After the news of the horrendous terrorist attacks in Israel where entire families were executed and there are reports that children were beheaded by terrorists, the group South Dakotans for Israel and the Calvary Chapel Church are holding a prayer vigil this coming Sunday in Sioux Falls at the El Riad Shrine Center:

You can find out more by clicking here.

However, based on a recent facebook post, I don’t believe the NDN Collective will be in attendance.

(I’m not linking to that. You can look it up yourself if you are so inclined.)

Rounds, Rosen Lead Bipartisan Push in Requesting Additional Iron Dome Systems for Israel 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Defense to transfer two additional Iron Dome systems and other unused military assets to Israel as it continues to face rocket and missile attacks from Hamas and the threat of Hezbollah entering the conflict. These systems are currently in possession of the United States and are not being utilized.

“Since October 7, Hamas, which Iran directly supplies and funds, has fired thousands of rockets into populated areas across Israel with the intention of killing as many innocent civilians as possible,” wrote the senators. “As you know, the United States Army is currently in possession of two Iron Dome batteries that have not been deployed and have no operational use inside the United States where they are currently stored.”

“Immediately transferring these two Iron Dome batteries that are not in use to Israel would provide tangible, life-saving and sustained support to our ally as it faces rocket and missile salvos that threaten to overwhelm its defenses,” the senators’ letter continued. “The transfer of these two Iron Dome batteries, in addition to sending other unused military assets, would bolster Israel’s defense capabilities and immediately help Israel combat terrorist aggression.”

In addition to Rounds and Rosen, the letter was signed by Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

The full text of the letter can be found HERE.

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Thune Calls On Biden To Freeze $6 Billion Iran Transfer

“The State Department should immediately rescind the waivers that allowed Iranian funds to be converted and moved to more accessible bank accounts, as well as work with U.S. ally Qatar to immediately freeze the accounts containing these funds.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) joined several of his colleagues in calling on President Biden and the U.S. Department of State to immediately restrict Iran’s access to $6 billion in funds that were unfrozen by the Biden administration as part of a recent U.S.-Iran prisoner swap.

“To stand by and allow Iran access to these funds as Hamas infiltrates Israel and murders, rapes, and mutilates countless Israelis is unconscionable,” wrote the senators. “Your administration claims these funds are only available for humanitarian use, but money is fungible, and there is a significant risk they could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel. Moreover, allowing $6 billion to flow into Iran’s economy, even if the purpose is for humanitarian aid, allows the Iranian regime to reallocate even more funds to supporting terrorism. Oversight over the use of this $6 billion is not enough, and the oversight mechanism is crippled by your reported decision to pull the longstanding Treasury attaché from Qatar. The State Department should immediately rescind the waivers that allowed Iranian funds to be converted and moved to more accessible bank accounts, as well as work with U.S. ally Qatar to immediately freeze the accounts containing these funds.”

The letter was led by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and, in addition to Thune, was also signed by U.S. Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

Full letter below:

Dear Mr. President:

We write today to affirm our unwavering support for Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East, and call on the U.S. Department of State to freeze the accounts in Qatar containing $6 billion in Iranian funds that were released from South Korean accounts in September.

Since Hamas began its attack on Israel on Saturday, more than 4,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza, countless Israelis have been injured, and more than 130 individuals have been kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. Hundreds of civilians have been brutally murdered in Israel, and recent reports confirm that several Americans were killed in the attacks.

Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, and Wall Street Journal reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps worked with Hamas to plan the ongoing attacks on Israel. These horrific attacks come on the heels of the State Department issuing sanctions waivers for Iranian funds held in South Korean accounts to be converted from won to euros and then transferred to bank accounts in Qatar.

To stand by and allow Iran access to these funds as Hamas infiltrates Israel and murders, rapes, and mutilates countless Israelis is unconscionable. Your administration claims these funds are only available for humanitarian use, but money is fungible, and there is a significant risk they could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel. Moreover, allowing $6 billion to flow into Iran’s economy, even if the purpose is for humanitarian aid, allows the Iranian regime to reallocate even more funds to supporting terrorism. Oversight over the use of this $6 billion is not enough, and the oversight mechanism is crippled by your reported decision to pull the longstanding Treasury attaché from Qatar. The State Department should immediately rescind the waivers that allowed Iranian funds to be converted and moved to more accessible bank accounts, as well as work with U.S. ally Qatar to immediately freeze the accounts containing these funds.

We must stand with Israel and restrict access to these Iranian funds. Iran should be placed under the most stringent sanctions admissible. Anything short of this is unacceptable and only aids in the ability of Iran and Hamas to fund these heinous acts.

