South Dakota

'No Going Back' for Noem after trying too hard to impress Trump • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2024

'No Going Back' for Noem after trying too hard to impress Trump • South Dakota Searchlight

These are tough times for Kristi Noem. She’s frequently the butt of jokes from late-night comedians. She’s been lampooned on “Saturday Night Live.” Her plight inspires memes on the internet: Run, Cricket! Run!

In one of the roughest book tours in the entire history of print, Noem finds herself defending the killing of a family dog — a story she included in her book to show she knows how to make tough decisions — and dodging questions about why she made up an anecdote about meeting the reclusive dictator of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.

The book, ironically titled “No Going Back,” is just one of her latest efforts to ingratiate herself with Donald Trump as she competes to be his selection to serve as his vice presidential candidate.

Sure, Noem has no one to blame but herself for her current predicament. She sought to be a national leader and instead became a national punchline. Her current fate is made all the more bitter by the fact that it certainly didn’t have to be this way.

Go back in time to the pandemic when Noem was seen in some circles as a hero for keeping South Dakota businesses open. Journalists who pointed out that the state led the league in per capita COVID-19 deaths were dismissed by Noem’s office as fake news. However, people didn’t seem to want to know the facts. Sick of their own governments literally being in their face with mask mandates, they liked the notion that there was freedom in South Dakota.

At this point, Noem’s popularity exploded. If you doubt this, don’t go back and check old polls or look up what the pundits were saying then. All you need to do is ask your real estate agent, many of whom were getting calls from across the country from people intent on moving to South Dakota because of the example and policies set by Noem. These were people who were tired of being told by government how to live their lives, even if those instructions were for their own good.

Noem has no one to blame but herself for her current predicament. She sought to be a national leader and instead became a national punchline.

Of course Noem’s growing popularity put her on Trump’s radar, and that’s when she started to make mistakes. During her dating years, Noem may have known the value of playing hard to get. During her political years, she forgot that tactic and threw herself into a process designed to make her Trump’s choice to be his V.P.

Should Trump be elected, his vice presidency is political gold. In four short years, Trump would be out of office and his vice president would likely have the inside track on getting the Republican nomination. Noem, like others competing in the veepstakes, saw a short-term chance to grab higher office.

Hindsight tells us that Noem would have been better off steering clear of the Trump circus and taking the political long view. Instead of panting after the vice presidency, the post-pandemic Noem should have split her efforts — nurturing her popularity by helping other Republican candidates while focusing on the needs of South Dakotans.

Noem could have strengthened her resume with an eventual run for the U.S. Senate or a Cabinet position in Trump’s administration or a high-profile job, perhaps leading the NRA. Any of that would have helped her be a better, more well-rounded candidate should she choose to run for the presidency some time in the future.

Instead, lured by the prospect of four years serving Trump and then a possible move to the Oval Office, Noem has recast her image. She’s Kristi the wartime governor. She’s Kristi the TV pitchwoman.

Certainly “No Going Back” was written to burnish her V.P. credentials in Trump World. It’s just too bad that in the rest of the world, her story has become a joke for some and a stain for others. The book and its fallout will haunt Noem if she tries to continue her political career.

Instead of taking her growing national popularity and forming a long-term political strategy, Noem chose to take part in Trump’s “Apprentice”-style tryout for vice president. Now she has the distinction of being the largest national political failure from South Dakota since Sen. George McGovern lost the presidency in a landslide to Richard Nixon. The difference between the two is that McGovern was the choice of his party, but Noem made her mess while trying to be the choice of one man.

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South Dakota

How South Dakota officials have reacted to ‘massive’ US attack on Iran

Published

11 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

How South Dakota officials have reacted to ‘massive’ US attack on Iran

South Dakota’s Congressional leaders are praising President Donald Trump for his action of joining Israel for a missile-launched attack this weekend in Iran, with the intent to target and dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and demand regime change.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” Trump said Saturday, Feb. 28, calling the strikes, “a massive and ongoing operation.”

