Governor's Column: Connecting South Dakota
This legislative session, I will be working with your district senators and representatives to allocate another $5 million to address more of our connectivity needs.

State maps added to South Dakota Digital Archives
The South Dakota State Historical Society-State Archives has added nearly 700 digitized maps and made them accessible online in the South Dakota Digital Archives thanks to an Outside of Deadwood grant from the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission.

SHIINE Program Seeking Consultants
The South Dakota Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE) program is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants to provide a presence in the western and central regions.

Structured Family Caregiving Offered Statewide
The South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) is now offering Structured Family Caregiving statewide.

Repair, Rebuilding Advice Available in Sioux Falls and Yankton
SIOUX FALLS, SD – FEMA mitigation and flood insurance specialists will be at Menards in Sioux Falls and Yankton next week to offer advice and tips to property owners on how to repair storm damage while rebuilding their properties and making them able to withstand future storms.

Governor Noem Honors Tourism Industry Professionals at Annual Banquet
Two South Dakota communities, five individuals, and two businesses were honored at the 2020 Governor’s Conference on Tourism’s annual awards banquet on Thursday, January 23. Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Department of Tourism presented the following awards to tourism industry members.

South Dakota Tourism Industry Touts 10 Years of Growth, Reaches Record Numbers in 2019
South Dakota’s tourism industry has grown again for the tenth straight year, reaching a record level of visitors, visitor spending and impact on the state’s economy.


ICYMI: Noem Takes Steps to Increase Housing Availability in South Dakota
This month, Governor Kristi Noem asked the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) to begin utilizing the Revolving Economic Development & Initiative (REDI) Fund to support multi-family, workforce housing projects.

Deadline to Register for Federal Disaster Assistance Approaching
SIOUX FALLS, SD – The deadline for residents with damage from the September severe storms, tornadoes and flooding to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency is Friday, January 31, 2020.


Noem Marks 47th Anniversary of Roe v Wade Ruling, Proclaims January Sanctity of Human Life Month
To mark the 47th anniversary since the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v Wade, Governor Kristi Noem has proclaimed January as Sanctity of Human Life Month.

Gov. Noem appoints Heineman and Westra to Board of Education Standards
Governor Kristi Noem has appointed Phyllis Heineman and Julie Westra, both of Sioux Falls, to the South Dakota Board of Education Standards.

Department of Health Launches Comprehensive Plan for Suicide Prevention
The Department of Health today launched South Dakota’s first, comprehensive plan since 2013 to reduce suicide deaths. Over the past decade, South Dakota’s suicide rates rose by nearly 40 percent. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15-34.

DPS Secretary Price Appointed To Presidential Commission
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Craig Price today was appointed by Attorney General William P. Barr to the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.


Officers Elected for Governor’s Tourism Advisory Board
The South Dakota Governor’s Tourism Advisory Board has selected its officers for 2020


Name Released in Lawrence County Fatal Crash
NEMO, S.D. – A 66-year-old man has been identified as the person who died Sunday, Jan. 12, in a one-vehicle crash southwest of Nemo, S.D.


I-90 and I-29 Open No Travel Advised Across Most of Eastern SD
The South Dakota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety have opened the closed portions of Interstate 90 and Interstate 29 in both directions.


Noem Recognizes Tribal Groups During State-Tribal Relations Day
Governor Kristi Noem this week attended the State-Tribal Relations Awards Ceremony where she presented certificates of commendation to two tribal groups who have done “extraordinary work” to combat the flow of drugs in their communities.

Governor's Column: South Dakota is OPEN for Business
One of our main priorities last year was recruiting new industries to South Dakota and helping businesses who are looking to grow or expand. And people have responded. It’s not hard to understand why. There are so many reasons why South Dakota is the best place in the nation to do business.

Make Valentine ornaments, enjoy SDSU ice cream Feb. 2 at Cultural Heritage Center
Visitors can create their own 3-D Valentine ornaments and enjoy some South Dakota State University ice cream on Museum Activity Day at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre on Sunday, Feb 2.

South Dakota Her Flag stripe being added Jan. 30 at Cultural Heritage Center
The South Dakota stripe of the national Her Flag project will be added Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. CST at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

State Historical Society awards five historic preservation grants
Historic preservation projects in Brookings, Burke, Lake City (Fort Sisseton), Philip, and Pierre recently received matching grants from the South Dakota State Historical Society.

State’s SBVI Division Holding Public Forum
The South Dakota Department of Human Services Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI) will be holding a public forum on February 3.

Governor Orders 1 p.m. Local Time Closure For State Government Offices in 42 Counties
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Kristi Noem has ordered a 1 p.m., local time closing for state government executive branch offices in 42 counties included in the current blizzard warning.

