press releases
Help Wanted? Try These Resources
Nov 26, 2021
It’s the holiday season 2021 and—just about everywhere you look—businesses are hiring. “Help Wanted” signs dot store windows in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and all points in-between. For the past two months, the South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation has posted between 20,000 and 31,000 active jobs on their (DLR) website. That’s good news for our state as unemployment numbers remain well below the national average. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Announces Department of Corrections Staffing Changes
Nov 24, 2021
Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced several staffing changes at the South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC). Doug Clark, Deputy Secretary of Corrections and Acting Warden of the State Penitentiary, will be the new Interim Secretary of Corrections. Interim Secretary Tim Reisch will be stepping down, effective December 8. Read more . . .
Governor Noem Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Amendment A
Nov 24, 2021
Today, Governor Kristi Noem issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Amendment A: Read more . . .
Gov. Noem to Host Christmas At The Capitol Tree-Lighting Ceremony
Nov 22, 2021
Governor Kristi Noem will host the 2021 Grand Lighting Ceremony for Christmas at the South Dakota Capitol in the Rotunda on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Read more . . .
Gov. Kristi Noem Issues Statement Honoring Marcella LeBeau
Nov 22, 2021
As a proud member of the Lakota, Wigmunke Waste Win (Pretty Rainbow Woman) served both her community and her country as a member of the Greatest Generation. Her service as a nurse during World War II has been chronicled by historians. Her dedication as a nurse in the Indian Health Services for more than 30 years has left a legacy that will live in our hearts and minds forever. Read more . . .
Under God, the People Gather and Give Thanks
Nov 19, 2021
Thanksgiving is a time of unity. It is a time of gathering friends, family, and sometimes newcomers into your home. Somewhere along the way, America began to forget what the true meaning of Thanksgiving is. Read more . . .
A little goes a long way during this Season of Giving
Nov 12, 2021
The season of giving is here and there are numerous organizations that South Dakotans support in their communities. Food pantries, shelters for women and children, clothing drives, and toy drives are all causes that fill our hearts while helping those less fortunate, especially during the holiday season. Read more . . .
South Dakota Joins Litigation against OSHA Vaccine Mandates
Nov 05, 2021
Today, following Governor Noem’s promise to “see President Biden in court,” the State of South Dakota joined a lawsuit against the OSHA COVID vaccine mandate issued by the Biden Administration. Read more . . .
Highlighting our best and brightest this Veterans Day
Nov 05, 2021
On Veterans Day each year, we honor those brave Americans who volunteered their lives in service to our country. Read more . . .
Former Gov. Frank L. Farrar to be Honored at State Capitol on Tuesday
Nov 04, 2021
Former Governor Frank L. Farrar will be honored at the South Dakota State Capitol on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Read more . . .
South Dakota’s Treats this Halloween Season
Oct 29, 2021
It’s Halloween weekend and there is a seasonal chill in the air. There’s also a chill affecting American confidence in our economy. With an unfocused White House in charge, gas prices climbing, and supply chain issues clogging our ports, many Americans feel like the country has become a House of Horrors with a new crisis lurking around every corner. Read more . . .
Governor Noem To Host Trick-or-Treat Festivities at Governor’s Residence
Oct 29, 2021
Governor Kristi Noem and First Gentleman Bryon Noem will host the annual trick-or-treat festivities at the Governor’s Residence in Pierre on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. CT. Read more . . .
“It’s Time to Go on Offense.” South Dakota Joins Lawsuit against Biden Vaccine Mandate
Oct 29, 2021
Today, following Governor Noem’s promise to see President Biden in court, the State of South Dakota joined a lawsuit against the Biden Administration’s COVID vaccine mandate for federal contractors. Read more . . .
Governor, SD Sheriffs Association release joint statement in response to DHS rules complicating arrest of illegal immigrants
Oct 28, 2021
PIERRE, S.D. — Governor Kristi Noem today released a joint statement with the South Dakota Sheriffs Association in response to new guidance from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas outlining guidelines for ICE and CBP officers who encounter illegal immigrants. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Protects State Employees from Federal Vaccine Mandates
Oct 27, 2021
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2021-14, protecting state employees from President Biden’s federal vaccine mandates. She also released a video announcing her decision. Read more . . .
It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Oct 15, 2021
I’ve spent a lot of time lately talking about South Dakota being ranked one of the hardest working states in the nation. And we continue to be the number one state for economic recovery — Moody’s Analytics has our economy operating at 105% on its “Back to Normal Index”. Despite all these positive economic indicators, businesses here are still struggling with a common challenge: workforce shortages. Read more . . .
