Opinion

Governor enhances Trump’s vanity project

Published by admin on Wed, 10/15/2025 - 9:39am

Late in August, Gov. Larry Rhoden called out the South Dakota National Guard to serve  for 30 days as crime-stoppers in Washington, D.C. It’s hard not to wonder why he did that.
By calling up the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, maybe Rhoden is showing his belief that the pen is mightier than the sword.
Maybe he reasoned that the 12-member unit from Rapid City could make the mean streets of D.C. safer — one news release at a time.

It’s National Newspaper week

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 2:45pm

Strong communities don’t just happen. They rely on connection—residents knowing what’s going on, businesses reaching the customers who keep them open, and citizens having the facts to make good decisions. Local newspapers provide that connection in ways no other source can.

Tangled lives

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 2:43pm

Recently I had the blessed opportunity to revel in the company of some two dozen other women, fellowshipping together in a sweet time of encouragement and camaraderie. As I looked around the room at all of their faces, old and young, all walks of life, I reflected on how we had met. How long ago. Our shared histories. How our lives had intertwined over the years. How God weaves individuals together into an amazing tapestry called community. 

The ballad of Rosalita

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:12pm
The headlines make me sad and scared lately.
Why is our government invading its own cities?
Why is it suddenly OK for one person to deny funding to colleges and universities?
Why is the federal government seemingly policing everything, from cities to schools to speech? And where will it end?

Plenty of prison feedback given

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:11pm
Greetings. Thank you for all the positive remarks, emails, texts, calls regarding my yes vote on the new men’s state prison! It really was the right thing to do to pass funds already in our prison construction fund to build a new state men’s prison.

No, GFP did not add more campsites

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:08pm
As we deal with weighty issues locally, statewide, and nationally, I thought we could all use a little humor … and a reality check.

Legislature did the right thing

Published by admin on Wed, 10/01/2025 - 12:41pm

Last week state legislators met for a special session with the purpose of taking a vote on whether or not to fund the largest capital project in the history of the State of South Dakota. That project, of course, is the construction of a new state prison that will replace the oldest part of the current state prison, referred to as “The Hill.” This portion of the prison was constructed a whopping 144 years ago, before South Dakota even had statehood. It is said it is the oldest functioning prison in the United States.

Cheaper than therapy, better than worry

Published by admin on Wed, 10/01/2025 - 12:40pm

A friend of mine likes to say, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.” 
Mentally, we understand this. Yet so often, we go back to the rocking chair anyway. And why wouldn’t we? We live in a society that is plagued with anxiety, stress and depression. Worry creeps into our minds daily. Sometimes, it’s so overwhelming that it feels as if we have no choice other than to sit down, paralyzed by our emotions.

Investing in public safety

Published by admin on Wed, 10/01/2025 - 10:02am

Government isn’t very good at solving problems. You might find that rich coming from someone who’s served in public office for 20 plus years, but it’s true—it isn’t government that solves our problems. Even when bills get passed by the Legislature, it’s citizen legislators— elected by their neighbors— who come to Pierre for a short amount of time, do the people’s work, then go home and live with the new laws that they passed.

Voted for building new prison

Published by admin on Wed, 10/01/2025 - 10:01am

Greetings again.
So, what happened in Pierre during Special Session Sept. 23? I thought you’d never ask! We in the House went into caucus at 8 a.m. on the 23rd and I walked out of the capitol at 7:25 p.m. with a new prison approved and paid for!