State Legislator Greg Jamison to Host Sioux Falls Town Hall on Safety, Fiscal Responsibility and Growth

Sioux Falls, SD — State Legislator and longtime Sioux Falls public servant Greg Jamison announced today that he will host a community town hall to hear directly from residents about the most important issues facing the city as it continues to grow.

The conversation will center on three key priorities for Sioux Falls families:

1. Strengthening Public Safety and Neighborhood Stability

Jamison will get input on how to continue to support law enforcement, improve neighborhood well-being, and ensure every part of the city remains safe and secure. “Our first responsibility is safe neighborhoods. Public safety is not a talking point — it’s a promise,” he noted.

2. Fiscal Discipline and Transparent City Government

How do we have responsible budgeting, performance accountability, and protecting taxpayers through efficient and transparent city management. “Every dollar should have a job, and it should work for the people of Sioux Falls,” Jamison said.

3. Managing Growth with Accountability

As Sioux Falls expands, Jamison will gather feedback on strategies to ensure growth pays for itself, protects existing neighborhoods, and preserves the character and affordability that make Sioux Falls strong. “Growth is good — but only when it strengthens us rather than strains us,” Jamison said.

Jamison is encouraging residents to attend and share their concerns, ideas, and hopes for the future. “Sioux Falls is at an important moment. I want to hear what residents are seeing, feeling, and expecting from their city leadership. A strong foundation and a smart future start by listening to the people who call Sioux Falls home.”

Town Hall Details

Date: November 24, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Siouxland Libraries – Downtown Branch 200 N. Dakota Ave. Sioux Falls
Open to: All residents and media

From my e-mail, looks like Minnehaha GOP chair Korry Petterson is done taking the guff of the rebels trying to oust him from the position he was elected to do:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement from Minnehaha County Republican Party Chairman, Korry Petterson.

As Chairman, I must formally address recent actions taken by two Minnehaha County GOP Executive board members — Vice Chair Marsha Symens (Mayor of Dell Rapids) and State Committeewoman Bridget Myers— who, after having held a knowingly unrecognized county meeting, attempted to remove me from and assume control over the Minnehaha County GOP bank account. These actions represent the most egregious in a long line of offenses by the aforementioned board members’ repeated attempts to undermine our county party. Upon notification from the bank, I immediately took the necessary steps to safeguard our assets.

Their attempt to overthrow a duly elected Chairman marks a rinse-and-repeat effort by this small faction, revealing a troubling pattern of disregarding both the committee’s will and the Party’s governing rules. These actions directly challenge the State Central Committee, which, during the July SCC meeting, thoroughly discussed Committeeman Tom Pischke’s (D25 Senate) bylaw amendment to limit and introduce removal procedures for board members—and overwhelmingly rejected it.

I, along with my other fellow elected and at-large board members, remain fully committed to serving you with transparency and proper governance. We ask these board members to join us in the effort to move the party forward into the upcoming election year.

Korry Petterson
Chairman
Minnehaha Republican Party

South Dakota Searchlight has a story today on how one legislative committee is complaining about student performance in South Dakota.

Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, called the department’s review the “worst performing report that we have” and said Department of Education Secretary Joe Graves faces an “uphill battle.”

And..

The department didn’t reach any of the report’s target performance outcomes in the last fiscal year.

For the past five years, the department hasn’t reached its target performance outcomes for reading proficiency, math proficiency, Native American student success or absenteeism. The last time the department met a target for college and career readiness was in fiscal year 2021.

Read the entire story here.

Now compare that to this story from April of this year, where South Dakota hovers towards the bottom of national rankings, certainly the bottom of anything in the region for teacher salaries:

The South Dakota Education Association (SDEA) announces that South Dakota has moved up three positions to rank 46th in average teacher salary according to the latest NEA Rankings and Estimates report. For the 2023–2024 school year, South Dakota’s average teacher salary is $56,328, a significant increase from the previous year’s average of $53,153 when the state ranked 49th. This current rank of 46 is the highest South Dakota has achieved since the report’s inception.

Read that here.

But I’m sure the South Dakota Legislature believes it can solve the problem by stripping funds from public schools, and posting the 10 Commandments on the classroom wall.

