There have been more than 5 million illegal crossings of our southern border since President Biden took office. Title 42 ended May 11, a policy that has allowed border patrol to turn migrants away due to public health concerns. Fentanyl is flowing across the border in record numbers.

President Biden’s open-border policies have created a national security crisis, drug crisis, and crime crisis across America. I’ve joined my colleagues many times urging the President and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas to put a plan in place to secure our border when Title 42 ended. We’ve known the end date of Title 42 for years, even providing an extension to allow more time for a plan to develop.

May 11 has come and gone, and the Biden Administration has yet to implement legitimate policies to secure the border. This week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and even Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs of Arizona expressed concern about the influx of migrants crossing the border into their states. They cannot ignore the situation at the border, and neither can we. Every state has become a border state.

House Republicans have been working on a plan to secure the border for months and it passed the House on Thursday. OurSecure the Border Act would put policies in place that would do the following:

• Restart construction of the border wall using funds appropriated by Congress that President Biden has refused to spend
• Implement border enforcement policies, infrastructure, and advanced technology to help Border Patrol Agents
• Increase the number of Border Patrol agents
• End catch and release policies
• Reinstates the Remain in Mexico policy provisions
• End the Administration’s abuse of executive immigration authority

Politics has been played long enough—former Speaker Pelosi blocked border solutions from coming to the floor the last four years. The crisis is real. We must repair the situation at the border to ensure America is a nation that’s safe.

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I still remember the first time I was invited to my mother-in-law’s home for dinner when I was dating Bryon. I hadn’t really talked to Sharon or my father-in-law, Al, very much before, and I was nervous.

Sharon is well-known for making her coffee the “old-fashioned way.” She mixes the coffee grounds with an egg and boils it on the stove, then lets the grounds settle to the bottom of the pot before serving. After filling the cups around the table that day, she sat it in the middle of the table for everyone to help themselves when they needed more. It was amazing! It was the most wonderful, smooth coffee I had ever tasted, and I quickly drained my cup and asked for more. As Bryon handed me the hot pot of coffee, our hands got tangled, and the entire pot emptied into my lap! As the boiling liquid seeped through my jeans and started to burn the skin on my legs, it seemed to grow even hotter. The entire family jumped into action, but it was Sharon who was brave enough to state the obvious – “you’ve got to get those jeans away from your skin to let the heat out!” I excused myself to the bathroom as Sharon handed me cold rags, ointment, and ice. She kept apologizing for that “darn hot coffee,” saying, “what was I thinking? I’m so sorry, Kristi,” all the way to the bathroom. I was humiliated, in pain from the blistering skin, and wondering what I was going to say when I went back to the dinner.

When I returned to the table, everyone asked how I was and expressed concern. And, once again, Sharon apologized. Then, she made a joke about herself and changed the conversation so we could all relax and enjoy the evening.

I learned everything I needed to know about my mother-in-law that evening. She’s a woman who does things with excellence, even if that means they take a little longer to get done. She loves her family enough to work all day helping on the farm and then come in to host a family meal so they could fellowship together. She is caring, helpful, quick to act, and eager to make everyone feel welcome and at ease – even if it meant humbling herself to do so. She loves to laugh, and when hurts come, she not only gives comfort, but helps people move forward.

Sharon is a remarkable woman. When I describe her to people, I often try to summarize her talents and gifts by saying, “she is basically Martha Stewart and Betty Crocker all rolled up into one person.” But she is so much more than that. Her heart is good. I don’t remember Sharon ever getting angry or sharing a cross word with me, though I’m sure I gave her plenty of reasons to do so.

Early on in my marriage with Bryon, I know I prioritized time with my family and siblings. I wasn’t as responsive as I should have been, and I could have been a better daughter-in-law. Politics can also be very negative at times. And for a family who hasn’t been exposed to that environment before, I’m sure it has been challenging.

