On Saturday, February 1, sophomores Aiden Johnson, Anna Ebbing, and Caiden Maack performed in Vermillion for the 26th Annual Quad State Honor Band Festival.
Aiden Johnson (saxophone), Anna Ebbing (trumpet), and Caiden Maack (clarinet) traveled to Vermillion last Saturday for the USD Honor Band. These three Blue Dragons and other students from around the area participated in practices with guest conductors before a performance Saturday night. //Photo submitted by Anna Ebbing
The students were directly emailed about auditioning for this honor band. At this event, the students chosen for this opportunity were randomly split into two different bands. Johnson (Tenor Saxophone) and Ebbing (Trumpet) were selected to play in the first band, while Maack (Clarinet) had to wait to play in the second.
Unfortunately, there was not enough time for both bands to play all of the songs that they were hoping to. Johnson and Ebbing’s band had two songs cut short, but Maack's band played all of their songs.
The individual experiences of these students continued on Monday, February 3 as Johnson and Maack found themselves competing in the region contests at Augustana. Both of the students received superior ratings (the highest you can get) for their solos; they also received a superior for their duet. For Monday's Region contests Johnson played the Baritone Saxophone. However, Maack used the Clarinet for his solo and the Bass Clarinet for his duet with Johnson.
Head to Legion on Sunday for Community Appreciation Breakfast
Bath, S.D. – The 112 chapters and over 6500 members that make up the South Dakota FFA (SD FFA) will celebrate National FFA Week February 15-22, 2025. It’s a time to share what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day. National FFA Week embraces more than 95 years of FFA traditions while looking forward to the organization’s future. More than 1,027,000 members with a passion for agriculture will participate in activities at local, state and national levels. Designated a national week in 1947, the week of George Washington’s birthday, National FFA Week runs from Saturday to Saturday and gives FFA members an opportunity to educate the public about agriculture. During the week, chapters conduct a variety of activities to help others in their schools and communities learn about FFA and agricultural education.
2020 file photo
Members of the Garretson FFA will celebrate National FFA Week by participating in activities including themed dress-up days, an animal nursery on Thursday, Feb 20, a community breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and educational activities within the school. An additional highlight will be hosting the National FFA President, Thaddeus Bergschneider, from Illinois, in several chapters as he tours South Dakota, meeting members, and sharing workshops and a motivational message.
“National FFA week is a special time for our organization and something we look forward to all year,” says Gerri Ann Eide, Executive Director of the South Dakota FFA Foundation. “We enjoy any time when we can help educate the public about agriculture, so having a week designated to that cause is valuable to us.”
Through agricultural education and hands-on learning, FFA members across the state and nation are preparing for over 300 unique career opportunities in the food, fiber and natural resource industries.
Those in attendance: Carrie Moritz, Laurie Bennett, Paetyn Dreckman, Luke Dreckman, Guy Johnson, Macie Coburn, Kris Johnson via phone, Rob Meyer, Heather Jacobson, Ron Luke, Tim Mallatt, and Sara Beahler.
12:00 pm Luke Dreckman called the meeting to order.
Secretary’s Report – Paetyn provided minutes from the regular December meeting. Laurie motioned to approve minutes with a second from Carrie. Motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report – Kris provided treasurer’s report. Paetyn motioned to approve the treasury report as presented. Heather seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Old Business:
Celebrations – Luke asked about any retirements or celebrations to note. The library is still planning for its opening house January 11th, 2025. Heather stated Judy would be retiring from First Bank and Trust at the end of January. Kris motioned to get Judy $40 plant and $25 Commercial Club gift card for retirement. Laurie seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Hometown Christmas Recap – Board discussed turn out for Hometown Christmas. Rob stated 250 adults and 50 kids through the Legion breakfast line. Sara had 95 kids at the library for crafts and story time. Overall foot traffic in the afternoon was down most likely due to weather.
Community Event – Luke went over more information on the Puzzle Night. Stated he would be sending out formal email to membership with pricing.
Light Pole Banners – Luke provided a few design samples. The group discussed which one they liked and options for photos. Planning to have a sample at the annual meeting.
Annual Meeting – Group confirmed details on location as the Gun Club, meal catered by Ron Luke, and set up the day of. Still looking for a Vice Present to represent the board in 2025.