Repair, Rebuilding Advice Available in Sioux Falls and Mitchell
SIOUX FALLS, SD – FEMA mitigation and flood insurance specialists will be at Menards in Sioux Falls and Mitchell next week to offer advice and tips on how to repair storm damage and rebuild safer and stronger.

Job Openings at Interstate Welcome Centers
The South Dakota Department of Tourism is now accepting applications to fill seasonal positions for travel counselors and supervisors at six Welcome Center locations along Interstates 29 and 90.

Portions of I-90 and I-29 Closing at 7 p.m. CST
The South Dakota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety are advising motorists that portions of Interstates 29 and 90 will be closing at 7 p.m. CST (Friday, Jan. 17).


Noem Calls on Businesses to Register for South Dakota Week of Work
Governor Kristi Noem, in partnership with the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the South Dakota Retailers Association, today called on businesses to register for the South Dakota Week of Work April 20-24, 2020.

State Historical Society receives grant to put more historic newspapers online
Three new South Dakota towns are now represented in the digitized historical newspaper collections on Chronicling America.

South Dakota Disaster Recovery Centers to Close, But Help Still Available
SIOUX FALLS, SD—All of the remaining Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in South Dakota are scheduled to permanently close at the end of this week. The deadline for registration is January 31, 2020.

Veterans Should Register in the Burn Pit Registry
The VA Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry is available to eligible veterans and service members to document their exposures and report health concerns through an online questionnaire.


Noem Appoints Spring to Game, Fish and Parks Commission
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem announced today that she has appointed Chuck Spring of Union Center to the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission.

Labor Department Accepting Applications for Eligible Training Providers
The Department of Labor and Regulation is accepting applications for training programs to be approved for the state’s Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL).


Noem Reaffirms Support of Israel, Condemns Anti-Semitism, Signs Executive Order Against BDS Campaign
Governor Kristi Noem today signed an executive order that joins 27 other states in condemning Anti-Semitism and standing against the Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. The Executive Order directs state entities not to contract with businesses supporting the BDS campaign.

South Dakota Reports First Flu Deaths of Season
Today South Dakota reported three flu-related deaths, the first deaths of the 2019-2020 season.

Highway Patrol Now Accepting Trooper Applications
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is looking for a group of new troopers to carry the agency through the new decade and beyond.

South Dakota Celebrates “Great Faces, Great Places” with 2020 Governor’s Conference on Tourism
The South Dakota Department of Tourism is hosting the 2020 Governor’s Conference on Tourism from January 21-23, in Pierre, S.D. The conference is open for registration to anyone interested in tourism, marketing and hospitality.

Signal Repair at Elk Vale Road and Concourse Drive in Rapid City
The South Dakota Department of transportation says a signal pole at the intersection of Elk Vale Road (U.S.16B) and Concourse Drive was struck by a motorist early Saturday morning.


State of the State Preview – Governor Kristi Noem: “South Dakota is OPEN for Business”
On Tuesday, Governor Kristi Noem will deliver the annual State of the State Address. Among other topics, Noem will outline why South Dakota is the best state in the country to own and operate a business.

South Dakota State Fair Announces Charlie Daniels Band and Marshall Tucker Band to Play at 2020 State Fair
The South Dakota State Fair is proud to announce that the Fire on the Mountain Tour with the Charlie Daniels Band and Marshall Tucker Band will make the South Dakota State Fair grandstand a stop on Friday, September 4, 2020.

Repair, Rebuilding Advice Available in Sioux Falls and Mitchell
SIOUX FALLS, SD – FEMA mitigation and flood insurance specialists will be at The Home Depot in Sioux Falls and True Value Hardware in Mitchell this week to offer advice and tips on how to repair storm damage and rebuild safer and stronger.

Names Released in Codington County Fatal Crash
WATERTOWN, S.D. – A Waubay, S.D. man has been identified as the person who died Thursday night in a two-vehicle crash west of Watertown.


Lawrence County Fatal Crash
NEMO, S.D. – One person died in a one-vehicle crash that occurred early Sunday morning southwest of Nemo, S.D.


Governor's Column - Four Guardrails: A Path Forward for Decriminalizing Industrial Hemp
Over the last year, we’ve had a long conversation about industrial hemp. I’ve been grateful to talk with folks about the topic and hear different perspectives at townhalls, coffee shops, basketball games, and everywhere in between. On January 9, I outlined for the legislature a path forward – four guardrails, if you will – on hemp.