Sincerely,

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Had a long-time reader just point this out.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard this one:

Police say a Sioux Falls man was arrested Tuesday morning after attempting to rob a bank in the southwestern part of the city.

and..

The Argus Leader is not naming the man at this time because the court case is currently not one this news outlet would follow through trial. If major developments unfold, we will update accordingly.

Read it here.

So, the identity of the person arrested for attempting to rob a bank is not pertinent to the story?  That’s just nuts. I think that’s a HUGE part of the story.

Way to phone it in, Argus.

I’ve updated my 2024 Candidate list, and it appears that new candidates are popping up faster and faster, with announcements or filing paperwork to run with the Secretary of State.

For those who have announced or filed that I haven’t previously mentioned in an article:

• Brad Jankord (R) has filed paperwork to run for the House in District 13, after having had announced his intentions to the Dakota Scout last week; and
• District 27 State Senate candidate Anthony Kathol (R) filed papers and announced his candidacy in the Rapid City Journal.

I know of more out there, but they aren’t making it public yet, so we’ll just have to hold on for a little bit.

If you know of others who have “officially” announced, or who have filed a statement of organization for their candidacy, drop me a note.

It looks as if the slate for District 15 is filling up.  Coming on the heels of the info that Democrat State Rep. Linda Duba will be running for the Senate, 2022 House Candidate & Republican Matt Rosburg is looking to jump into that race for a head to head challenge against Duba next fall.

That leaves the House with an open seat.  Or does it?

On the Republican side, if he can ever get moved into the District, Brad Lindwurm is allegedly running. And, I’m also hearing a rumor that 2022 GOP House candidate Joni Tschetter may make another attempt.  For Democrats, they have incumbent Representative Kadyn Wittman.. and I’m told that the Democrat County Chair Erik Muckey plans to run in that race as well.

What might make things even more interesting is that we may see at least one primary in there, as I’m told others might be jumping in as well.

Stay tuned.

How I’ll Work To Keep Rapid City Strong
By Representative Becky Drury

What makes Rapid City Special? Is it our farmer’s market, your favorite high school football game, or dining at your favorite restaurant? Whatever your preference, our city is vibrant and alive. Yet, none of these things compare to one thing: the people.

Rapid City isn’t only a place – it’s a family. When I represented you on the city council, we understood that by working together as a council to build a better city, everyone wins. In Pierre, I’ve applied the same work ethic and worked hard to ensure that the bills I support make Rapid City a strong and vibrant place to live.

During the previous legislative session, I supported several priorities that will benefit our community for years to come. I sponsored legislation to protect child witnesses in the courtroom, increased transparency in local government, and created grants for mental health resources. In addition, I voted for the largest sales tax cut in South Dakota history, which will put $100 Million back into the hands of South Dakotans each year. We can all be proud of these results, but the job is never done.

I will continue to work for our amazing community. We must work diligently to keep drugs and crime off the streets, keep teacher pay competitive, grow our business environment and economy, and continue to approach governing with honesty and integrity. We always say in the legislature that Pierre isn’t Washington D.C., and if I’m representing you, it’ll stay that way.

I want to hear from you if you’d like to see a change within our state laws. Reach out to me at becky.drury@sdlegislature.gov, and I’d be happy to visit with you about any issue. By working as a team, we can continue to keep our amazing community an even better place to work and live for our children and grandchildren.

Just caught this interesting tidbit in a story at SD Standard, that Democrat Linda Duba plans on running for the Senate in 2024:

“Republicans are very good on messaging,” she said. “They understand that you win things on the local level.”

Duba plans to run for the state Senate in 2024, hoping to fill the seat that Nesiba will vacate because of term limits. She said she relies on door-to-door campaigning to earn voter support, even among Republicans in her district.

Read that here.

With it now being a Republican District, D15 should be able to move into the GOP aisle as a pickup, given the right candidate. Duba isn’t going to roll over, so it will take a competent candidate doing the right things.

The question is whether the Minnehaha GOP can recruit a competent candidate, given their own state of affairs?

From 2020 and 2022 Sioux Falls legislative candidate Cole Heisey:

Add that one to the opposition research files.

According to the Huron Daily Plainsman, State Representative Lynn Schneider is taking a pass from running for House again:

“Serving in the state legislature has been a wonderful privilege and a great experience,” Schneider said in a press release, “however, at my age, the time has come to step down and spend more time with my family and our eight grandchildren.”

Read the entire story here.