as electric vehicles become more popular. People who drive gas-powered cars contribute to the Highway Trust Fund through the gas tax, but electric vehicle owners don’t contribute to this fund that maintains our roads. One suggested solution is a ‘pay at the pump’ approach at EV-charging stations, but that wouldn’t cover the majority of EV charges which are done at home. Another possible approach is tracking vehicle miles traveled, but the infrastructure can be expensive and has personal privacy concerns. I asked Jeff Davis from Eno Center of Transportation about how to address this unique dilemma. You can watch my remarks here .

BIG News

The conflict in Israel and Gaza continues to capture headlines worldwide. America must continue to stand with our ally Israel. Hamas’ stated goal is to wipe out the Jewish people and the nation of Israel – we must take them at their word. The Biden Administration’s decision to return $6 billion to Iran (the largest state sponsor of terrorism) in a hostage deal should never be transferred to Iran. I am supporting a bill, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, to permanently sanction and block these funds from ever reaching the Iranian regime.

I joined Fox Business to talk about the conflict. Missed my interview? Watch it here.

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Birds of a Feather
By: Governor Kristi Noem
October 20, 2023

South Dakota always seems to come alive in autumn. The air is crisp and cool, the leaves on the trees change to create a colorful masterpiece, and our farmers are preparing to harvest their crops. But there is one particular part of fall in South Dakota that has always put our state on the map. It’s an iconic South Dakota tradition that we’re known for worldwide: pheasant hunting.

We are celebrating the beginning of pheasant hunting season. You know, I think South Dakota is the only state that actively celebrates shooting its state bird! And it’s something we do with pride.

Our pheasant hunting roots run deep in South Dakota – and rightfully so. We have the best pheasant hunting in the world! People come from all over for a chance to participate in my favorite outdoor sport.

For me, pheasant hunting season always reminds me of my family. Before I was old enough to get my own hunting license, I used to follow my grandmother, Dorris, when she was out bird hunting. My dad preferred big game hunting. And from a young age, my siblings and I went with him. Our family trips were often hunting trips. Those trips were where I learned some of the best life lessons that I still use on a daily basis. Hunting taught me how to be a problem solver.

Hunting was always something that my family did together. Now, as a mother and a grandmother, I’ve continued the family tradition with my own kids and grandkids. I wanted to make sure that my kids learned the same lessons that I valued learning from my dad so much.

Now, I have two little grandkids. It warms my heart to know that future generations in my family will have the same kind of experiences that I did with my grandmother and my dad.

Hunting and guns aren’t political in South Dakota – they’re a way of life. And every year during pheasant season, we welcome people to join our South Dakota family for a little while. Folks get together to hunt, but they also get to experience all that our state has to offer. Our small-town communities treat visitors like one of our own. In South Dakota, we still believe in traditional, down-home, American values. And I hope that our visitors feel that whenever they come here.

In South Dakota, we really are like birds of a feather. And every fall, we flock together to spend time with our friends and families, enjoy the best pheasant hunting in the world, and enjoy the great outdoors.

There is something so special about the rugged Wild West during this time of year. Whether you live in South Dakota or come to visit us, I hope you will take advantage of all that this season has to offer.

Happy pheasant season – I look forward to seeing you all in the field!

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After the people behind the Navigator pipeline announced the cancellation of their project today…

Navigator CO2 Ventures has canceled its Heartland Greenway pipeline project aimed at capturing 15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually from Midwest ethanol plants and storing it permanently underground, the company said on Friday, citing “unpredictable” state regulatory processes.

Read that here.

A company spokesperson for Summit Carbon announced that they are ready to step up for ethanol plants, and expand their project, connecting with additional plants:

“Summit Carbon Solutions welcomes and is well positioned to add additional plants and communities to our project footprint. We remain as committed to our project as the day we announced it. It’s not often you get the opportunity to positively impact an industry that touches every farmer and rural community across the Midwest. We have reached voluntary agreements along nearly 75% of our proposed route – we are pleased that the vast majority of landowners and farmers across the Midwest embrace the project. We look forward to building a generational asset that will create new markets for the ethanol industry and farmers.” 

With over 75% of landowners along the project route voluntarily signing on, it’s a good sign that they will be able to keep ethanol booming, and returning profits for agriculture.

One of the hardest working candidates in South Dakota politics is back at it, as Jordan Youngberg kicks off his campaign for District 25 State Senate, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to find out more why he thought it might be a good idea to run for the privilege of driving to to Pierre starting in January of 2025 if he’s successful in his pursuit of the race.

Youngberg had previously served in the State Legislature from 2017-2020, but when faced with committing to another term of office after that, Jordan paused his political career, as he knew he was not going to run for another term, and decided the best thing to do for his District was to step down to give someone else an opportunity to serve.