New Business:
Asset Storage – CC Decorations – Luke and Carrie advised the group that they had met with Jordan and JR at the city and were asked to remove items the city has been storing. The group discussed options for potential storage unit or purchasing a shed to be built. Carrie motioned to look at pricing for storage units to better present options. Laurie seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Other Business: Carrie advised Kimberly Konda would be willing to take over Christmas light decorations from John.
12:37 Carrie motioned to adjourn with a second from Heather. Motion passed unanimously.
Next meeting will be help at the Sports Cabin on February 12th 2025.
We are four former South Dakota State Librarians. We strongly urge the South Dakota State Legislature to vote NO on the proposed changes (HB 1041) to the South Dakota State Library and the corresponding state statutes. The current staff of 21.5 employees are some of the most efficient civil servants in state government serving as a resource for over 500 libraries. The South Dakota State Library is one of the smallest state libraries among their fifty state counterparts. Yet, they are highly regarded and appreciated by the communities they serve.
In 2006 a thorough review by an out-of-state expert/consultant was conducted. This led the way for modernization, down-sizing and much greater efficiencies. (See 2006 Bushing Report) At that time, staffing was at 37, then reduced to 27 which was again reduced a decade later to the current 21.5 staff to pay for a new, less costly and more technologically advanced “overlay”. This new system which was named South Dakota Share-IT allowed the State Library to link all participating libraries with no cost to the local school or public library. The end result is that patrons can discover what each library has for their physical holdings. For example, a search by a patron in Lemmon Public can see what Siouxland Library has and a student at Aberdeen High School can locate a specific book title which SDSU has. This has resulted in over 71,500 inter-Library loans between and among South Dakota libraries in 2023. What tremendous use of resources and savings for local communities!
The state’s universities and a few larger public libraries are also members of the international OCLC network. However, without the State Library’s connecting software and their librarians who manage it, most of the state will go dark. The information isolation will be devastating to local schools and communities, particularly rural areas. Without access to magazine articles through subject databases and access to books held by hundreds of linked South Dakota libraries, individual research and inter-library loan will be severely curtailed.
In short, the proposed drastic reduction of personnel and budget cuts would severely limit the State Library’s capacity to support k-12 schools, homeschoolers, public and academic libraries. Additionally, the economic impact overtime would be crippling, again most especially to rural schools and communities. This ill-advised legislation will NOT save tax-payers’ money. In fact, it will most likely have the opposite effect, costing tax-payers more money but with limited access to fewer resources, trainings and services.
We strongly urge South Dakota lawmakers to reject HB1041. Restore full funding (including accepting annual federal funds) to support the amazing work of the State Library. Please contact your local libraries, school boards and community leaders. The State Library is an efficient, cost-effective, trusted and valuable resource for all South Dakotans.
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden has signed bills into law to let county sheriffs charge a fee for serving legal papers, open the records of former governors five years faster, and require lab-grown meat to be labeled as such.
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden speaks during a press conference Jan. 29, 2025, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)
Also among the 14 bills Rhoden signed Monday: A repeal of the right of parties in some court cases to demand a court reporter if a judge feels a transcribable audio recording will do.
Under the lab-grown meat labeling law, which will take effect July 1, packages must “clearly state in a prominent and conspicuous manner” that there’s cell-cultured or lab-grown meat inside.
The meat is produced from sample cells that are fed sugars, water, proteins and vitamins. The state Senate is poised to ponder a more severe approach to the product, which some ranchers see as a threat to their livelihood.
That bill, sponsored by Dupree-area rancher and Republican Rep. Jana Hunt, would bar altogether the manufacture or sale of the products in South Dakota. It passed the state House of Representatives 42-26 on Thursday.
The stenography bill sailed through both chambers with unanimous support. The state court system brought the bill in response to a court reporter shortage, noting that its courtroom recording systems capture audio that can be transcribed as needed.
The process service bill lets sheriffs charge a range of fees – including mileage – to recoup costs associated with things like serving warrants or serving a summons to appear; the records bill opens previously sealed records of a former South Dakota governor five years after they leave office. Current law seals those records for 10 years.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence.
South Dakota public schools would be required to teach a specific set of Native American historical and cultural lessons if a bill unanimously endorsed by a legislative committee Tuesday in Pierre becomes law.
State Sen. Tamara Grove, R-Lower Brule, speaks with lawmakers on the South Dakota House floor during the governor’s budget address on Dec. 3, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
The bill would mandate the teaching of the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings. The phrase “Oceti Sakowin” refers to the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people. The understandings are a set of standards and lessons adopted seven years ago by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards with input from tribal leaders, educators and elders.
