South Dakota

Noem sucker punches South Dakota dentists • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2024

Noem sucker punches South Dakota dentists • South Dakota Searchlight

Sporting her new pearly artificial Texas smile, Gov. Kristi Noem this week punched South Dakota dentists in the teeth and ended up in court.

Her video infomercial promoting her flight to Texas to obtain a mouthful of perfect teeth has been described as “bizarre” and “very weird.” Supporters and critics alike are aghast at her poor judgment.

They’re also wondering if she has violated ethics rules. On Wednesday, the consumer advocacy group Travelers United said it sued Noem for “the lack of advertising disclosure” as required by the Federal Trade Commission.

The nearly five-minute video that garnered worldwide media attention was first posted to Noem’s social media late Monday night.

I love my new family at Smile Texas! The video says it all, and I am so grateful for their help fixing my smile for me. 😊🙌🏼😊 pic.twitter.com/z2kTmiY8td
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) March 12, 2024

She tells her story of flying twice to Texas to obtain her new teeth because of problems lingering from a long-ago bicycle accident, and because she thought her appearance was a detriment to her ability to communicate. Why Texas?

“I chose the team here at Smile Texas because they are the best,” she said.

Apparently none of South Dakota’s numerous skilled implant dentists are good enough to provide the American Legislative Exchange Council’s 2021 best governor in the nation with teeth to match her stature.

Wait, isn’t this the governor who just recently posed as a dental hygienist in a Freedom Works Here advertisement recruiting people to move here?

Isn’t she also regularly telling the nation how South Dakota is the best in so many ways?

“Our state has become the number one state for individuals, families, and businesses to build the American Dream,” she said in her 2023 State of the State Address. “We are number one in the nation for personal income growth over the past several years. That is how South Dakotans build the American Dream by working hard and earning more than they have before.”

But South Dakota’s dentists just don’t quite make her grade.

It’s not only the state’s dentists who were insulted by her words, but everyone who lives with imperfect teeth. One glance at photos of other politicians reveals that many of them have imperfections in their smile.

Are they less effective communicators because of a crooked tooth?

Gov. Noem believes her teeth distracted from her message.

“I want when people look at me to hear the words that I say and not be distracted by something that I am wearing or how I look or even my appearance,” she said in the video. “I want them to focus on my thoughts and my ideas and what we can do to really make this country better.

“So, for me to have a confident smile and have my teeth be something that is not a distraction but actually is appealing to people will be helpful because I think that it will make sure that we are focused on really the right points that I want to make and make sure that that confidence shines through.”

The governor also believes that only a perfect smile allows people to see that she is genuine. Now that the dental work is complete, “They can actually appreciate and see the kindness in my face and see the love that I have for them.”

Really, governor? Did you need to expose yourself and South Dakota to Travel United’s allegations of deceptive advertising and ethical lapses?

“Someone with a very busy job does not take time off of that job to make a free advertisement for medical services in another state. There are many dentists and cosmetic dentists in South Dakota,” the Travel United lawsuit said.

“No one with an extremely important job in South Dakota would fly to Texas to receive dental treatment and then sit in that office and film an advertisement without some form of compensation,” the suit continued.

So, Travelers United, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, demands a jury trial, damages, legal fees and asks that Noem be permanently stopped “from advertising on social media without disclosing that she is advertising.”

For Noem, however, it’s probably just bold strategy.

She elevated herself to the top of the week’s news cycle just when Donald Trump clinched enough delegates to become the Republican nominee for president.

Noem is on Trump’s short list for vice president, and as Noem said in the infomercial, “People’s first impressions of you are important.”

Perfect teeth and lawsuits – what more qualifications do you need?

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Source link

Related Topics:dentistry Featured kristi noem Politics

Click to comment

South Dakota

SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for March 2, 2026

Published

8 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 2 drawing

03-08-17-24-34, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 2 drawing

28-41-42-50-55, Bonus: 02

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.

Source link

South Dakota

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

Published

21 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.

Source link

South Dakota

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

Published

1 day 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.

Source link