FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAVNSBORG ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF JAY SEKULOW AND STAFF AS CO-COUNSEL IN PRO-LIFE APPEAL 

PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg has prepared the following statement regarding the appointment of co-counsel in the appeal to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in the matter of Planned Parenthood v. Noem. 

“As Attorney General I have made the rights of the unborn a priority. For many years, Planned Parenthood has denied South Dakota women access to free counseling that is needed to properly inform their consent to the abortion procedure and protect them from coercion and pressure from others to have an unwanted abortion. The South Dakota Attorney General’s office is tasked with defending all state statutes, including South Dakota’s abortion counseling statute. Consequently, after the District Court denied the state’s motion to dissolve the injunction on the state’s counseling statute, I consulted the notable constitutional scholar Jay Sekulow. Mr. Sekulow has served as President Trump’s lawyer and has argued numerous cases in the United States Supreme Court and federal Circuit Courts of Appeals. 

As a result of our conversations, Mr. Sekulow and his staff have agreed to co-counsel with attorneys here in the South Dakota Attorney General’s office on the appeal now before the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. To that end, I have appointed Mr. Sekulow and his staff Special Assistant Attorneys General to work alongside attorneys in the South Dakota Attorney General’s office to assist in preparing the state’s case for the next stage of this litigation in the federal appeals courts. Mr. Sekulow brings a wealth of experience in the areas of First Amendment and pro-life litigation in the federal courts. His office’s participation in this case reflects the merits of the state’s counseling statute, the strength of state’s legal position and the importance of this case in the legal fight for the unborn.” 

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Rounds Announces $11.2 Million Grant Awarded to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for DoD Cold Weather Research

Funding for this project has been Rounds’ top defense appropriations request for three years

WASHINGTON—Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has been awarded a $11.2 million grant to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL). This new project called “Materials and Manufacturing for Cold Regions” will be conducted over a five-year time span, with funding going to faculty and student research at the School of Mines from multiple engineering and science disciplines. The team will develop advanced materials and manufacturing technology in support of the U.S. Army’s global military objectives in cold and remote regions.

“I congratulate South Dakota School of Mines and the Army Corps of Engineers on this important collaborative research effort,” said Rounds. “Thanks to the work that has already begun, the conditions have been set for the research team to design enduring systems and processes for use in cold and remote conditions. The success of this vital program is critical to the joint force’s ability to meet National Defense Strategy objectives to fight and win in extreme cold weather environments.” 

“U.S. Senator Mike Rounds along with members of the US Senate Armed Services Committee and other members of our congressional delegation have been instrumental in supporting this sort of research that is critical for our military to protect the nation’s interests in cold regions of the world,” said Dr. Grant Crawford, professor of materials and metallurgical engineering at South Dakota Mines. “Through this partnership we will apply materials and manufacturing research expertise and infrastructure, developed over the past two decades by numerous Mines faculty, staff and students, to support the critical needs of our nation’s armed forces. It’s a perfect opportunity for us and we look forward to the new partnership.”

“This research has the potential to be a win-win,” said Dr. Jim Rankin, President of the South Dakota Mines. “It will aid our nation’s defense and it will lead to new technology, new materials and new manufacturing processes that will spin-off into start-up companies right here in the Black Hills. This translates to more local high-paying jobs for our graduates and an economic boost to our community.”

Background:

CRREL solves interdisciplinary and strategically important challenges for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Department of Defense (DoD) and the nation by advancing and applying science and engineering to complex environments, materials and processes in all seasons and climates, with unique core competencies related to the Earth’s cold regions.

School of Mines faculty and students will focus on three main research areas in support of CRREL.

Advanced Materials: This includes lightweight composites that offer thermal insulation and low temperature ballistics capability to support armor for soldiers, equipment, vehicles and structures. This also includes multifunctional shape memory materials that can be used for damage tolerant devices and energy harvesting in cold environments.

Advanced Repair and Manufacturing Technologies: This includes friction stir welding/processing and cold spray technologies that can be used to repair broken parts and produce lightweight structures in cold regions.

Advanced Coatings: This includes both thick and thin film coatings that offer advanced wear and corrosion resistance, anti-icing capability, and are tailored for use in earths cold regions to extend the lifetime of equipment, structures and devices.

School of Mines faculty and researchers involved in the project include Dr. Grant Crawford, Dr. David Salem, Dr. Bharat Jasthi, Dr. Nick Bruno, Dr. Forest Thompson, Dr. Satish Bhattiprolu, Dr. Leila Sorkhi, Joshua Hammell, Todd Curtis, Michael Carter and James Tomich. Thirteen members of CRREL and the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) joined Mines researchers for a meeting on the Mines campus last week.