Use of the understandings by public schools is optional. A survey conducted by the state Department of Education indicated use by 62% of teachers, but the survey was voluntary and hundreds of teachers did not respond.
Republican state Sen. Tamara Grove, who lives on the Lower Brule Reservation, proposed the bill and asked legislators to follow the lead of Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Chairman J. Garret Renville. He has publicly called for a “reset” of state-tribal relations since the departure of former Gov. Kristi Noem, who was barred by tribal leaders from entering tribal land in the state.
“What I’m asking you to do today,” Grove said, “is to lean into the reset.”
Joe Graves, the state secretary of education and a Noem appointee, testified against the bill. He said portions of the understandings are already incorporated into the state’s social studies standards. He added that the state only mandates four curricular areas: math, science, social studies and English-language arts/reading. He said further mandates would “tighten up the school days, leaving schools with much less instructional flexibility.”
Members of the Senate Education Committee sided with Grove and other supporters, voting 7-0 to send the bill to the full Senate.
The proposal is one of several education mandates that lawmakers have considered this legislative session. The state House rejected a bill this week that would have required posting and teaching the Ten Commandments in schools, and also rejected a bill that would have required schools to post the state motto, “Under God the People Rule.”
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence.
A bill proposing to strengthen South Dakota’s “right-to-work” laws — described by critics as anti-union laws — will head to the House floor, despite hesitancy among legislative committee members who endorsed the legislation Monday at the Capitol in Pierre.
State Rep. Tony Randolph, R-Rapid City, speaks on the South Dakota House floor during the 2025 legislative session. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
Twenty-eight states, including South Dakota, have “right-to-work” laws stipulating that workers can’t be forced to join or pay dues to a labor union, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
House Bill 1166, introduced by Rapid City Republican Rep. Tony Randolph, would expand South Dakota’s “right-to-work” laws by requiring labor union representatives to get permission from an owner or employer to enter worksites before they collect dues, solicit membership or organize a strike. It also increases penalties for violating some “right-to-work” laws from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Union representatives opposed the legislation, saying references to the penalized activity are too vague, as is the definition for who qualifies as an “employer” to grant permission for entering a worksite. They also said the bill violates federal law and would disrupt standardization for companies operating in several states.
“If we have union members on job sites, we represent them. We have a legal right and need to communicate with them,” said Kory Rawstern, representing the South Dakota State Federation of Labor.
The National Right to Work Committee and the South Dakota Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors spoke in support of the bill. Association Vice President Kristie Brunick said members are frustrated with union officials recruiting on private construction sites.
Rep. Steve Duffy, R-Rapid City, voted in favor of the bill, though he and other committee members were skeptical of the bill’s language because of concerns raised by opponents.
“I’m not a pro-union person, but the bill looks like a mess, to be honest with you,” Duffy said during the hearing. “I’m probably going to support it either way. But it does not look like it’s been done right.”
The bill passed with a 10-2 vote and heads to the House floor next.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence.
A South Dakota Senate committee advanced a bill Monday at the Capitol in Pierre that would allow people to carry concealed pistols on technical college and public university campuses.
Policies in both systems currently prohibit guns and other dangerous weapons on campus. The bill only addresses concealed carry and does not include language saying open carry would be allowed.
State Sen. Mykala Voita, R-Bonesteel, listens to a speaker during a meeting of the South Dakota Legislature’s Joint Committee on Appropriations on Jan. 21, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
Higher education officials and law enforcement authorities raised concerns during the committee hearing about improperly stored guns in dorms and increased risks for students.
“A student living in a communal area could leave their gun sitting on their nightstand, could leave it on a dining room table when they are not actively carrying it, and we wouldn’t be able to place any constraints, restrictions,” said Nathan Lukkes, executive director of the South Dakota Board of Regents, which oversees the state’s six public universities.
The legislation would not only force the Board of Regents and Board of Technical Education to allow the possession of concealed pistols and ammunition, but also stun guns, mace and pepper spray.
Sen. Mykala Voita, R-Bonesteel, is the bill’s primary sponsor. She said the measure aligns with South Dakota’s other gun laws and ensures students can defend themselves.
“Is the security guard going to walk with you to the parking lot?” Voita asked rhetorically. “Are they going to be with you in every building?”
The National Shooting Sports Foundation and National Rifle Association spoke in favor of the bill.
