South Dakota News

South Dakota House nears Ravnsborg impeachment decision

Jason Ravnsborg interviewed by police following fatal crash SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A South Dakota House committee investigating whether state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg should be impeached for his conduct surrounding a 2020 fatal car crash is set to finish its work this week. Lawmakers are wrapping up an investigation that has splintered the state’s Republicans over what to do…

South Dakota hires New York firm to track medical marijuana sales

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Health has hired a New York-based software company to help monitor the flow of marijuana in the state’s legal medical marijuana market. The contract with Metrc was finalized this month. Metrc will use “radio-frequency identification” to track cannabis from seed to sale. The company uses software to collect data from growers,…

White House releases report on Native American voting rights

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Local, state and federal officials must do more to ensure Native Americans facing persistent, longstanding and deep-rooted barriers to voting have equal access to ballots, a White House report released Thursday said. Native Americans and Alaska Natives vote at lower rates than the national average but have been a key constituency in tight races and states with…

Planned Parenthood North Central receives $20 million

PIERRE, S.D. – Planned Parenthood North Central States has received $20 million from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. It’s the largest donation in the organization’s history. North Central States operates 28 facilities in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, says the donation brings tremendous relief because costs of providing care are…

Rapid City hotel owner wants to ban Native Americans from property

In addition to blaming the mayor, police chief, sheriff, candidate for sheriff and the court system, a local hotel bans all Native Americans for a shooting a few days ago on hotel property. Neither the shooting or Grand Gateway’s response to it reflect our community values. pic.twitter.com/vA9oXND0qi — Steve Allender (@Mayor_Allender) March 21, 2022 RAPID CITY, S.D. – A social…

Noem signs bill banning ‘divisive’ university race trainings

South Dakota CapitolPIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a bill she has promoted as a rejection of critical race theory, even though the legislation is limited in scope. The law bans the state’s public universities from using training and orientation material that compels people to feel “discomfort” based on their race. The bill passed the Senate…

Canadian Pacific work stoppage could hit U.S. agriculture

DETROIT – Canadian Teamsters and CP Rail blamed each other for a work stoppage that stopped trains across Canada and interrupted shipments to and from the U.S. More than 3,000 CP Rail conductors, engineers, train and yard workers represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference are off the job after negotiators failed to reach a deal by a midnight deadline….

Noem signs bill banning donations for election costs

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a bill to bar state election officials from accepting donations for election operating costs. Noem took aim at a 2020 donation by Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan donated $350 million nationwide to help local election offices collect and count ballots. Noem has joined in accusing…