South Dakota
Legislative Update from the South Dakota State Capitol
Yes, the legislative session is over—except for Veto Day on Monday, March 31. We are grateful that Gov. Rhoden has signed almost all of the bills we worked on, except for HB1169, which he recently vetoed. As a result, we urge you to contact your two representatives and your senator and ask them to support HB1169 by overriding the governor’s veto.
HB1169 is a bill that would require signatures on an initiated petition for a constitutional amendment to be a representation of each of the 35 legislative districts. It should be difficult to make changes to our Constitution. The Constitution outlines the structure of government and is not intended to reflect the whims of current ideas. Once an article of the Constitution is amended, it isn’t easy to revert to the original article. Take, for example, the institution of video lottery in 1989. This was introduced through a change to the South Dakota Constitution in November 1988. Since then, we have attempted unsuccessfully several times to repeal video lottery.
In our recent 2024 election, attempts were made to amend our Constitution to make unfettered abortion legal in our state. Amendment H would have also installed “open primaries” into our Constitution. Thankfully, these measures were defeated.
HB1169 will prevent those seeking signatures on petitions from getting them only in and around Sioux Falls or Rapid City. Petition drivers will be required to obtain signatures from the less populated areas as well to gain a full representation of our state.
HB1169 passed with a veto-proof majority in the House 63-6; we are hopeful that these representatives will retain their Yes vote. However, the Senate vote of 19-15 is not veto-proof. We need 24 senators to submit a Yes vote.
You have until March 30 to make your voice heard.
ACTION: Contact your state senator and urge them to vote Yes to override the Governor’s veto on HB1169. Click here if you don’t know who your state senator is. Inform them that changing our Constitution should be a difficult process. Please also contact your two representatives and thank them if they voted Yes and/or urge them to vote Yes again on HB1169. Please let your representatives know that you are being kept informed by Concerned Women for America of South Dakota.
PRAYER: Father, Thank You that You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think. We are grateful for the many bills that were passed and signed by Gov. Rhoden. We thank you for our South Dakota Constitution and the freedoms we enjoy and ask that this final bill be passed and put into law. We are humbly grateful for the freedom we have in Christ who blesses us with His grace and salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Thank you for your consistent prayers and actions on behalf of the bills we have been updating you about, as well as the many kind words that have been expressed as we lobbied, attended meetings, and testified before committees at the state capitol every week. We are grateful!
Red Flag Warnings are in effect across parts of the central High Plains and adjacent Rocky Mountain region on March 25, 2026, as meteorological conditions support critical fire weather across portions of Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, and nearby areas.
The National Weather Service (NWS) offices in Cheyenne, Riverton, North Platte, Rapid City, Billings, Missoula, Grand Junction, and Hastings issued multiple coordinated warnings covering numerous fire weather zones, with the most widespread period of concern from late morning through the evening hours. In several areas of Nebraska and Wyoming, warnings extend into March 26.
Sustained west to southwest winds of 25–65 km/h (15–40 mph), with gusts reaching 65–95 km/h (40–60 mph), are forecast across much of the region. The strongest winds are expected in parts of Wyoming and Montana, including mountainous and foothill areas, where gusts may locally reach 95 km/h (60 mph).
Relative humidity values are forecast to drop to between 10–20% during peak heating, with some locations reporting minimum values near 10–12%.
Temperatures are expected to rise well above seasonal averages, with highs reaching the upper 20s to low 30s °C (upper 70s to lower 90s °F) across parts of Nebraska, Wyoming, and surrounding regions. This combination of warm temperatures and dry fuels significantly enhances the potential for ignition and rapid fire spread.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) identified a Critical Fire Weather area in its Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook for parts of central and eastern Wyoming into far western Nebraska and extreme southwest South Dakota, citing a strengthening surface pressure gradient and strong mid-level winds contributing to sustained surface winds of approximately 30–40 km/h (20–25 mph) and relative humidity near 15%.
The fire weather threat is forecast to shift southward in the coming days. The SPC Day 2 outlook highlights critical fire weather conditions across central New Mexico into the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and northwest Oklahoma, where low relative humidity and strengthening winds are expected to persist.
Additional hazards include the potential for isolated dry lightning, particularly across portions of western Nebraska and surrounding areas during the late afternoon and evening. Any lightning strikes in dry fuels may act as ignition sources, while associated outflow winds could lead to erratic fire behavior.
A cold front is forecast to move through the region late on March 25 into early March 26, bringing an abrupt wind shift from westerly to northerly directions with continued gusts of 30–70 km/h (20–45 mph). While cooler temperatures and slightly higher humidity may follow the frontal passage, the wind shift could exacerbate fire behavior in ongoing incidents.
Late March marks the beginning of the peak fire weather season across the central High Plains and adjacent regions, when dormant grasses and dry vegetation are highly receptive to ignition. Combined with frequent strong wind events and low humidity, this seasonal pattern increases the likelihood of fast-moving grassland fires.
Authorities advise against outdoor burning during the warning period, as even small ignition sources may lead to rapidly spreading fires under the prevailing conditions.
References:
1 Mar 25, 2026 Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook – NWS – March 25, 2026
2 Mar 25, 2026 Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook – NWS – March 25, 2026
3 Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook Issued on Mar 24, 2026 – NWS – March 24, 2026
South Dakota
John Stiegelmeier to have book-signing Thursday at Our Saviors Lutheran in Sioux Falls at 7 o’clock
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -If you’re a John Stiegelmeier and SDSU Football fan I’d recommend stopping by to hear from the coach Thursday night in Sioux Falls.
I will be moderating a discussion about his new book that delves into Stig’s life but also takes a look back at the history of the football program at South Dakota State that ended in a National Championship in Stig’s final season as head coach.
You’ll hear from the man who was so beloved…this was right before the title game greeting Jacks fans.
Tanner Castora the author, Dan Jackson and Taryn Christion will be part of the discussion…
Thursday night, 7 o’clock at Our Saviors Lutheran in Sioux Falls. It’s right across from the Augustana campus.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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