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Jay Sekulow to Represent South Dakota in Planned Parenthood v. Noem

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Noem and the State of South Dakota have retained attorney Jay Sekulow and the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) to join the State’s legal team in the ongoing Planned Parenthood v. Noem litigation. South Dakota is appealing the current ruling to the United States 8^th Circuit Court of Appeals.

“Jay is a brilliant conservative legal mind,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “He’s argued 12 Supreme Court cases, including several religious liberty and pro-life cases. He will bring the same tenacity to protecting unborn children here in South Dakota.”

The State of South Dakota’s appeal in Planned Parenthood v. Noem seeks to uphold the South Dakota state law requiring that a pregnant woman consult with a pregnancy help center before deciding whether to abort her unborn child. This will ensure that women considering an abortion have all of the facts regarding their unborn child and the potential risks of an abortion procedure.

“On behalf of the ACLJ, I am honored to represent Governor Noem and the good people of South Dakota,” said Jay Sekulow. “This common-sense legislation protects mothers and the unborn children.

Jay Sekulow is Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. Sekulow led President Donald J. Trump’s defense team in its impeachment acquittal in January 2020. He is an accomplished Supreme Court advocate, renowned expert on religious liberty, a #1 New York Times bestselling author, and a respected broadcaster. You can learn more about Jay here.

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Marty Jackley is back in mailboxes today with a campaign piece in his impending run for his former office, as he solicits the support of possible SDGOP delegates and supporters:

MartyJackleyforAG.pdf by Pat Powers on Scribd

State Representative John Mills didn’t seem to earn any brownie points with Governor Noem today, as he is the chief legislative source for a hit piece written today at the National Review website attacking Governor Noem, mainly over legislation which would have prohibited transgendered people from participating in high school sports.

Of which there aren’t any right now, but whatever:

But even as she began to position herself as a national contender in the first months of 2021, Noem’s status as a rising Republican star has been dampened by a number of controversies back home. Most notably, her surprise “style-and-form” veto of House Bill 1217 — a law that would have banned biological males from competing in women’s sports — did serious damage to the young governor’s star power. The move effectively gutted the legislation and hurt her self-styled image as a staunch conservative fighter; Noem was accused of caving to the demands of the NCAA, Amazon, and the number of other powerful left-leaning corporations that had opposed the legislation. For many of those on the right who had viewed her as an island of sanity and courage, the decision was a betrayal.

and..

I think one of the most common words that I have heard in recent years in relation to the governor is ‘disappointment,’” says John Mills, a Republican lawmaker representing South Dakota’s House District 4. “And you know, many of us who had high hopes for her have felt that disappointment.”

Noem’s office declined to give an interview but pushed back firmly in an emailed statement on any suggestion that the governor is being improperly influenced.

“Nobody is making decisions for her,” a spokesman tells National Review.

Read the entire article here.

Several months back at a local GOP meeting, Rep. Mills and Senator VJ Smith got in a bit of a loud disagreement across the meeting room over transgendered people in sports, with Rep. Mills having a biblical view of transgenderism in sports, and Senator Smith having an opposing view over whether legislation was needed.

So, I’m not surprised over his vocal opinion.. but maybe a little surprised he’d take after the Governor in this manner as part of a hit piece.

Ultimately, Governor Noem has to do just that – govern. And that’s not just govern those who consider themselves conservative christians, but everyone who lives in the state, regardless of party. And dying on the hill of legislation that would affect 2-3 people across her entire term of office, versus letting the High School Activities Association deal with it on as as needed basis, seems a lot more sensible.

Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of Former Legislator Bob Faehn

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sundown on Friday, September 17 in honor of former State Representative Robert (Bob) Faehn. Faehn served as state representative from 2005 to 2010, including as Majority Leader from 2009 to 2010 and as Majority Whip from 2007 to 2008.

“Bob was a dear friend, and it was a tremendous privilege to serve as his assistant majority leader. Bryon and I are praying for his family,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “He was a tremendous statesman and a gentleman besides. He advocated tirelessly on behalf of South Dakota’s technical colleges, helping to make them among the very best in America.”

A memorial service for Faehn will be held on Friday, September 17, 2:00 pm CT at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown.

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If you saw the coverage of the rally across the street from Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls yesterday, there appears to be a bit of a story behind the story.

