South Dakota Democrats unanimously voted to dump chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen after a reading of accusations and grievances, which apparently included treating an intern as personal staff, requiring them to drive Miss Daisy.

Other than a couple of party members who voted to abstain, over 50 delegates both online and in person voted unanimously to remove the Aberdeen native.

and…

Both party leadership and state lawmakers have appeared to be particularly bristled by the way that Slaight-Hansen allegedly treated both interns and others active in the party. Speakers at the Drifter’s convention center accused Slaight-Hansen of having used one of the party’s interns as a personal driver of hers, without consent or permission from the party’s executive board.

Read the entire story here (subscription required).

The accusations against Slaight-Hansen include using an intern as a personal chauffeur? Was her regular limo driver indisposed?

Apparently the Democrat chair job comes with a lot more perks then outsiders knew.

Summit Carbon Solutions Submits Revised Pipeline Permit Application 

Responds to North Dakota PSC’s concerns, reroutes north of Bismarck 

AMES, IA (August 19, 2023) — Summit Carbon Solutions (SCS) is pleased to announce the submission of a Petition for Reconsideration for their pipeline permit application to the North Dakota Public Service Commission (ND PSC), showcasing its continued commitment to the community and addressing previously raised concerns.  

In the Petition, SCS addressed previously raised concerns: 

• Rerouting around Bismarck: Summit has implemented specific re-routes that includes moving the pipeline almost 10 miles north of Bismarck’s city limits, addressing concerns about city growth and future development.

•  Avoidance Areas: Summit has rerouted or planned drills to avoid areas of concern, including game management areas and areas that may present a geo-hazard risk such as a landslide.

• Cultural Resource Surveys: Summit is working with the State Historic Preservation Office to document the results of cultural surveys and is confident no historic or archeological sites will be affected by the Project. To date, Summit has completed cultural surveys on approximately 90% of the pipeline route.

Project Advancements: 

• Landowner Support: Nearly 80 percent of the right-of-way (ROW) for the pipeline route has been secured through voluntary easements from local landowners, including parts of the new pipeline route.

• Sequestration Site Advancement: SCS has successfully secured almost 90 percent of the space needed for its carbon sequestration sites in North Dakota. 

“We’re truly grateful for the trust and support shown by the landowners of North Dakota, allowing us to make substantial progress in our pipeline route and sequestration site plans,” said Summit Carbon Solutions CEO Lee Blank. “Addressing the concerns of the ND PSC is a top priority for us, and we’ve worked diligently to revise our application accordingly. Our aim is to work collaboratively, listen to everyone’s input, and align our project with the long-term vision that North Dakota has for its energy and agricultural sectors. We are confident that our efforts will contribute positively to North Dakota’s future, and we’re excited to be part of this journey.”

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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. More information, visit: www.SummitCarbonSolutions.com.  

I’m at the Brookings County GOP picnic tonight where State Representative Fred Deutsch announced he will be a candidate for State Senate in District 4, running against State Representative Stephanie Sauder for the seat being vacated by State Senator (and State GOP chair) John Wiik.

Another marquee primary coming for June 2024. Stay tuned.

State Senator Castleberry Announces Resignation, Noem Seeks Public Input on Replacement

PIERRE, S.D. – Senator Jessica Castleberry announced that she will resign her seat in the State Senate. Castleberry has represented District 35 in the State Senate since 2020. Upon Castleberry’s resignation, Governor Kristi Noem requested public input on filling the District 35 vacancy.

Those wishing to be considered for the Senate vacancy, or to offer nominations, should email Ben Koisti at Ben.Koisti@state.sd.us. Nominations should include the candidate’s name, current physical address, resume, cover letter, and letters of recommendation. All nomination materials must be submitted by September 18th.

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Attorney General Jackley Announces Former State Correctional Officer Convicted Of Simple Assault

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that Joshua Westenkirchner of Harrisburg, S.D., has been convicted of two counts of simple assault of a prison inmate while serving as a correctional officer at the state prison in Sioux Falls.

A Minnehaha County jury this week reached its verdict after a two-day trial. He was found not guilty of another count of simple assault and one count of aggravated assault.

