South Dakota
Defense bill passed by US Senate includes $282 million for Ellsworth construction • South Dakota Searchlight
The National Defense Authorization Act passed Wednesday by the U.S. Senate includes $282 million for construction at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City.
The construction will prepare the base for B-21 Raiders, aircraft meant to serve as replacements for the B-1 bombers that were designed in the 1970s. The B-21 bombers are expected to arrive in South Dakota at some point before 2030, alongside thousands more military members and families.
The base’s commander told the Black Hills Forum and Press Club last year that the base’s population is set to grow by about 4,000 people, to nearly 12,000. That anticipated growth has sparked legislative discussions on ways the state might financially support entities like the Douglas School District, which serves Ellsworth.
U.S. Senate passes defense bill that bars gender-affirming care for service members’ kids
The $282 million for Ellsworth in Wednesday’s defense authorization bill is only part of what’s expected to be $1.5 billion in B-21-related construction at the base. Separate from that construction is the cost of procurement: Each of the at least 100 B-21 aircraft the Air Force expects to purchase — to be spread among Ellsworth and other bases — will cost about $700 million.
The bill also includes $2.6 billion for B-21 procurement.
In a news release on the legislation, South Dakota Republican John Thune praised the 83-12 vote as a win for the state. The construction money will support the building of environmental shelters, a B-21 weapons generation facility and a B-21 squadron operations center.
“The men and women of Ellsworth Air Force Base carry out a critical mission in service to America’s national defense, and South Dakotans have cause to celebrate with this year’s National Defense Authorization Act,” Thune said in the news release. “The B-21 mission will be supported by the authorization of key infrastructure and facilities, and service members everywhere will receive sizable salary increases, particularly junior enlisted members.”
The defense bill also includes a controversial clause that bars service members from using their military insurance to cover children’s “medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization.”
Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, the Senate’s first openly LGBTQ member, voted against the bill and accused Republicans of seeking “cheap political points” by barring gender-affirming care coverage.
Ellsworth temporarily moving 17 planes and 800 people to North Dakota
But that clause drew praise from South Dakota Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson when the bill passed the U.S. House last week.
Like Thune, Johnson lauded the bill’s support for the B-21 program, but his news release on the vote bore the headline “Johnson Votes to End Woke Policies, Strengthen Military, Get Tough on China.”
“Politically ‘woke’ culture has infiltrated our military, but this bill puts an end to some of those policies like paying for gender transition treatments for youth,” Johnson said in the release.
He also praised the bill for moving the military away from “promoting critical race theory,” for preventing military members from being required to use electric vehicles, and for authorizing a study on China’s use of the Shanghai Shipping Exchange to engage in “unfair trade practices.”
Johnson pushed to include the China clause in the defense bill in May.
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, called out pay raises for service members in a news release sent over the summer, when the Senate Armed Services Committee passed the bill. Rounds, a member of the committee, also supported the bill in the full Senate on Wednesday.
“This year’s NDAA includes a 4.5 percent pay raise for our men and women in uniform, as well as back pay for our military members whose promotions were impacted by holds in the Senate,” Rounds said in a news release. “We never want our men and women in uniform entering a fair fight, we always want them to have the advantage.
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South Dakota
America’s Biggest Petrified Park Has Otherworldly Vibes Next To South Dakota’s Cowboy Capital – Islands
On the prowl for the most unique roadside stops across America? Then buckle up and cruise on over to Lemmon — aka, the “cowboy capital” of South Dakota. There, right off U.S. Highway 12, you’ll find an otherworldly roadside oddity known as the Lemmon Petrified Wood Park & Museum. The peculiar park is the largest of its kind, taking up an entire block in the heart of the town’s downtown area. “It’s touted as the ‘Biggest Petrified Wood Park’ in the world which makes me wonder how many there are,” one past visitor wrote in a Tripadvisor review. “My guess is the Lemmon one is the only one and that it’s an inside joke. Go see it.”
This outdoor gem was the brainchild of a local amateur geologist named Ole Sever Quammen, Roadside America reports. As the park’s name suggests, it was created using thousands of tons of petrified wood, which is the fossilized remains of trees, as well as bits of boulders and dinosaur bones. “The petrified wood that was used in this park is just stunning,” another park-goer shared on Tripadvisor. “It all came from the fields surrounding the town and they put their creative genes to work. Plus, they have a display of rocks that have [dinosaur] claw marks in them. A very interesting park and worth a bit of your time to walk around.”
Opened in the early 1930s, the park was eventually donated to the town in the 1950s, where it still stands for all to enjoy today. You can freely stroll the grounds throughout the year. However, the on-site museum and gift shop are only open in the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See fossilized wood sculptures and more on display
Teeming with whimsy and wonder, this nook of the artsy, off-the-beaten-path town of Lemmon is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. Meander among the 100 or so unique petrified wood sculptures and other attractions scattered across the park. There’s certainly plenty to see, from a stunning waterfall fountain and wishing well to an imposing castle-like structure bedecked with dinosaur bones and lofty spires — some of which tower 20 feet above the ground.
If you visit in season, be sure to check out the indoor exhibits, too. The Petrified Wood Park & Museum doesn’t charge an admission fee, at the time of writing, making it one of the best free museums in America for a family day trip. “This is a great place to learn about the history of the area,” reads a Tripadvisor review. “The docents in the museum and gift shop are gems! There is a playground and public restrooms on the adjacent block, making this a nice place to stop for a break on a long drive.”
As if this place could get any cooler, you can even donate various artifacts and other historic relics to the park’s collection, though there’s no guarantee that your item will be put on display. If you want to take a gander at more dinosaur fossils, be sure to stop by the Grand River Museum before leaving town. It’s less than half a mile away and boasts an array of exhibits about the early ranching days, the history of Native peoples, and much more.
South Dakota
November Commemorations Remind South Dakota of an Unsettling Truth: Toxic Exposure Still Impacts Veterans and Military Families
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – For the 14th consecutive season, SDSU is in the playoffs.
With a record of 8-4 they will host 8-4 New Hampshire.
A little over four weeks ago South Dakota State was undefeated.
On Saturday they snapped a 4 game losing streak.
The Jacks are happy to keep playing football.
Graham Goering, SDSU wide receiver said, “We’re just blessed for any opportunity we are given. I think having some losses, there’s really never a doubt there actually and I think just seeing our name on screen ignites a little fire for everyone on the team. So obviously just blessed and excited for new season.”
Head coach Dan Jackson said, “This team has been close and galvanized for a long time, but what I do think it does it breathes a little bit of new life in them and last four weeks have been pretty heavy for them because they have been giving us all they have while at the same time not getting results they wanted. For them to be able to take a deep breath and remember who they are, and remember we can win and win in big moments, I think we have a really confident team that feels amazing right now not only after that play but how they competed the entire game.”
SDSU hosts New Hampshire at noon at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
Copyright 2025 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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