It appears that the “Medical Freedom” rally which took place in Sioux falls yesterday with State Representative Jon Hansen and Anti-Vaxxer Mya Olson was less an organic movement of concerned citizens, and more an organized political rally. At least, according to a filing with the Secretary of State from the organization that sponsored said rally.

On Facebook and elsewhere, a poster declared the march to be sponsored or at least in conjunction with a group calling themselves “Patriot Ripple Effect.”

Well, ok. But who are they?   There’s not really a readily available Facebook presence or website. Just an e-mail address. But despite the flyer lacking any sort of political disclaimer, according to a June 9 filing with the Secretary of State, “Ripple Effect” actually seems to be organized as a Political Action Committee:

Ripple Effect Sdcfdisclosure by Pat Powers on Scribd

With Adam Broin acting as President of the group, and former Minnehaha Co GOP Chair Dave Roetman noted as the group’s Treasurer on the filing, “Ripple Effect” expressly delineates as their “Statement of Purpose or Goals” that the group exists “To support candidates for office in South Dakota.”  Which doesn’t seem to have much to do with promoting “Medical Freedom.”

Broin was speaking as part of the “Medical Freedom” Rally yesterday as part of the group’s sponsorship of the event…

But that wasn’t the first time he’s been in front of a crowd speaking about his organization. Apparently, Broin was representing the “Ripple Effect” group as part of the fringe “Primary John Thune” group’s America First rally in Sioux Falls, (ironically, Bruce Whalen cited the date of the rally as when he caught COVID).

(Broin’s comments start at about 1:48)

It kind of leaves you wondering what the group is actually up to, and what the goal is they’re trying to accomplish.

The group seems to be insinuating themselves into Sioux Falls political scene on behalf of the most hard-right elements in politics. And given their participation in the Anti-Thune rally, and stated goal to “support candidates for office in South Dakota,” it remains to be seen who they’ll be promoting in the upcoming election.

So, keep your eyes open. And stay tuned.

The Argus Leader has a story this morning on David Barranco’s entrance into the Sioux Falls City Council race for Rick Kiley’s seat being vacated in 2022:

David Barranco filed a statement of organization Monday, stating he would be running to represent the southeast district, a seat currently occupied by Councilor Rick Kiley, who is term-limited.

The paperwork was filed shortly after an active campaign website with pages on his personal life, vision for Sioux Falls, donations and campaigning went live.

Go read the entire story here.

And make sure you check out Dave’s website at https://www.barranco.solutions/

After a long illness, former Republican House Majority Leader Bob Faehn passed away on Monday.

From the obituary:

Bob Faehn, age 63 of Watertown, SD passed away September 13, 2021.

Services will be 2:00 pm, Friday, September 17, 2021 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown.

Visitation will be from 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm, with a prayer service at 7:30 pm., on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.

Burial will be private.

The family asks that memorials be directed to the Watertown Area Breast Cancer Support Group, 25 Third Ave SW, Watertown, SD 57201.

Read and offer your remembrance here.

Bob served in the South Dakota House for 6 years, serving as Majority Whip and later Majority Leader from 2009-2010.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Sioux Falls City Council races are starting to get more active with candidates starting to make it known that “they’re in,” such as Mayor Paul TenHaken announcing re-election yesterday.

I’ve heard rumors that other candidates are quietly getting prepped to run, including for the council seat currently held Janet Brekke. Word is that people are thinking she could stand to move on down the road.  Curt Soehl is also up, but not a big movement to challenge him.

With term limits coming into play, Councilor Christine Erickson and Rick Kiley are termed out in 2022. And for Kiley’s seat, one aspirant for the Council is making it known that he’s in the race for the open seat.

David Barranco is getting ready to move forward with his candidacy and this past Friday announced to friends privately that he’s running, and is noting his interest, in an e-mail statement provided to SDWC:

In 2022, when Councilman Kiley’s term ends, his seat will be open. I am excited to run for that position. My hope is to serve working families, keeping a pragmatic, problem-solving focus. I’m dedicated to building a bright future for Sioux Falls, with a strong economy and reliable infrastructure.

I’m passionate about expanding the local workforce and creating more affordable housing. As a husband, father, and FCA coach, I’m dedicated to keeping kids safe by supporting law enforcement and defending public health. I’ll endeavor to grow pet-friendly spaces, reduce automobile traffic, and plant thousands of trees. Most importantly, I’ll strive to be a cooperative consensus builder — one who embraces good policy but eschews divisive rhetoric.

After the last couple of years, can we have a Sioux Falls city campaign that isn’t divisive? We’ll see!

Congratulations for David for his willingness to serve, and it should be interesting to see who else announces in the coming months.

Stay tuned!