Governor Kristi Noem: Helping Moms and Babies
Today, the Supreme Court announced something that countless Americans have prayed for over the past 50 years: they reversed the Roe v. Wade decision and allowed states to make their own choices over abortion policy. In South Dakota, we have a law on the books that makes abortion illegal immediately, except to preserve the life of the mother.

Governor Noem Announces Life.SD.gov
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced a new website, Life.SD.gov. The website helps mothers and their babies before birth and after by providing resources for pregnancy, new parents, financial assistance, and adoption.

Gov. Noem and Legislative Leaders Announce Plans for Special Session to Save Lives, Help Mothers
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, in response to the United States Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Governor Kristi Noem and leaders in the South Dakota State Legislature jointly announced plans for a special session later this year to save lives and help mothers impacted by the decision.


Lt. Gov. Rhoden: In Honor of All Fathers
Family is important. President Ronald Reagan once said, “if the family goes, so goes our civilization.”


Governor Noem Accepting Applications for Fall Interns
Governor Kristi Noem is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Office fall 2022 internship program.


Old Glory, Eternal Glory
On June 14th each year, we celebrate the American Flag as an enduring symbol of freedom, equality, justice, and hope. Our flag is more than a symbol of our country’s core values — it also represents the toil and sacrifice of so many who have worked to lift America to the top of the world stage.

Gov. Noem Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration for May 12 Storm Damage
Today, Governor Kristi Noem requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration and signed Executive Order 2022-06 to help South Dakota local governments recover from public infrastructure damage sustained as a result of tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred on May 12 in the eastern part of the state.


What Happened to America?
Before the pandemic struck, America was experiencing a resurgence in global economic and political strength that hadn’t been seen since World War II. We had the lowest unemployment rate in more than 50 years – including record-high employment rates for Black and Hispanic Americans. We became the global leader in energy production. We were the third-largest exporter of cars and the second-largest producer of auto parts. It’s simple – we were putting America first.


Gov. Noem Promises to Defend Girls’ Sports, Sue Biden Administration
Today, Governor Kristi Noem promised to defend fairness in girls’ sports from an attack by the Biden Administration. The Biden U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is threatening funding for the federal school lunch program and other Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars if schools and other entities do not adopt a false interpretation of Title IX.


Their Sacrifice is a Call for Us to Serve
If you ever visit South Dakota’s State Capitol, I hope you take the time to visit the veterans’ memorial down by Capitol Lake. While this memorial is dedicated to all veterans who have served, there is a portion specifically dedicated to the more than 300 South Dakotans killed in the Korean and Vietnam wars. To one side there is an inscription: May we ever protect the freedoms for which they fought.


Governor Noem Signs Executive Orders
Yesterday, Governor Kristi Noem signed two executive orders.


Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Former State Senator John "Joe" Reedy
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, May 28, 2022, in honor of the passing of John "Joe" Reedy, a former state Representative and Senator. Reedy served in the House from 1991-1996 and in the Senate from 1997-2004.


South Dakota is a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary
Over the past two years, America has seen some of the most concerning attacks on freedom in our history. Governments seized previously unimagined power over our day-to-day lives. Churches were forced to close, forsaking freedom of religion. Big tech and government alike attempted to police speech, something that is supposed to be free for all. And though the Supreme Court seems poised to advance the right to life of all people, renewed attacks on that right are only just beginning.


Honoring Those with the Courage to Serve
Last week, I had the humbling opportunity to speak at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial service in Pierre. We honored 68 brave South Dakotans in local, state, and federal law enforcement who showed courage by giving up their lives in service to our people.


State Agencies Provide Storm Assistance
Gov. Kristi Noem has ordered South Dakota’s National Guard and the Department of Public Safety’s Wildland Fire Division and Highway Patrol to provide assistance to those eastern South Dakota communities impacted by Thursday’s severe storms.

South Dakota Strong
Nature has a way of humbling us, of stepping into our lives with previously unthought power and reminding us what truly matters. That's how I felt these past two days while surveying storm damage across much of South Dakota.

Governor Noem Orders State of Emergency for Storm Response
Today, Gov. Kristi Noem issued a State of Emergency and ordered state personnel and resources to communities impacted by the damaging storms that occurred Thursday in eastern South Dakota. The Department of Public Safety’s Office of Emergency Management has opened an Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response with local government authorities.


Flags at Half-Staff in Honor Fallen Law Enforcement Officers and South Dakotans Who Died from COVID-19
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide immediately until sunset on Monday, May 16, 2022, in honor of South Dakota law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty and the 2,917 South Dakotans who have perished from COVID-19.


South Dakota Loves the Outdoors
When you think about South Dakota, you can’t help but picture the great outdoors. The beautiful Black Hills, with their mix of mountain ranges and rolling prairies. The mighty Missouri River — winding across the state and feeding thousands of miles of riverbed and streams.


Gov. Noem Proclaims Today Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day
Today, Governor Noem proclaimed May 5th as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day in South Dakota.


Go Big, Go South Dakota Tourism
There has never been a better time to talk about tourism in South Dakota. May 1-7 is National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) across the country. In South Dakota, we celebrate the Great Faces, Great Places that make our state the greatest vacation destination in America.


Opportunity, Not Difficulty
An optimistic mindset can change more than just how we see the world – it can change everything about our lives.


The Week to Celebrate Life
Everywhere we turn, we see symbols of renewal and rebirth. Spring snows blanket Custer State Park while buffalo calves are being born on the prairie. Elsewhere, the snow has turned to rain showers — a blessing to all, especially our farmers preparing the fields for spring planting.


The Lessons of History
I love learning about history. When I see the granite faces on Mount Rushmore, I always want to learn more about the men enshrined there. When I walk through downtown Rapid City and see the bronze statues of our presidents, I want to learn more about each of their successes and failures. I love the stories — and we can learn powerful lessons from those stories.


Gov. Noem Restricts Critical Race Theory in K-12 Schools
Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2022-02, which restricts the teaching of Critical Race Theory in K-12 education in South Dakota.


Serving Veterans, Supporting Soldiers
April marks Month of the Military Child, an annual celebration where communities across the country lift up the sons and daughters of our military heroes. During this time, we remember that the men and women in uniform are not the only ones who sacrifice for our country – their families sacrifice time together. Sometimes they even sacrifice the life of their loved ones.


Gov. Noem Supports Returning Federal Housing Dollars
Today, the South Dakota Housing & Development Authority (SDHDA) returned $81.5 million in unused Emergency Rental Assistance funds to the federal government.


Gov. Noem Appoints Joan Adam as Secretary of Health
Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she is appointing Joan Adam to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), effective immediately. Joan has been serving in this role in an interim capacity since January.

Gov. Noem Appoints Michael Houdyshell as Secretary of Revenue
Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she is appointing Michael Houdyshell to serve as Secretary of the Department of Revenue (DOR), effective April 1, 2022.