I know that not all South Dakotans get to enjoy a wonderful mother-in-law like I do. I consider her one of God’s greatest gifts to me and our family. This Mother’s Day, I want to make sure she knows it. I know she isn’t flawless, but she is perfect for our family. And for that I am so grateful.

Families are flawed, people mess up, and there can be deep hurts and loss incurred for different reasons. This Mother’s Day, thank your mom for being as good as she could be. If you don’t have a mom, find a mom who doesn’t have a daughter or a son and help fill that hole. Think of those who have lost a mom and send them a quick text or make a phone call to let them know you haven’t forgotten their loved one either.

We never know how much time we have left to let people care. This Mother’s Day let’s make the most of it.

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So hearing more through the grapevine on my report of the Tornow Law Office going dark, and Tornow turning in his law license.

I’m told that Tornow announced at the Minnehaha County luncheon yesterday that he allegedly retired from his law practice to concentrate on running the Minnehaha County party.

He does know that doesn’t pay, doesn’t he?

Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Former State Representative Jerome B. Lammers

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, May 13, 2023, in honor of former State Representative Jerome B. Lammers. He served in the South Dakota State Legislature from 1977-1992.

Funeral services for former Rep. Lammers will take place at 2:00 pm on May 13, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church, 122 Grant Ave N, Madison, SD, 57042. 

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Just as an addition to the release from the Governor’s office, in case you’re not familiar with Jerry Lammers, he was one of the most powerful men in the State Legislature for a number of years.  A true giant in the process before the days of term limits ended the tenure of many statesmen.  Lammers held many positions, including LRC Executive Board member 1979-1986, LRC Executive Board Chairman 1979-1980, Speaker Pro Tempore 1981-1982,  Speaker of the House 1983-1984, Majority Whip 1986, and House Majority Leader 1987-1992.

In 1993, Lammers was almost a member of the Board of Regents, until Democrats went in for payback for all the times he had stymied them in the House of Representatives, and caused Governor Mickelson to pull his Regental nominees. The action of Democrats also drew a sharp rebuke from Lt. Governor Walt Miller, who noted in part..

You can read his obituary in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader here.

And Rapid City bubbles to the top of the crazy bucket another time this week, in a far worse way than someone shimmying up a billboard to vandalize it.

In a breaking story from the Rapid City Journal, a School Board Candidate had apparently tweeted in 2019 that he was “Ready and willing to die taking out evil Democrats.”

Local businessman and Marine veteran Gerald Alvin Harvey II replied to a post from Barbara Lee, a California Democrat and then-candidate for House, on Twitter June 13, 2019, writing: “There will BE ANOTJER[sic] CIVIL WAR…AND EVER[sic] DEMOCRAT WILL BE EXICUTED[sic]..YOU HAVE F***ED MY COUNTRY UP ENOUGH. IM READY AND WILLING TO DIE TAKING OUT EVIL DEMOCRATS FOR MY VOUNTRY[sic] AND MY President…” That same day, also in response to Lee, Harvey wrote: “THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CIVIL WAR AND ALL OF YOU EVIL DEMOCRATS WILL BE EXICUTED[sic].. GO MAKE YOU EVIL C**TS.”

Harvey admitted to the Journal during a nearly hour long phone call Wednesday night that he wrote those tweets and “was probably drinking” at the time.

Read that here.

And yes, it is still there on Twitter...

But it’s ok. He told the Rapid City Journal “was probably drinking.”

But the rollercoaster of crazy doesn’t stop there. Because we also have allegations and an admission of domestic violence. (and protection orders)

When asked if there were any domestic abuse cases filed against him, Harvey said he had “a domestic thing” with a separate woman “about 35 years ago,” where he slapped her. He followed by saying he doesn’t believe hitting women is right, but that he grew up “in a different time.”

“Why did I do it? I slapped her. She, uh…whatever. I lost control,” Harvey said.

Go read the article here.

