Under God, the people rule. The South Dakota state motto can be heard quite a bit during the legislative session. Former Gov. Kristi Noem liked to trot it out as a way of reminding lawmakers that …
I like macaroni and cheese for dinner now and then. But I wouldn’t want to eat it every night of the week. I also have a favorite sweatshirt to wear in cold weather. But I’m not about to …
I’ve now been governor of South Dakota for about two weeks. We finally have bills reaching my desk. I just signed my first bill as governor, Senate Bill 7, which bans sanctuary cities in South …
Recently, I turned 72 and like never before felt a need to reflect on earlier trips around the sun in the hope that some reflection might help me understand my feelings about the present. …
Hazing is a dangerous and often life-threatening practice that continues to plague many schools, colleges, and universities across the country and here in South Dakota. Despite efforts to …
There is universal agreement among students of U.S. history that the framers of the U.S. Constitution were committed to a decentralization of the power of government to avoid the emergence of another …
“This is ‘bout the best time of year,” said Steve, “to get out and do something fun, like go to a rodeo.” “Awful cold out there right now, Steve,” said …
Some in the South Dakota Legislature want to require that the Ten Commandments be posted in every public-school classroom. They claim this honors the historical Christian influence in our state and …
South Dakota voters aren’t particularly fond of ballot measures that seek to change the state constitution. They’re even less enamored of attempts to mess with the way that their …
South Dakota’s Republican-dominated Legislature has never been a fan of expanded Medicaid. Now a proposed constitutional amendment making its way through the Capitol offers a back-door way for …
During his first term in office, the Washington Post claimed that our president made 30,573 false or misleading claims over those four years. Most media outlets found, and find now, their fact …
This past week, I started out in a new job. After six years serving as your lieutenant governor, I had the opportunity to shorten my title. I’d like to take some time to share some things you …
On Jan 20, the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump came off with a strong dose of religion. Leading off the clergymen (no women today, … but the next day) was Cardinal Timothy Dolan, …
Congratulations to the South Dakota House of Representatives for listening to the wishes and voices of its South Dakota citizens. The house overwhelmingly passed HB 1052 on Monday 49-19. This …
When we think thoughts and speak words, especially frequently, they are written on the tablet of our heart, embedded in our hard drive so to speak. Just as a computer can only put out the information …
For the first time in history of our "United States of America," we have elected a convicted felon to be our president. For the first time in our history, we have elected a person with enough …
When Steve and Dud got up to go get a paper, it left just Doc and Bert sitting at the philosophy counter of the Mule Barn truck stop. Bert turned his head and smirked a little, being careful not to …
The Washington Post on Trump's ‘energy emergency’ Oil and gas production in the United States is hitting record highs, easily outpacing consumption growth and fueling an export boom …
Coming on the heels of the holiday season and looking ahead to 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the importance of supporting small businesses and recommit to making them a priority …
Churches that can afford the expense and have the ecumenical will can open their own schools. If some people have their way, soon public schools in South Dakota will have a stark resemblance to …