South Dakota farmers are growing increasingly concerned about the potential impact of tariffs imposed by President Trump. The President announced that agricultural tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China will take effect on April 2nd. Kevin Deinert, president of the South Dakota Soybean Association, highlighted Mexico as one of the state’s largest agricultural trade partners.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs on South Dakota, emphasizing the state’s significant trade ties with neighboring countries. In an interview with FOX on Wednesday, Thune acknowledged the importance of these trade relationships but also recognized President Trump’s goal of using tariffs to curb the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. While supportive of the overarching aim, Thune hopes the tariffs will be temporary, with the expectation that Canada and Mexico will become more actively involved in addressing the issue.
Governor Rhoden has signed six additional bills into law, bringing the total to 57 bills for the current legislative session. The new laws include Senate Bills 65, 71, and 109, as well as House Bills 1057, 1063, and 1173. These bills address a range of issues, including real estate in Pennington County, the individualized education program (IEP), the state racing fund, and road improvements, among other matters.
Forty-five students are set to graduate this week from the Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy in Pierre. After 13 weeks of rigorous training, which covers law, arrest control tactics, firearms, criminal investigations, and more, the ceremony will take place today at 10 a.m. at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center.
Fifty teachers’ aides from school districts across South Dakota are being invited to participate in the new Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway program, a unique opportunity to advance their careers. This third round of the program is made possible by funding from the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation.
DOGE sets its sights on South Dakota as the Department of Government Efficiency moves forward with a significant reduction in federal offices across the state. At least 13 offices are slated for closure, including key locations in Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, Huron, Fort Thompson, Sisseton, and Yankton.
A hiker made a disturbing discovery in Pennington County on Tuesday afternoon, finding a badly decomposed body south of Hill City around 1:00 p.m. Deputies responded to the scene, and officials are now working with local, state, and federal agencies to review missing persons cases in the area. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Rapid City Police Department, is investigating the victim’s identity and cause of death. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover more details surrounding the case.
The heartwarming story of three puppies, Birdie, Brodie, and Bo, who captured local attention earlier this year, is set to have a happy ending. These ten-week-old puppies, who were originally reported to have been abandoned in a Sioux Falls dumpster, are now almost ready for adoption. However, authorities recently debunked the initial report, revealing that it was fabricated by the puppies’ original owner who simply didn’t want to care for them.
New South Dakota legislation, Senate Bill 193, is on its way to the House after passing the Senate with overwhelming support. The bill aims to allow non-English speakers to use state-approved interpreters during their driving tests for a state license. However, the driver would be responsible for covering the cost of the interpreter.
South Dakota farmers, including Stephanie Peterson, owner of Fruit of the Coop in Brandon, are facing uncertainty due to the freezing of USDA grant funds. Peterson was set to move forward with significant business plans after being approved for a $36,000 grant, but last week, the USDA notified her that the funds were frozen due to ongoing government spending cuts.