“The conduct in this case should not and has not been tolerated. It is an isolated incident of one individual that should not reflect on those correctional officers that serve their positions with respect,” said Attorney General Jackley. “I want to thank the investigators, Assistant Attorney Generals, and the jurors for their important work in serving justice in this matter.”

Officials say the incident occurred March 14 and 15, 2022. Westenkirchner, 42, was indicted by a Minnehaha Grand Jury on Dec. 22, 2022.

The State Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the incident. Prosecution of the case was handled by the Attorney General’s Office.

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Lt. Gov. Rhoden Elected to NLGA Executive Committee

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) announced that Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden will serve as an At-Large Member of the NLGA Executive Committee.

“My top priority has always been the hard-working people of South Dakota. Governor Noem and I have accomplished much for our state over the last several years, including breaking the national record for low unemployment, preserving our thriving agriculture industry, and creating the blueprint for state-led response to the Chinese Communist threat. This work is being recognized by lieutenant governors from all over the United States, and I look forward to working with them to tackle the most pressing issues,” said Lt. Gov. Rhoden.

NLGA is a professional association that supports every lieutenant governor across the United States of America. NLGA empowers lieutenant governors to be as effective and efficient as possible for their constituents. The Executive Committee meets about three times a year. The committee is responsible for addressing issues that concern every U.S. state and territory and providing necessary resources to their fellow lieutenant governors.

“NGLA thrives under leaders that are willing to participate, share, and learn with their peer seconds-in-command from across the country,” said NLGA Director Julia Brossart. “His peers find Lt. Gov. Rhoden to be an engaged leader willing to share ideas from the agriculture industry to veterans affairs.”

Lt. Gov. Rhoden was elected to the state legislature in 2000. He served as House Majority Leader and chaired both the Senate and House State Affairs Committees before he was elected alongside Governor Noem in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

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From facebook:

If you’re a South Dakota political history buff, some of the best content you’ll hear this week is the latest podcast from our friends at Dakota Town Hall, where they’ve brought Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck, and former Janklow confidante’ & Lobbyist Harry Christianson together for part 1 of their stories about former Governor Bill Janklow.

You can listen to the podcast here.

Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck issued the following statement today, following the announcement of the resolution of the Senator Jessica Castleberry matter, along with her subsequent resignation:

Senator Castleberry has been a valued member of the senate, ever since her appointment by Governor Noem. She obviously made a mistake and she’s owned it and taken responsibility.

The executive board needs to take the process up at our November meeting. The system safeguards are the Governor, Auditor, Treasurer, and the individual judgment of each legislator. We need to look at the contracts and understand what controls are in place, or what changes need to be made to uphold the Constitution and see that it doesn’t happen again. Everyone wants that.

Given the high profile of this matter, along with other legislators being included on state contracts, it’s sure to be a big topic in the upcoming session.

Attorney General Jackley Announces Settlement With Sen. Castleberry on Restitution Of State Funds

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces an agreement has been reached with State Senator Jessica Castleberry to pay back more than $499,000 in COVID funds which she received for her preschool daycare centers in Rapid City.

On July 25, Governor Kristi Noem requested that the Attorney General’s Office investigate possible constitutional and statutory violations committed by Senator Castleberry in receiving more than $600,000 in COVID funds. The funds were approved and paid by the State Department of Social Services.

In a July 26 letter to Senator Castleberry, Attorney General Jackley wrote that the State Supreme Court has ruled that the State Constitution prohibits state legislators from receiving such funds and requested that the Senator repay the funds. Further investigation ensued and a repayment settlement with the Senator has been reached.

Attorney General Jackley’s full statement:

“Our State Constitution prohibits a state legislator from receiving funds he or she is responsible for overseeing. The Attorney General’s investigation has determined that $499,129.79 were inappropriately received by Senator Castleberry and a repayment plan for those taxpayer funds has been established. The investigation further determined that an additional $104,100, that has not been included, passed through directly to qualified needy families and their children, and not to the benefit of Senator Castleberry. The investigation did not reveal any abuse in Senator Castleberry’s expenditure of the $603,229.79 in funds, and all funds were spent for DSS approved purposes. I would like to further thank the Governor’s Office and Senator Castleberry for their cooperation during this investigation.”

A copy of the agreement between the Attorney General’s Office and Sen. Castleberry can be found here.

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Castleberry Settlement Agreement by Pat Powers on Scribd