Threatening to kill people while he’s drinking, protection orders, and slapping women.. OF COURSE he’s running for the Rapid City School Board. Because that’s what we need more of in our schools today.

If you read one article today, go read this one.  Good god.

Gov. Noem and Colleagues Oppose Biden’s Proposed Changes to Title IX

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem and 24 of her fellow Republican governors sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona opposing the Biden Administration’s proposed rule changes regarding Title IX and the fairness of girls’ and women’s sports. You can read the letter here. 

“The proposed rule could prevent states from enforcing our duly-enacted statutes protecting fairness in women’s and girls’ sports,” wrote Governor Noem and her colleagues. “If not withdrawn, we are gravely concerned about the impact that the Department’s wholesale reinvention of Title IX’s terms would have on states’ ability to enforce their laws and policies as written.”

Governor Noem has been a leader in the country for fairness in girls’ and women’s sports. Last year, she signed the toughest bill in the nation to protect girls’ sports. She followed that action by leading a letter co-signed by 15 Republican governors urging the Biden Administration not to take this action. That letter stated, “if your administration chooses to move forward with these reinterpretations of Title IX…our states will have no choice but to pursue avenues to redress any harm that is done to our children as a result.”

“Defending the many hard-fought, historic athletic achievements over the last half century is far more than a matter of safety for female athletes. It also protects essential fairness.” continued Governor Noem and the other governors. “This administration apparently sees no irony that its policies validate an average male athlete stealing the recognition from a truly remarkable female athlete whose lifelong athletic discipline and achievements are discarded based on a deliberate misreading of a law whose very purpose was to protect, preserve, and encourage women’s athletics.”

Governor Noem was joined by the following Republican governors in issuing the statement: 

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon. 

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Gov. Noem Signs Executive Order Responding to Public Health Crisis

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Noem has signed Executive Order 2023-07 to take immediate action to address the public health crisis caused by the nationwide shortage of critical medications.

“My top priority as Governor is the health and safety of the people of South Dakota,” said Governor Noem. “The Biden Administration’s failure to address this shortage is causing patient care to suffer, creating delays in treatment, and increasing the risk of medication errors and the use of less effective alternative treatments. Once again, South Dakota will step up and be the leader that Biden refuses to be.”

Medication shortages in the United States increased by 30% from 2021 to 2022, and they reached a five-year high at the end of last year with 295 active drug shortages.

This Executive Order directs the South Dakota Department of Health to investigate the medication shortages in the state, identify opportunities to mitigate these medication shortages, and provide the governor a report on their findings no later than June 12, 2023.

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The “Free-dumb Caucus” strikes again.  I know I’m dumber for having read it, but it did generate mirth this afternoon.

So, I was sent the semi-anonymous release from the Free-Dumb Caucus this afternoon, whining about the Austin Goss charges, and how he pled them down to disorderly conduct.

State Representative Tina Mulally’s name is the point of contact on the release, but no one would apparently lay claim to actually saying the words, as the statement lays out it’s anonymous griping about the whole situation. It reads in part..

The South Dakota Freedom Caucus issued a statement after former reporter Austin Goss pled guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct, for a private, prank call made to Republican party Chairman Dan Lederman last year.

…

South Dakota investigative journalist Austin Goss was forced to plead down to a Class 2 misdemeanor of disorderly conduct for a private, prank phone call to former Republican party Chairman Dan Lederman last year, after numerous investigative reports into the Noem administration, the Republican party and other powerful players in the state.

and yadda, yadda, yadda.

Now, here’s the part that’s completely laughable.

First off, it’s very courageous how they bravely brought up the rear. But they probably should have given it a bit more thought.

The part where they complain that Goss was charged with violating a law, which was pled down to disorderly conduct? Two of the three members of the Free-dumb caucus were sponsors of the bill that created the crime.

As always, don’t take my word for it. Read for yourself..

