press releases
Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden Announces STEM Award for Lakota Tech High Schoo
Aug 18, 2022
Pine Ridge Reservation, SD – Today, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden announced that Lakota Tech High School will receive an award for its STEM programming from the National Lieutenant Governors’ Association Lt. Governors’ STEM Scholarship Program! NLGA awarded the school $1,000 as part of a national call for applications for funding STEM programming and curriculum in schools. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Announces Pay Increases for Correctional Security Officers
Aug 18, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced immediate pay increases for correctional security officers at the South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC). Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Announces Pay Increases for Correctional Security Officers
Aug 18, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced immediate pay increases for correctional security officers at the South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC). Read more . . .
Governor Noem Accepting Applications for Fall Interns
Aug 17, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Office fall 2022 internship program. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Announces Draft Social Studies Standards
Aug 15, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem released draft social studies standards for K-12 students in South Dakota. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Releases Report from Department of Education on Critical Race Theory and Divisive Concepts
Aug 15, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem released a report from the Department of Education (DOE) detailing examples of Critical Race Theory and other divisive concepts in DOE policies, guidance, websites, trainings, content standards, or other materials. Read more . . .
Gov. Kristi Noem: Fast Bikes, Fresh Air, & Freedom
Aug 12, 2022
For more than 80 years, late summer has brought thousands of motorcycles to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Bikers come from across the country – and around the world – to participate in the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. They bring with them their money, supporting our local businesses and helping our state revenues. And they enjoy the beauty and freedom that South Dakota has to offer. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem and Colleagues Ask President Biden to Lift Vaccine Mandate on International Travel
Aug 10, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem and 16 of her fellow Republican governors sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to “end the requirement that all non-U.S. citizen travelers entering the United States be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.” You can find the letter here. Read more . . .
Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Circuit Court Judge Jon Flemmer
Aug 08, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Tuesday, Aug. 9, in honor of 5th Circuit Court Presiding Judge Jon Flemmer of Webster. He became a circuit court judge in 1999 and was the longest serving circuit judge in the state. Read more . . .
Gov. Kristi Noem: Starting the Conversation
Aug 05, 2022
Hope has power – it drives us to achieve incredible things that we never thought possible or endure difficulties that previous seemed insurmountable. Unfortunately, for the same reasons, hopelessness can hold tremendous power over a person’s life, too. Too often, that loss of hope leads to suicide, a suicide that is entirely preventable. Suicide is a growing public health issue in our country and in South Dakota, and it affects each of our lives in some way. Read more . . .
Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski
Aug 04, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide effective immediately until midnight tonight (Thursday) in honor of U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski of Indiana who died Wednesday in a vehicle crash. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem & Colleagues Oppose Democrats’ Spending Bill
Aug 04, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem and 21 of her fellow Republican Governors issued the following joint statement opposing the Democrats’ Spending Bill: Read more . . .
South Dakota Receives Presidential Disaster Declaration Approval For June Storm
Aug 02, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem announced today that South Dakota has received a Presidential Disaster Declaration that allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help South Dakota local governments in six counties statewide recover from public infrastructure damage sustained as a result of a tornado, severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and hail that occurred June 11-14, 2022. Read more . . .
Governor Kristi Noem: 50 Years of Title IX
Jul 29, 2022
Nostalgia can be bittersweet. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem and Republican Governors Call on President Biden to Defend Equal Opportunities for Girls and Women
Jul 27, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem led a coalition of 15 Republican Governors urging President Joe Biden to defend equal opportunities for girls and women. In a letter to President Biden, the governors challenge him to reject the rule and policy changes proposed by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which would completely reinterpret Title IX. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Appoints Mark Roby to Housing Board
Jul 22, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem appointed Mark Roby to the South Dakota Housing Development Authority’s Board of Commissioners. This appointment is effective immediately. Read more . . .
Governor Kristi Noem: Cautiously Optimistic: South Dakota’s Finances and the Future
Jul 22, 2022
Earlier this week, the State of South Dakota closed the financial books for fiscal year 2022 with a record-breaking $115.5 million surplus. This historic surplus was a combination of revenues unexpectedly being $72.3 million above what was adopted by the legislature this past session and the general fund budget for state government operations having expenses $43.2 million less than budgeted. Read more . . .
Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Former State Senator Henry Carlson, Jr.
Jul 18, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Tuesday, July 19, in honor of former State Senator Henry Carlson, Jr. of Sioux Falls. He served in the State Senate from 1977-1978 and from 1983-1984. Read more . . .