Suffrage sites, army forts highlighted in “South Dakota History”
Historic sites related to the woman suffrage movement and the history of Fort Sisseton in South Dakota and Fort Totten in North Dakota are featured in the annual historic preservation issue of “South Dakota History,” the quarterly journal of the South Dakota State Historical Society.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available
The Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in Aurora County as a result of the Presidential Disaster Declaration, FEMA DR-4469.

Applications Now Available for Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program
PIERRE, S.D. – Applications are now available for local governmental entities who want to apply for the new Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program.

FEMA Registration Deadline Extended
SIOUX FALLS, SD – The deadline to register with FEMA for disaster assistance after the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from Sept. 9-26 has been extended to January 31, 2020.

Codington County Fatal Crash
WATERTOWN, S.D. – One person died and two others were seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred early Thursday night west of Watertown.

Game Shop Expands in Parker, Approved for MicroLOAN
PARKER, S.D. – Turbulent Games LLC in Parker, S.D., is a main street shop that sells board games, card games and miniatures, or tabletop games.

SDHDA Hosting Listening Sessions Regarding Housing Programs
South Dakota Housing Development Authority, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, will be hosting five listening sessions around the state to solicit comments on the 2020 Annual Action Plan of the Consolidated Plan and the allocation plans for the HOME, Housing Tax Credits, Housing Trust Fund, Emergency Solutions Grant, and Housing Opportunity Fund Programs.


Four Guardrails: Noem Proposes a Path Forward for Decriminalizing Industrial Hemp
Governor Kristi Noem today sent the legislature her “Four Guardrails” for a path forward on decriminalizing industrial hemp.

Williams and Ree to Perform at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in March
The South Dakota State Fair is excited to host Williams and Ree at the Nordby Exhibit Hall on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds on Friday, March 13. Comedian Mark Gramm will open for Williams and Ree.

Disaster Recovery Center Opens Friday in Aurora County
SIOUX FALLS, SD – The State of South Dakota and FEMA will open a disaster recovery center in Plankinton to offer face-to-face support to individuals and businesses impacted by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from September 9-26.

Additional Counties Approved for FEMA Assistance
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Homeowners and renters in Aurora County may now register with FEMA for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and loss resulting from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred Sept. 9 – 26, 2019.


Wildlife Diversity Small Grant Proposals Being Accepted
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Wildlife Diversity Program is accepting proposals for the Wildlife Diversity Small Grants Program.

CRP Enrollment Options
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently taking applications to enroll environmentally sensitive agricultural land into perennial cover for 10 to 15 years through the federally funded Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

Let FEMA Determine Eligibility
Sioux Falls, S.D. – The State of South Dakota and the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourage everyone with damage from the September 9-26, 2019 severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding to register for federal disaster assistance.


Become a Kansas City Barbeque Society Certified BBQ Judge or Table Captain
The annual Original South Dakota BBQ Championships, held in conjunction with Wheel Jam on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, is a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned event. To judge a KCBS sanctioned event, judges must be a certified KCBS judge.

Museum at Cultural Heritage Center announces programming schedule for new exhibit “‘The Right is Ours’: Women Win the Vote”
The nationwide celebration of women’s suffrage continues at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre with special programming beginning in January to support the new exhibit “‘The Right is Ours’: Women Win the Vote” that opened in November.

South Dakota teachers, school counselors go above and beyond with professional certifications
Five South Dakota teachers and three school counselors earned national certifications in 2019, demonstrating advanced knowledge and skill in their professions.

Jan. 14 Cultural Heritage Center program features Doolittle Raider Don Smith
A South Dakota pilot who participated in one of the most daring air raids in World War II will be the subject of a program at 7 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

Names Released in Moody County Fatal Crash
BROOKINGS, S.D. – A Renner, S.D. man has been identified as the person who died in a fatal crash Saturday morning on Interstate 29 west of Flandreau.

Minnehaha Disaster Recovery Center to Close January 11
SIOUX FALLS, SD—The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Sioux Falls will close at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020. Specialists in the DRC have been meeting directly with residents to review their registrations. Visits to the center have now slowed, leading to the closing.

Search Underway for Special School Administrators
The search has begun for new administrators to oversee the two special schools in South Dakota serving students who are blind and visually impaired and deaf or hard of hearing.


Noem Appoints Schoenfish, Overweg to Serve District 19
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that she has appointed current Representative Kyle Schoenfish to fill the District 19 vacancy in the South Dakota State Senate.

South Dakota Department of Agriculture Seeking Summer Interns
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture is seeking to fill several paid internships for the summer of 2020.

WIOA Unified State Plan Public Forum
The South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) will hold a public forum on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Unified State Plan.

