Ep. 8: How a sales tax roller coaster could lead to property tax relief for South Dakotans • South Dakota Searchlight
Searchlight Report host Meghan O’Brien takes a look back at what pushed the state toward the need for property tax relief in recent years.
As the annual South Dakota legislative session winds down, the push for property tax relief is coalescing around plans to provide that relief with money from higher sales #taxes.
The latest episode of the 🎧️ Searchlight Report 🎧️ podcast explains how we got here: buff.ly/jzKwrE0
06.03.2026 22:49
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Noem could forgo her new federal role for a SD political race, but observers say it’s unlikely • South Dakota Searchlight
Several political insiders think Kristi Noem will stick with her new role in the Trump administration rather than go back into politics.
Several South Dakota political insiders think #KristiNoem will stick with her new role in the Trump administration following her dismissal as U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary, rather than jump into a political race in her home state.
06.03.2026 21:49
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After positive January, latest job report shows losses again • South Dakota Searchlight
The United States lost 92,000 jobs in February, edging unemployment up slightly according to the latest employment figures.
The United States lost 92,000 #jobs in February, edging unemployment up slightly according to the latest employment figures released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Via @statesnewsroom.com
06.03.2026 19:49
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New license plate imaging helps solve theft cases, say police in two South Dakota cities • South Dakota Searchlight
Police in South Dakota logged fewer theft reports in 2025 than the previous year, but made more arrests for theft.
Police in South Dakota logged fewer theft reports in 2025 than the previous year, but made more arrests for theft. The figures suggest license plate readers adopted in Madison and expanded last year to Sioux Falls can make it easier to find suspects, the technology's supporters say.
06.03.2026 16:49
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New sales tax options for counties and cities headed to governor’s desk • South Dakota Searchlight
Two bills that would allow local governments to impose new sales taxes for specific purposes are headed to the governor’s desk.
Two bills that would allow local governments in South Dakota to impose new #SalesTaxes for specific purposes cleared their last legislative hurdles and are headed to the governor for his consideration.
06.03.2026 02:26
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Data center regulation bill passes South Dakota House • South Dakota Searchlight
One of the last remaining data center bills pending in the South Dakota Legislature — a measure that would impose new regulations — passed the state House.
One of the last remaining bills dealing with #DataCenters in the South Dakota Legislature — a measure that would impose new regulations — passed the state House and now heads back to the Senate for consideration of a House committee’s amendment.
06.03.2026 01:26
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Medical marijuana oversight committee survives as attempt to shut it down fails • South Dakota Searchlight
The committee that oversees South Dakota’s medical marijuana program will continue its work for at least another year.
The committee that oversees South Dakota’s #MedicalMarijuana program will continue its work for at least another year, a panel of state senators has decided after the House had voted to end it.
05.03.2026 15:26
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Day after grilling by GOP senators, Noem has easier time with US House panel • South Dakota Searchlight
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced a slightly less hostile crowd in a House committee hearing than in the Senate the previous day.
U.S. House Republicans spent a Wednesday oversight hearing with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blasting local governments for policies that limit immigration cooperation, while Democrats slammed her leadership of the department.
05.03.2026 14:26
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US Senate rejects limits on Trump war powers, as Hegseth vows ‘death and destruction’ for Iran • South Dakota Searchlight
Senate Republicans and a single Democrat blocked a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s joint war with Israel in Iran.
Senate Republicans and a single Democrat blocked a War Powers Resolution Wednesday aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s joint war with Israel in Iran that has taken the lives of six American troops and killed top Iranian leaders.
05.03.2026 04:54
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Effort to ask voters to limit South Dakota lieutenant governor's authority fails in state House • South Dakota Searchlight
Voters will not decide if South Dakota’s lieutenant governor should continue to lead state Senate proceedings.
The South Dakota House of Representatives on Wednesday rejected a resolution that would have placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot asking voters if the lieutenant governor should be stripped of his role as the Senate’s presiding officer.
