Opinion
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Characteristics all too familiar in New Orleans attack
The deadly attack on new year revellers in New Orleans, which killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more, was all the more terrible for its familiar characteristics. The method of attack ploughing a vehicle into crowds and the decision to strike those celebrating at a time associated with…
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Noem is nothing like Mr. Rogers when it comes to South Dakota Public Broadcasting cuts
Gov. Kristi Noem seems surprised about the amount of state money flowing to public broadcasting. South Dakota has the third highest per capita funding of public broadcasting of any state in the nation, she said during her Dec. 3 budget address. If she found that shocking, imagine how stunned shell…
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The presidency, life and legacy of Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carters presidency began with a simple act meant to signal a new relationship between the people and their government: He and his wife, Rosalynn, got out of their limousine and walked a short part of the inaugural parade route, hand in hand. His time in office ended four years…
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Mercury research raises more questions about South Dakota’s lax approach to zebra mussels
Anglers catching fish in zebra mussel-infested lakes may be reeling in adult walleyes with mercury content 72% higher and perch with 157% higher levels than those being caught on non-infested lakes. In a recently-released report, researchers studied 21 Minnesota lakes, 12 containing zebra mussels and nine without. The study reports…
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Kristi Noem is breaking up with South Dakota
She didnt really say it in so many words, but it was obvious to anyone who listened to Gov. Kristi Noems budget speech. Shes breaking up with us. Maybe she didnt want to jinx the next chapter of her life, so she never really came out and said she was…
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Seeing Christmas through a childs eyes
Every year, I am always blown away by the decorations at the South Dakota State Capitol. Volunteers decorate dozens of trees and decorate the whole Capitol in a theme. This year, the theme is Through a Childs Eyes, and everything is larger than life to make you feel like a…
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Noem’s plan would fund Christian segregation academies in South Dakota
To hear South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem tell it, her newly proposed and euphemistically named Education Savings Account program is all about giving disadvantaged parents the freedom to choose an education thats best for their children. But thats not what its really all about. Its end-goal in practical terms is…
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Good times ahead with Republicans in charge
Next month, Americans will turn the page on the Biden presidency. For many Americans, that day cant come soon enough. The last four years have been characterized by a number of crises. With President Trump back in office and Republican majorities in Congress, I can assure you that help is…
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RINOs, wackadoodles: Republicans head to Pierre with fresh fractures
It was almost two years ago that this space was used to offer the idea that the South Dakota Legislature was operating under a two-and-a-half party system. The half party was Democrats, too few to make much of an impact. The other two parties both called themselves Republicans, but seemed…
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It’s important to hold Trump to presidential transition rules
Longstanding laws and norms govern how one presidential administration is supposed to hand off power to the next. Theyre designed to ensure a smooth transfer while at the same time imposing some ethical guardrails during the interim period as incoming presidents make key personnel decisions. President-elect Donald Trump is flouting…
