South Dakota

Series of prison, criminal defense bills move through SD Legislature

Published

2 years ago

January 22, 2024

Series of prison, criminal defense bills move through SD Legislature

PIERRE — It’s been two weeks since the South Dakota Legislature first convened, and a series of bills related to the planned operation of a state penitentiary in Lincoln County are slated for discussion and debate.

While some have already advanced, another was quickly swept away. A third cluster of bills have yet to be discussed.

As questions swirl about how to approach and logistics of the construction and operation of a new penitentiary, so do questions about Sec. Kellie Wasko, head of the state’s Department of Corrections (DOC).

Just days before the Legislature convened on Jan. 9, a collective of corrections employees released a letter calling for Wasko’s replacement.

“A prevailing sentiment among most staff is that Secretary Wasko’s continued tenure as a leader has proven ineffective,” the letter reads. “Many believe that a change in leadership, one that is more supportive of the well-being and concerns of correctional officers, is imperative.”

In the letter, staff allege that Wasko’s policies have led to an increase in contraband and drug distribution, increased inmate’s resistance to corrections officers’ authority and increased response times to emergencies.

The call for her replacement resulted in Rep. Kevin Jensen, R-Canton, asking fellow lawmakers to vote against prison expansion until the issues brought forth in the letter are resolved.

Sec. Kellie Wasko, left, takes questions from nurses in the Jameson Annex about the effects of a department shuffle.

Michael Winder / Department of Corrections

“A new building will not fix horrible policy issues,” Jensen said he told lawmakers. “There is no urgency to move forward. An 800 million dollar mistake would be on our heads if we approve it.”

While it’s unclear whether lawmakers plan to heed his advice, here are a few important prison and criminal defense bills to keep an eye on:

HB 1057: Creating a statewide public defender’s office

One piece of legislation would create two new bodies in the realm of criminal defense for low-income individuals across South Dakota.

House Bill 1057 would direct for the creation of the Commission on Indigent Legal Services and Office of Indigent Legal Services.

The creation of those bodies was a need identified in a summer study conducted by lawmakers last year. Per the bill, the commission would oversee indigent representation services while the office would do the groundwork providing those services.

As it stands, county governments, funded by its citizens, foot the bill for indigent representation. With HB 1057, state government would pay as part of its operating costs.

According to Greg Sattizahn, a court administrator and lobbyist, the commission and office would take approximately $1.4 million to establish — a number that Gov. Kristi Noem has already factored into her budget proposal.

After being heard by the House Committee on State Affairs on Wednesday and Friday, it was referred to an appropriations committee by way of a 13-0 vote.

It has not yet been scheduled for a second committee hearing.

Hanson County Courthouse.jpg — The Hanson County Courthouse in Alexandria.

SB 31: Funding for indigent legal services

A separate bill navigating through the Senate would provide funding for the Commission on Indigent Legal Services.

Senate Bill 31 stipulates that the funding shall be kept at the state level. Twenty-two percent of the funds would be used for administration, with the rest being disbursed to counties to cover indigent legal expenses.

After its first reading in the Senate, the bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Appropriations, and has not yet been debated by lawmakers.

HB1039: Pushing DOC to cover inmates’ legal expenses

With the prison’s planned location near Canton, officials in Lincoln County are concerned about whether the county will be able to cover criminal defense costs for inmates.

To address that, Rep. Ernie Otten, R-Tea, introduced House Bill 1039.

If it were to become law, the Department of Corrections would be required to cover legal expenses for inmates who commit crimes inside DOC facilities.

Springfield prison — The gates at Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield.

The bill was first heard in the House Committee on State Affairs, where it passed with a 13-0 vote. It was then transferred to appropriators, who added an amendment that would provide for the possibility to force the inmate, if convicted, to repay their legal expenses as part of their terms of probation or parole.

Jensen’s bill comes as Lincoln County Commissioner Joel Arends estimates Minnehaha County’s Public Defender’s Office spends up to $100,000 annually on the criminal defense of inmates. Lincoln County does not have a public defender’s office, and instead contracts with area firms.