Jordan has been a small businessman as long as I’ve known him, doing everything from selling ice cream at his business, to hawking fireworks at his stand, and upon leaving the legislature took a state job with the Treasurer’s office to take care of his growing family.  But just like the pull of being a small businessman, which he has returned to, the pull of politics has also been an irresistible force in his life. Which brings us to today, with Jordan fully engaged in the race for the State Senate for District 25, an area he grew up and went to high school in.

But enough introduction… let’s have 5 questions with District 25 State Senate Candidate Jordan Youngberg:

Why are you looking at returning to the legislature?

Serving in the South Dakota legislature was an honor of a lifetime and a responsibility that required maturity, professionalism and a lot of hard work. With the blessing of my wife and boys, I’ve made the decision to run once again for the State Senate because the representation we have right now isn’t getting the job done, and our communities are paying the price for it.

When I served in the Senate, I passed bills to help teachers, keep drugs off the streets, and make government smaller. District 25 deserves a Senator that cares about getting things done for our families and our communities and unfortunately, we’re currently being served by an individual who would rather make headlines for everything but passing legislation or tackling real issues.

 

It’s expected that you’ll be running against the incumbent Senator Tom Pischke in a primary. Why are you the better choice in the race?

Growing up in District 25 and returning home, I quickly decided that it’s time our communities had a voice in Pierre that wasn’t afraid to work hard and get things done. During the last legislative session, our current Senator failed to pass one piece of legislation or participate in discussions on any of the important issues facing our state.

I think there’s two parts to being a conservative: saying it, and doing it. Unlike our current Senator, who has no plans to bring forth legislation and was quoted as saying, “there was nothing really driving him”, I will bring forward conservative ideas and see them through to completion.

 

Your likely opponent has been pretty controversial this last session as the only supporter of a senator who harassed an employee, and he demanded the arrest of many of the Senators as a result. Has that affected the kind of support you’re getting? Have you gotten any pushback from people trying to convince you to run for a different office?

I learned early on in my first race for the Senate against a Democrat that it was more important to run for something than against someone. However, I do believe that it’s fair to point out the facts and the differences between my approach and that of my opponent.

My opponent didn’t have a home (wasn’t allowed) in the Republican Caucus for much of the 2023 legislative session. His antics were a distraction in what is a very short legislative session and it’s obvious he would rather advance his personal priorities over putting in the work and advocating for the needs of our District. Instead of working to improve rural education, our agriculture industry, or policies that keep our families safe, my opponent spent his time trying to get fellow Republican colleagues arrested for following the constitution.

 

This is a slightly reconfigured legislative district since the last time you were there. What do you see as the big issues facing your District?

District 25 is in a unique position of opportunity as Sioux Falls and the greater area continue to expand. We are going to continue to see more jobs, residents, and tax revenue and I want to make sure we’re positioned best take advantage of these opportunities. As exciting as this is, we must continue to focus on and advocate for the conservative ideals that have shaped our community and made it one of the best places in the world to call home.

In addition, we need to continue to prioritize South Dakota farmers, ensure rural school districts like Dell Rapids (GO QUARRIERS!) have the resources they need, and ensure there is enough housing to support both current and future residents. Finally, we must keep focusing on public safety to ensure our cities and small towns remain a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

 

You’ve aggressively jumped into the race for District 25 State Senate with both feet. Any specifics as to why you’re on the campaign trail 8-9 months before the primary?

Those who know me know that I only have one speed and when I decide to do something, I go all out. Since I announced my intention to run, I’ve been to multiple parades this year and talked with hundreds of District 25 voters. Even in these early conversations, it’s clear so many of these community members know it’s time to send someone to Pierre that will get the real work done and put an end to these sideshows.

 

And there you have it!  5 Questions with one of our newest Senate Candidates. Thank you, and best of luck to Jordan in his pursuit of the seat.

Rounds Nominates Anderson Family of Rapid City for Angels in Adoption Award

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) announced that he has nominated Nathan and Angela Anderson for the 2023 Angels in Adoption Award, presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCAI).

Nathan and Angela Anderson have been married since 2006. Nathan is originally from the Huron area, and Angela is originally from the Rapid City area. In 2015, they were blessed with their son Boaz through a private adoption with the help of Hughes Law Office, Bethany Christian Services and Jean Cline. Boaz is now eight years old, and he is full of energy and laughter. Then, in 2021, the Andersons received a call from their pastor, Wes Roth, who was approached by biological grandparents needing to find a family to adopt their two-week-old granddaughter who was in foster care. Nathan and Angela selflessly opened their home once more and adopted their daughter Emma. Now, the Andersons are a family of four who affectionately embrace being “Team BEAN” (Boaz, Emma, Angela and Nathan).