Jenna Severyn, representing the South Dakota Police Chiefs Association, spoke against the bill and said the association is concerned about young people controlling their impulses while carrying concealed firearms.
“This is about, can my brain think quicker than my trigger finger?” she said. “And studies have shown that youth, specifically in the age we are talking about today, don’t have that.”
The bill passed the Senate State Affairs Committee 7-2 and now heads to the full Senate.
Meanwhile, the House Commerce and Energy Committee unanimously endorsed separate firearms legislation Monday morning. That bill would prohibit credit card companies and financial institutions from requiring retail tracking codes specifically for gun and ammunition sales. It’s already passed the Senate and will go to the House next.
UPDATE 2/13/25:The bill cleared the SD Senate on Wednesday, February 12 and is on its way to the SD House of Representatives. Read more at SD Searchlight.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence.
On Sunday, February 2, I attended the walk for life at the state capital along with many other legislators and families. It was wonderful to have my twin granddaughters Rebecca and Rachel sing with our speaker of the house and fellow seatmate Jon Hanson for the program at the Capitol rotunda.
It was an eventful week in Pierre, both in committee and on the House floor. In the House Health and Human Services Committee, access to effective medical care was at the forefront of everyone's mind. With healthcare providers being difficult to access, bills attempting to alleviate this issue have been brought before the committee.
House Bill 1071 was presented to the House Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday. It sought to allow physician assistants greater freedom to practice privately. While there was agreement that healthcare is difficult to access in remote areas of South Dakota, the committee was split on the bill.
The committee did not question or deny the professionalism or skill of licensed physician assistants, but they did raise concerns about the types of procedures these assistants would be allowed to perform without supervision. The committee passed the bill onto the House floor with a 9-3 vote.
Following HB 1071 was House Bill 1098, which aimed to reimburse the cost of respite care services for caregivers of individuals with dementia and to declare an emergency. The committee heard heartfelt testimony and the stories of those affected by this terrible disease. In unanimous agreement, they passed the bill on to the Appropriations Committee for funding and approval.
In the House State Affairs Committee, voting security and campaign finance law have been relevant issues. Although every member agrees that South Dakota should have free and fair elections, they have differing opinions on how to conduct them. They are actively working toward a solution that ensures no voter is left out and are considering safeguards against fraudulent ballots. They have also passed bills aimed at closing loopholes in South Dakota’s campaign finance law.
On the House Floor, there have been several engaging debates. I introduced a motion calling for an Article V convention of states. I raised major concerns with Washington, D.C., emphasizing that the federal government has encroached on states' rights, greatly expanded the national debt, and that Congress has shrunk from its responsibility as lawmakers. While all members of the House agreed with the spirit of the bill, they disagreed with calling for an Article V convention. The motion was defeated with a vote of 38-29.
Some of our district constituents were out here for association get togethers, so it was good to connect with them. Also, we were able to tour the telemedicine available on ambulances which they said Flandreau has on their ambulance.
You can reach me with any comments or questions at
South Dakota U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson has a front-row seat in Congress to all the changes accompanying the new White House resident down the street on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Representative Dusty Johnson at the Black Hills Stock Show. //photo SD News Watch
During a visit to the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City recently, the Republican weighed in on the top issue constituents want to talk about, why he sponsored a bill to buy back the Panama Canal, his thoughts on the presidential pardons of Capitol rioters and other issues.
Here, in his own words, are Johnson's answers, which have been edited for length.
Question: What are you hearing from your constituents in Rapid City today?
Answer: "It's still a lot about the border. I mean, really, in the last two years, that has been the dominant policy topic. People have seen how quickly things have changed. They saw that in the House. We passed the Laken Riley Act (that requires detainment of illegal immigrants who commit crimes) and then we got it signed into law by President (Donald) Trump. They have seen that border crossings are fallen by two-thirds in a relatively short span of time. So I think there's some optimism around the idea that we can actually solve some of these public policy problems that were, really, the referendum that the November election turned on."
Q: What are your top priorities in the current session of the U.S. House of Representatives?
A: "I'm a big believer in work requirements. We, of course, we need to have programs that help people out when they're in trouble, when they're down and out. If you're able-bodied, you should work. ... I would tell you, also, the Chinese Communist Party is also a much bigger threat than most Americans realize. And so my bill to prohibit the Chinese Communist Party from buying American farmland, that is a real crowd pleaser because I think everyone understands food security is national security. And there is no reason we should give an adversary control over our food supply. ... And then the border, of course."