The bill has not yet been voted on by appropriators in its entirety.

SB49: Moving money to fund the prison

It’s going to take a large sum of money to construct a new prison, and appropriators are beginning to take steps to spend it.

Senate Bill 49 calls for the use of $10 million in federal grant funding for the installation of water and wastewater infrastructure at the site. It also transfers more than $228 million from the state’s general and reserve funds to the Department of Corrections for the purpose of prison construction.

The bill has been referred to a Senate appropriations committee, but has not yet received a vote.

Some lawmakers have estimated the new prison will cost as much as $1.2 billion to construct.

The South Dakota Legislature will remain in session until March 7, with an extra day on March 25 reserved for consideration of gubernatorial vetoes.

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South Dakota

28 SD school districts to receive literacy grant

Published

4 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

28 SD school districts to receive literacy grant

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Nearly 30 school districts in the state of South Dakota will receive the Elevating Literacy Across South Dakota (ELA-SD) grant from the South Dakota Department of Education. The purpose of the ELA-SD grants is to help create a comprehensive program to advance literary and pre-literary skills, reading and writing for […]

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South Dakota

Rep. Dusty Johnson backs Senator Rounds push for investigation into mail service in South Dakota

Published

16 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Rep. Dusty Johnson backs Senator Rounds push for investigation into mail service in South Dakota

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -Congressman Dusty Johnson is backing Senator Mike Round’s push for an investigation in postal service delays in South Dakota.

Johnson took to social media saying Senator Mike Rounds was right to ask for an investigation into postal service delays in South Dakota. Rounds had previously sent a letter to the postal service’s inspector general asking for her to find the cause of mail delays in South Dakota. Rounds said in his letter he has heard from hundreds of constituents across South Dakota. Johnson opened up with KOTA Territory News about his support for the investigation.

“I think the postal service is a terrible disaster,” said Johnson.

Johnson noted that in the past the service did what he said was a pretty good job. Johnson says despite sending letters and making phone calls with the postal service, he has not gotten any answers.

“I have asked if I can come down to one of their facilities, get a tour so I can better understand what’s going on behind the walls. They have refused to even let me, a member of congress, come learn about how they conduct their business. And so, this appears to be an enterprise that A, is not improving, B, isn’t communicating why there, why there failing and C doesn’t even appear to be particularly interested in getting better,” explained Johnson.

Rounds has pointed to the problem as being that mail traveling across or into South Dakota taking indirect routes. Rounds previously took a meeting with the postmaster general however the senator appears not satisfied with the outcome.

Rounds wrote in part in his letter, “I expressed my concerns about this to the Postmaster General (PMG) Steiner who downplayed such issue existed in South Dakota.”

In a letter sent to Rounds in October, Postmaster General David Steiner said that fixing issues at central region plants in Chicago, St Louis and Kansas City will likely improve outcomes and that at the time it was something the USPS was actively working on. The postmaster general acknowledged poor performance for first class mail at the beginning of the year and mid-summer but noted that it has since improved. During the week ending September 19th for South Dakota’s postal district, about %93 percent of first-class mail was delivered on time and roughly %97 percent was delivered within one day of its expected arrival. The postmaster general said he wanted to focus on the %3 percent that’s not getting to its destination on time.

“It may be only a small percentage of the mail, but because we deliver hundreds of millions of pieces each day nationally, the raw number is large,” wrote Steiner.

Steiner emphasized that some mail in South Dakota has always left the state for processing before going to another part of the state. The postmaster general explained that some mail requires certain sorting equipment and therefor some mail travels to plants with the right equipment.

The postmaster general also maintained in his letter that mail going to and from the same area in South Dakota is not leaving the state.

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South Dakota

Best steakhouse in South Dakota? Top spots for premium cuts and sides

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Best steakhouse in South Dakota? Top spots for premium cuts and sides

Step inside a few of South Dakota’s most iconic steakhouses, where the baked potatoes are foil-wrapped and the wood-fired grill is crackling.

Don’t mess with South Dakota’s red meat.

