South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has formed a federal Political Action Committee, indicating her growing fundraising prowess and national ambitions. The Republican Noem insists she is focused on getting re-elected as governor next year. Her nationwide fundraising network has fueled speculation that she could be eyeing a 2024 presidential bid. Last week, her campaign registered…… read more »
Category Archives: State News
Contempt Hearing Set Over Judge’s Order
A federal judge in Aberdeen will decide whether three members of the U-S Marshal’s Service should be found in civil contempt over his requirement to have everyone in his courtroom vaccinated for the coronavirus. Judge Charles Kornmann notified courthouse employees in March that vaccinations would be required in order to provide a safe environment for…… read more »
SD Unemployment and Jobs Report are Stable
The latest jobs report in South Dakota shows unemployment claims continue to decline, but there is an uptick in first-time claims. The Department of Labor reported 364 initial claims Thursday, an increase of 59 from the previous week. In the early months of the pandemic, first-time unemployment claims rose to several thousand each week. In…… read more »
Nebraska Lawmakers Pass Social Security Tax Exemption
Nebraska residents receiving Social Security income will play less in taxes on that income each year until it’s fully exempt in 2030. The bill won final approval in Lincoln by a 41-0 vote and is expected to be signed by Governor Pete Ricketts. Taxes paid on Social Security income would be reduced by 5 percent…… read more »
Noem’s Lawsuit Over Mount Rushmore Fireworks Sparks Legal Fight With Tribe
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s lawsuit against the federal government over a Mount Rushmore July Fourth fireworks display has sparked legal tensions between her and the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe. Last week, the tribe sought to join the lawsuit in opposition to Governor Noem. The Republican Governor is asking a federal judge to order the…… read more »
Nebraska Governor Predicts Return to Normal School this Fall
Governor Pete Ricketts is predicting a return to normal in Nebraska’s K-12 schools by this fall. Ricketts says the state appears to be in good shape with its vaccination efforts and COVID-19 hospitalizations under 100 statewide. The Governor made those comments as he encouraged Nebraska’s new high school graduates to get vaccinated if they haven’t…… read more »
Major Train Derailment at Sibley, Iowa
Sunday afternoon, 47 cars from a Union Pacific train derailed just south of the Sibley city limits in northwest Iowa. The accident caused massive fires, some of which were still burning Monday night. The U-P train had many cars containing hydrochloric acid, potasium hydroxide and asphalt. Nobody was hurt during the derailment and the cause…… read more »
India Variant of the Virus Confirmed in Nebraska
Nebraska health officials said an extremely contagious variant of the coronavirus that was first identified in India has been confirmed in the state. The first case of the India variant was found in a Lancaster County resident who has ties to international travelers. The discovery of the new variant comes as Nebraska has reported a…… read more »
AG Ravnsborg’s Trial Could Start in Late Summer
The trial of South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg of Yankton on charges he’s facing in a fatal 2020 crash could begin as early as August. At a status hearing Wednesday, the Judge says he’s aiming for the trial to begin in August or early September. Ravnsborg’s attorney Tim Rensch requested 60 more days, citing…… read more »
Nebraska to Get 1 Billion Dollars in Federal Aid
Nebraska will receive roughly one billion dollars in aid under the federal government’s plan to help states hit by the pandemic. The U.S. Treasury announced a state-by-state funding breakdown for President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The plan in total will distribute 350 billion dollars to various governmental units. This money can be used to cover…… read more »
