Fairness in Girls’ Sports Matters
This week, the 2022 legislative session kicked off, and I presented my State of the State address to the people of South Dakota. I described how South Dakota is stronger than it has ever been in its 133-year history. This did not happen because of what government did. It happened because of what government did NOT do. To preserve what we have and grow even stronger, we need to remember why government exists in the first place – to protect the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.


Gov. Noem Responds to SCOTUS Blocking OSHA Vaccine Mandate
Today Governor Kristi Noem issued the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court blocking the OSHA vaccine mandate:


2022 State of the State
I am proud to report that the state of our state is stronger than it has ever been in our 133-year history.


Gov. Noem Announces Legislation Blocking Action Civics
Today, Governor Kristi Noem released the text of draft legislation to block Action Civics as the basis of education for South Dakota students.


God bless the 235th MPC
On January 5th, I joined several state and local officials for a deployment ceremony honoring the 235th Military Policy Company. The unit from the South Dakota National Guard is heading to Guantanamo Bay for a challenging operational mission.


Pro-Life Rule Blocking Telemedicine Abortions Approved
Today, Governor Kristi Noem and the Department of Health’s rule blocking telemedicine abortions was approved by the South Dakota Legislature’s Interim Rules Review Committee.


Governor Noem Statement on Anticompetitive Practices in Meat Packing
Today, Governor Kristi Noem released the following statement regarding anticompetitive practices in the meat packing industry:


Gov. Noem Signs Cleanup Executive Order
Yesterday, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2021-16, which rescinds certain executive orders, corrects previous orders to refer to the proper state agencies, and modifies timelines.


BFM Releases 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Today, the Bureau of Finance and Management (BFM) released South Dakota’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2021. The ACFR is the audited financial statements for state government.


Gov. Noem Announces Legislation Blocking Critical Race Theory
Today, Governor Kristi Noem released the text of draft legislation to block Critical Race Theory (CRT) as the basis of education for South Dakota students.


That won’t happen here
For generations, South Dakotans have held true to the values that make our state a special place to call home. I spend every day working to keep South Dakota a special place to live and strengthen it for the future. By doing so, South Dakota sets an example for the nation.


Gov. Noem Announces Fairness in Girls’ Sports Legislation
Today, Governor Kristi Noem released the text of legislation to defend fairness in girls’ sports at both the K-12 and collegiate level. This legislation will codify Governor Noem’s executive orders and extend further protections to women and girls.


Gov. Noem Announces Bill to Restore Protections for Prayer in Schools
Today, Governor Kristi Noem released the text of legislation to restore protections for prayer in schools. This bill will guarantee an opportunity to pray in schools at the start of every school day.


Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon to Join Private Sector
Today, South Dakota Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon announced that she will be departing from the Noem Administration to join the private sector

Budgeting for the future
This week, I outlined my budget recommendations for how we will run our state in the next fiscal year. The past year has brought historic challenges. South Dakota has taken those challenges in stride and has come out stronger.


ICYMI: Gov. Noem Delivers 2021 Budget Address
Today, Governor Kristi Noem delivered her 2021 Budget Address. The Address included Governor Noem’s recommendations for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2023. You can watch the full Budget Address here.

Gov. Noem's 2021 Budget Address
Lieutenant Governor Rhoden, Mr. Speaker, members of the House and Senate, and my fellow South Dakotans.

Governor Noem Files Appeal Brief in Planned Parenthood v. Noem
On Friday December 3, Governor Kristi Noem filed her appeal brief in the Planned Parenthood v. Noem litigation, which she has appealed to the United States 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.


Gov. Noem Announces Themes of 2021 Budget Address
Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced the primary themes of her 2021 Budget Address:


American Legislative Exchange Council Ranks Governor Noem Best Governor in the Nation
Today, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) announced that Governor Kristi Noem is ranked the best governor in America for 2021. In accepting the award, Governor Kristi issued the following statement:

Caught in a Self-Inflicted Energy Crisis
The United States faces a federal-government-created energy crisis, and South Dakota is caught in the middle of it. Gas prices continue to rise, driving up the cost of shipping and making it more expensive to visit loved ones over the holidays. As we enter the winter season, Americans are outraged by the rising cost to heat their homes.


