Opinion

There’s something about Mary

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 6:18pm

I recently got to hear my friend Mary play at Live on Stage. I remember when she told me she was playing guitar with her neighbor. It was just about a year ago and I said to her, “pretty soon you will be playing Live on Stage.”
Mary laughed me off, telling me that she just could never do something like that. But I knew differently.
Because like her singing partner, I met Mary because of her willingness to be different. You see while so many of us shy away from new experiences or meeting new people, Mary is quite the opposite.

Partisanship again on full display

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 5:40pm

Joe Biden is the greatest president in the history of mankind.
No, that’s not what last week’s editorial said. But judging by the hysterical comments on our Facebook page regarding said editorial, you would have thought that’s what we said. No, if you recall, last week’s editorial spent  about 450 of the 500 words talking about how we should rally around President Trump and try to come together for the good of the country.

The best life we can give them

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 5:39pm

Calving season on the ranch is a period of stark contrasts, a time of seeing some of the best of the best of God’s Creation alongside some of the saddest sights.

Updating you on what’s happened so far

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 5:31pm

The legislative session is speeding by—today marks week three, and I’m hard at work advocating for the issues that matter most to you. It’s been a busy couple of weeks, especially after attending the presidential inauguration last weekend. I’m excited to update you on what’s happening in Pierre. I also send out a weekly newsletter via email. Send me an email if you would like to subscribe!
Swearing-In Ceremony
& New Leadership
I was officially sworn in as your state senator  Jan. 14 and I’m honored to represent you in the South Dakota Legislature.

This session is full of many challenges

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 5:31pm

We just completed our 8th legislative day of the 100th session. It has been a jam-packed two weeks. With a large class of new legislators, leadership has concentrated on training and organizing the committee chairs and members quickly. As we do at the beginning of each session, we voted to adopt the new rules for the 100th and 101st legislative session. These are the rules which will be in effect until we gavel out in March 2026.  

Inbox has been flooded on SDPB, library, prison

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 5:30pm

Greetings! Week two of the 100th legislative session is in the books. What an exciting time for South Dakota. I’m sure you’ve heard that Gov. Noem was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the nation’s Homeland Security secretary. She has resigned her position as our 33rd governor. Now lieutenant governor automatically moves up to the governor position. Next he announces his lieutentan governor pick and both chambers need to confirm the selection.

In need of novelty

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 10:53am

Can someone please tell me how it’s already Jan. 22? Seriously, where did the time go?
As children, time always seems to drag on. Those special days and events can never come soon enough. Most of all, we can’t wait to grow up. Then, we do and realize it wasn’t all we thought it would be. Oh, time moves faster for sure. It just sometimes flies by without us.

Week one is now behind us

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 10:07am

Greetings! Week one of the 100th legislative session is in the books. The legislature is made up of two bodies. The House of Representatives has 70 members and the Senate has 35 members. This year there are 14 new senators and 28 new House members for a total of 42 newbies of the 105 total legislators. That has to be a record!

Thank you Biden, welcome Trump

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 10:04am

By the time you read this, Donald Trump will have been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, having won his second election in three tries at securing the highest office in the land.

It’s been my honor to be your governor

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 10:02am

You probably know that President-elect Trump has called on me to serve, if confirmed, as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. It’s a tremendous honor and a great responsibility. The mission is to keep the American people safe from threats to the homeland.
That leaves me in a position where I may say “farewell” to all of you in the very near future. But South Dakota will be in good hands.