Temporary Closures on I-90 for Bridge Scour Repair
The South Dakota Department of Transportation says the contractor will be closing the westbound lanes of I-90, four miles west of Humboldt, to traffic for four days beginning Tuesday, Jan. 7, through Friday, Jan. 10.

Statewide Homeless Count to be Conducted in January
On Jan. 28, 2020, South Dakota Housing for the Homeless Consortium (SDHHC), an affiliate of South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA), will conduct its annual statewide Point-In-Time (PIT) homeless count.


Moody County Fatal Crash
BROOKINGS, S.D. – One person died in a fatal crash Saturday morning on Interstate 29 west of Flandreau.


Noem Announces more than $21.9 Million for Statewide Environmental Projects
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that the state Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved more than $21.9 million for water, wastewater, watershed, recycling, and solid waste projects. The board met today over the Digital Dakota Network.

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 Monday, January 6, 2020, to honor the life of George Blair, a former legislator.

Governor's Column: Keeping Resolutions for 2020
Studies show we’re more likely to achieve our resolutions if we set specific goals. And once those goals are set, we ought to tell someone so we don’t go it alone. With this approach in mind, I decided to put together a list of specific and public resolutions for 2020 that will move us toward a stronger South Dakota.

Inmate Daniel Ducret Dies
Ducret, age 67, was found unresponsive in his cell at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls on Jan. 2. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead Jan. 3.

Inmate Richard Barela Placed on Escape Status
Barela left his community service work site in Yankton this afternoon without authorization. He took a 2007 silver Chevy ½ ton pickup with a State of South Dakota license plate that reads CH 331 from the work site.

Family Fun Saturday Jan. 11 at Cultural Heritage Center offers “Something Fishy”
Kick off the new year at the first 2020 Family Fun Saturday, “Something Fishy,” Jan. 11, from 10-11:30 a.m. CST at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

Repair, Rebuilding Advice Available in Brookings and Sioux Falls
SIOUX FALLS, SD – FEMA mitigation and flood insurance specialists will be at Lowe’s in Brookings and Sioux Falls next week to offer advice and tips on how to repair storm damage and rebuild safer and stronger.

Names Released In Minnehaha County Fatal Crash
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A 30-year-old Sioux Falls man has been identified as the person who died in a two-vehicle crash early Tuesday morning north of Sioux Falls.

DPS to Implement Capitol Security Measures Jan. 13, Capitol Access Pass Available for Frequent Visitors
PIERRE, S.D. – The Department of Public Safety today announced that new safety measures that include a security screening process at the South Dakota State Capitol Building will begin Monday, Jan. 13.

Hanson County Disaster Recovery Center Extended
SIOUX FALLS, SD — The Hanson County Disaster Recovery Center will now remain open until further notice.


Reminder To Not Dump Snow In Highway Right of Way
The South Dakota Department of Transportation is reminding the public and commercial snow removal operators that it is illegal to place or dump excess snow on highway right of way, which includes driving surfaces, shoulders and ditches.


Noem Announces District 35 Legislative Appointment
Governor Kristi Noem today appointed Jessica Castleberry to represent District 35 in the South Dakota Senate, effective January 1, 2020. The vacancy was created after Lyndi DiSanto announced her resignation. Castleberry will serve during the 2020 legislative session.

Minnehaha County Fatal Crash
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – One person died and another was injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred early Tuesday morning north of Sioux Falls.

New Year of Sobriety Checkpoints Begins in January
PIERRE, S.D. – Another year of sobriety checkpoints starts throughout South Dakota in January.


Governor Orders 1 p.m. Opening For State Government Offices in 46 Counties
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Kristi Noem has ordered a 1 p.m. local time Monday opening for state government executive branch offices in counties impacted by this past weekend’s winter storm.

I-90 and I-29 Open - Travel Caution
The South Dakota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety have opened the closed portions of Interstate 90 and Interstate 29 in both directions.


I-29 Closing from Watertown to North Dakota Border
The South Dakota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety are advising motorists that Interstate 29 will be closing from Watertown to the North Dakota border, both north and southbound, effective immediately.

I-90 to Remain Closed Until Monday
The South Dakota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety are advising motorists that Interstate 90 will be remain closed overnight into Monday. The closure area is I-90 westbound from Mitchell to Wall and I-90 eastbound from Rapid City Exit 67 to Mitchell.


Portions of I-90 Closing at 7 p.m.
The South Dakota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety are advising motorists that eastbound Interstate 90 will be closing from Rapid City to Mitchell and westbound Mitchell to Wall at 7 p.m. CST (6 p.m. MST).