Opinion
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Trumps seizure of the power of the purse: Striking the core of the republic
President Donald Trumps usurpation of the congressional spending power, a seismic blow to the foundational power of the legislature and another in his endless string of constitutional violations, warranted, in the minds of the nations founders, an impeachable offense for its deadly assault on the republic and its chief weapon…
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Pheasant season opener a great thing
For some across the state, its like Christmas. The opening weekend of pheasant season is full of family traditions. Folks come home from across the country to shoot our state bird, and great times are had by all! Ive always enjoyed pheasant hunting, but growing up West River, pheasants are…
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Why wont Democrats take ‘yes’ for an answer?
Three weeks into a government shutdown, Democrats are dug in. Their price for reopening the government is $1.5 trillion in partisan spending. Its a list of so many far-left priorities, one of my Senate colleagues says you need a spreadsheet to keep track of it all. And despite all of…
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Seeking US House seat, South Dakota lawmaker bets the farm on loyalty to Trump
South Dakotas race for its lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives got a little more crowded last month with the entrance of state Sen. Casey Crabtree, a Madison Republican. The seat will be up for grabs next year because Republican U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson is running for governor.…
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A vital federal conservation effort faces threats as it turns 40
Its harvest time in South Dakota and for nearly 140,000 pheasant hunters, it is an opportunity to wander fields of grass, edges of wetlands and pockets of overgrown weeds. All across the state, farmers are growing and selling corn, wheat, soybeans, cattle and other products, contributing billions of dollars to…
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Thune pins blame on Democrats for government shutdown
The government shutdown has entered its second week. In that time, Democrats have had numerous opportunities to end the shutdown by supporting the clean funding extension that has already passed the House and that President Trump is ready to sign. But, at the behest of their far-left base, they remain…
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By calling up the Guard, Gov. Larry Rhoden enhances Trumps vanity project
Late in August, Gov. Larry Rhoden called out the South Dakota National Guard to serve for 30 days as crime-stoppers in Washington, D.C. Its hard not to wonder why he did that. By calling up the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, maybe Rhoden is showing his belief that the pen…
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Taking good care of our nations shared capital
I recently visited Washington, D.C., to see our South Dakota National Guard soldiers who are part of President Trumps effort to make D.C. safe and beautiful again. I was amazed by what they told me about their mission. But I was even more impressed by what I heard from a…
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Wounded Knee medals debate is not over
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced recently that the Medals of Honor awarded to U.S. soldiers for their actions at Wounded Knee Creek on Dec. 29, 1890, will not be rescinded. His decision was based on the October 2024 recommendation of a five-member special review panel that voted 3-2 for the…
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Every community needs somebody asking tough questions
This week, Oct. 5 through 11, is National Newspaper Week. Having spent most of my professional life working for newspapers, I know what you can expect in your local publications. There will be advertisements or columns, like this one, reminding you about all the good that newspapers do for their…