Trump has since faced scrutiny for a lack of clarity about the timeline and overall goals of the war, and acting without the direct approval of Congress, which has the power to officially declare war for the U.S. Lawmakers are also in heated debate about whether the Trump’s decision may violate the Constitution, with Democrats calling for a war powers resolution vote to stop the effort, according to multiple military outlets.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, was directly targeted, a Middle Eastern official told USA TODAY. Khamenei was killed in the attacks on Feb. 28, according to Israeli sources who told USA TODAY, CNN and Reuters. He was 86 and had led Iran since 1989.

Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes, hitting American and Israeli targets, including a U.S. Naval base in Bahrain. Iran said its enemies would be “decisively defeated.”

At least four Americans and an estimated 200 other individuals have been killed, and an estimated 700 injured as of March 2.

President Trump said he expects more to come.

Here’s what South Dakota Congressional leaders, along with former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who now sits at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security as secretary, have to say about what has been named by the administration as Operation Epic Fury.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune

“For years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, its expanded ballistic missile inventory and its unwavering support for terror groups in the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. servicemembers, citizens in the region, and many of our allies,” said Thune, a Republican, the morning of Feb. 28 in a comment from his office.

“Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats,” Thune said, thanking Secretary Rubio for providing updates on these issues throughout the week.

“I look forward to administration officials briefing all senators about these military operations,” he said. “I commend the bravery of the servicemembers carrying out these operations and pray for the safety of those in harm’s way.”

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds

Rounds, a Republican, said Trump took “the right course of action” when handling the strike.

Rounds later congratulated the United States military and Trump on the death of the Iranian leader, stating the moment “offers a path for a more peaceful Middle East.”

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson

Johnson, a Republican and the lone U.S. representative for South Dakota, stated the Iranian regime “is full of theocratic thugs and is the world’s largest state sponsor of terror.” He said Trump had given multiple opportunities to change direction.

“I’m praying for the safety of America’s servicemembers, and our allies involved in Operation Epic Fury,” Johnson stated on social media.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

Noem, who left her governorship after she was appointed secretary at the beginning of Trump’s current term, took to social media as well, stating she was actively monitoring any potential threats against America.

“I am in direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners,” she said.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Millionaire for Life winning numbers for March 1, 2026

Published

23 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 1, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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South Dakota

South Dakota High School Students Showcase Culinary Skills – Harrisburg Today

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

South Dakota High School Students Showcase Culinary Skills – Harrisburg Today

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational is an annual culinary competition where high school students from across the state showcase their cooking and restaurant management skills. This year, 12 schools will send a total of 60 talented students to Pierre to compete in events like cake decorating, culinary arts, and restaurant management. Winners will receive scholarships and the opportunity to advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland.

Why it matters

The ProStart® program is an important investment in developing South Dakota’s future culinary and hospitality industry leaders. By providing high school students with hands-on experience and the chance to compete at the state and national levels, the program helps cultivate the next generation of skilled chefs, restaurateurs, and food service professionals.

The details

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will take place on March 9-10, 2026 in Pierre. The competition kicks off on Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM with a cake decorating contest. The more intense culinary arts and restaurant management competitions will be held on Tuesday, March 10th starting at 8:45 AM. Students will be judged on their technical skills, creativity, and business acumen as they compete for scholarships and a spot at the national competition.

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will take place on March 9-10, 2026.
The cake decorating competition will be held on Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM.
The culinary arts and restaurant management competitions will take place on Tuesday, March 10th starting at 8:45 AM.

The players

Nathan Sanderson

Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, which administers the ProStart® program.

Florence

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Harrisburg

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Huron

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Mitchell CTE

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“ProStart® is an excellent way for us to invest in South Dakota’s future industry leaders. Our students are highly skilled and graduate workplace ready.”

— Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association (b1027.com)

What’s next

The winners of the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland, where they will represent the state on a national stage.

The takeaway

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational is a valuable program that helps cultivate the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals in the state, providing high school students with hands-on experience, scholarships, and the opportunity to showcase their skills at the national level.

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