BFM Commissioner Liza Clark to Step Down at End of Year
Oct 15, 2021
Today, Liza Clark, Governor Noem’s Chief of Finance and Commissioner of the South Dakota Bureau of Finance and Management (BFM), announced her resignation, effective at the end of the year. Read more . . .
Governor Noem Appoints Kay Schallenkamp and Brad Greenway to Board of Technical Education
Oct 14, 2021
Governor Kristi Noem has appointed Dr. Kay Schallenkamp and Brad Greenway to the Board of Technical Education. Read more . . .
Don’t wait till Monday to celebrate Native American heritage
Oct 08, 2021
The second Monday in October has been recognized as a federal holiday since 1968. In 1990, South Dakota was the first state to do things a little differently than the rest of the nation. In South Dakota, we recognize Monday, October 11th, as Native Americans’ Day. We recognize that the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota people and their culture is part of who we are collectively as South Dakotans. Read more . . .
Governor Noem Appoints First Members to Freedom Scholarship Board
Oct 08, 2021
PIERRE, S.D. — Governor Kristi Noem today announced the appointment of five board members for the Freedom Scholarship endowment. The appointments set the stage for the state to begin delivering awards for its first-ever needs based-scholarship program. Dana Dykhouse, Miles Beacom, Phyllis Heineman, Diana Vanderwoude, and Chris Houwman will serve as the inaugural board members for the Freedom Scholarship endowment. Read more . . .
Governor Noem Appoints Brian Sandvig and Joy Nelson to Board of Technical Education
Oct 06, 2021
Governor Kristi Noem has appointed Brian Sandvig and Joy Nelson to the Board of Technical Education. Brian Sandvig will replace Bob Faehn and serve the remainder of Faehn’s term. Joy Nelson will replace Ed Mallett effective November 1, 2021. Read more . . .
Pheasant hunting is a tradition worth preserving
Oct 01, 2021
From the Black Hills to the eastern plains, the familiar sound of shotgun blasts can usually be heard popping in the distance. It’s hunting season and we are starting to get into my favorite time of year: pheasant season. Read more . . .
Gov. Kristi Noem Relaunches Social Studies Standards Review
Oct 01, 2021
Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that the review of the state’s social studies standards will be relaunched, and the standards proposed by the Department of Education (DOE) will be set aside. Read more . . .
Real Estate Professionals Thank Governor Noem for Streamlining Appraiser Certification
Oct 01, 2021
Today, several real estate professionals from across South Dakota thanked Governor Noem and the Department of Labor & Regulation (DLR) for their efforts to streamline the state’s appraiser certification process. Read more . . .
Noem Administration Submits Permit Application for 2022 Mount Rushmore Fireworks
Sep 29, 2021
Today, on behalf of Governor Kristi Noem, the South Dakota Department of Tourism submitted its application for a special use permit for the 2022 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration. The application was submitted to the National Parks Service (NPS). Read more . . .
Gov. Kristi Noem to Delay Social Studies Standards
Sep 20, 2021
Governor Kristi Noem has directed the Department of Education to delay the process to consider revisions to the state’s social studies standards up to one year. She issued the following statement: Read more . . .
Governor Noem and Republican Governors Call on President Biden to Change Failed Border Policy
Sep 20, 2021
Today, Governor Kristi Noem and 25 other Republican governors wrote to President Biden, urging him to change his failed border policy. Read more . . .
A responsibility to be smart with taxpayer dollars
Sep 17, 2021
Do you find yourself wondering where your tax dollars go? In South Dakota, the simple answer is to education, health care, public safety, and other state government operations. But if you really want to talk dollars and cents, I can break it down for you using the change you find in your couch cushions. Read more . . .
Governor Noem Signs Executive Order to Increase Flexibility in Hay Hauling
Sep 15, 2021
Yesterday, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2021-13, which extends the timeframe that hay haulers may move hay to 2 hours before sunrise and 2 hours after sunset. Read more . . .
Jay Sekulow to Represent South Dakota in Planned Parenthood v. Noem
Sep 15, 2021
Governor Noem and the State of South Dakota have retained attorney Jay Sekulow and the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) to join the State’s legal team in the ongoing Planned Parenthood v. Noem litigation. Read more . . .
9/11 anniversary and the lesson every generation must learn
Sep 10, 2021
I heard about it on the radio. The fall morning of Sept. 11, 2001, was a regular day driving in my truck to the family farm. Until it wasn’t. The first reports were coming through my pickup truck’s speakers: an airplane has flown into the World Trade Center in New York City. Read more . . .