South Dakota Ends Fiscal Year with $115 Million Surplus
Jul 18, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that South Dakota closed the 2022 budget year on June 30 with a surplus of $115.5 million. Total general fund revenue for fiscal year 2022 finished $72.3 million higher than adopted estimates, and the state general fund budget ended with expenses $43.2 million less than budgeted. Read more . . .
Gov. Kristi Noem Discusses Foreign Policy Strategy with Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Jul 15, 2022
PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA – Earlier this week, the Hoover Institution hosted Governor Kristi Noem for a discussion with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The discussion focused on foreign policy strategy, as well as South Dakota’s pro-freedom policies. A few key quotes can be found below. Read more . . .
Governor Kristi Noem: Visiting Mothers and Their Newborn Children in Our State Prisons: Hope for the Future
Jul 15, 2022
In my four years as Governor, I have focused on finding ways that our programs can positively impact the next generation. This goes beyond reading about what state government does—I go out and see these programs for myself so I can understand exactly what we can do to improve them. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem, Legislators, and Pro-Life Advocates Issue Joint Statement on South Dakota Policies for Life
Jul 15, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem, legislators, and pro-life advocates issued a joint statement on South Dakota’s policies to save lives and help mothers: Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration for June 11-14 Storm Damage
Jul 14, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration and signed Executive Order 2022-08 to help South Dakota local governments recover from public infrastructure damage sustained as a result of tornado, severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and hail that occurred June 11-14, 2022 in six counties statewide. Read more . . .
Governor Kristi Noem: Building Stronger Families Together
Jul 08, 2022
Strong families are the foundation of our communities and the backbone of our state. We need to continue to work together to support families across the state to ensure a brighter future for all of South Dakota. Since taking office, I have prioritized standing up for families across South Dakota, recognizing that stronger families will build stronger communities. Read more . . .
Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of Former Prime Minister of Japan
Jul 08, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide effective immediately until sunset on Sunday, July 10, 2022, in honor of former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. Read more . . .
Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of Victims of Shooting in Highland Park, IL
Jul 06, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide effective immediately until sunset on Saturday, July 9, 2022, in honor of the victims of the tragic shooting in Highland Park, IL. Read more . . .
Girls’ Sports Legislation Becomes Law Gov. Noem Repeals Executive Orders
Jul 01, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Friday, July 1, SB 46, which protects fairness in girls’ and women’s sports, takes effect. In preparation for the law taking effect, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2022-07, which repeals her previous executive orders on the subject. Read more . . .
Telemedicine Abortion Ban Becomes Law Gov. Noem Repeals Executive Order
Jul 01, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Friday, July 1, HB 1318, which bans telemedicine abortions in South Dakota, becomes law. In preparation for the law taking effect, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2022-07, which repeals her previous executive order on the subject. Read more . . .
Governor Kristi Noem: Land of the Free Because of the Brave
Jul 01, 2022
The patriotism South Dakotans display on the Fourth of July has deep roots in our state’s history. In fact, we waved the Stars and Stripes before we even became a state! The Dakota Territory in the 1880s stood out for its love for civic virtue, and historians recount how few holidays rated higher than Independence Day to the settlers. Those same historians note that this ingrained love for America explains why so many South Dakotans served in the World Wars, and why we as a state revere our veterans. Read more . . .
Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Former State Representative Gary Jerke
Jul 01, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, July 2, in honor of former State Representative Gary Jerke. He served from 2005-2008. Read more . . .
College CRT Ban Becoming Law
Jun 30, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – On Friday, July 1, HB 1012, which protects college students and faculty from mandatory Critical Race Theory trainings and orientations, takes effect. Read more . . .
Expansion of Bright Start Program Taking Effect
Jun 30, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – On Friday, July 1, the statewide expansion of Governor Kristi Noem’s Bright Start program will take effect. Bright Start provides nursing services and more for eligible moms through pregnancy until their child’s 2nd birthday. Read more . . .
South Dakota Receives Presidential Disaster Declaration Approval
Jun 29, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem announced today that South Dakota has received a Presidential Disaster Declaration that allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help South Dakota local governments in 20 counties and on two reservations recover from public infrastructure damage sustained as a result of tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred on May 12 in the eastern part of the state. Read more . . .
