The South Dakota Senate Education Committee rejected a bill Tuesday that would have reduced state funding for the high school dual credit program, while advancing another education measure to appropriations. House Bill 1040, which proposed cutting the state’s share of dual credit tuition costs from two-thirds to 50 percent, failed on a 4-3 vote after committee members expressed concerns about passing costs to students and families.
A former South Dakota state employee accused of stealing nearly two million dollars is officially headed to trial. The case has drawn significant attention due to the large sum involved and the role Carroll held within the state agency.
Federal spending cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are having a significant impact on South Dakota, with several federal offices set to close across the state. The DOGE website now lists a dozen South Dakota locations, including the Small Business Administration (SBA) office in Sioux Falls, which has an annual lease of nearly $87,000.
Governor Rhoden, alongside the South Dakota Department of Fish and Parks, is unveiling a new Habitat Conservation License Plate designed to support wildlife preservation. The plate features four vibrant habitat decals, including a deer, meadowlark, pasque flower, and pheasant.
Attorney General Marty Jackley is commending the House Judiciary Committee for approving two key anti-human trafficking bills. SB-58 focuses on revising provisions related to human trafficking, while SB-59 addresses the delivery and possession of unauthorized articles in state correctional facilities.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to review House Bill 1239 this week, a controversial piece of legislation aimed at limiting librarians’ rights. The bill, which has already passed the House, seeks to make it illegal for librarians to allow minors to check out books deemed inappropriate.
A House committee rejected a bill today (Monday) that would have expanded the list of crimes ineligible for presumptive probation and barred probationers or parolees from receiving it for new offenses.
Senate Bill 57, brought at the request of Attorney General Marty Jackley, failed on a 9-3 vote to send it to the 41st legislative day, effectively killing the measure.
Governor Larry Rhoden has assured South Dakotans that his use of state-issued credit cards will not reflect the spending habits of former Governor Kristi Noem. This statement comes in the wake of Noem’s credit card records, which were made public following her resignation to join President Trump’s cabinet. The records revealed over $600,000 in charges for luxury hotels, car rentals, and high-end meals.
The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has approved the South Deuel Wind project, granting a construction permit for the wind energy facility. The project, which was approved on Friday, will include approximately 70 wind turbines spread across 30,000 acres.
A high-risk offender, Dillon Harrington, who was released from prison last week, is already back in custody. Just hours after his release early Thursday morning, Harrington was booked into the Minnehaha County Jail as a “Fugitive of Justice.” He is wanted in Lyon County, Iowa, for Obstructing Prosecution or Defense. Harrington, a 30-year-old convicted sex offender, had just completed a drug sentence in Beadle County and was reportedly planning to live in Wolsey upon release. Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko had previously warned of Harrington’s high risk to reoffend, based on his criminal history and institutional assessments, making his release a matter of significant concern.