South Dakota

South Dakota leaders react to attempted assassination

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2024

South Dakota leaders react to attempted assassination

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — An assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump has the country and world’s attention.

Here in South Dakota, KELOLAND’s Jordan DeSmet talked with U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson, Senator Mike Rounds and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley to learn about their reactions to the shooting.

Former President Donald Trump, who is soon to become the GOP’s nominee for president this year formally, sustained minor injuries in the assassination attempt. One person in the crowd lost his life, and two more were critically injured.

The violence has left Rep. Dusty Johnson questioning the Secret Service.

“The Secret Service failed America yesterday, and it’s a problem not just because of what happened yesterday, but it’s also a problem for tomorrow and every day thereafter. We have presidential candidates who have threats on their lives every single day. And I think we all should have serious questions about whether or not the Secret Service is up to the task of protecting them,” Johnson said.

“The first thing I want to say is, is that this is never acceptable and that everybody should take a deep breath. And leaders, rather than inflaming, need to tell everybody to calm down,” Rounds said.

The shooter is identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed by a Secret Service sniper seconds after firing at Trump.

“Certainly no elected official is immune, including myself, from violence. And we’ve had it here in South Dakota. I just had recently prosecuted the case involving the threats to both the governor and a judge. We’ve had that happen from occasion. I think it signifies the importance of addressing those threats ahead of time, making it serious,” Jackley said.

Jackley, Johnson and Rounds all agree that now is a more important time than ever for politicians on both sides to come together.

“I think you see Republican, Democrat, independent candidates and voters saying that they don’t support this type of violence,” Jackley said.

“Generally, in the wake of tragedy, Americans come together. They unify. Let’s hope that happens. Because, frankly, the more that we are divided, the more anger, frustration, fear and violence we have in the system,” Johnson said.

We are Americans first, not Republicans, Democrats or independents. We’re Americans first. Let’s join together. Let’s denounce this violence,” Rounds said.

We reached out to South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Sen. John Thune for interviews but did not hear back.

To read more responses from other political leaders in South Dakota, click here.

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South Dakota

Governor Rhoden signs school lunch bill into law

Published

6 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Governor Rhoden signs school lunch bill into law

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Governor Rhoden officially signed HB 1082 into law on Friday, March 27.

HB 1082 is a bill that establishes parameters for reimbursing school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students.

Representative Kadyn Wittman, who has worked to pass the bill for several years, expressed excitement and gratitude in a post to Facebook on Friday.

“10,000 kids across our state will now have access to free school meals. No stigma. No barriers. Just the support they need to learn and grow,” wrote Wittman.

“So incredibly grateful to everyone who made this happen. This is a big win for South Dakota families!”

You can see the full bill and its sponsors here.

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South Dakota

Retired Air Force four-star general Maryanne Miller speaks at South Dakota Mines

Published

18 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Retired Air Force four-star general Maryanne Miller speaks at South Dakota Mines

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Students at South Dakota Mines heard Wednesday from retired four-star general Maryanne Miller about her journey to the highest ranks of the U.S. military.

Miller is a retired four-star U.S. Air Force general. She is the only member of the Air Force Reserve ever to be promoted to this level.

She spoke about finding greatness and living a life of fulfillment. Her stories came from her time in the Air Force and as a volunteer for Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity.

“We so much get focused on what is our next step in life, what’s the next career move, how do we make ourselves better in our career, and we forget about how do we make ourselves better as a human being,” Miller said. “Because they have to go tandem. If it’s not tandem, you’re going to get off track.”

Miller was commissioned in 1981 and rose through the ranks before becoming a four-star general in 2018. She was the only woman serving as a four-star officer in the military at the time. She retired in 2020 after serving for almost 40 years.

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South Dakota

USDA to offer distaster assistance to South Dakota agriculture producers impacted by winter storms

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

USDA to offer distaster assistance to South Dakota agriculture producers impacted by winter storms

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering financial and technical assistance to South Dakota farmers and livestock producers who may have been impacted by the recent winter storms.

“I encourage impacted producers to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.” said Richard Fordyce, Production and Conservation Under Secretary.

FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program can assist landowners with financial assistance to restore damaged land and conservation structures or forests.

“Our staff will work one-on-one with landowners to make assessments of the damages and develop methods that focus on effective recovery of the land.” said Jessica Michalski, Acting NRCS State Conservationist in South Dakota.

For more information about the disaster assistance program, click here.

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