Noem Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Elijah Cummings
Upon the directive of President Donald Trump, Governor Kristi Noem today ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on October 18, 2019, in memory of Representative Elijah E. Cummings.


Noem Administration Receives Nearly $2 Million in Grants for School Security
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that South Dakota received three grants totaling almost $2 million to help South Dakota school districts prevent and address threats of violence.


Noem Orders Capitol Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Former Legislator
Governor Kristi Noem has ordered flags at the South Dakota State Capitol to be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. until sunset on Saturday, October 12, 2019, to honor the life of Doris Miner, a former legislator.

Noem Announces Avera Health Plans and Sanford Health Plan to Offer ABA Coverage in 2020
Governor Kristi Noem, in conjunction with Avera Health Plans and Sanford Health Plan, is pleased to announce health insurance coverage options that include Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy in the South Dakota insurance market for 2020.

Governor's Column: Recognizing Native Americans’ Day
Each October, we celebrate Native Americans' Day – an opportunity to honor South Dakota's nine Native American tribes, as well as their heritage, culture, and tradition.


Noem Releases Attorney General’s Report on Minnehaha State’s Attorney
Governor Kristi Noem today released the summary of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s investigation into Minnehaha State’s Attorney Aaron McGowan.


President Trump Approves Third South Dakota Disaster Request
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that President Trump has approved the State’s request for a third Presidential Disaster Declaration, covering the damage done by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred June 30-July 21.


Noem Orders Flags at Half-Staff on October 6
Upon the directive of President Donald Trump, Governor Kristi Noem ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, October 6, 2019, to memorialize fallen firefighters.

Governor's Column: Serving South Dakota
Since becoming governor, I have been continually reminded that strengthening South Dakota for the next generation is a task I cannot accomplish on my own. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in the last nine months, but what most people don’t have the privilege of seeing are the state employees – the incredible public servants – who work day in and day out to make South Dakota great.

Governor Noem Calls Trump’s Biofuels Plan a “Big Win for Producers”
Governor Kristi Noem, a long-time ethanol advocate, today applauded the Trump administration's new plan to promote biofuels and expand ethanol production.


Governor Noem Announces Leadership Changes
Governor Kristi Noem today announced the departure of Herb Jones as Chief of Staff to the Governor’s Office and the appointment of Joshua Shields to serve as Chief of Staff and Beth Hollatz to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff.


Governor Noem Accepting Applications for Spring Interns
Governor Kristi Noem is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Office spring internship program.


Governor's Column: Grit and Tradition
The roundup is a unique tradition. While it’s a tip of the hat to our historic past when millions of buffalo roamed the Great Plains, it’s also an opportunity to showcase our state’s unique beauty to business leaders and prospects looking to expand their operations to South Dakota


President Trump Approves Second South Dakota Disaster Request
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that President Trump has approved the State’s request for a second Presidential Disaster Declaration, allowing federal money to be used to help local governmental entities recover from property damage sustained during severe storms and flooding that occurred statewide in late May and early June.


Noem Announces Prenatal and Primary Care Innovation Grants
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that the Department of Social Services (DSS) has awarded $1 million of innovation grants to improve primary and prenatal care for women in the Medicaid program.


Governor's Column: Launching a Week of Work
In mid-September, my team and I announced the official kick-off of our South Dakota Week of Work initiative – a partnership with businesses and schools that will give 10th grade students the opportunity to get out of the classroom, experience the world of work, and see careers that are available right here in South Dakota. It will help teach them soft skills like showing up on time, dressing professionally, and interacting with customers. Our first Week of Work will be April 20-24, 2020.

Emergency Management Plan Receives FEMA Approval
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that South Dakota’s Hazard Mitigation Plan received FEMA approval, allowing the State to receive additional funds in the event of future presidential disaster declarations. South Dakota is one of 13 states that have received this designation.

Noem, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Visit CTE Classrooms in Pierre
This week, Governor Kristi Noem and U.S. Department of Education Deputy Secretary Mitchell Zais visited T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre to visit technical education classrooms and discuss the importance of career and technical education (CTE).


Noem, DOT to Install Four-Way Stop at Intersection Near Woonsocket
Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Department of Transportation today announced that they are working to install additional traffic control measures at the intersection of Highways 34 and 37 in Sanborn County, changing it from a two-way stop to a four-way stop.


Noem Requests Investigation into Minnehaha County State’s Attorney
Governor Kristi Noem sent the following letter today:


Governor Noem Delivers Flooding Address
Governor Kristi Noem delivered the following Flooding Address today at 5pm CT:


Noem Announces Partnership Between DSS, Avera Behavioral Health to Provide Additional Services Following Sioux Falls Tornado
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that South Dakota’s Department of Social Services (DSS) is working with Avera Behavioral Health to provide support for patients affected by the tornado damage in Sioux Falls Tuesday evening.

Noem Announces South Dakota Week of Work to be Held April 20-24, 2020
The South Dakota Week of Work is scheduled for April 20-24, 2020, with the goal of introducing 10th grade students to career opportunities in their communities through job shadows, industry tours, and other business-classroom connections.


Governor's Column: A Tribute to Heroes
Earlier this month, I was honored and humbled to join veterans and South Dakotans as we broke ground on South Dakota’s first State Veterans Cemetery. Despite pouring rain, more than 100 veterans and South Dakotans gathered at the site just outside Sioux Falls for the momentous occasion.


