GOV. KRISTI NOEM

Abortion pill limit headed to South Dakota Senate

South Dakota CapitolPIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Republican senators advanced a proposal from Gov. Kristi Noem that would make the state one of the most difficult to get abortion pills. A vote on the Senate floor has not been scheduled. But its actual enactment depends on a federal court ruling. Every Republican on the Senate Health and Human Services committee…

South Dakota House limits Noem’s ‘critical race theory’ reach

South Dakota CapitolPIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota lawmakers are recommending that the state bar universities from requiring students and employees to attend trainings that teach “divisive” concepts about race, religion and national origin. Gov. Kristi Noem has says the proposal would “protect” students from critical race theory. But Republican lawmakers on the House Education committee made significant revisions Wednesday to…

Noem’s abortion ban proposal dismissed by lawmakers

South Dakota CapitolPIERRE, S.D. – A Republican-controlled South Dakota House committee has declined to consider a bill from Republican Gov. Kristi Noem that would ban nearly all abortions. It deals a major blow to a top item on the governor’s agenda. Noem’s proposal would have mimicked the private enforcement of a Texas law and prohibited abortions once medical professionals can…

Federal judge halts Noem’s abortion pill restriction rule

PIERRE, S.D. – A federal judge has temporarily halted a South Dakota rule from taking effect that would have made the state one of the hardest places in the U.S. to get abortion pills. U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier granted a request from Planned Parenthood for a restraining order on a state Department of Health rule that was set to…

Arguments set in Mount Rushmore fireworks appeal

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Oral arguments are set for next month in the latest round in Gov. Kristi Noem’s legal fight to shoot off fireworks at Mount Rushmore. A three-judge panel from the 8th U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis will hear arguments on Jan 12. Both sides will get 15 minutes to speak. Noem filed a federal lawsuit…

Noem drafts bill to block critical race theory in schools, colleges

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has drafted a bill that would block teaching critical race theory in South Dakota schools, public universities and technical colleges. Critical race theory is an academic concept that originated in the 1970s. It focuses on how racism is embedded in legal systems in the United States. South Dakota education officials say…

South Dakota Supreme Court rules against pot legalization

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld a lower court’s ruling that nullified a voter-passed amendment to the state constitution that would have legalized recreational marijuana use. Gov. Kristi Noem instigated the legal fight to strike down the amendment passed by voters in November. The Republican governor opposed marijuana legalization, but her administration argued in court that…

Vaccine mandate protesters sue South Dakota over permit

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Protesters against COVID-19 vaccine mandates in South Dakota are suing Gov. Kristi Noem after the state denied their application to demonstrate on Capitol grounds during a special legislative session this month. The group of protesters say they planned to hold a demonstration next week to push the Legislature to take up a bill that would keep…

South Dakota AG reviewing Noem’s meeting with daughter

Jason RavnsborgSIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota attorney general says he is reviewing concerns from state lawmakers over a meeting Gov. Kristi Noem held last year that included both her daughter and a state employee who was overseeing her daughter’s application to become a certified real estate appraiser. Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg said in a statement that he had…