South Dakota
DIGGING DEEPER: South Dakota governor nominated to lead Dept. of Homeland Security
PIERRE, S.D. (KTTC) – One week after winning back the White House, President-elect Donald Trump is wasting no time building his second administration.
Among the picks is South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, tapped to serve as secretary for the Department of Homeland Security.
Noem, 52, has no significant experience with homeland security issues but has voiced support for Trump’s hardline immigration policies. She has defended her fellow Republican governors in their efforts to crack down on migrants in their states.
If confirmed, Noem would head an agency that is at the center of Trump’s sweeping immigration plans and his campaign vow to carry out mass deportations of immigrants in the United States illegally.
Noem is currently in her second term leading the Mount Rushmore State. She became South Dakota’s first female governor after winning the state’s 2018 election. Before that, she was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019 and the South Dakota House from 2007 to 2011.
According to her biography, Noem is a rancher, small business owner, and New York Times best-selling author.
Noem has criticized President Biden’s handling of the border, echoing Trump’s arguments that violent criminals are flooding into the country.
In a statement, announcing his choice for Homeland Security secretary, Trump said Noem “was the first governor to send national guard soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden border crisis.” He went on to say she would “work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan.” Homan served under Trump in his first administration, leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Department of Homeland Security is a federal agency of 260,000 employees created in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, with a vast area of responsibility. As secretary, Noem would oversee ICE, Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Coast Guard.
At one point, Noem was considered a possible 2024 presidential candidate herself, and then a potential pick as Trump’s running mate.
However, an admission in a book she published in the spring that she once shot and killed her dog didn’t sit well with some. Noem said it was a story from 20 years ago about protecting her children from what she calls a vicious animal.
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Copyright 2024 KTTC. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
South Dakota knocks off Denver 82-72
VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Cameron Fens scored 23 points as South Dakota beat Denver 82-72 on Saturday.
Fens also contributed 12 rebounds and four blocks for the Coyotes (9-9, 1-2 Summit League). Isaac Bruns scored 20 points while going 8 of 12 and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line and added six rebounds. Jordan Crawford went 5 of 11 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points.
Gabe Oldham led the Pioneers (8-11, 1-3) in scoring, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. Denver also got 19 points from Zane Nelson. Carson Johnson also put up 11 points and six assists.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
South Dakota
SD Highway Patrol releases new details on hit and run, asks for public’s help
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Highway Patrol is continuing to look for the suspect in a deadly hit-and-run near Humboldt, SD.
In a Facebook post, the SD Highway Patrol has released new details regarding the semi suspected of committing the hit and run.
According to police, the semi is a red Freightliner Cascadia semi, missing its passenger-side headlight.
The semi was traveling eastbound from the Humboldt area on I-90 in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, 2026.
Police are seeking information, video, or pictures from 2:13 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. along I-90 and I-29 from the public.
If you have any tips or footage, contact the South Dakota Highway Patrol District 2 Office at (605) 367-5700.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces $48 million for statewide projects
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) has the approval of over $48 million in loans and grants for statewide projects.
Together with the Board of Water and Natural Resources, a total of $36,958,000 in state loans, including $425,000 in principal forgiveness, was authorized for drinking water and wastewater improvements.
More funding was distributed to the following programs:
BDM Rural Water:
- Received an additional $233,450 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to construct a new water treatment plant, install a new water reservoir, install a pipe to expand the water system, and replace water meters
Clay Rural Water:
- Received $334,250 in ARPA grant funds to construct two ground storage reservoirs near the Greenfield reservoir and the Wakonda Water Treatment plant
Mid-Dakota Rural Water System:
- Received $917,357.85 in ARPA grant to update the existing water system
Mitchell:
- Received $3,930,000 in Clean Water State Revolving Funds to upgrade the clay sanitary and storm sewer
Rapid City:
- Received a $14,512,000 Drinking Water State Revolving loan to make improvements to an existing well and also construct two new wells
Shared Resources:
- Received $1,500,000 in ARPA grant funds for a treatment plant, well field, distribution pipeline, and two storage tanks
Sioux Falls:
- Received $7,648,000 to complete a third connection to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System
- Received $17,746,000 to construct a new Southeast Basin sanitary force main
South Lincoln Rural Water System:
- Received $328,250 in ARPA funds to install an elevated water tank, new pump station, and new water treatment plant
South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources:
- Received $1 million in ARPA funds for its statewide Riparian Buffer Initiative
Toronto:
- Received $770,000 Drinking Water Revolving Loan to accommodate the Department of Transportation installing new storm sewers and highway surfacing
These programs are funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments, and bonds.
The board approved the funding during a January 8 meeting in Pierre.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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