Under sponsors of the measure, we have Tina Mulally and Tony Randolph who signed their name to the bill as sponsors prohibiting forms of caller identification manipulation, and imposing a penalty therefor.

So, they were against people spoofing caller id, and now they’re for it?

Because that’s what they’re complaining about.  Unless it’s the selective enforcement of laws that they’re looking for.

Hopefully they’ll figure that out before they’re inflicted on the legislature this next session.

If they don’t like the law, repeal it. If they don’t like who was charged, create a “friends of Tina & Tony” criminal exemption.

Absent that, they might want to think the next time they decide to chirp about a law they themselves sponsored as being unjust.

RECALL PETITIONS TURNED INTO BALTIC CITY HALL

BALTIC, SD – Today South Dakotans for Transparent Government has turned in the petitions to set an election regarding the recall of Mayor Deborah McIsaac.

The signature requirement for the petition is 15% of the voters at the last general election, which in the case of Baltic would be 136. South Dakotans for Transparent Government gathered 163signatures, or over 115% of the requirement.

“These petitions are proof that there is community support for the recall effort” said Jamie Ingemansen, chair of South Dakotans for Transparent Government. “The citizens of Baltic arec learly ready for a change, and we look forward to the election date being announced and overcoming any obstacles that stand in the way.”

Mayor McIsaac has stated that she intends to challenge the grounds on which the recall is based.Per South Dakota law, she is prohibited from using city resources for a political purpose, including any city legal resources or special counsel.

South Dakotans for Transparent Government looks forward to the acceptance of the signatures from the Baltic City Council.

For media inquiries, please email info@recallmcisaac.com

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 Advanced Technology Solves 46-Year-old Missing Person Mystery

PIERRE, S.D. – A man who has been without a name for 46 years now has one.

Thanks to the diligent efforts of staff members from the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and current forensic technology, the body of a deceased male found in the Missouri River near Pierre on Aug. 9, 1976 has now been finally identified.

“Modern Technology has assisted law enforcement in solving this 46-year-old cold case,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “An autopsy was conducted which resulted in a probable cause of death by drowning and there is no further evidence of foul play.”

The body was found floating in the Missouri River eight miles east of Farm Island near Pierre. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, and there was no identification on the person. Partial fingerprints were obtained from the individual, but without a potential subject to compare them to, no match could be made.

Ultimately, all efforts to identify the individual which were available to law enforcement at the time had failed and he was buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Pierre as “Unknown Man”.  Throughout the years, the gravesite was tended to by Gertrude Stone of Pierre and then later by her daughter, Cheryl Stone, also of Pierre.

In 2020, the now cold case was reopened by Pierre Police Department Detective Trevor Swanson and a permit was obtained from a judge to exhume the remains of the unidentified individual. The remains were disinterred on Oct. 8, 2021, and samples were collected in order to obtain a DNA profile.

In 2022, Detective Swanson started work as a Special Agent with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, but he remained assigned to the case. With assistance from the South Dakota Forensic Laboratory, the unidentified individual’s DNA profile was compared to results found in genetic genealogy databases which resulted in a potential match for 39-year-old Stephen Earl Boice, whose last known address was Seattle, WA.

Investigators obtained a fingerprint card that had been collected from Stephen on Feb.15, 1962. The South Dakota Forensic Laboratory compared Stephen’s fingerprint card to the fingerprints collected from the unidentified individual and determined that they were made by the same person.

Investigators contacted Stephen’s closest living relatives, informed them of efforts to identify the body, and delivered the death notification. At their request, Stephen’s remains were reinterred last fall at Riverside Cemetery. The internment ceremony was attended by members of the Attorney General’s Office, law enforcement, and the Pierre Police Department Chaplin.

A permanent headstone marker was placed at the gravesite in April..

“I want to thank everyone who spent so much time on this case,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Thanks to them, this family now has some closure about what happened to their loved one.”

The Division of Criminal Investigation and the state Forensic Lab are part of the Attorney General’s Office.

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