Governor Noem Signs Executive Order to Extend Flexibility in Hay Hauling
Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2021-15, extending the timeframe during which hay haulers may move hay through February 2022.

South Dakota Ranked Top-5 in “Freedom in the 50 States”
Today, the CATO Institute announced that South Dakota is now ranked in the top-five states in their “Freedom in the 50 States” index.


Help Wanted? Try These Resources
It’s the holiday season 2021 and—just about everywhere you look—businesses are hiring. “Help Wanted” signs dot store windows in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and all points in-between. For the past two months, the South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation has posted between 20,000 and 31,000 active jobs on their (DLR) website. That’s good news for our state as unemployment numbers remain well below the national average.


Governor Noem Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Amendment A
Today, Governor Kristi Noem issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Amendment A:

Gov. Noem Announces Department of Corrections Staffing Changes
Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced several staffing changes at the South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC). Doug Clark, Deputy Secretary of Corrections and Acting Warden of the State Penitentiary, will be the new Interim Secretary of Corrections. Interim Secretary Tim Reisch will be stepping down, effective December 8.


Gov. Kristi Noem Issues Statement Honoring Marcella LeBeau
As a proud member of the Lakota, Wigmunke Waste Win (Pretty Rainbow Woman) served both her community and her country as a member of the Greatest Generation. Her service as a nurse during World War II has been chronicled by historians. Her dedication as a nurse in the Indian Health Services for more than 30 years has left a legacy that will live in our hearts and minds forever.

Gov. Noem to Host Christmas At The Capitol Tree-Lighting Ceremony
Governor Kristi Noem will host the 2021 Grand Lighting Ceremony for Christmas at the South Dakota Capitol in the Rotunda on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m.


Under God, the People Gather and Give Thanks
Thanksgiving is a time of unity. It is a time of gathering friends, family, and sometimes newcomers into your home. Somewhere along the way, America began to forget what the true meaning of Thanksgiving is.


A little goes a long way during this Season of Giving
The season of giving is here and there are numerous organizations that South Dakotans support in their communities. Food pantries, shelters for women and children, clothing drives, and toy drives are all causes that fill our hearts while helping those less fortunate, especially during the holiday season.


Highlighting our best and brightest this Veterans Day
On Veterans Day each year, we honor those brave Americans who volunteered their lives in service to our country.

South Dakota Joins Litigation against OSHA Vaccine Mandates
Today, following Governor Noem’s promise to “see President Biden in court,” the State of South Dakota joined a lawsuit against the OSHA COVID vaccine mandate issued by the Biden Administration.


Former Gov. Frank L. Farrar to be Honored at State Capitol on Tuesday
Former Governor Frank L. Farrar will be honored at the South Dakota State Capitol on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.


“It’s Time to Go on Offense.” South Dakota Joins Lawsuit against Biden Vaccine Mandate
Today, following Governor Noem’s promise to see President Biden in court, the State of South Dakota joined a lawsuit against the Biden Administration’s COVID vaccine mandate for federal contractors.

Governor Noem To Host Trick-or-Treat Festivities at Governor’s Residence
Governor Kristi Noem and First Gentleman Bryon Noem will host the annual trick-or-treat festivities at the Governor’s Residence in Pierre on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. CT.

South Dakota’s Treats this Halloween Season
It’s Halloween weekend and there is a seasonal chill in the air. There’s also a chill affecting American confidence in our economy. With an unfocused White House in charge, gas prices climbing, and supply chain issues clogging our ports, many Americans feel like the country has become a House of Horrors with a new crisis lurking around every corner.


Governor, SD Sheriffs Association release joint statement in response to DHS rules complicating arrest of illegal immigrants
PIERRE, S.D. — Governor Kristi Noem today released a joint statement with the South Dakota Sheriffs Association in response to new guidance from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas outlining guidelines for ICE and CBP officers who encounter illegal immigrants.


Gov. Noem Protects State Employees from Federal Vaccine Mandates
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2021-14, protecting state employees from President Biden’s federal vaccine mandates. She also released a video announcing her decision.