With some of the best, high-quality cattle in the country raised right here in the Mt. Rushmore state, you’ll easily find a ribeye nearby.

But not all steaks are the same. We compared the cut, the prep and the presentation and narrowed down a few of our favorite steakhouses for our carnivores.

Hartford Steak Co. Tavern

The concept for a small and affordable menu began with a burger sold for a nickel by Diane Friese’s great-grandfather in the 1920s. A family tradition untouched over the decades, you can still buy a filet mignon for an easy $15 at the Hartford Steak Co. today. But that’s about it. The filets are sized up to 24 ounces, then there’s steak tips or a hot beef sandwich to choose from. All come with a crisp, cold lettuce wedge, baked potato, and warm French bread. On the weekends, they spice it up with a $20 prime rib dinner (meaning the filets are off the menu, only one choice for you). Order a margarita on the side and enjoy a no-fuss night.

The Hartford Steakhouse has a second location in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Details: 709 N. Mundt Ave., Hartford, S.D., 605-528-6185, hartfordsteakcotavern.com.

Morrie’s Steakhouse

It’s giving Old Hollywood glam, some soft jazz and extravagance. Namesake Morrie Richards was a humble farmer from Ipswich, South Dakota, but Mama taught the family hospitality, and now the steakhouse is an experience for families and business diners. Steak is the star, but what comes with it elevates the night. Shared sides include loaded hash browns or smoked pork mac, and steak accompaniments include a 75-day-old cave-aged blue cheese slab or a three-day veal demi-glaze. Morrie’s honors community ranchers as well, bringing to the table local grass-fed butcher cuts and bone-in Tomahawk wagyu ribeyes.

Details: 2507 S. Shirley Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D., 605-362-8125, morriessteakhouse.com.

Mad Mary’s

Along the Big Sioux River in South Dakota is Mad Mary’s Steakhouse, a classic mom-and-pop in Flandreau, South Dakota, that’s been attracting hunters for more than 30 years. It’s changed hands a few times, but has been led now by Christina Ramos since 2018, who served at Mad Mary’s for more than a decade. She’s got a “secret seasoning” in the kitchen for her prime rib and sirloins, but come for the Butcher’s Trio to try it all: a plate of beef, chicken and pork served with a twice-baked potato and buttered toast for $50.

Mad Mary’s has a second location in Pierre, South Dakota, under different ownership, where you get a free T-shirt if you order a margarita. Size up after all that hearty South Dakota beef.

Details: 306 N. Veterans St., Flandreau, S.D., 605-997-9901, madmaryssteakhouse.com.

Ironwood Steakhouse

A bespoke contemporary experience in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Minneapolis-based restaurateurs of Ironwood Steakhouse bring to town their crisp white linens, sparkly chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Big Sioux River and Falls Park.

The maître d wears a suit and tie, so maybe you should, too.

The two-story, upscale supper club brings in its prime-aged beef from Snake River Farms in Idaho and cooks over coals for that unmistakable sear. Try the eight-ounce wagyu Zabuton, steak tartare or the steak Diane: an eight-ounce teres major cut with mushroom cream sauce.

Then return for their mushroom pierogis, rabbit stroganoff or even just an espresso martini at the bar, served with your own picture printed atop the foam.

A toast to our steak victors.

Details: 150 E. Fourth Place, Sioux Falls, S.D., 605-937-0280, ironwoodsf.com.

Delmonico Grill

Another for the upscale diners, Delmonico Grill in Rapid City, South Dakota, has been serving its in-house, dry-aged “Kona” Hawaiian style ribeye for nearly 20 years. It’s classic steakhouse fare in a comfortable atmosphere: Choose from intimate booths or red velvet benches, with a view of downtown Main Street always abuzz.

Details: 609 Main St., Rapid City, S.D., 605-791-1664, delmonicogrill.com.

Did we miss your favorite steakhouse? Drop us a line at ageorge@usatodayco.com with details.

Angela George is the trending news reporter for the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, part of the USA TODAY Co. network. Email ageorge@usatodayco.com.

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