SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Government Operations and Audit Committee is likely to address the $1.78 million stolen from the Department of Social Services in its upcoming meetings. That’s according to two state senators on the committee who are responding to last week’s announcement of Attorney General Marty Jackley.

MORE: Former DSS employee indicted for stealing $1.78 million from state

Members of the GOAC reacted by indicating they would be taking a closer look into how the Department of Social Services audits itself, as well as how the external audits the department faces work.

Those calling for a review include Sen. David Wheeler (R-Huron), who said Tuesday that they need to get to the bottom of how that much money could be stolen over more than 13 years.

“Anytime you have a theft of that magnitude of state funds raises serious issues regarding the controls that were in place, how did it happen, how’s it allowed to go on for that amount,” Wheeler said.

Joining him in that sentiment is Sen. Tim Reed (R-Brookings), who said in a post on X Friday, “As a member of Government Operations and Audit Committee I will be asking that we investigate this specific issue and review auditing procedures.”

Department of Social Services Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff meanwhile said they’re working through their own guardrails.

“We need to review this. This is something that GOAC is supposed to be looking at, should be looking at to ensure that we are providing proper legislative oversight for the executive branch,” Wheeler said.

As the Attorney General said, employees at the Department of Social Services discovered suspicious financial activity and reported it to the Division of Criminal Investigation. DSS staff cooperated completely with the investigation.

DSS utilizes both internal and external audits, reconciliations, and internal controls to safeguard public funds – additional safeguards have already been implemented, and we continue working to identify further prevention and detection methods.

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As this is an ongoing criminal case, DSS cannot comment further.

Wheeler said they’re going to be looking at all of the procedures that were in place, see if they were being followed, and if the right restraints were there at all.

“So it’s going to be an important issue for the legislature to take up to ensure that the appropriate controls are in place. We don’t want something like this happening again,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler also added that it’s one of the duties of the Legislature to act as oversight for the executive branch, and this is within their scope of operation.

“We need to review this. This is something that GOAC is supposed to be looking at, should be looking at to ensure that we are providing proper legislative oversight for the Executive branch,” Wheeler said.

The GOAC next meets July 31 in Pierre.

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INDIANAPOLIS – Wisconsin players Hunter Wohler, Jake Chaney and Jack Nelson met with reporters at Big Ten football media day Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here are some of the highlights from their 30-minute sessions:

A new number for Jake Chaney

This year Jake Chaney will literally be at the top of your program.

The senior linebacker switched his jersey number. He’ll wear No. 1 this season. He was No. 36 previously.

Chaney wasn’t looking to make a switch but did so at the urging of director of football strength and conditioning Brady Collins. The No. 1 is often worn by a team’s best player. At UW, Chaney will share the number with running back Chez Mellusi.

The change was made easier because Chaney had no sentimental attachment to No. 36.

“I believe anything that man says,” Chaney said of Collins. “He says it’s going to make me play better and I truly believe it is, so we’re making the switch to 1 and hopefully I can make it look good this year.”

College football video game is a hit with Wohler, Chaney but a mystery to Nelson

EA Sports’ reboot of its college football game has been a big hit with college players, most of whom opted to have their name included in the game.

Of the three Badgers on hand Tuesday, Wohler sounded like he has played it the most – “it’s a good time,” he said – followed by Chaney. Nelson hasn’t played it.

“I’m not a video game guy,” he said.

Chaney believes the game will help bring young fans to college football.

“Kids grow up nowadays playing Madden, but NCAA is a whole different feel because that feels closer to the kid,” Chaney said. “That feels attainable. That feels like you can truly get there one day. If you work hard enough, you can get there, right? Madden, you hear all the statistics about the NFL. You’ve got to do the combine. You’ve got to make it in college first. But NCAA felt like you could say one day I’m going to be in there.”

Wohler’s 90 overall rating in the game is second on the team to cornerback Ricardo Hallman.

