‘Fox & Friends,’ Gov. Noem come to Keystone

Reporter Lawrence Jones of “Fox & Friends” came to Peggy’s Place in Keystone to speak with Gov. Kristi Noem. The event was featured as  part of the “Breakfast with Friends” segment to discuss  the changes to Mount Rushmore’s Fourth of July and current newsworthy events.
About several dozen supporters and fans of Jones and Noem also came out, including 12-year-old Taya Skogen, who was treated to a round of “Happy Birthday” led by Noem.
“I’m a big fan,” said Skogen. “The biggest. She kept our state open. She cut out extra unemployment. It’s as good as if Donald Trump would have shown up.”
Owner Peggy Janecek  was “at a loss for words” as people kept trickling in for the 4 a.m. earlier- than-normal opening of her restaurant.
Colin Keeler, who lives in Pierre but has a place in the Hills, eats at Peggy’s quite a bit.
“I knew this was going on,” Keller said, “but didn’t expect to be interviewed by Jones.” Keeler was asked about his views on the decision not to hold the Independence Day fireworks at Mount Rushmore this year.
“Let the fireworks happen, “ he told Jones. “It’s a huge popular event.”
Randall Champion and his wife, Amy, flew from Georgia for their first visit to the Black Hills,  to support Jones, Noem and the State of South Dakota.
“We heard about the controversy with the fireworks and we wanted to support your governor. We love her. We think she’s doing a good job,” Champion said. The Champions arrived at the Rapid City airport and ran into Jones, who told them to come to Peggy’s Place.
“The food was delicious,”  they added.
Jones himself agreed with that sentiment, talking up Peggy’s biscuits and gravy.
“I like the spice. It has a kick to it and that, as a Southern boy, is really good,” he said. Peggy says her secret ingredient, which she shared with Jones, is from a camping trip that went awry.
Many local representatives came to show their support of Keystone and the governor.
“They’re coming to Peggy’s Place, one of the mom and pop restaurants we have in our district. Peggy and Dan bust their butts,” said District 30 Rep. Tim Goodwin. Trish Ladner, also from District 30, handed out Mount Rushmore Taffy bags to everyone who came.
Noem chatted easily and familiarly with the crowd, posing for pictures, telling stories and graciously chatting with Dan’s mother, Winnie. She also spoke candidly about her disappointment over  the federal court’s decision to deny her first appeal for the Independence Day fireworks, an  outcome she anticipated given the makeup of the federal judges and circuit courts.
“We met every single protocol. There was no reason to deny us this permit. Unless it was for political reasons,” Noem said.
Noem also spoke about the current drought situation and the recent declaration of a state of emergency in South Dakota.
“The Black Hills is probably the area that’s received the most moisture this year, but the rest of the state is very devastated by the lack of moisture,” she said.
Noem is concerned over rising meat prices and the tough decisions ranchers face due to the drier than normal conditions.
“We’re just a  week or two away from losing everything,” she said.
While there are many federal government programs farmers and ranchers can apply for, the state is also working to remove restrictions, like allowing ditch mowing, which increases access to hay.
The decision to send the South Dakota National Guard to the border was also discussed between Jones and Noem.
“The governors of Texas and Arizona have asked us for help,” Noem told Jones.
Noem asked for volunteers from the South Dakota National Guard.
“They volunteered to go because they understand how important it is to secure that border…the National Guard is used to being there getting a mission and accomplishing it and being in situations exactly like they’re gonna receive down there on the border,” she said. “It’s dangerous. South Dakota’s had the number one-ranked national guard in the country for the last three years. I have the best and I’m going to send my best because this country deserves it.”
Leaving the national stage aside, Noem took a moment to express how wonderful it always is to visit Keystone.
“Keystone’s always been special. And I think a lot of folks who come to the Hills, 99.9 percent of them come through Keystone,” she said. “I hope everybody here recognizes how important they are to send the message of hospitality to the rest of the country. Here they find folks who live here year round and who welcome them into their businesses, their homes, their streets, their communities and give them a true picture of what the South Dakota perk is and what the spirit of South Dakota is.”
Noem’s family vacations in Keystone and recognizes all the fun things there are to do in the town.
“I think most of the businesses would know, they see our family there doing different things and enjoying their taffy and food and ice cream and even the crazy maze of mirrors,” she said. “We’ve kind of done it all. We enjoy a lot of fun things here  in Keystone too. When our family goes on vacation we come to the Black Hills and Keystone’s always been a stop.”