South Dakota

Will Dusty Johnson run for South Dakota Governor? When his decision might drop:

Published

4 weeks ago

June 18, 2025

Press Room

Will Dusty Johnson run for South Dakota Governor? When his decision might drop:

MADISON — South Dakota U.S. Rep. Johnson could be entering his home state’s race for governor as early as this summer.

Johnson told the Argus Leader in Madison June 18 he is still mulling a run for his home state’s gubernatorial role.

But the window in which a possible announcement of “Johnson for South Dakota governor” has shifted. Johnson’s Office has previously told other media outlets that he may decide whether to enter the race as late as fall.

But a campaign spokesperson for Johnson told the Argus Leader in a June 18 email that the announcement decision could be coming this summer.

“Rep. Johnson is committed to his day job representing South Dakota in the U.S. House, but is considering a run for Governor,” the spokesperson stated, but their statement did not include fall as a possible timeframe.

South Dakota’s 2026 governor race has already seen two entrants announce their intent to run.

State House Speaker Jon Hansen and state House Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems announced in April their run for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, under a Republican ticket.

Aberdeen businessman and conservative activist Toby Doeden has also announced plans to run for governor in 2026, though he has not named his lieutenant governor pick.

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden, who took over for former Gov. Kristi Noem on Jan. 25 after she resigned in order to join President Donald Trump’s cabinet as Homeland Security secretary, is also expected to enter the governor’s race. Rhoden is finishing out Noem’s term, which is slated to end Jan. 4, 2027.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is also considered a possible contender for the governor job.

Johnson has served as South Dakota’s lone congressman since Jan. 3, 2019.

Education reporter Morgan Matzen contributed to this report.

Source link

Click to comment

South Dakota

New residential treatment program for women to be built in Yankton

Published

2 hours ago

July 16, 2025

Press Room

New residential treatment program for women to be built in Yankton

YANKTON, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Governor Rhoden announced on Wednesday that Avera Sacred Heart Hospital will receive $3.8 million in state funds to build an 18-bed facility for women, including pregnant mothers, undergoing residential substance use disorder therapy.

Funding made available from SB196 in the 2022 legislative session is being provided to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, following their grant application with the Department of Social Services.

“This facility will support pregnant and young mothers struggling with addiction. It will prove a safe, supportive place for these mothers to receive clinical support for their addiction,” said Governor Larry Rhoden.

Avera Sacred Heart Hospital will construct and own the facility and will partner with Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services to provide programs and services.

DSS will also accredit the treatment services to be delivered in the new facility.

“These programs provide a safe, supportive environment where women can begin to heal, rebuild their lives, and access the comprehensive care they need to achieve long-term recovery,” said DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff.

“We are grateful for Governor Rhoden and the State of South Dakota’s support of this work and caring for this important population,” said Victoria Hanson, PhD, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital Regional President & CEO.

Source link

South Dakota

South Dakota Chislic Festival returns to Freeman next weekend

Published

22 hours ago

July 15, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota Chislic Festival returns to Freeman next weekend

FREEMAN, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Thousands are expected in Freeman later this month for the South Dakota Chislic Festival.

The free, family-friendly event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on July 26 at the Freeman Prairie Arboretum.

This year marks the final annual festival. Going forward, the event will move to an every-other-year format to allow for future upgrades and new attractions.

Learn more at SDChislicFestival.com.

Source link

South Dakota

South Dakota DOH secretary talks future of AI in healthcare

Published

2 days ago

July 14, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota DOH secretary talks future of AI in healthcare

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Healthcare in a state like South Dakota, with a small population and a lot of land, can be a large task to manage.

At the Rotary Club meeting of Sioux Falls, a group of healthcare advocates discussed some of the issues facing the system today.

The Secretary of the Department of Health spoke with Dakota News Now about how Artificial Intelligence can help bridge the gap between some of these issues.

Secretary Melissa Magstadt says the department has incorporated AI for small tasks such as summarizing big documents and writing emails, and has also used AI for a range of purposes in its epidemiology department.

“Using this capability, I don’t think we understand quite yet, but we’re looking into the Department of Health on how we use it to analyze our data more thoroughly, how do we use it for our planning decisions,” Magstadt said.

Magstadt says the use of AI, along with consistent investment in tools like telehealth or mobile clinics, will help expand healthcare to South Dakota’s urban population, but especially its rural communities.

“All of those pieces will add to a part of how we deliver healthcare easily to the people that need them, no matter where you choose to live, whether it’s in the frontier of South Dakota or an urban area, they all have their challenges.”

At the next Rotary Club meeting, a panel will discuss developing health care providers for the next generation of South Dakotans.

Source link