Q: Are you concerned at all about immigration crackdowns affecting South Dakota agriculture or businesses?
A: "To the extent that there are South Dakota businesses who may be relying on the illegal labor, on labor that's not allowed to be here, they are. They are going to be impacted. Americans here illegally, understand they're here illegally. I've talked to a number of folks. I mean, every day I'm talking to people who were not born in America, and those people were here legally. Overwhelmingly, the sense I get from them is that they know they don't have anything to fear."
Q: Why did you sponsor the bill to allow the U.S. to take over control of the Panama Canal?
A: "I think the president should be given the flexibility to go have the conversation. I get it, a lot of folks on the left don't like Donald Trump. I do get a little frustrated at all of the pearl clutching, the idea that it's dangerous to even have a conversation. ... It seems like some on the left are more comfortable with Chinese Communist Party influence in the Panama region than they are with American influence. ... It is an asset that is uniquely important to our country. I don't know whether buying back the canal is possible. I don't know whether it's prudent. But I don't know why we wouldn't at least evaluate whether or not there's a willing buyer, willing seller situation."
Q: How would you describe the mood in Congress now that a new president has taken office?
A: "Donald Trump said throughout the campaign that when he came to office, he was going to roll back a lot of the executive orders that Joe Biden put into place. And of course, I've grown increasingly uncomfortable with all of these executive orders that these presidents put out there because I think Congress should be making the laws. And so I think it's refreshing to see the president roll back some of these Biden executive orders, in essence undoing a wrong. ... I think that the mood in Congress is one of enthusiasm and excitement. I think we know that there is a real possibility that Congress will be able to pass legislation that secures the border and is bipartisan, and to roll back regulations. I think we will have a number of bills that roll back regulations, that will pass on a bipartisan basis, overwhelmingly. ... You get a certain amount of outrage around Donald Trump. That is indeed for political purposes rather than for legitimate policy concerns."
Q: What impact do you expect to see from Trump's plan to impose new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China?
A: "One thing that the Trump administration said, even in the information they've released to the public, they use the word 'leverage.' I think they are interested in making sure that we have, No. 1, a fair trading relationship with other countries, and No. 2, that those countries are doing what they can to stop the flow of poison, fentanyl and (methamphetamine), into this country. And so it seems to me that the president has been very clear that these are areas where he wants to have leverage in conversations with these countries. And I do think there are ways in which targeted tariffs can be helpful in building some domestic industry. Clearly, you can overdo tariffs too. I mean, this is a policy tool that I think Donald Trump understands can be used for leverage can be used in a targeted way. Those would be the most effective ways to make sure that we make America stronger. I mean, how much did the Trump tariffs contribute to inflation in his first term? It was the lowest rate of inflation in modern economic history. The real wages were growing at twice the rate of inflation, which is remarkable. Wage growth was growing at twice the rate of inflation, and Trump certainly used tariffs in targeted ways in his first term, in ways that did not contribute to widespread inflation. Again, I think it's not to look at a tool as inherently good or inherently bad. We want to look at it like a lot of tools, which is, 'OK, how do you use this tool in the most productive way?'"
Q: How do you feel about Trump's pardon for almost all the Jan. 6, 2021, rioters who stormed the Capitol in Washington?
A: "We shouldn't be condoning violence. Clearly, I think I would view people who trespass differently than people who attack police officers. One thing we know is that the Constitution gives the president unilateral power in that way. And I was, of course, disappointed when President Biden gave a blanket and probably the most sweeping pardon in American history to his son. And so I understand why people wonder if this pardon power that we give the president and the Constitution is perhaps too broad. ... Of course, we should not condone those who commit violence against police officers. And I think Americans are right to wonder whether or not the power, the pardon power, as it exists in the Constitution, if that's a little too broad. I think what Joe Biden did with his son was concerning, and I can understand why others feel that way about the Jan. 6 pardons."
Q: What's the next step for you in your career?
A: "Let's go get the reconciliation package we're working on the House done. I mean, let's make sure we don't increase taxes on American families by $5 trillion, and let's make sure we secure the border and let's make sure we roll back regulations. There will always be time to play politics. There will be time for me to play politics down the road. I've just got to be focused on getting our job done. I mean, we are 12 days into Donald Trump's term. I think South Dakotans could rightfully be a little irritated if I was already looking toward the next election."
This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization. Read more in-depth stories atsdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email every few days to get stories as soon as they're published. Contact Bart Pfankuch at .