Repeal of Concealed Carry Fees Becoming Law
Jun 29, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – On Friday, July 1, SB 212, which eliminates all concealed carry permitting fees in South Dakota, becomes law. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Appoints Mark Vargo as Attorney General
Jun 28, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem has appointed Pennington County State’s Attorney Mark Vargo as Attorney General effective today. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem and Legislative Leaders Announce Plans for Special Session to Save Lives, Help Mothers
Jun 24, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, in response to the United States Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Governor Kristi Noem and leaders in the South Dakota State Legislature jointly announced plans for a special session later this year to save lives and help mothers impacted by the decision. Read more . . .
Governor Noem Announces Life.SD.gov
Jun 24, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced a new website, Life.SD.gov. The website helps mothers and their babies before birth and after by providing resources for pregnancy, new parents, financial assistance, and adoption. Read more . . .
Governor Kristi Noem: Helping Moms and Babies
Jun 24, 2022
Today, the Supreme Court announced something that countless Americans have prayed for over the past 50 years: they reversed the Roe v. Wade decision and allowed states to make their own choices over abortion policy. In South Dakota, we have a law on the books that makes abortion illegal immediately, except to preserve the life of the mother. Read more . . .
Lt. Gov. Rhoden: In Honor of All Fathers
Jun 17, 2022
Family is important. President Ronald Reagan once said, “if the family goes, so goes our civilization.” Read more . . .
Governor Noem Accepting Applications for Fall Interns
Jun 15, 2022
Governor Kristi Noem is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Office fall 2022 internship program. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration for May 12 Storm Damage
Jun 10, 2022
Today, Governor Kristi Noem requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration and signed Executive Order 2022-06 to help South Dakota local governments recover from public infrastructure damage sustained as a result of tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred on May 12 in the eastern part of the state. Read more . . .
Old Glory, Eternal Glory
Jun 10, 2022
On June 14th each year, we celebrate the American Flag as an enduring symbol of freedom, equality, justice, and hope. Our flag is more than a symbol of our country’s core values — it also represents the toil and sacrifice of so many who have worked to lift America to the top of the world stage. Read more . . .
What Happened to America?
Jun 03, 2022
Before the pandemic struck, America was experiencing a resurgence in global economic and political strength that hadn’t been seen since World War II. We had the lowest unemployment rate in more than 50 years – including record-high employment rates for Black and Hispanic Americans. We became the global leader in energy production. We were the third-largest exporter of cars and the second-largest producer of auto parts. It’s simple – we were putting America first. Read more . . .
Gov. Noem Promises to Defend Girls’ Sports, Sue Biden Administration
Jun 02, 2022
Today, Governor Kristi Noem promised to defend fairness in girls’ sports from an attack by the Biden Administration. The Biden U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is threatening funding for the federal school lunch program and other Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars if schools and other entities do not adopt a false interpretation of Title IX. Read more . . .
Their Sacrifice is a Call for Us to Serve
May 27, 2022
If you ever visit South Dakota’s State Capitol, I hope you take the time to visit the veterans’ memorial down by Capitol Lake. While this memorial is dedicated to all veterans who have served, there is a portion specifically dedicated to the more than 300 South Dakotans killed in the Korean and Vietnam wars. To one side there is an inscription: May we ever protect the freedoms for which they fought. Read more . . .
Governor Noem Signs Executive Orders
May 24, 2022
Yesterday, Governor Kristi Noem signed two executive orders. Read more . . .
Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Former State Senator John "Joe" Reedy
May 23, 2022
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, May 28, 2022, in honor of the passing of John "Joe" Reedy, a former state Representative and Senator. Reedy served in the House from 1991-1996 and in the Senate from 1997-2004. Read more . . .
South Dakota is a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary
May 20, 2022
Over the past two years, America has seen some of the most concerning attacks on freedom in our history. Governments seized previously unimagined power over our day-to-day lives. Churches were forced to close, forsaking freedom of religion. Big tech and government alike attempted to police speech, something that is supposed to be free for all. And though the Supreme Court seems poised to advance the right to life of all people, renewed attacks on that right are only just beginning. Read more . . .
Honoring Those with the Courage to Serve
May 15, 2022
Last week, I had the humbling opportunity to speak at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial service in Pierre. We honored 68 brave South Dakotans in local, state, and federal law enforcement who showed courage by giving up their lives in service to our people. Read more . . .
South Dakota Strong
May 13, 2022
Nature has a way of humbling us, of stepping into our lives with previously unthought power and reminding us what truly matters. That's how I felt these past two days while surveying storm damage across much of South Dakota. Read more . . .
KEEPING TAXES LOW • LIMITING GOVERNMENT REGULATION
• FIGHTING GOVERNMENT INTRUSION • KEEPING GOVERNMENT OPEN AND HONEST