KRISTI NOEM

South Dakota

Noem suggests special session, Thune calls for investigation after Supreme Court Roe v. Wade draft leaks

Gov. Noem and Sen. Thune, both pro-life Republicans, had different messages, with one focusing on abortion and the other focusing on judicial independence.

South Dakota

Calling Ravnsnborg impeachment probe a 'cover-up,' South Dakota lawmaker seeks answers from state officials

“A cover-up is what this is. It’s as bad as the crime," said Rep. Tim Goodwin, R-Rapid City, referring to a House committee that recommended against impeaching Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. State officials will answer lawmaker questions about the Ravnsborg investigation on Wednesday, just six days before the full House consider impeachment.

April 04, 2022 01:11 PM

South Dakota

Changing political turf in South Dakota upends races ahead of the 2022 elections

The state's biggest political leaders have touted inbound migration, so-called "blue state refugees" who flooded South Dakota. But the biggest driver of partisan races this coming summer and fall appears to be a redistricting process, log-jamming Republicans in primaries and opening up new turf for Democrats.

April 01, 2022 02:01 PM

South Dakota

Gov. Kristi Noem signs bill limiting public universities from requiring CRT trainings

The bill that South Dakota's governor signed into law on Monday does limit seven so-called "divisive concepts" from being foisted upon students in orientations or trainings on the state's public universities or technical school campuses.

March 22, 2022 03:30 PM

Latest Headlines

South Dakota

Feds again deny Gov. Kristi Noem's Mount Rushmore fireworks plan, citing tribal opposition, wildfires

Nearly a year after what federal authorities called the "largest recorded fire" at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the National Parks Service rejected the Republican governor's request to stage a pyrotechnic event at the iconic mountain sculpture over Independence Day.

March 16, 2022 11:09 AM

By Christopher Vondracek

South Dakota

South Dakota Legislature passes budget, touts record investments in infrastructure and pay raises

After reaching accord on a one-year spending authority oversight plan, appropriators for the two Republican-led chambers struck a deal on Thursday afternoon, the last full day of session. The budget now goes to Gov. Kristi Noem for approval.

March 10, 2022 07:43 PM

By Christopher Vondracek

South Dakota

Top South Dakota official releases new allegations against embattled Attorney General Ravnsborg

Gov. Kristi Noem's Public Safety Secretary sent a letter to House Speaker Spencer Gosch outlining new allegations of improper behavior by Ravnsborg, including eight traffic stops prior to night he struck and killed pedestrian Joe Boever.

March 09, 2022 06:55 PM

By Christopher Vondracek

South Dakota

Gov. Noem's vaccine mandate exemption bill fails amid disagreements

Noem and the Senate put forward a bill that codified for over a year an employee's exemption to an employer's COVID-19 vaccine requirement. But the House disagreed with an "undue hardship" provision allowed for certain employers. On Tuesday, a gang of six lawmakers couldn't work out the differences.

March 09, 2022 12:35 PM

By Christopher Vondracek

South Dakota

As Kristi Noem touts South Dakota values across the US, out-of-staters run her political team

As Noem's gubernatorial campaign ramps up, one small, if glaring point of contention for the relatively popular South Dakota governor will be her staff: A political and communications team made up of folks for whom the phrase "West River" might sound like a shopping expanse west of the Potomac rather than that spacious western half of South Dakota.

February 25, 2022 10:30 AM

By Christopher Vondracek

South Dakota

Gov. Kristi Noem signs trans athlete ban into law

A year after Gov. Kristi Noem vetoed a similar bill, she signed a measure she says is needed to ensure fairness in women's sports. Many, however, see the measure as discriminatory to equal rights of transgender athletes.

February 03, 2022 05:55 PM

By Christopher Vondracek

South Dakota

Rep. Jamie Smith says he'll be governor 'for all South Dakotans'

The two-term Sioux Falls Democratic representative dinged Gov. Noem for appraiser scandal and out-of-state fundraisers in making his case for a leadership change in Pierre.

February 01, 2022 01:28 PM

By Christopher Vondracek

South Dakota

Democratic leader Rep. Jamie Smith to challenge Gov. Kristi Noem in South Dakota

Smith, D-Sioux Falls, is a former teacher and wrestling coach, who serves as the House Minority Leader.

January 31, 2022 09:34 AM

By Christopher Vondracek

South Dakota

House speaker: Phone campaign threatens integrity of Ravnsborg impeachment inquiry

Gov. Kristi Noem says she only found out this week about the calls to the impeachment committee members.

January 28, 2022 11:30 AM

By Christopher Vondracek