Because that’s the best way to solve everything isn’t it?

NEW NFIB SURVEY: Small Business Optimism Takes a Small Step Back as Uncertainty Eases in October
Index declines slightly but remains just above 52-year average, Uncertainty Index fell 12 points

PIERRE, SD (Nov. 14, 2025) – The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined 0.6 points in October to 98.2 but remained above its 52-year average of 98. The Uncertainty Index fell 12 points from September to 88, the lowest reading of this year.

“Optimism among small businesses declined slightly in October as owners report lower sales and reduced profits,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Additionally, many firms are still navigating a labor shortage and want to hire but are having difficulty doing so, with labor quality being the top issue for Main Street.”

“The NFIB report shows small business owners’ primary issues are inflation and staffing shortages,” said NFIB South Dakota State Director Jason Glodt. “South Dakota must prioritize effective solutions to keep small businesses open and investing in our communities.”

In conjunction with the October report, NFIB is also debuting a new podcast: “Small Business by the Numbers” – this is the NFIB Research Center’s new podcast, where we discuss everything related to the small business economy. Guests and host Holly Wade, the Executive Director of the NFIB Research Center, will discuss the data, stories, and economic conditions affecting small businesses nationwide. Listen to the intro episode here.

Key findings include:

• Thirty-two percent (seasonally adjusted) of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, unchanged for the second consecutive month. Before August, the last time unfilled job openings hit 32% was in December 2020.
• In October, 27% of small business owners cited labor quality as their single most important problem, up 9 points from September and the highest level since the record high of 29% in November 2021. Labor quality ranked as the top problem and was 11 points higher than taxes, which ranked second.
• A net negative 13% of all owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months, down 6 points from September.
• The frequency of reports of positive profit trends fell 9 points from September to a net negative 25% (seasonally adjusted). This component contributed the greatest to the decline in the Optimism Index.
• In October, both actual and planned price increases fell from the previous month. The net percent of owners raising average selling prices fell 3 points from September to a net 21% (seasonally adjusted). Looking forward to the next three months, a net 30% (seasonally adjusted) plan to increase prices (down 1 point from September).
• The net percent of owners reporting inventory gains fell 3 points to a net negative 6% (seasonally adjusted). Not seasonally adjusted, 10% reported increases in stocks (unchanged), and 15% reported reductions (up 3 points).
• In October, 60% of small business owners reported that supply chain disruptions were affecting their business to some degree, down 4 points from September.
• The net percent of owners expecting better business conditions fell 3 points from September to a net 20% (seasonally adjusted), the lowest level since April but remaining above the historical average of net 4%.

As reported in NFIB’s monthly jobs report, a seasonally adjusted 32% of all small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in October, unchanged for the second consecutive month. Before August, the last time unfilled job openings hit 32% was in December 2020. Of the 56% of owners hiring or trying to hire in October, 88% reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill. A seasonally adjusted net 15% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, down 1 point from September. This marks the first decline since hiring plans started to increase in May 2025.

Labor costs reported as the single most important problem for business owners fell by 3 points from September to 8%. Seasonally adjusted, a net 26% reported raising compensation, down 5 points from September. A seasonally adjusted net 19% plan to raise compensation in the next three months, unchanged from September.

Fifty-five percent of small business owners reported capital outlays in the last six months, down 1 point from September. Of those making expenditures, 36% reported spending on new equipment, 22% acquired vehicles, and 14% improved or expanded facilities. Thirteen percent spent money on new fixtures and furniture and 3% acquired new buildings or land for expansion. Twenty-three percent (seasonally adjusted) plan capital outlays in the next six months, up 2 points from September.

A net negative 13% of all owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months, down 6 points from September. The net percent of owners expecting higher real sales volumes fell 2 points from September to a net 6% (seasonally adjusted).

The net percent of owners reporting inventory gains fell 3 points to a net negative 6%, seasonally adjusted. Not seasonally adjusted, 10% reported increases in stocks, and 15% reported reductions. A net negative 4% (seasonally adjusted) of owners viewed current inventory stocks as “too low” in October, up 3 points from September’s largest monthly decline in the survey’s history. A net negative 2% (seasonally adjusted) of owners plan inventory investment in the coming months, down 3 points from September.