“We are humbled to have been nominated by Senator Rounds for the 2023 Angels in Adoption Award,” said Nathan and Angela Anderson. “Adoption was originally a road we didn’t know we’d travel on, but it has been such a beautiful and enriching part of our lives. While the adoption process comes with many hills and valleys, Boaz and Emma are a forever blessing. We feel incredibly grateful, and we hope our story encourages others to consider adoption.”

Rounds nominated John and Beth Hughes for the 2022 Angels in Adoption Award. Their adoption practice, Heart2Heart Adoptions, which is part of Hughes Law Office, has brought hundreds of families together, including the Anderson family. Additionally, Rounds nominated Wes Roth, the Anderson’s pastor, and his wife Kimberly for the 2018 Angels in Adoption Award.

“I am honored to nominate Nathan and Angela for this year’s Angels in Adoption award,” said Rounds. “Throughout years of adversity and perseverance, the Andersons relied on their Faith and trusted God’s plan for their family. Team BEAN serves as a great example of how powerful the gift of adoption can be. The connection between the Anderson, Hughes and Roth families makes this year’s award even more special. These families have made a tremendous impact on the lives of so many, and our state is lucky to have them.”

Rounds is a member of the CCAI. Each year, members of Congress are invited to nominate an outstanding family or organization from their state to receive an Angels in Adoption award. CCAI is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe and loving homes through adoption. For more information, visit CCAI’s website.

Rounds’ office is currently accepting applications for the 2024 Angels in Adoption Award. For more information, please visit rounds.senate.gov/adoption.

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Thune: Stand With Israel and Stand Up to Iran

“And I can say that the Republican Conference stands in solidarity with Israel and its right not only to exist, but also to defend itself and to protect its citizens from these types of attacks.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at the Senate Republican leadership press conference in strong support of Israel’s right to defend itself from heinous terrorist attacks. Earlier today, Thune spoke at a press conference led by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) where Republican senators highlighted Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism in Israel and called for passage of legislation to freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets the Biden administration attempted to provide Iran last month.

Rounds’ Communications Director to Serve as Chief of Staff 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that Dezmond Ward will serve as Rounds’ Chief of Staff. Ward, who has worked in Rounds’ office since 2018, most recently served as the Communications Director for Rounds.

“Dezmond has been a trusted member of my team for almost six years,” said Rounds. “No matter the role, Dezmond has proven to have a strong work ethic and knowledge of issues both in South Dakota and in D.C. I am excited to have him lead my team and see his impact in this new role.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of South Dakota in this new capacity,” said Ward. “I’m excited to lead our great team that is service-oriented and focused on getting results. I look forward to the challenges ahead as we continue to work to bring South Dakota values to a broken Washington, D.C.”

Originally from Milbank, Ward is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Ward interned in Rounds’ office before joining full time as a Legislative Correspondent/Staff Assistant. He also served as a Field Representative until becoming Rounds’ Communications Director. 

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From my mailbox, former Huron School Superintendent Terry Nebelsick has announced that he will be a candidate in the Distrcit 22 House Race:

Former school administrator Terry Nebelsick of Huron, as well as former teacher Lana Greenfield of Doland, both sent press releases announcing their intention to run for the legislature in the 2024 election. Both District 22 House seats are open this cycle, as current legislator Roger Chase is term limited in the House and Lynn Schneider has chosen not to seek re-election.

and..

Nebelsick retired from the Huron School District in 2021, after serving first as the high school principal and then as the district superintendent. A first-time legislative candidate, Nebelsick has served on numerous state-wide education boards, including chairing the S.D. School Finance Accountability Board and the State Board of Education Standards.

Read it here in the Huron Plainsman.

With the former police chief Kevin Van Diepen and Lana Greenfield also in the contest, it looks like we have a primary for D22 House!

“U Can’t Touch This”
 – M.C. Hammer

US Senator John Thune remains the undisputed heavyweight champion in South Dakota politics, when it comes to fundraising. Once again.

Friends of Thune October 2023 by Pat Powers on Scribd

The Senator’s quarterly fundraising is just a bonus, considering he reported $155,230.77 in dividends/interest. But in case you are interested, Senator Thune reported total receipts of having raised/transferred a total of $479,887.93, against $100,674.44 in expenses , leaving him with $17,436,291.66 cash on hand.

There is no one who can possibly come close, with the exception of Governor Kristi Noem, but her reports are filed with the state on an annual basis during the off-season. So we’ll have to wait to see.