Governor Noem appoints Stacy Vinberg Wickre to the 7th Circuit Court
Sep 08, 2021
Governor Noem has appointed Stacy Vinberg Wickre to serve as a circuit court judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit, made up of Custer, Fall River, Oglala Lakota, and Pennington Counties. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Blocks Telemedicine Abortions in South Dakota
Sep 07, 2021
Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2021-12, which directs the South Dakota Department of Health to establish rules preventing telemedicine abortions in South Dakota. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Bringing South Dakota National Guard Troops Home from the Southern Border
Sep 03, 2021
Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that the South Dakota National Guard troops on state active duty at the southern border will be returning home later this month. Governor Noem gave the following statement: Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Statement on State Attorneys General Amicus Brief in Rushmore Fireworks Appeal
Sep 01, 2021
Today, sixteen state attorneys general filed an amicus brief in the Kristi Noem, et. al. v. Deb Haaland appeal, which seeks to restore South Dakota’s annual Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration. Read more . . .
DPS Provides Ravnsborg Investigation File to Speaker Gosch
Sep 01, 2021
Today, Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Department of Public Safety provided the full investigation file into the fatal crash involving South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg and the late Joseph Boever to Spencer Gosch, the Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives. Read more . . .
South Dakota National Guard to Support Monument Health in COVID Testing Efforts
Aug 31, 2021
This week, nine soldiers with the South Dakota National Guard were activated to support Monument Health in their COVID-19 testing efforts. Read more . . .
Conservative Principles Restrain Government, Not Expand Its Powers
Aug 27, 2021
You can’t be a constitutional conservative only when it suits you. We are now seeing a battle in the Republican Party between the populist wing and traditional limited government conservatism. So-called conservatives want to regulate businesses to prevent them from requiring a Covid vaccine as a condition of employment, but my beliefs do not allow me to waive the constitution because I disagree with a private business. Read more . . .
Governor Noem Issues Statement on Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s Plea Agreement
Aug 26, 2021
Today, following South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s plea of “no contest” to charges against him regarding the death of Joseph Boever, Governor Kristi Noem issued the following statement: Read more . . .
Gov. Kristi Noem Issues Statement on Attacks in Afghanistan
Aug 26, 2021
Today Governor Kristi Noem released the following statement in response to the attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan: Read more . . .
Governor Noem Appoints Lynn Jensen to Transportation Commission
Aug 25, 2021
Governor Kristi Noem has appointed Lynn Jensen to serve on the South Dakota Transportation Commission. Read more . . .
Governor Noem Files Brief in Mount Rushmore Fireworks Appeal
Aug 24, 2021
Yesterday, Governor Kristi Noem filed an initial brief in her appeal in the Mount Rushmore Fireworks litigation. The brief was filed with the United States 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. Read more . . .
South Dakota Requests ARPA Funding
Aug 20, 2021
Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that South Dakota has requested the state’s allocation from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF). Read more . . .
South Dakota is a Rising Star as a Recovery Leader
Aug 20, 2021
It may not surprise many here at home, but South Dakota is leading the nation in recovery! Read more . . .
Governor Noem to Appeal District Court Decision in Planned Parenthood v. Noem
Aug 20, 2021
Today, following the District Court ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Noem, Governor Kristi Noem announced that the State of South Dakota will appeal the ruling to the United States 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. Read more . . .
They Come to Sturgis (and South Dakota) for Freedom
Aug 13, 2021
The Sturgis Rally is one of the biggest gatherings for motorcycle enthusiasts in the world. While the rally has always promoted an independent spirit, these past two years have taken on a new meaning of freedom. Read more . . .
Governor Noem Accepting Applications for Fall and Spring Interns
Aug 13, 2021
Governor Kristi Noem is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Office fall 2021 and Spring 2022 internship programs. Read more . . .
Secretary Mike Leidholt Announces Retirement
Aug 13, 2021
Today, South Dakota Secretary of Corrections Mike Leidholt announced his retirement. Governor Kristi Noem issued the following statement: Read more . . .
Governor Noem Appoints Jennifer Mammenga to 2nd Circuit Court
Aug 09, 2021
Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will appoint Jennifer Mammenga to serve on the South Dakota 2nd Circuit Court. Read more . . .
Back-to-School for students, teachers, and parents
Aug 06, 2021
It’s back-to-school season. It's a busy time filled with excitement for students and teachers, as well as parents eager to snap those “first day of school” photos. The outpouring of positivity for students at every grade level has always been a great way to kickstart the school year. Read more . . .
KEEPING TAXES LOW • LIMITING GOVERNMENT REGULATION
• FIGHTING GOVERNMENT INTRUSION • KEEPING GOVERNMENT OPEN AND HONEST