In October, both actual and planned price increases fell from the previous month. The net percent of owners raising average selling prices fell 3 points from September to a net 21% (seasonally adjusted). Despite the decline, price increases remain above the monthly average of a net 13%, suggesting continued inflationary pressure.

Unadjusted, 31% reported higher average prices (down 2 points), and 12% reported lower average selling prices (up 2 points). Looking forward to the next three months, a net 30% (seasonally adjusted) plan to increase prices (down 1 point from September).

The frequency of reports of positive profit trends fell 9 points from September to a net negative 25% (seasonally adjusted). This component contributed the greatest to the decline in the Optimism Index. Among owners reporting lower profits, 33% blamed weaker sales, 16% cited the rise in the cost of materials, 9% cited price change for their product(s) or service(s), and 9% cited labor costs. Among owners reporting higher profits, 53% cited sales volume,17% cited usual seasonal change, and 11% cited higher selling prices.

A net 5% reported their last loan was harder to get than in previous attempts, down 2 points from September’s highest reading of this year. In October, a net 1% of owners reported paying a higher interest rate on their most recent loan, down 6 points from September. The average rate paid on short maturity loans was 8.7% in October, down 0.1 points from September. Twenty-three percent of all owners reported borrowing on a regular basis, down 3 points from September.

In October, owners’ overall assessment of their business’ health declined from the previous month as more owners reported it as “fair” than “good”. When asked to evaluate the overall health of their business, 12% reported it as excellent (up 1 point), and 51% reported it as good (down 6 points). Thirty-three percent reported the health of their business as fair (up 6 points), and 4% reported it as poor (unchanged).

The net percent of owners expecting better business conditions fell 3 points from September to a net 20% (seasonally adjusted), the lowest level since April but remaining above the historical average of net 4%.

In October, 13% (seasonally adjusted) reported that it is a good time to expand their business, up 2 points from September. Compared to readings during economic expansions, this is a relatively weak reading.

Twenty-seven percent of small business owners reported labor quality as their single most important problem, up 9 points from September and ranking as the top problem. The percent of small business owners reporting labor costs as their single most important problem fell 3 points to 8%.

Twelve percent of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem in operating their business, down 2 points from September.

The percent of small business owners reporting poor sales as their top business problem remained at 10%.

In October, 8% reported the cost or availability of insurance as their single most important problem, unchanged from September. Two percent reported that financing and interest rates was their top business problem in October, down 2 points from September.

Five percent reported competition from large businesses as their single most important problem, unchanged from September.

The NFIB Research Center has collected Small Business Economic Trends data with quarterly surveys since the fourth quarter of 1973 and monthly surveys since 1986. Survey respondents are randomly drawn from NFIB’s membership. The report is released on the second Tuesday of each month. This survey was conducted in October 2025.

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For over 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.

The day before his fundraiser in Pierre, the PAC supporting Governor Larry Rhoden will be hosting a fundraiser at the arrowhead country club in Rapid City.

While there is no host list noted, the ask is $1000 per host and they are capping it at 100 hosts.

You can contact the Strong Safe and Free political action committee if you have an extra thousand dollars lying around.

SECRETARY OF STATE MONAE JOHNSON RECOGNIZES PARTNERSHIP WITH DSU TO STRENGTHEN COUNTY CYBERSECURITY

PIERRE, S.D. — Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson today recognized the ongoing collaboration between the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, Dakota State University (DSU), and the SecureSD program, led by Mike Waldner, in strengthening cybersecurity practices across South Dakota’s counties.

Through this partnership, nearly 100% of South Dakota’s counties are now actively engaged in improving their cybersecurity posture—an important milestone in protecting election systems and local government networks from emerging digital threats.

“Cybersecurity is a cornerstone of election integrity and public trust,” said Secretary Johnson. “Our partnership with Dakota State University and Director of SecureSD, Mike Waldner has been instrumental in helping county officials identify vulnerabilities, implement safeguards, and ensure our systems remain secure and reliable.”