05.03.2026 03:54
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Ban on advertising, selling of abortion pills one vote away from governor’s desk • South Dakota Searchlight
A bill to criminalize the sale or advertisement of drugs designed to perform an abortion is on its way to the South Dakota Senate.
A bill to criminalize the sale or advertisement of “an article or thing” designed to perform an abortion is on its way to the South Dakota Senate.
If it succeeds in the Senate, it will go to the governor’s desk for final approval.
05.03.2026 02:54
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South Dakota governor, legislative leaders roll out property tax plan with one week left of session • South Dakota Searchlight
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden has thrown his support behind property tax plans he opposed earlier in the legislative session.
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden has thrown his support behind a plan to use revenues from an upcoming increase in the statewide sales tax rate to offset homeowner property taxes — something his administration opposed earlier this legislative session.
05.03.2026 01:54
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Governor relents, signs bill to pursue SNAP soda ban for South Dakota • South Dakota Searchlight
Gov. Larry Rhoden has signed a bill that will move to ban the purchase of sugary drinks with food assistance benefits in South Dakota.
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden worried about the cost of pursuing a ban on soda for SNAP recipients, but he signed a bill to start that pursuit anyway.
The bill had a veto-proof majority. Rhoden said federal-level SNAP reform would be preferable to "a patchwork of state waivers."
04.03.2026 19:54
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Republicans stand by Trump’s war against Iran, reject war powers role for Congress • South Dakota Searchlight
Republican lawmakers said Tuesday after classified briefings on Capitol Hill they don’t intend to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to continue the war in Iran.
Republican lawmakers don’t intend to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to continue the war in Iran, though some said sending in ground troops would be a step too far.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune said "the president has the authority that he needs" to conduct the operations.
04.03.2026 18:54
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South Dakota lawmakers push bill criminalizing deepfakes nearer to governor’s desk • South Dakota Searchlight
PIERRE — A bill from South Dakota's Attorney General Marty Jackley to criminalize deepfakes is nearer to Gov. Larry Rhoden’s desk.
Talk of political memes spurred an amendment to a bill from South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley to criminalize the creation of deepfakes. The state Senate would need to sign off on the bill's newly narrower definition of nudity for it to get to Gov. Larry Rhoden's desk.
04.03.2026 17:54
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Tillis, more Republicans unload on Noem over Minneapolis operation, FEMA delays • South Dakota Searchlight
Republicans on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee mounted unusually blunt criticisms of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a tense five-hour hearing Tuesday.
Republicans on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee mounted unusually blunt criticisms of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a tense five-hour hearing Tuesday. One threatened to obstruct the chamber’s business if Noem did not answer questions from his office.
04.03.2026 15:54
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Digital currency regulation bills head to South Dakota governor's desk • South Dakota Searchlight
Two bills to regulate digital currency are on their way to Gov. Larry Rhoden’s desk after votes in both chambers of the legislature.
Two bills to regulate digital currency in South Dakota are on their way to Gov. Larry Rhoden’s desk after votes in both chambers of the legislature.
One bill is meant to curb scams involving digital currency kiosks; the other would define cryptocurrency as a seizable asset.
04.03.2026 03:12
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South Dakota lawmakers block ‘rights of a parent’ measure • South Dakota Searchlight
A bill on parental rights failed in the House of Representatives this week over concerns about health care and child abuse.
A bill on parental rights failed in the House of Representatives Tuesday over concerns about health care and child abuse.
The legislation would have codified a parent’s right to “direct the upbringing” and “moral and religious training” of their child.
04.03.2026 02:12
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‘Carbon is dead,’ along with the bill to make carbon pipelines file an environmental study • South Dakota Searchlight
A panel of South Dakota senators defeated an attempt to require environmental impact studies for carbon dioxide pipelines.
For the second time in as many years, South Dakota lawmakers have rejected a bill to force carbon pipeline companies to file environmental impact statements. One of the bill's opponents declared the pipeline project that inspired it "dead" in the state.
03.03.2026 20:12
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