South Dakota

Noem signs Indian Child Welfare Council and other bills into law • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2024

Noem signs Indian Child Welfare Council and other bills into law • South Dakota Searchlight

South Dakota will soon have a council devoted to the welfare of Native American children.

Gov. Kristi Noem signed House Bill 1232 this week, which creates the Indian Child Welfare Advisory Council. It will bring together people from the Department of Social Services, South Dakota’s nine tribes, the Legislature, and the field of child welfare for annual conversations.

The group’s work will include finding solutions to the disproportionate number of Native American children in the foster care system. A South Dakota Searchlight and Argus Leader investigation last year found that Native children accounted for nearly 74% of the foster care system, despite accounting for only 13% of the state’s overall child population.

Following are summaries of some other bills Noem signed into law recently as she continues to consider measures passed by the Legislature. The 2024 legislative session ended Thursday, except for one day on March 25 to consider vetoes. Noem had not vetoed any bills as of Friday afternoon.

Prison funding

Senate Bill 50 helps fund the planned construction of a women’s prison in Rapid City by appropriating $2.42 million of remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for water and sewer infrastructure at the site. It also moves $20.89 million into a fund for construction, to pair with $60 million set aside last year toward an estimated cost of $87 million.

“We are saving taxpayer dollars by avoiding future debt and funding this important project now,” Noem said in a news release.

The new prison will ease overcrowding at the existing women’s facility in Pierre. Noem has a similar bill under consideration that would provide funds for the construction of a men’s prison in rural Lincoln County.

Medical marijuana

SB 10 says if a person obtains certification for a medical marijuana card from a practitioner who’s not their primary care provider, that practitioner must notify the patient’s primary care provider or referring practitioner.

Sexual assault allegations

SB 98 establishes the admissibility of suspects’ previous sexual assault allegations in prosecutions of child sexual assaults. Lawmakers rejected a similar bill addressing suspects in adult sexual assault cases.

During testimony on the bills, supporters pointed to federal rules allowing such evidence, written in the 1990s but never adopted in South Dakota.

Guaranteed income ban

SB 115 prevents a county, township or municipality from authorizing a guaranteed basic income program, such as those that have been offered to low-income people in some U.S. cities.

The bill defines a guaranteed income program as “a plan funded or administered by the government under which an individual is provided with regular, unconditional cash payments to be used for any purpose by the individual.” The bill says the term does not include unemployment benefits.

Feral cats

SB 172 allows a person to temporarily take responsibility of a feral cat for the purpose of spaying or neutering the animal.

Carbon pipeline bills

Following through on a pledge she made immediately after the bills’ passage, Noem signed three bills intended to strengthen landowner protections while maintaining a regulatory path forward for a multi-state carbon dioxide pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions.

The bills are HB 1185, HB 1186 and SB 201. Among other things, they require pipeline companies to pay landowners $500 for access to survey land; allow counties to impose a pipeline surcharge of up to $1 per linear foot, with half of the proceeds going to affected landowners as property tax relief; restrict pipeline easements to five years if a project isn’t permitted and to 99 years otherwise; give landowners rights to contest surveys and request survey results; and stipulate that a pipeline permit from the state Public Utilities Commission overrules local pipeline regulations, unless the commission decides to require compliance with local rules.

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South Dakota

America’s Biggest Petrified Park Has Otherworldly Vibes Next To South Dakota’s Cowboy Capital – Islands

Published

11 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

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.

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South Dakota

November Commemorations Remind South Dakota of an Unsettling Truth: Toxic Exposure Still Impacts Veterans and Military Families

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

November Commemorations Remind South Dakota of an Unsettling Truth: Toxic Exposure Still Impacts Veterans and Military Families

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South Dakota

South Dakota State will host New Hampshire for First Round matchup

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota State will host New Hampshire for First Round matchup

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.

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