The SecureSD initiative, based at Dakota State University, provides hands-on technical assistance and training to counties and municipalities statewide. Through collaboration with the Secretary of State’s Office and the Division of Elections, SecureSD has delivered cybersecurity assessments, awareness training, and best-practice recommendations tailored to county-level election operations.

Mike Waldner, Director of SecureSD, commended the partnership’s progress. “With Secretary Johnson’s leadership, we’ve been able to reach nearly every county in South Dakota. Together, we’re ensuring that local governments have the knowledge and tools they need to safeguard voter data and maintain confidence in our democratic processes.”

The partnership will continue into 2026, focusing on training opportunities, technology enhancements, and proactive support for counties preparing for upcoming elections.

For more information visit: https://sdsos.gov/default.aspx

Jean Hunhoff Announces Candidacy for South Dakota State Senate, District 18

“When People Matter, Experience Matters.”

YANKTON, S.D. — Jean Hunhoff today announced her candidacy for the South Dakota State Senate Republican primary, pledging to bring her experience and practical leadership back to Pierre to serve the people of District 18.

“Leadership isn’t about headlines. It’s about people,” Hunhoff said. “I have always believed public service means listening first, working together, and doing what’s right for South Dakota families. That’s why I’m running for the State Senate because when people matter, experience matters.”

Rooted in the values of hard work, service, and community that define southeastern South Dakota, Jean has dedicated her life to caring for people and strengthening the region she calls home. A nurse and small business owner, she has spent her career helping others, and her years in local government and the legislature earned her a reputation for asking tough questions, managing budgets responsibly, and finding common sense solutions to complex challenges.
Hunhoff’s priorities reflect the conversations she’s had with people across Yankton and Clay Counties: parents, business owners, farmers, educators, and health-care professionals who want steady, practical leadership focused on results.

“This campaign is not about going back. It is about putting experience to work for South Dakotans once again,” Hunhoff said. “It is time to return to a kind of service that puts people ahead of politics and delivers real results for our communities.”

As a Republican candidate for District 18, Hunhoff said her focus will remain on strengthening families, supporting education, helping local businesses succeed, protecting access to health care, and ensuring that the next generation can build their future right here at home.

Hunhoff and her husband, Dan, raised their family in Yankton and continue to be active in community life.

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Editor’s note – you can donate to Jean’s campaign to run for office at https://www.jeanhunhoff.com/donate

Johnson’s Statement on Ending the Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) released the following statement after voting again to fund the government and end the longest government shutdown in American history:

“This was the dumbest government shutdown in history,” said Johnson. “Unnecessary pain was inflicted on the American people, our economy, and our national security. I am grateful for the Democrats who were willing to partner with Republicans to open our government. I’ve been vocal in calling for the shutdown to end, and I introduced legislation that would prevent government shutdowns from ever happening again.”

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I’ve managed to get my mitts on the fundraising announcement for the Larry Rhoden for Governor fundraiser in Pierre on Wednesday for November 19th.   Please note that Larry clearly indicates that  he’s running for Governor on this invite.

And as you might expect, there are a number of Department Secretaries and other top brass in state government who are noted as hosts who have a pecuniary interest in having their current boss return to the position once again in 2026. (It’s almost like their job depends on it):

50% of the host couples have at least one member of the household holding high position in state government under Governor Rhoden. Plus, there’s a few other assorted government officials not under the Governor’s control such as Commissioner of School & Lands Brock Greenfield, PUC Commissioner Gary Hanson, State Auditor Rich Sattgast, and new Deputy State Treasurer Mitch Krebs.

Stay tuned, as things are about to get more interesting!

From the Dakota Scout comes a story that an e-mailed invite has gone out for what is allegedly an announcement event out in Rapid City next week. (I’m guessing they must have forgotten my e-mail address – pp):

While Rhoden’s campaign will not confirm or deny that a decision has been made about the governor’s political future beyond 2026, multiple sources of The Dakota Scout have confirmed Rhoden will enter the race. His campaign on Tuesday also began circulating a digital invitation to a political event where he’s set to share his plans — a run for governor.

“Join Governor Larry Rhoden as he makes a special announcement about his plans to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free,” reads the otherwise nondescript listing for the Nov. 18 event.

Read the entire story here.