“It’s cool just because all the guys here (at Big Ten media day) played that game religiously and then for it to go away for so long you wonder if it was ever going to be back,” Wohler said, “and then for it to come back and we get to play in the game and our avatar is in the game is pretty cool. It’s a surreal feeling.”

Whitefish Bay native Joe Brunner poised for breakout season?

Who will be the Badgers’ breakout performer for ’24? Redshirt freshman receiver Trech Kekahuna and linebacker Jaheim Thomas got support. Former Whitefish Bay star Joe Brunner did, too.

Brunner, a redshirt sophomore, worked next to Nelson at left guard during spring practice.

More: Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell says leadership is No. 1 thing he will stress to his team

More: Where do Big Ten writers predict Wisconsin football will finish in the conference?

Nelson praised Brunner’s acumen and practice habits while also noting the edge with which he plays.

“He’s just a mean, mean nasty guy in the best way possible,” Nelson said. “It really comes out on the football field. Playing next to him at tackle is really something I value.”

The 313 is turning 323 and we’re throwing Detroit a one-of-a-kind birthday party by raising the city’s flag, eating 323 cupcakes and dancing to live music!

Join Local 4 in partnership with Raise the Flag on Wednesday, July 24th for Detroit’s Birthday! The celebration will be from 12pm-6pm at the Spirit of Detroit Plaza with live music performances, “Only in Detroit” trivia hosted by the one and only comedian T.Barb and a special anniversary ceremony at 3:13pm that will commence with 323 cupcakes!

You can’t have a birthday party without cupcakes right! Three of these 323 cupcakes will have a golden ticket inside. The golden ticket will win you $100 worth of Detroit themed swag from Raise the Flag and Local 4. The cupcakes are custom made by a local Detroit baker known as Flavorful Creations, who regularly has a booth at Eastern Market. Sara of Flavorful Creations bakes with love and you can find many of her products sold as black owned businesses in Detroit such as The Commons Detroit, a coffee shop/laundry mat and the Neighborhood Grocery Store that aims to provide local products and fresh produce, both located in Eastside Detroit. Sara is making a variety of cupcake flavors to represent the City of Detroit’s flag with flavors such as lemon, blueberry and strawberry in regular, vegan and gluten-free options. She’s even sourcing her blueberries from local Cornelius Williams, known as “The Blueberry Man” and other vendors from Eastern Market. We’re thrilled to have her baked goods at Detroit’s 323rd Anniversary (Birthday) party.

Flavorful Creations Products are located in the following stores: The Commons Detroit, Neighborhood Grocery, Healthwise, Holiday Market, the Detroit Pepper Company, Morningside Café, The Water Station, Jungle Juice Bar, Radical Plants, Neu Kombucha, Smokey G’s Smokehouse, The Congregation and Eastern Market.

Now, let’s get to the entertainment portion of the celebration because you’re in for a treat! In partnership with Raise the Flag Festival, we’ve curated an amazing list of performances. We’ll gear up the festivities with Electric Otto’s Funk Factory followed by comedian T. Barb’s “Only in Detroit” Trivia. After you’re done laughing and winning swag from T. Barb, prepare your ears for original beautiful and soulful blues sang by Laura Rain and then The Dropout, who is an indie-pop post-edm guitarist, saxophonist and singer. Closing out the celebration will be DJ performances by Ray Jones & Billy Love, Deeper Waters and DJ Gonzilla.

We recently partnered with City of Detroit’s Human Resources Department who will be hosting a hustle demonstration 30 minutes into the celebration! So get ready to shake what your momma gave you and do the hustle! In addition to their hustle contribution, there will be a small health fair within the event offering a variety of resource tables to stop by, blood pressure screenings, and raffles. Some of the resources include Blue Cross Blue Shield, HAP, American Red Cross, and Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education.

This event is free and open to all ages.

Food will be available for purchase on site.

When: Wednesday, July 24th from 12pm-6pm

Where: Spirit of Detroit Plaza (outside the Spirit of Detroit statue)