President Orders Flags at Half-Staff on September 11
President Donald Trump has ordered flags nationwide to be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, to recognize Patriot Day, a day to honor the individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

ICYMI: Wall Street Journal Publishes Noem Op-Ed on Industrial Hemp
In case you missed it, the Wall Street Journal today published an opinion piece written by Governor Kristi Noem entitled “Why I Won’t Support Legalizing Hemp.”


Noem Appoints Sixth Circuit Judge
Governor Kristi Noem today appointed Margo Northrup to serve as judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.


Governor's Column: Preventing Suicide
Suicide isn’t something we like to talk about, but in too many South Dakota families, schools, and communities, suicide has become an all too familiar topic.


Noem Congratulates Build Dakota Scholarship Winners
Governor Kristi Noem today congratulated 391 students who have been awarded the Build Dakota Scholarship for the 2019-2020 school year.

Perry Appointed to Serve as Interim BIT Commissioner
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that Heather Perry will serve as Interim Commissioner of the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT). The appointment will be effective September 9.


South Dakota Earns Two Awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that South Dakota has received top awards for financial reporting and management.


Noem Appoints Seeley as Commissioner of Human Resources
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that Darin Seeley will join her administration as Commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources (BHR). Seeley will begin serving in this capacity on October 14.


Governor's Column: Industrial Hemp is Not the Answer.
As a farmer and rancher, I would be thrilled to get a new crop into the hands of our producers, especially as our ag markets struggle. A new source of revenue for farmers would be great. But industrial hemp is not the answer.

Noem, DOT Announce Reopening of Highway 18 Near Lake Andes
Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Department of Transportation today announced that the grade raise on Highway 18 east of Lake Andes is complete and the roadway is open to traffic. Highway 18 has been closed since March 22 because of severe flooding.

Noem, Oglala Lakota County School District to Build First Public High School on Pine Ridge Reservation
Governor Kristi Noem and Oglala Lakota County school officials today announced their partnership to build the first physical, local public high school on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the first CTE high school on a reservation in South Dakota.


State Senator Cronin Resigns, Noem Appoints Rep. Lake to Fill Senate Vacancy
State Senator Justin Cronin today resigned his seat in the South Dakota State Senate.

Noem Requests Additional Presidential Disaster Declarations For Weather Damage
Governor Kristi Noem has requested two additional, separate Presidential Disaster Declarations to help local government entities and certain private non-profits recover from property damage sustained during severe weather this spring and summer.

Noem, Veterans Affairs Announce State Veterans Cemetery Groundbreaking
Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (SDDVA) today announced that the state will break ground on the first-ever South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery on September 9, 2019.


Noem Appoints Second Circuit Judge
Governor Kristi Noem today appointed Rachel Rasmussen to serve as judge for the Second Judicial Circuit.


Governor's Column: USMCA: A Modernized Trade Agreement for South Dakota Producers
Now is the time for Washington to put people over politics, support American agriculture, and ratify the USMCA.


State, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Enter Contract to Expand Meth Treatment
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that the Department of Social Services entered into a contract with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe to operate the only Intensive Methamphetamine Treatment Program operated by a tribal treatment program in South Dakota.


Noem, Administration Officials Urge Lawmakers to Consider Extensive Questions Surrounding Industrial Hemp
Earlier this summer, Governor Kristi Noem submitted a list of 315 questions to House and Senate leadership involved in a summer hemp study. During a session in Pierre today, Noem’s administration will urge legislators to carefully consider the unknowns surrounding industrial hemp.


Governor's Column: Enhancing Bee Habitat
There are more than 400 species of native bees in South Dakota. Though we don’t have exact numbers on bee distribution or abundance, we know bees are critical to our state’s economy.


Noem Appoints Fourth Circuit Judge
Governor Kristi Noem today appointed Kevin J. Krull to serve as judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit.


Governor's Column: Bringing in a New School Year
Earlier this year, I visited Todd County Middle School in Mission, South Dakota – a school that is doing a lot of things right. Their work has been bolstered in recent years by a state-funded Native American Achievement Grant, a 3-year project to jumpstart improvements in academic outcomes for Native American students and increase student success.


President Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Victims of Tragedies in Texas, Ohio
President Donald Trump has ordered flags nationwide to be flown at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on August 8, 2019, to honor the victims of the tragedies in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.


Governor's Column: Slowing the Spread of Zebra Mussels
It doesn’t get much better than spending a summer day on a lake or river in South Dakota. Recreating on the water always seems to be the perfect backdrop for family memories and laughter. It’s one of the great things about our state.


Noem, SDHDA to Extend Grant Funding to Households Impacted by Spring Storms
Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) today announced that the remaining balance of the 2019 Housing Opportunity Funds (HOF) will be used to help families whose homes were impacted by storms this spring. In total, $165,000 will be available.


Noem Announces DENR Secretary Following Pirner Retirement
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that Hunter Roberts will join her administration as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This follows the retirement of Steve Pirner, who has led DENR since 2000. Roberts will begin serving in this capacity on August 5.


Governor's Column: Dealing with Disaster
This year has been tough for South Dakotans. The storms this spring brought destruction to homes, businesses, roads, and communities throughout the state. Unprecedented flooding made it difficult for farmers and ranchers to get into fields. When you add it all up, it’s become the largest federally declared disaster our state has ever seen.


President Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor John Paul Stevens
President Donald Trump has ordered flags nationwide to be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, to honor the life of John Paul Stevens, retired Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.